My mom's maiden name is "Levine". We have never practiced Judaism. In fact, I've never been introduced to it. So is it a religion or nationality?
p.s. I do not know of any practicing Jews in my family.
2007-07-12 08:47:04 · 11 answers · asked by kim 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
it sounds jewish. you might want to research your family tree. you could find out some pretty intresting stuff.
2007-07-12 08:49:56 · answer #1 · answered by lins 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
More of an ethnicity and culture than a nationality. Diaspora has a way of doing that. A beautiful religion, too.
Because of persecution, a lot of people abandoned their Judaism just to survive. What ethnicities do you have on your mom's side? That might give a clue.
Do follow up on researching your family tree. It's a brilliant hobby. Levine is a special name, it means that you're part of the house of Levi, the tribe of priests. People rarely 'Americanize' their name to something Jewish, so it's likely.
2007-07-12 16:07:55 · answer #2 · answered by The angels have the phone box. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Judaism is religion. Jewish is an ethnicity, I believe.
You may be of Jewish extraction, but that does not mean you follow the tenets of Judiasm. In fact, among Jews, religion descends through the female parent, so it is entirely possible that there were followers of Judiasm in your family tree who "married out of the religion," so to speak.
Levine is also a Russian name, so it is possible that your family is of Russian extraction.
Do research. Find out about your family. In fact, ask your mother about her family. If you are uncomfortable with the ethnic/religious aspect, just ask about her family. She will most likely be pleased to tell you what she know.
2007-07-12 15:53:48 · answer #3 · answered by CaptDare 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could well be. Judaism is passed down through the mother, and it's your mother who has a Jewish name. You'd have to do some more research, though.
Judaism is... hard to define. It might be easier to think of it as a very large extended family. When you're born into it, you and your kids are part of the family for life, but outsiders can still join.
2007-07-12 16:25:01 · answer #4 · answered by Melanie Mue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's both a religion and an ethnic group. Levine is a common Jewish surname, indicating that someone might have been Jewish in your family, if not your mother then someone long ago intermarried with a Christian.
2007-07-12 15:50:57 · answer #5 · answered by . 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is a religion and a nationality. But you can have the nationality without the religion. Many Jews are Christians, as were the original Christians.
2007-07-12 15:55:15 · answer #6 · answered by A.M.D.G 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The term Jewish is religious and to some extent nationality. If you're from Israel you're an Israeli, but not necessarily Jewish. There are many Arabs who live in Israel and are considered Israeli, but not Jewish.
Levine does sound Jewish. Best ask your mother.
2007-07-12 15:54:34 · answer #7 · answered by Sick Puppy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being jewish is a religion and a nationalitly.....you may have jewish in your family tree so if you really want to know you could look into it but being jewish also has certain beliefs they follow and it depends if you want to follow those beliefs or not but even if you are jewish it doesent mean that you have to follow the guidelines it just depends on wat you believe
2007-07-12 15:54:38 · answer #8 · answered by bob 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's both a religion and a nationality
2007-07-12 15:51:01 · answer #9 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure you have a very interesting background. Check it out!
No, you're not Jewish unless you've been raised as a Jew. You are certainly welcome to convert, but it would take at least a year of study. If you can prove Jewish heritage, you can immigrate to Israel.
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2007-07-12 15:55:00 · answer #10 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋