can you be jewish and not be part of the jewish religion ?

Question

My friend says she is *jewish* because she has a star of david on her family crest so she says she is jewish yet she is not part of the jewish religion is this possible i thought jewish was a person part of judiasm?

Answer 1

According to the final Lubavitcher Rebbe one who is a Jew is always a Jew -- even if they convert to another religion.

They obviously are not considered to be "good Jews" if they have done so, they make their lives more complicated. But there are many Jews who are completely secular, they never go to synagogue - not even for the High Holy Days. There are many who are atheists, there are many who dabble in Buddhism and other foreign religions. Nevertheless, HaShem knows who is who and not even one seed is lost.

Answer 2

Just because she has a family crest with the Star of David does not mean she is a Jew. That symbol has been used for a very long time in different cultures. As far as being a non-practicing Jew--this is possible. You can still be Jewish and not practice the religion. I am a Reconstructionist so many Orthodox Jews may disagree. And the part about being a Jew because you are born to a Jewish mother depends on who you listen to.

http://jrf.org/edu/faqs.html#16

Scroll down to the question: "My father is Jewish and my mother isn’t. Am I Jewish?"

One more note: Jewish is NOT recognized as a race--I like to consider it a nationality.

Answer 3

There are two 'ways' in which you can be a Jew. Technically, you are a Jew if your mother is a Jew, so she probably is - a Star of David on her family crest probably indicates that her family is of Jewish decent, meaning yes, she is a Jew. You can be Jewish and not practice Judaism. You can also be a Jew through religion, but both are valid forms of being Jewish. So yes, she probably is a Jew.

Answer 4

Yes.

The term "Jewish" refers both to a religion and a race of people.

I am Jewish by genetics, but not by religion. My great-great grandfather was Jewish (religion and genetic), and he was also a Christian.

It's a little confusing, and I don't really know how to explain how it works. There are illnesses and diseases that are known only to be contracted by people of Jewish descent. Also, scientists are able to trace Jewish bloodlines through DNA. So, see, I know some facts about it, but I don't know how it is determined, exactly.

Sorry I couldn't give better info, but at least I answered the question!

Answer 5

No, being Jewish is not a race. A Jew is someone who practices Judaism. There are Ethiopian Jews, Indian Jews, Chinese Jews, etc..

Jews are a people united by a religion. If your mom is Jewish so are you unless you convert to another faith. If your mom is not Jewish, you become Jewish by converting.

The rest of these answers are humorous.

Answer 6

Of course not. If you are a Jew by birth or proper conversion, then you are Jewish. If you are Jewish, you are a Jew. if you are non-practicing, then you are still a Jew and are still Jewish. If you turn to idolatry, you are a Jew but are not acting Jewish. There is no "part" Jewish and no "spiritually Jewish." For a people who are historically oppressed, it is shocking that so many are wannabbees...

Answer 7

I am not a jew, but what I think is that religion stands in your heart and not hanging on a necklace on your neck or hung on a wall in your house. For example I am christian and orthodox because the religion of my country is so. It's a shame for me to say this but I cannot say what orthodoxism is. Probably your friend cannot tell what judaism is. And probably most orthodox don't know that. My mother is also an orthodox, but she doesn't believe in God. The fact is we each were born with our religion, but in time very few persons know with accuracy what their religion is about

Answer 8

Being Jewish is being part of that race. Judaism is a religion.

Answer 9

you are born jewish - mother determines if your jewish or not, yet you do not follow any part of the jewish faith. she is jew by birth not by faith.