Interested in practicing Judaism?

[Marek]

Hello.

My mother and father are both atheist Polish Jews. I have not been raised to observe the Jewish religion.

When getting married, my parents chose only to have a civil ceremony.

My parents don't have any interest in religion, so they won't be able to answer any of my questions. This is because they were raised in a communist country where practicing an organized religion was 'forbidden' according to the communist doctrine. Those that held religious beliefs had issues at school, in the workplace and in other areas of life. A tension also arose between the large Christian and small Jewish population. This is why there are many 'hidden' Jews in Poland and other eastern European countries. It was better to either conceal your Jewish identity, become atheist or convert to Christianity.

I have enrolled in Jewish studies at my local university. I will learn more about Hebrew and the Jewish religious customs.

I'm interested in joining a conservative synagogue. But I'm not sure exactly how to proceed.

Do I have to prove my Jewish identity? I don't have any documents supporting my ancestry. The rabbi probably won't take my word.
Is it appropriate for me to start attending services? Can I practice the religious customs and volunteer in my Jewish community?

 

[vansemmanuel]

You have a Jewish mother?
Thats all the proof needed. You should study Judaism at your university or with a Rabbi and get to understand the faith more. Rabbis trust a lot more than you think. As opposed to Israel, where judaism is involved in the legal system and where a lot more proof would be needed during Law of Return and citizenship. Common Synagogues will gladly take your word. Trust me, we don't have clinics in the back of Synagogues testing to see if your parents are really yours or family historians searching each family to see if they are Jewish. You say your Jewish? Then we should accept you in the community. You lying would bring no benefit to anyone so no one would think you would be lying. Non Jews as well as Jews are allowed and welcomed to attend services, so just wake early on Saturday morning and attend your local Synagogue for services. Knowing how most congregants are, they will ask questions "Are you visiting?", "Do you come often?", this isn't to search you out, it's an opportunity to share a little with them and to gain a new friend to help you on your journey to becoming more apart of your community.