Q. While being mekarev an older lady (& grandchild) who considers herself conservative, she disclosed that the mother of the grandchild was adopted. It is doubtful if the adopted mother was from a Jewish home. The grandmother who is caring for the child is currently sending the child to a Jewish albeit secular school but is considering public school. We are unsure if we should be discouraging this. Is the mother (who was adopted by a conservative family) halachikly Jewish, although she most likely was never consulted at bat mitzva if she wants to adopt such a lifestyle?
A. If the mother was adopted we should assume that she was born a Gentile unless otherwise proven (see Igros Moshe 2: 126). Since even if she underwent a conversion process during her adoption, it would have been, according to the information you provided, a contemporary conservative ceremony, commonly not recognized by normative Halacha, it would result in her child being also a Gentile. If a proper geyrus process for minors was followed, there is no need to confirm or accept Judaism for the converts when they reach adulthood, as long as they do not reject their conversion when they are so informed, it automatically takes effect.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a advised to double check with reliable witnesses or documentation the pertinent facts including the details of the conversion, if it ever took place. If the prior assessment is correct, there is no reason to send the child to a Jewish school, unless the grandmother indeed becomes a bona fide Baalas Teshuva and is willing to provide a proper Kosher home and lifestyle to go along with the appropriate conversion and Torah education for her grandchild.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
Important Numbers
