people ask me sometimes if I'm Jewish. Does that include great great grandparents?

Question

I don't know why I get asked often, usually when I'm in heavily Jewish areas. So, I'm wondering, I had my genealogy done once and I was only able to trace through my great grandparents (all not Jewish). If my great great grandparents may have been, what is that 1/16?? or great great great? 1/32? is that considered Jewish at all?

Answer 1

You're Jewish if your mother is jewish, or if your mother's mother is/was jewish, regardless of whether you practice or not. And if those relatives are not Jewish, then you're not Jewish, whether you practice or not (conversion excepted).

Answer 2

There are two ways to be Jewish. Either you're born to a Jewish mother, or you convert to Judaism. Both are equally valid, and are the only ways a person can be Jewish according to the Torah.

So, if your mother's mother's mother's mother's mother is Jewish, then you're Jewish, because your mother's mother's mother's mother's mother is Jewish, which means your mother's mother's mother is Jewish, which means your mother's mother is Jewish, which means your mother is Jewish, which mean's you're Jewish. But if your Dad is Jewish and your Mom ain't, then you aren't. Contrary to popular belief, there's no such thing as a half-Jew, or a quarter-Jew. It's all or nothin', baby. Seriously, though. A reform Jew may beg to differ on this issue, but I'm speaking purely from the perspective of Jewish Law, which if you ask me, should have the final word on who's Jewish the same way the laws of the United States should have the final word on who's an American citizen. Really, the half-Jew, quarter-Jew, eight-Jew thing is strictly Hitler territory. The Nuremberg Laws gave the full breakdown as to how many Jewish grandparents one had to have to be considered a Jew, or a half-breed, or whatever.

In fact, this is the basis of a law in Israel that allows anyone to immigrate there with at least one Jewish grandparent (though this may not make them Jewish) - I believe it's informally referred to as the "Jewish enough for the Nazis to gas" clause.

Answer 3

Well I guess I would say not.
1/16 is 6%
1/32 is 3%

Just like in school 70% is passing? 3% 6% that would be like, okay these 2 fingers are Jewish, the rest of me is Swedish.

If you know they are jewish you could say, "I love the food, but no, I'm actually ______. "

I hope that helps.

Answer 4

I wouldn't consider that Jewish. I'm like, 1/16 or 1/32 Cherokee, but I don't call myself an native american.

Answer 5

According to the laws of the religion, you're only Jewish if your mother is, or if you have converted. It's a matriarchial thing.

Answer 6

If you can't find any evidence of Jews in your background, and you are not yourself a practicing Jew, then why the question? Why not just respond to inquiries with a simply "No"?

Answer 7

I've been told that my husband is part black because of some really really small fraction, around 1/64. I don't know if it's TRUE... check with a geneologist.

Answer 8

Let's see, if you practice Judaism, then you are Jewish.

Answer 9

Well I don't know about the jews, but if it were American Indian it would be enough to be considered as Indian.

Answer 10

i dont think you would be consider jewish.