Hi everyone

[Jwgogglez]

Hi everyone my name is Jason, I live in oregon and am looking forward to joining the IDF once i graduate in 2 years... to that end I am joining the forum to learn more about what to do and how to do it

My introductry question is this: Both my parents are jewish but they arent officially jewish and we are not part of a synogogue so how would I go about proving I am jewish? is there a certificate of some kind? or a way to do it circumcenting a synogogue?


One more: I am homeschooled so how if at all will that affect the joining process?

Thanks guys

[Dan from Boston]

Welcome, Jason!

First, it doesn't matter how you were schooled.

Second, what do you mean when you say your parents aren't "officially" Jewish? Does that mean they are not practicing Jews? You should still try to get in touch with an Orthodox rabbi as you will still need the letter. He'll probably ask you questions about your heritage and things like that.

[Jwgogglez]

I read somewhere you had to get a certificate proving you were Jewish so I'm not sure, have you heard anything regarding that?

Regarding the rabbi do you have to be orthodox to get the letter? We are messianic if that matters at all.

Sorry for all the questions I am trying to find out what to do so I can go in with my eyes open

[Dan from Boston]

If your parents converted to Messianic Judaism but were born Jewish, the State of Israel still considers them (and therefore you) to have been born Jewish. However, a minister of that faith cannot vouch for your Jewish heritage as Messianic Judaism is considered a sect of Christianity. You will need a letter from an Orthodox Jewish rabbi as your certificate.

[Jwgogglez]

Hmmm ok my parents were born Jewish but that seems odd to me that it is considered a sect of Christianity.

What would I need to do to get a letter from an Orthodox rabbi stating I am Jewish?

[Dan from Boston]

You should simply contact a rabbi and ask if he can write a letter on official synagogue letterhead attesting to the fact that your mother and/or your father was born Jewish (for your purposes, it doesn't matter which one). He will likely ask to meet with you so that you can describe your heritage or something of that nature.

The difficulty might be if you converted to Messianic Judaism. Here is a Jerusalem Post article regarding Messianic children of Jews:
http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=98980

I would suggest that you fill out the registration form on the main site. Daniel Katz may be able to help you further.

[Jwgogglez]

Ok thank you for your help