Am I Jewish? (Israel)

[iwishiwerethin]

Originally Posted by bellr098

I've always felt a strong affinity towards Judaism so reconnection I guess. We live in quite an antimsemitic area actually

You can't be too far from a Jewish area where you can begin visiting and/or shopping, familiarizing yourself with the customs of Jewish people. Judaism, Torah and Jewish Info - Chabad Lubavitch is a great website for beginners. (I am not lubavitch, but still think it's a good site). One thing will need to another.

Rule of thumb: the stronger your knowledge of what Judaism is or isn't, the less likely you are to fall prey to charlatans. Hatzlocha Rabah.

Just keep an open mind. It might be determined by those who review your genealogy and are well versed in the laws of conversion that you aren't Jewish at all, at which point reconnection is not possible, only conversion, which is another topic entirely.

[bellr098]

Originally Posted by iwishiwerethin

You can't be too far from a Jewish area where you can begin visiting and/or shopping, familiarizing yourself with the customs of Jewish people. Judaism, Torah and Jewish Info - Chabad Lubavitch is a great website for beginners. (I am not lubavitch, but still think it's a good site). One thing will need to another.

Rule of thumb: the stronger your knowledge of what Judaism is or isn't, the less likely you are to fall prey to charlatans. Hatzlocha Rabah.

Just keep an open mind. It might be determined by those who review your genealogy and are well versed in the laws of conversion that you aren't Jewish at all, at which point reconnection is not possible, only conversion, which is another topic entirely.

Cousins of mine have converted without a hitch

[bellr098]

Does this seem to be a good indication?

[iwishiwerethin]

Originally Posted by bellr098

Does this seem to be a good indication?

Indication of what?

[bellr098]

Originally Posted by iwishiwerethin

Indication of what?

A successful conversion

[iwishiwerethin]

Originally Posted by bellr098

A successful conversion

We know neither your cousins nor the details of their conversion, so opining about either would be senseless. A hitch-free conversion (whatever that means), on the other hand, doesn't ring plausible. That's why the best advice anybody here can give you is to contact a local orthodox Rabbi for guidance. In London this should not be hard to do.

[bellr098]

Originally Posted by iwishiwerethin

We know neither your cousins nor the details of their conversion, so opining about either would be senseless. A hitch-free conversion (whatever that means), on the other hand, doesn't ring plausible. That's why the best advice anybody here can give you is to contact a local orthodox Rabbi for guidance. In London this should not be hard to do.

Thanks for your detailed advice.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by bellr098

But she converted to catholicism before I was born. What type of jew are you?

"Jewish" is a race and a religion.

You are of Jewish heritage and are therefore Jewish.

However, your religion is Catholic so you are not a practicing or religious Jew.

If you wanted to be considered Jewish in race and religion all you have to do is see a Rabbi and begin instruction on learning about your new religion

[bellr098]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

"Jewish" is a race and a religion.

You are of Jewish heritage and are therefore Jewish.

However, your religion is Catholic so you are not a practicing or religious Jew.

If you wanted to be considered Jewish in race and religion all you have to do is see a Rabbi and begin instruction on learning about your new religion

Do I need documentation? And besides I'm scared that I won't fin in physically

[iwishiwerethin]

Originally Posted by bellr098

Do I need documentation? And besides I'm scared that I won't fin in physically

You'd need to speak with an orthodox Rabbi. He'll be able to tell you what is the halachic protocol to establishing Jewishness. Jews come in all shapes, sizes and color. So why wouldn't you fit in physically?