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Is conversion necessary for acceptance within the Jewish
community?
This is a question not easily answered because of the
different regulations of acceptance within each
denomination. For many years, the major denominations
would only accept a person as Jewish if his/her mother
was Jewish (matrilineal descent). However, the Reconstructionist
movement, and later the Reform movement in the 1970s,
began admitting people who were Jewish only on their father's
side (patrilinial descent) as well, so long as they wanted
to be Jewish and were not practicing any other religion.
While there are currently many programs and institutions
that will warmly welcome the non-Jewish spouses of Jews,
few synagogues will give them totally equal responsibilities
and honors without their completion of the conversionary
process.
See also: Where can I find Jewish
institutions and programs that will welcome my interfaith
family?
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