Ten Portals to Higher Living

While I understand the question you’re asking even someone who’s 50% Jewish but it’s from their father isn’t actually Jewish. So while the genealogy aspect is fun for research it doesn’t really mean that much. That said, you could have a Jewish spark with that 9% in your Soul and the best thing to do is go learn, and see if Authentic Judaism interests you. Reply

None. I don’t think there is a blood quantum. I come up a lot more Jewish in a DNA test and still had to convert because it was on my dad’s side. The rule is if your mother was Jewish, you are Jewish. Reply

I can say even 1% is considered Jewish. Although you still must perform all the Jewish actions to connect as a Jew.

Welcome to the tribe! Reply

You're jewish if your mother and grandmother all the way back(only in the mother side) are jewish. In other words you said your maternal grandmother was jewish. In jewish law youre jewish if your mother is Jewish. That is the only requirement Reply

If your mother's mother was Jewish, then according to Jewish law, you are Jewish. As it is possible to become Jewish, a child of that mother may not have a genetic component.
But the real question for yourself, is what does your heart say? If you have found your way to this page then I suspect something has sparked an interest or has resonated with you. I agree with others, explore, ask questions and if your maternal line is Jewish (practicing or not) then you are Jewish. What you choose to do with that is something you need to decide for yourself. Reply

The good news is that if your mother's mother was Jewish by descent then so are you, no conversion needed. Also there is no number of generations requirement. So the question is what "raised" means and without going to primary birth records...in Greece?...you don't know. There is no "genetic quantum" since Jewish identity has been recognized over thousands of years not by recent lab technques. Remember where the idea of "Jewish blood" took us in the not too distant past. The Ashkenazim mostly share 4 mitochondrial (i.e. maternal) haplotypes. The Sephardim/Mizrachi no. Greece is mostly Sephardi and would likely not show up in a 23-and-me panel. There have been Jews of many different sects and communties in Greece since the time of Alexander the Great. If not before. So, if you are Jewish in your heart, shalom! Welcome. Reply

DNA says everything,
The Rabbis of the ancient times were trying to protect the woman and our bloodline.
D|o you think G-d would exclude someone because the are only 1% Jewish DNA? Reply

I am replying because of the answer you've graciously contributed. In ancient times, they didn't have DNA testing so therefore any real proof of paternity. I was told that the rule likely comes from that. It does seem strange to me that a full 50% of all DNA, chromosomes, everything about you can be Jewish from your father's side including your name, but you would not even be considered Jewish at all. Reply

If you can't do it yourself. you can have an avrech (yeshiva student) or Chabad will do it for you. Contact your local Chabad Reply

Sarah,
My heart breaks for you, with a Grandmother and Great-grandmother who were Survivors, I thank G-d DAILY many times a day for my LIFE! I was told the chances of me being BORN at all were close to null too many times to count & as my Rabbi has said, we do not count because there are only 2 answers to questions of that ilk.
One is “Not enough.” and the other is “Far too many.”. The first referred to me asking if we might ask a Survivor to speak to the new Keruv Class & while he was thinking, I asked “How many Survivors do we have Rabbi?” (I knew it was not a ? to ask as soon as it left me mouth. SMH at myself!) I just looked at him as his answer was “Never enough.” The second answer came when someone asked me how many times my Grandmother was almost caught. “Too MANY” or “Once is one time too many.”.
I wholeheartedly relate to wanting to return Home to say a proper Kaddish. Have you thought about contacting The Jewish Agency? They are WONDERFUL & always have ♥️ ideas! Do try🙏🏻. Reply

Hi, Sarah! Hope you’re feeling at least somewhat better now. If you’re interested in Judaism—as a spiritual home, and for the purpose of honoring your deceased family members—you might want to consult with a variety of rabbis from a variety of Jewish communities, to find a path that will be suitable and meaningful for you.
Best wishes for your journey! Reply

Which is more meaningful and more valid—to say Kaddish oneself (at a particular location or not), or to ask (and probably pay) a stranger to do it? Reply

Same, I relate to this very much. Thank you. Reply

BH mitzvah charts and mission cards were part of tzivos hashem as you note. Children who were members of tzivos hashem in the early years would get a newsletter in the mail with mitzvah charts and mission cards to fill out. Reply