Is it true that to be considered Jewish your mother has to be Jewish?

Question

Jewish as in the nationality or ethnicity not the religion.

Answer 1

According to Jewish law (Halacha) a person is considered to be automatically a member of the Jewish people if his mother is also Jewish.

But for every one else their is another option. Namely that of conversion.

And yes a convert is granted the same status as a born Jew.

Answer 2

Yes, if you have a Jewish mother, you're Jewish. Otherwise, you're not. Unless you convert, of course, then when you marry a Jewish women and have kids, the kids are considered Jewish.

Answer 3

This answer should really be a qualified "yes". What has been written below is absolutely true for more traditional (Orthodox and Conservative) Jews. However, Reform Jews hold that it's enough that **either** parent be Jewish.

Answer 4

Yes. The other way to become Jewish is through an orthodox conversion.