CCAR RESPONSA
New American Reform Responsa
129. Rumors about the Status of Soviet Jews
QUESTION: A family has emigrated to the United States from the Soviet Union. They received help from the Federation and were adopted by a synagogue. Now several Soviet Jews have protested and indicated that they do not feel that this family actually is Jewish. The protest is based on alleged mixed marriage which took place two generations ago. What is the status of this family? Need they do anything formal to adjust their status? (Steven Thomas, Detroit MI)ANSWER: The nature of this question is rather sad as it revealed some tensions, and an antagonistic spirit among a few of our new Soviet immigrants. Let me begin with the resolution of the Central Conference of American Rabbis passed in 1983 which stated: “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 parent 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.” From this we can see that in the current generation we would definitely consider the family Jewish. As they suffered as Jews while in the Soviet Union. Upon arriving in the United States they have established close ties with a synagogue. Even if there was some vague Christian tradition in the past through mixed marriage this family has identified itself as Jewish. What of questions about the past? Such an aspersion was raised against the descendants of the Exilarch Bustenai (“Maasei Bustenai” Bruell Jahrbücher 1876 pp 102 ff; G. Margoliouth “Some Fragments” Jewish Quarterly Review Vol 14 pp 303 ff). The facts in that case are clouded by political implications, but we do know that some of the descendants assumed the same high office and brushed aside the allegations. We should also take into account the statement of Solomon ben Simon of Duran who claimed for Marranos that if the mother in each generation was Jewish the Jewish lineage would continue indefinitely (Responsa #89). In this case we do not know whether the allegations were made about the mother or the father. We must anyhow condemn the gossip which surrounds this family. There are strong statements against gossip (Hafetz Hayyim Sefer Hafetz Hayyim Rehilut). As the family in question has thoroughly identified itself with the Jewish community we should accept them and vigorously defend their Jewishness against any and all who question it.March 1990
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