CARR 96-98 - Central Conference of American Rabbis

QUESTION:

A young man who intends to make aliyah has raised a question about his family tree. He,

his parents and grandparents have been active in the Jewish community. The young man in

question has received an excellent Jewish education, both at the high school and university

level. Recently, while looking into his family tree, he has discovered that one great grandmother

may not have been Jewish. The matter is somewhat doubtful, but he suspects that it is so.

Should he undergo formal conversion to Judaism in order to correct this “blemish”? (D. P.,

NY)ANSWER: Let us look at this question first from a traditional point of view and

then from our own Reform view. Tradition looks for matrilineal descent and asks about the

Jewishness of the mother. Generally this is done in that generation, and only rarely are inquiries

made about grandmothers. The presumption of tradition always favors “no blemish” and inquiries

are only made reluctantly. In the period of the Marranos, individuals who claimed

Jewish identity appeared in Europe or North Africa generations after the expulsion of Jews from

Spain. They were almost always accepted without detailed questions about their background (H.

J. Zimmels, Die Marranen in der rabbinischen Literatur). It is, therefore, very doubtful

whether even a strict traditional authority would engage in this kind of inquiry. Furthermore, we

must note that it is not absolutely certain whether the great grandmother in question was a

Christian. No accusation of that kind has ever been raised against the family. It has been

sufficiently prominent within the community for comments to have been made. Tradition would,

therefore, generally ignore the possible “blemish.” Let us now review this matter from

our Reform perspective and through the statement of the Central Conference of American

Rabbis, made in March, 1983: “The Central Conference of American Rabbis declares

that the child of one Jewish parent is under the presumption of Jewish descent. This presumption

of the Jewish status of the offspring of any mixed marriage is to be established through

appropriate and timely public and formal acts of identification with the Jewish faith and people.

The performance of these mitzvot serves to commit those who participate in them, both

parents and child, to Jewish life. “Depending on circumstances, mitzvot

leading toward a positive and exclusive Jewish identity will include entry into the covenant,

acquisition of a Hebrew name, Torah study, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and Kabbalat

Torah (Confirmation). For those beyond childhood claiming Jewish identity, other public acts

or declarations may be added or substituted after consultation with their rabbi.” This

statement makes it quite clear that acts of identification are necessary along with descent. The

family in question has been clearly identified with the Jewish community. The young man in

question has demonstrated his loyalty and interest in Judaism. The consideration of

aliyah demonstrates this further. There would, therefore, be no question in our mind that

the young man is to be considered as Jewish.March 1984