Rabbi Ari Shvat
Question
Shalom Aleichem, Im here because Im Jewish. However, I was raised in what Ive discovered to be called a secular society with no religion. My parent has told me as a child that we are Jews but I was informed to keep it to myself. This being a Jew thing since then has always interested me. I recently did a DNA test to confirm questions. It looks like I am in fact a Jew. So, now I have more than a few questions but namely: What do I do now?!
Answer
Great, "welcome back" to being part of the Chosen People! Genetics is interesting, but you may have the Jewish genes through males, and as you probably know, one's Judaism is decided by their mothers. If in fact your mother's mother's mother's mother was Jewish, than in fact, so are you. If so, you should contact the closest orthodox Jewish rabbi and organize a "plan" what's the best way to learn and start observing Judaism ASAP. All the best and again, congratulations!
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