Had a conversation with my daughter-in-law last night about being Jewish. I told her that my understanding was that if your mother is Jewish, then you are too. She asked about converts - if your mother is a convert, are you automatically Jewish too? Or if you convert to Judaism are you not a 'real' Jew? Or maybe you can't convert?
I know it's a bit of a strange subject but I'm sure someone here knows the answer.
There are different interpretations. When Ruth converted, the children she bore subsequently were considered Jewish. Where there are differences is that some Orthodox sects don't accept the authority of all, less orthodox, rabbis to oversee conversions. So, you can have a situation where a child can be considered Jewish to most, yet (as Radio 4 had a piece on a few months ago) the children of a convert can be denied admission to orthodox Jewish schools.
My first wife is Jewish, as are our two children. I accepted that would be the case from the start, no qualms about it. We even had the Bris performed by the Rabbi. The children do not practise but would not change. My oldest boy has two girls by a christian wife who he says are christians. My daughter has had a boy just recently born and the subject has not been raised yet. When I married my first, I spoke to the Rabbi and took it that it is the accepted norm. Jewish mothers have jewish children regardless of the fathers faith. Just like most other religions. Does it matter as long as you have a god to believe in. I'm classsed as a christian, although difficulty believing in it. But I do not begrudge others their faith.
I went to Uni with a jewish lad, he was a scream. His parents were totally fanatic orthodox jews. Whenever he came back to uni after going home during a holiday, the first thing he would do is have a bacon sandwich, as he absolutely was not allowed to have such a thing at home.
Thanks for the replies djbrenton and ACE.
I asked the question because while I was talking to my daughter-in-law I mentioned that my own mother used to work for a Jewish family in the thirties, doing things in the house that they were not allowed to do on the Sabbath.
The thought of not being allowed to work one day a week appealed to my d-i-l and she jokingly (I think) said that she was going to become Jewish.
My brother in law is a Proddy my sister in law is Jewish and half Spanish but their Daughter went to a Catholic school and did all things Catholic, I have worked for Jewish people in Manchester in the past and also still have Jewish mates, It's also like the Irish chap walking down Cheetham Hill Road in Manchester with his dead Jack Russel in his arms when he comes across the Rabbi, the Rabbi asked him why are you crying Paddy, so Paddy tells him " I wanted to bury my dog in the Catholic cemetery but the Priest said that it was impossible because we don't allow Dogs to be buried in Catholic cemeteries, and I offered him £50.00" said Paddy, the old Rabbi looked over his shoulder left and right and then whispered in Paddi's ear, "I didn't know your Dog was Jewish" :)
I would have thought that it depends on whether you are refering to the Jewish race or converts to the religion.
Children of a convert would not necessarily be Jews unless they converted to the religion themselves of their own free will.