Can Jews marry non-Jews?

Question

My ex boyfriend was Jewish (Reform) while I was raised Catholic but in reality I'm more Atheist.

He told me that his parents asked him to date Jewish girls but then they ended up not caring because he tends to date non-Jews.

Are Reform Jews more likely to/can they marry non-Jews?

To make matters more complicated, I am half Asian/half White and have no Jewish ancestry.

Answer 1

Reform and Reconstructionist jews are far more likely (46%) to marry non-Jews than Conservative Jews (32%), and amonst Orthodox Jews intermarriage is virtually non-existent (6%). So if he is Reform, it is no biggie to him that you aren't Jewish, half the people he knows have probably married non-Jews.

And yes, intermarriage is forbidden in Orthodox Judaism.


if you did want to convert- your ethnicity and background is immaterial, anyone can convert to Judaism.

Answer 2

Strict Jewish law says that intermarriage is absolutely forbidden. No ifs, ands, or buts. And a gentile who tries to convert in order to marry won't be accepted- a person is only allowed to convert for love of Judaism, not love of a boyfriend.
And since Judaism is passed down through the mother, if a gentile woman marries a Jewish man, the kids won't be Jewish.

Reform Jews tend to be a bit lax when it comes to Jewish law, and intermarriage is no exception. Conservative Jews, too, tend to marry out a lot.
Reform rabbis say that anyone with one Jewish parent is Jewish, and they have very relaxed standards for conversion. A lot of spouses undergo a nominal conversion, and are considered Jews by Reform Jews, but gentiles by everyone else.

Answer 3

I went to Jewish private school for many years and it was my minor in college - While I can't remember if it is TRADITION or RELIGIOUS LAW to not inter-marry between faiths, I know that generally speaking Jews are not to do it. A big portion of it has to do with the historical religious persecution we experienced throughout the ages, and therefore to keep our religion strong we are not to "dilute" it by mixing faiths. I'd suggest that reform Jews perhaps 'allow' more of this to occur as they are typically the more laid back and contemporary of the Jewish sects, allowing prayer in English and other non-traditional views on holidays and the religion itself. A lot of parents frown upon inter-married Jewish couples because there comes an issue of which religion to raise the kids and it is the MOTHER in the Jewish religion who dictates the faith of the kids (so therefore if you are a woman and are Catholic, the kids are automatically looked upon as Catholic EVEN if theyre raised Jewish!).

Answer 4

Yes.

There is a strong tradition for Jews to marry other Jews, but this is fading, particularly among Reformed and Conservative Jews.

It would be somewhat difficult for Orthodox Jews to continue to follow their faith while married to a non-Jew, primarily because Jewish faith effects the way matters are carried out in the home.

Answer 5

Usually Jewish men need to marry a Jewish woman for their children to be considered (racially) Jewish. But the reform movement takes a lighter approach to this, if the non-Jewish girl is willing to convert then all is well within reform Judaism.

I think if people fall in love then they will find a way to be together regardless of religion, most Jewish family's tend not to care too much anymore.

Answer 6

Your heritage has nothing to do with it. You can convert to Judaism just as any other human being.

Yes, many Reform Jews marry non-Jews, but they won't find many rabbis willing to officiate at the wedding. Non-Jews are encouraged to convert and to raise their children as Jews.

It seems to me that I've heard something similar about Catholics...
.

Answer 7

They CAN, but they MAY not.

There is a specific Torah prohibition. But is is possible for one to convert to the Jewish religion--but only out of conviction and not just to marry.

Check with your LOR (local Orthodox rabbi).


.

Answer 8

I believe it *used* to be a problem, and still, on some level, it's looked down upon by the Jewish community. But, yes, they can.

Answer 9

my brother got a non Jewish girl pregnant and wanted to marry her but she had to convert to Judaism first.

Answer 10

Yes