CCAR RESPONSA
Contemporary American Reform Responsa
60. Problems in a Family Tree
QUESTION:
A young man who intends to make aliyah has raised a question about his family tree. He,
his parents and grandparents have been active in the Jewish community. The young man in
question has received an excellent Jewish education, both at the high school and university
level. Recently, while looking into his family tree, he has discovered that one great grandmother
may not have been Jewish. The matter is somewhat doubtful, but he suspects that it is so.
Should he undergo formal conversion to Judaism in order to correct this “blemish”? (D. P.,
NY)ANSWER: Let us look at this question first from a traditional point of view and
then from our own Reform view. Tradition looks for matrilineal descent and asks about the
Jewishness of the mother. Generally this is done in that generation, and only rarely are inquiries
made about grandmothers. The presumption of tradition always favors “no blemish” and inquiries
are only made reluctantly. In the period of the Marranos, individuals who claimed
Jewish identity appeared in Europe or North Africa generations after the expulsion of Jews from
Spain. They were almost always accepted without detailed questions about their background (H.
J. Zimmels, Die Marranen in der rabbinischen Literatur). It is, therefore, very doubtful
whether even a strict traditional authority would engage in this kind of inquiry. Furthermore, we
must note that it is not absolutely certain whether the great grandmother in question was a
Christian. No accusation of that kind has ever been raised against the family. It has been
sufficiently prominent within the community for comments to have been made. Tradition would,
therefore, generally ignore the possible “blemish.” Let us now review this matter from
our Reform perspective and through the statement of the Central Conference of American
Rabbis, made in March, 1983: “The Central Conference of American Rabbis declares
that the child of one Jewish parent is under the presumption of Jewish descent. This presumption
of the Jewish status of the offspring of any mixed marriage is to be established through
appropriate and timely public and formal acts of identification with the Jewish faith and people.
The performance of these mitzvot serves to commit those who participate in them, both
parents and child, to Jewish life. “Depending on circumstances, mitzvot
leading toward a positive and exclusive Jewish identity will include entry into the covenant,
acquisition of a Hebrew name, Torah study, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and Kabbalat
Torah (Confirmation). For those beyond childhood claiming Jewish identity, other public acts
or declarations may be added or substituted after consultation with their rabbi.” This
statement makes it quite clear that acts of identification are necessary along with descent. The
family in question has been clearly identified with the Jewish community. The young man in
question has demonstrated his loyalty and interest in Judaism. The consideration of
aliyah demonstrates this further. There would, therefore, be no question in our mind that
the young man is to be considered as Jewish.March 1984
If needed, please consult Abbreviations used in CCAR Responsa.