The Movement for Reform Judaism

For the last 2000 years Judaism has defined the Jew as the child of a Jewish mother or someone who has converted to Judaism. In all probability, this ‘matrilineal’ definition was adopted because maternity is certain whereas paternity can always be open to question. This traditional definition brings two principles into conflict. On the one hand, when it comes to matters of Jewish status we try to preserve the traditional forms whenever possible. Whereas how you celebrate Shabbat or whether you observe the minor fasts has no implication for whether or not you are part of the Jewish people, the decisions that we make on status matters have a much more profound significance. That is why we continue the tradition of dissolving marriages by get, the divorce document, and why our conversion procedures include all of the traditional elements such as circumcision for men and tevilah, immersion in the Mikveh (ritual bath) for both men and women. We are concerned to stay with the mainstream of the community and provide leadership to more than a small minority. On the other hand, we are deeply committed to the principle of equality and there is no logic or justice to regarding the child of a Jewish mother as being Jewish and the child of a Jewish father as not. The conflict of principle is a really difficult one. We resolve the dilemma by staying with the principle of matrilineality for the sake of the community whilst doing everything in our power to make the inclusion of the child of a Jewish father brought up as a Jew and considering themself to be Jewish as simple and ‘painless’ as possible for the sake of the individual.

Since mischievous people sometimes cast doubts, it is worth stating that, if a marriage takes place in a Reform Synagogue which could have been solemnised in an Orthodox Synagogue, the children of that marriage are Jewish from any perspective and no one can call their status into doubt.

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clarification
written by a guest , January 15, 2007

just to clarify, are the children of jewish fathers but non-jewish mothers (who feel themselves jewish) considered Jewish in reform judaism, or just that they are not shunned, are welcomed and helped, but not considered jewish. for example, could they take part in a minyan or marry a jewish person?

thanks for any comments or explanation

Hiya
written by hrb , January 15, 2007

I think for many shuls yes they are but I wanted to convert and do the course so that I felt "fully" Jewish if you know what I mean , it meant a awful lot to me.

...
written by RabbiTBayfield , January 17, 2007

The Reform Movement and its rabbis are particularly concerned for it to be widely known that Jews in 'mixed faith relationships' are more than welcome in our synagogues and treated with the same respect as Jews with Jewish partners. The non-Jewish partner is also welcome in the synagogue. If they would like to consider conversion, we will support and assist them in that endeavour. If they do not wish to convert, they are still welcome and encouraged to give their Jewish partner every support in the maintenance of his or her Jewish identity. There is, however, one important distinction. Many things that go on in synagogue services are 'acts of confession' i.e. words or actions which declare the person to be Jewish, words or actions which anyone looking on would assume to be the words or actions of a Jew. Clearly, a non-Jew wouldn't be allowed - shouldn't want - to recite the shema aloud or be called up to the Torah. Anymore than a Jew attending a church service would want to take communion.

Having said all of that, the message is: welcome, welcome. The rabbi of a Reform synagogue will be there for you.

clarification -- follow up
written by a guest , September 10, 2007

You state in your text that:
"whilst doing everything in our power to make the inclusion of the child of a Jewish father brought up as a Jew and considering themself to be Jewish as simple and ‘painless’ as possible for the sake of the individual."
This is less unequivocal than saying the child would be considered a jew, period. Would a child of a jewish father and non-jewish mother be treated differently by a Reform synagogue, than a child of a jewish mother? If yes, what would be the difference, eg no access to jewish classes, to bar mitzvah? What could be done to make that child more fully included?
Many thanks for your clarification.

...
written by a guest , October 09, 2007

I have found that my fathers family is of Jewish descent but he married out so there was no matrilineal descent nor any child raised as any religion. I cannot say on my mothers side as she was not raised Jewish. Her mothers, mothers, mother has surname of Gold but we cannot trace anything of her.

Would I be considered Jewish or not. What of my son? I have not given him to any faith by confirmational rite. My husband is not Jewish I did not realise my ancestry prior to my marriage.

Patrilineal Descent
written by a guest , November 14, 2007

So, British Reform is not on the same page as American Reform on the issue of patrilineal descent?

Adoption of 'matrilineal' definition
written by a guest , November 17, 2007

In the article, the following statement is made, "In all probability, this ‘matrilineal’ definition was adopted because maternity is certain whereas paternity can always be open to question."

I recommend reading Shaye Cohen's book, "The beginning of Jewishness" which outlines, in one chapter, many more likely reasons for the development of the matrilineal principle in Judaism. He provides a further rationale in one of his latest books, "Why aren't Jewish women circumcised". It is very suspect to make the claim that the matrilineal principle developed for the reason of guaranteeing some kind of genetic line.

Reform Judaism in this country has not always required the mikveh for conversion, and in fact as recently as about 30 years ago this was still a matter for debate.

The notion that Reform practices hold on to some doubtful notion of the unity of the community is problematic anyway. Reform conversion is no more accepted by Orthodoxy than it was when there was no mikveh, as far as I can tell. So we're still left with a deeply complicated set of circumstances when it comes to defining who is a Jew, regardless of whether that is done through a perfectly justifiable bilineal prinicple (father or mother) or by matrilineal only.

Finally, I don't see how we can judge whether someone should 'want' to participate in a certain ritual. That does not detract from our need to sensitively set the boundaries, but does mean that a non-Jewish member of a family might quite like to have a ritual part in a service, or recite the Shema in private - even when that is not possible.

The vague responses to the specific questions of who is in and who is out (so to speak) are characteristic of the very complex nature of the issues. I would recommend individuals consulting their local rabbis for support and advice.

...
written by Joshua Ben Levi , December 07, 2007

According to Rabbi Morris N. Kertzer, as stated in his book titled "What is a Jew?" the simplified answer to the former question is the following:
1) A Jew is one who accepts the faith of Judaism. That is the religious definition
2) A Jew is one who, without formal religious affiliation, regards the teachings of Judaism- its ethics, its folkways, its literature- as his own. That is the cultural definition.
3) A Jew is one who considers himself a Jew or is so regarded by the community. That is the practical definition.
For a more detailed discussion, please refer to pages 3-6 of the above book (Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 53-5526)

Am I Jew?
written by gcarson , December 14, 2007

So I pose the question to you after countless arguements with my non-jewish wife.

I think of myself as jewish and celebrate hannukah, passover and count the omer, but do not do shabbat, etc.

I was not barmitzvahed.

I have celebrated every hannukah and passover since i was 3yrs old. (along with every xmass and easter)

my mother;s MOTHER is catholic, her father Jewish
my father's parents are both jewish and he was raised jewish.

I am strongly drawn to Judiasm, but have not converted. Considering the pain and persecution 3 out of 4 of my grandparents have suffered because of our heritage, i find it almost offensive that i might need to 'convert'. because 1/4 of my lineage is not jewish.

I am very willing to convert, but i ask the group again?

Am I jewish? or would reform Judiasm consider me jewish?

If you say I am not, what do you suppose it would take for me to be considered as such.

Gregory

...
written by a guest , January 07, 2008

Dear Gregory,

In the Bible, Jewish status used to be accorded to the father - there are many famous Jews/Israelites who married non-Jewish women and whose children were Jewish. However, the early Rabbis modified this (since one can always prove the mother, not the father!). This law has been in place for the last two thousand years. Liberal Judaism allows membership to both matrilineal (by-mother) and patrilineal (by-father) Jews, and this is the only movement in the UK that accepts this.

The Reform Beit Din follows the majority practice of allowing membership to individuals who have a Jewish mother. However, the Beit Din is a body of very approachable Rabbis who are very helpful and accepting under such circumstances. The most advisable course of action for you is to contact your local Rabbi who will be able to discuss with you your individual circumstances, and how the Beit Din might best be able to help. Everyone is treated like an individual, rather than as a particular case with a pre-determined outcome. Your passion and conviction certainly will stand you in good stead, and we wish you well with your journey.

Rabbi Neil Amswych

Circumcision
written by a guest , January 16, 2008

Is it necessary for a male to be circumcised in order to be accepted in the Jewish religion if the mother is Jewish. Would he be able to be marry in shul ?

Circumcision
written by a guest , January 22, 2008

One of our rabbis writes: "A Jew is someone with a Jewish mother or who converts to Judaism. It follows that circumcision does not affect status. If a bloke has a Jewish mother, he is a Jew regardless of whether he is circumcised or not - how would the rabbinic authorities know, there are no checks!

However, if your question arises out of a debate as to whether to circumcise the child of a Jewish mother or not, I would add the following. I know that people have qualms about circumcision - rationally, it's a strange thing to do and it is clearly something that the baby doesn't choose. However, it is a very safe procedure and I have never yet come across an adult Jew who resents having been circumcised. More importantly, since it is 'what Jews do' and have been doing for several millennia, not to circumcise a Jewish baby is to run the risk of conveying to the child parental ambiguities and makes him different in a way that could cause embarrassment, resentment and ambivalence towards being Jewish. I don't think that it is very kind not to circumcise a Jewish baby boy."