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Am I considered to be part Jewish?

We found out that my grandmother's father on my mother's side was a Jew. He changed his last name because apparently it would be "bad for business." My mother's family isn't very open, and my mother just found this out not too long ago. Since it was my great grandfather and not my great grandmother, am I considered to be part Jewish, since he was in my family tree a few generations ago? My grandmother would have been half Jewish. Would I be considered an eighth Jewish? Are there any special rules in calculating Jewishness? Just curious.

6 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    According to Jewish laws, if your mother is Jewish, you are Jewish. Since your grandmother was at least partially Jewish, your mother is considered Jewish, therefore, you are considered Jewish under Jewish law, as well.

  • 1 decade ago

    It appears that your great grandmother broke the maternal line.

    Orthodox and Conservative Jews define a Jew by the mother, not the father. Since your great grandmother apparently was not a Jew, then your grandmother wasn't according to Orthodox and Conservative Judaism. Reform would have considered your grandmother a Jew if she was raised Jewish and adhered to the Jewish faith.

    I had a Jewish grandfather but my grandmother wasn't so their children would not be considered Jews by Orthodox and Conservative Judaism.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    It relies upon on which Rabbi you ask. If any of your 4 grandparents were Jewish, than you're Jewish. Your grandmother should be Jewish, considering the fact that her father change into Jewish, making you Jewish. I requested a pal in Israel this question. She stated there is no such situation as a a million/eighth Jew. She also stated that it is not genuine that it truly is purely with the help of the maternal line. in accordance to the regulations of Israel, any of your 4 grandparents could be Jewish. in case your mom makes a call to pass to Israel, she should be considered Jewish, considering the fact that she has a grandfather who change into Jewish. purely then are you able to be an Israeli. She ought to ought to declare herself as having Jewish heritage first, earlier you would properly be an Israeli, which is different from being a Jew. Any reformed Jewish temple ought to take you as Jewish and teach you Judaism. even if, orthodox and stricter Jews would not take you into their teachings or provide help to marry into their households. maximum of Israel is actual secular and they elect the help of heritage. it would not count number what faith your mom practiced. even if, orthodox and different very strictly religious Jews assume one hundred% of your ancestry to be Jewish. Israel does no longer assume this and does no longer keep on with the maternal line situation, nor do reformed Jews.

  • 1 decade ago

    My Grandfather on my mothers side was a Hungarian Jew. My whole fathers side are Eastern Orthodox. If that makes me any fraction of anything, then I think all religions should interbreed because I don't give a damn. That could evetually stop all these wars. In the end , we will all be in this together.

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  • KJC
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    you could possibly trace it through your grandmother. but you might not be 'official' without going through some kind of initiation process. course there is probably a difference between being jewish and being hebrew. i don't know.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Being Jewish is a religion, not a nationality. You could be part Israeli.

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