what happens in cases of adoptions? Would kids adopted by a Jewish mother be considered Jewish automatically even if their birth mother was not? I know, it's random, but my first boyfriend was adopted by Jewish parents. Can't remember if his birth mother was though, so that's actually why the question came up.
Sorry for the FAQ lol
In cases of adoption, the legal and cultural recognition of the adopted child's religious identity can vary depending on the specific context and practices of different religions and regions. In the case of Judaism, there are different interpretations among Jewish denominations, but many consider that if a child is adopted by Jewish parents, they would be considered Jewish.
In Judaism, the religion is generally passed through matrilineal descent. This means that if a child's biological mother is Jewish, regardless of whether she practices Judaism, the child is considered Jewish. However, some Jewish denominations also recognize patrilineal descent, where if either the biological mother or father is Jewish, and the child is raised as Jewish, they are considered Jewish.
It is important to note that the specifics may vary depending on the religious practices of the particular Jewish community or congregation involved. Factors such as conversion, religious observance, and recognition by different Jewish authorities can also impact the determination of Jewish identity for an adopted child.
