Jewish great grandmother?

[orange2223]

Shalom/hello everyone,

My great grandmother was Jewish and all I really have right now is her marriage Ketubah, it's really old (but cool) and it just got me thinking.

I was raised in a secular environment, my grandmother never practiced any religion and therefor neither did my mother, nor did they ever "change" their religion.

So I'm wondering, who should I approach for the "letter of recommendation"? Am I even eligible? I always felt it a bit sad that due to family circumstance I missed out on that heritage, but I can't say that I'm a "member of a congregation" - since I never have been!

Is the Ketubah enough or should I start trying to get more? Will a shule give me the time of day? What if no one is still alive from her shule?

Thanks for any help!

[Dan from Boston]

Welcome to the forum!

A ketubah should be enough to convince an Orthodox rabbi that your great grandmother was Jewish, and therefore that her child (your grandparent) was Jewish as well. You should reach out to an Orthodox rabbi in your community even if you don't belong to his congregation.

[orange2223]

Welcome to the forum!

A ketubah should be enough to convince an Orthodox rabbi that your great grandmother was Jewish, and therefore that her child (your grandparent) was Jewish as well. You should reach out to an Orthodox rabbi in your community even if you don't belong to his congregation.

Thanks for the reply, but what if it isn't the same shule my great grandmother went to? Will he know what to do?

Thanks again! I really want to be thorough before I make any moves, so I don't complicate things later on.

[Dan from Boston]

Which shul shouldn't matter -- just make sure to bring the ketubah.

[orange2223]

Which shul shouldn't matter -- just make sure to bring the ketubah.

Okay! I'm a little nervous, but not in a bad way.

Is it true that I will be asked all kinds of questions like, "name jewish foods, tell us five people who know you are jewish" etc? I'd say I know more about Judaism than the average person, that's for sure - but I'm a bit scared I'm not up to scratch!

[Dan from Boston]

I didn't have to go through that so I can't tell you for sure. I guess it'll depend on the rabbi. But look at it this way -- if the rabbi doesn't want to sign a letter for you, you can use the experience to prepare for a visit to a different rabbi.

[orange2223]

I didn't have to go through that so I can't tell you for sure. I guess it'll depend on the rabbi. But look at it this way -- if the rabbi doesn't want to sign a letter for you, you can use the experience to prepare for a visit to a different rabbi.

Alright, that's a good idea. I think I might be best trying to find me, my mother's and my grand mother's birth certificates too so he can do whatever checks he has to do. I'm just a little nervous because an orthodox Rabbi probably won't be impressed that I haven't been religious and stuff.

[Dan from Boston]

You don't have to impress the rabbi -- you're just looking to get a confirmation from him that you have a Jewish grandparent. Of course, it may be an issue with some, because you know what? Rabbis are people too.

Good luck, of course, and let us know how it works out.