Our late mother pretended to be Jewish. What do we do now?

Question: Our mother was married in an Orthodox synagogue in the UK and buried next to my father in a Jewish cemetery. However, we discovered that she was not in fact Jewish - she only pretended to be - and never converted. What should we put on her headstone and how does this affect my siblings’ and my Jewish status?

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Can't rabbis act to lower Pesach prices?

Question: Pesach is expensive enough as it is, but in these economically difficult times, many families will be finding it harder to pay their bills. Do products like coffee really need a kosher-for-Pesach label and can’t rabbis do something to make the festival more affordable?

Rabbi Naftali Brawer Naftali Brawer is rabbi at Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue. More.. Do synagogues makes life uncomfortable for single people? February 26, 2009 Question: I am a single man in my early 40s and, as I get older, I am becoming more conscious that Judaism is a family-centred religion. My immediate family do not celebrate festivals. For many years I have gone to a synagogue on my own but I am finding the prospect is less alluring as the years go by. What can you suggest? More.. Can one sit shivah for a dear friend that happens to be an animal? January 29, 2009 Question: Can one sit shivah for a dear friend that happens to be an animal? My old horse has died at the age of 29. He was a faithful companion who won me many rosettes in shows, and I want to know how I can mark his passing. Rabbi Naftali Brawer Naftali Brawer is rabbi at Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue. More.. Should we leave out the sixth verse of Ma’oz Tzur? December 23, 2008 Question: Recent editions of the Singer’s Siddur have restored the sixth verse of Ma’oz Tzur, which prays for the enemy to be thrust into ‘the darkness of death’. I teach in a cheder and I find it hard to accept that this is suitable to be sung by adults, never mind children. Should we leave it out? More.. Should a charity accept donations from someone with a stake in internet porn? November 20, 2008 Question: I am a trustee of a charity and we are all worried about the impact of the current financial crisis. We were recently offered a significant gift for a particular project but we discovered that the prospective donor has a large stake in internet porn. Should we take it? Rabbi Naftali Brawer Naftali Brawer is rabbi at Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue. More.. « first‹ previous123456next ›last » Subscribe About Advertise with us E-Paper Terms & conditions RSS feeds Send us a photo