Should I convert?

Hi, my maternal great grandmother was jewish, we know it from family testimonies but I do not have documents to prove it. My father is jewish, I went to a local synagogue and they said they welcome me however because there is no proof of my maternal great grandmother being jewish I would have to convert. I want to return to judaism but I do not want to feel a converted because I was born jewish according to jewish law but I understand that without the evidence is harder for the community. what do you recommend rabbi?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

Indeed, proof is required to prove one’s Judaism. Family traditions is rarely adequate for this purpose.

If you are committed to living a Torah life and observing the mitzvot, we would recommend going through the conversion process in order to remove all doubts for both yourself and the community.

Let me give you an example why this is important. Would you want to marry someone, or would you want for your kids to marry someone, who simply has a tradition that they are Jewish? Someone with no known standing in their community?

Of course not. You want to marry and have a family that is unquestionable Jewish and know to all as being so.

So once again, the conversion is a great idea. But it requires commitment to the Torah and mitzvot. Proper Shabbat observance, eating only Kosher, Torah studies for you and your children, and the like. I am sure that you have a good grasp of Judaism and are familiar what I am referring to.

Good luck!