I read somewhere that if a Jewish women marries a non-Jewish man, the children are considered Jewish. I was wondering if this is automatic or do the children get to choose for themselves when they are older.

Many will tag the children as being of the Jewish faith simply because the Mother is Jewish. Others will refrain since the father isn't Jewish.

I would assume that if the children are being taken to the synagogue on a regular basis they will be considered of the Jewish faith. If they are attending the services of both religions, then perhaps some would wait until they decide their preference.


BTW
The children will choose for themselves when they are older whether the categorization is automatic.

I read somewhere that if a Jewish women marries a non-Jewish man, the children are considered Jewish. I was wondering if this is automatic or do the children get to choose for themselves when they are older.

Being Jewish is not just a religion, it's a heritage. Whether one practices the religious aspects of Judiasm or not does not change their heritage. Even if one converts from Judiasm as a religion it does not change that heritage. Jewish law specifies that children get that heritage from their mother. So if one has a jewish mother they are then jewish.

The children are free to practice whatever religion they want to, but that won't change the fact that they are jewish.

This article:
Is being Jewish a race, nationality or religious identity? (http://judaism.about.com/od/abcsofjudaism/a/beingjewish.htm)

Helps explain what being jewish is.

My brother's 1st wife was and is Jewish. She wasn't very religious (going to temple & such) My 1st husband & I attended their wedding. I know they were married by a Rabbi (b/c I remember the yamaka) However, I think I was too buzzwd to remember if there was a priest there(sort of a joke!)

Anyway, they had 2 girls. Neither one seemed to be one way or the other. They had the Irish last name, had the benefits of the mother &mother's parents, but tended to have Christian friends.

The older girl became a born-again Christian @ about 16. The younger, is more like the mother in general, but does date Christian fellas. I know that because when we went up there for the #1 daughter's wedding, the younger daughter & her beau gave us a ride.

Oh, the 1st married a Greek fella, so go figure if it matters.

So I have to say that the children seem to choose the best of both worlds. B/c in this particular "case", my brother was a very strong influence. Not religiously, but personality & lifestyle.

I agree that being Jewish is not a racial classification. Actually, it's difficult to imagine how anyone could even remotely come to that conclusion.