Am I considered Jewish because my mother or my father is and why or why not?

Answer 1

The traditional answer is that you are Jewish if your mother was Jewish, due to Talmudic interpretation. The Reform (Liberal in UK) movement in the US accepts children of Jewish fathers as Jewish, which is a big point of contention between them and the Orthodox. I believe Conservatives (Masorti in UK and Israel) are edging toward recognizing children of Jewish fathers as Jews without requiring formal conversion.

The common explanation given as to why traditional Judaism considered the religion of the mother determinative is that the mother has greater influence during childhood.

The Nazi racial laws considered anyone with one Jewish grandparent Jewish.

Answer 2

Heritage wise, yes on both sides. Religiously, only on your mothers. Your father may not be your real father and therefore they only trust it if it's on your mother's side. If your mother is Jewish (or her mother or her mother's mother) you can go into a synagogue and talk to a rabbi about being Jewish and must accept you. If it's on your father's side, you actually have to take a test to be sure you are serious about the religion.
My mom's mom's side of the family is Jewish and therefore, I could be too. I consider it to be my heritage not my religion.

Answer 3

If your mother is Jewish then you are considered Jewish. I guess it has to do with her carrying you for 9 months.

Answer 4

I suspect you would be considered Jewish if one of your parents are but I think the real test is do YOU want to be Jewish? Otherwise, if you don't feel it and believe in it, it's just another label.

Answer 5

When a child is born, it is automatically assumed the child will be raised in the religion of the mother, because that is who is going to be feeding you, and raising you, and teaching you for the next couple years. A mother has great influence over her children.

While you are growing, children tend to question everything, and you can start looking at other religions, and trying to find yourself within these religions. What you become is up to you.