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    bjwebbb's Avatar
    bjwebbb Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Nov 28, 2006, 09:32 PM
    Am I Jewish?
    I understand that Jewish descent is matrilineal, but how far back does that go -- all the way back to Moses, or just a generation or two? In researching my geneaology, I just discovered that my great-great-great grandmother (on my mother's side, straight matrilineal descent to me) was Jewish. However, no one on my mother's side of the family ever practiced Judaism or any other religion -- they're all atheists. My father's side of the family are practicing fundamentalist Christians. (No wonder I'm confused.) So, am I Jewish? Or am I a whatever, with Jewish roots? Thanks in advance.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #2

    Nov 28, 2006, 09:51 PM
    There are two forms of "jewish" one is the religion, and the other is a nationality.

    You can have a jewish (nationality) heritiage.
    Morganite's Avatar
    Morganite Posts: 863, Reputation: 86
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    #3

    Nov 30, 2006, 09:59 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by bjwebbb
    I understand that Jewish descent is matrilineal, but how far back does that go -- all the way back to Moses, or just a generation or two? In researching my geneaology, I just discovered that my great-great-great grandmother (on my mother's side, straight matrilineal descent to me) was Jewish. However, no one on my mother's side of the family ever practiced Judaism or any other religion -- they're all atheists. My father's side of the family are practicing fundamentalist Christians. (No wonder I'm confused.) So, am I Jewish? Or am I a whatever, with Jewish roots? Thanks in advance.
    You are by the common and tradition way of counting 'Jewishness' a Jew. You might also be a 'whatever' at the same time, but only you know the answer to part two.

    Shalom aleikum


    M:
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