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Reform Judaism - Some Questions and Answers
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12. Who is a Jew according to Reform Judaism?
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 For the last 2000 years Judaism has defined the Jew as the child of a Jewish mother or someone who has
converted to Judaism. In all probability, this ‘matrilineal’ definition was adopted because maternity
is certain whereas paternity can always be open to question.
This traditional definition brings two principles into conflict. On the one hand, when it comes
to matters of Jewish status we try to preserve the traditional forms whenever possible.
Whereas how you celebrate Shabbat or whether you observe the minor fasts has no implication
for whether or not you are part of the Jewish people, the decisions that we make on status matters
have a much more profound significance. That is why we continue the tradition of dissolving marriages
by get, the divorce document, and why our conversion procedures include all of the traditional
elements such as circumcision for men and tevilah, immersion in the Mikveh (ritual bath)
for both men and women. We are concerned to stay with the mainstream of the community and provide leadership
to more than a small minority.
On the other hand, we are deeply committed to the principle of equality and there
is no logic or justice to regarding the child of a Jewish mother as being Jewish and the child
of a Jewish father as not. The conflict of principle is a really difficult one.
We resolve the dilemma by staying with the principle of matrilineality for the sake of the community
whilst doing everything in our power to make the inclusion of the child of a Jewish father brought
up as a Jew and considering themself to be Jewish as simple and ‘painless’ as possible for the sake
of the individual.
Since mischievous people sometimes cast doubts, it is worth stating that, if a marriage takes place in a Reform Synagogue which could have been solemnised in an Orthodox Synagogue, the children of that marriage are Jewish from any perspective and no one can call their status into doubt.
Acknowledgement: ‘What is Reform Judaism' by Rabbi Tony Bayfield.
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