Negotiating Jewishness through genetic testing in the State of Israel

In Israel, several hundred thousand citizens form a minority group that wishes to be acknowledged as Jewish by the state authorities. Most of them immigrated from former Soviet Union and cannot provide sufficient evidence their maternal ancestors’ affiliation with community. This has direct impact on civil rights. Based scientific research article matrilineal genetic markers among Eastern Central European Jews, rabbinical dean an institute for advanced studies in Jerusalem proposed accept, under certain conditions, presence specific legal proof “Jewishness.” Genetic testing here is meant become tool empowerment (re)claiming status. case raises many questions concerning biological understanding Judaism shows how ancestry could used uphold religious orthodox narrative.