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From: mls@wxlvax.UUCP (Michael Schneider)
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: Knesset votes on 'Who is a Jew?'
Message-ID: <394@wxlvax.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 1-Feb-85 08:56:46 EST
Article-I.D.: wxlvax.394
Posted: Fri Feb  1 08:56:46 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 3-Feb-85 08:51:46 EST
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Organization: ITT-ATC SRD, Shelton Ct.
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Although I consider myself an observant Jew, I consider the definition of 
Who is a Jew as per the Law of Return a political issue, not a religious one.
Admitting someone to Israel under the Law of Return should have not any
ramifications on the future of Jews as defined by Jewish law.  The problem
arises only when marriage or children are involved; this currently is
controlled by the Chief Rabbis.  To amend the Law of Return in the way proposed
whould further limit the number of "Jews" entering Israel.  The Law of Return
has as its basis the saving of Jewish life.  The parties that proposed the bill
under the guise of religion are, in my opinion, in the same league as the
British prior to WW II.  Don't forget, a person running for his or her life
may not have the necessary documents.  Or, they may belong to a small group
who come from small Jewish communities (where initially their claim to being
Jewish was questioned).  

Let us first save Jews, then worry about their observance or parents; problems
in those areas can be changed.  If there is doubt, a conversion can be
done - but not on a corpse.

michael schneider