Who is a true new Jew?

I agree with Rabbi Sholom Gold (“The remnant who survived,” Letters, March 15). Our enemies do not determine “Who is a Jew?”

Yet, the Law of Return does grant automatic Israeli citizenship to anyone who has at least one Jewish grandparent, anyone married to a Jew, and anyone who is the child of a Jew. And that is as it should be. No one suffering persecution for his/her connection to Judaism should hesitate to come to Israel because that would mean leaving loved ones behind and in danger.

Nevertheless, it is in Israel’s interest, as the nationstate of the Jews, to have a Jewish-majority population. That means that non-Jews who become Israeli citizens under the Law of Return should be offered classes on Judaism. Teaching Introduction to Judaism classes should be a way for young Israelis to perform National Service. Olim should be informed of the possibility of converting under the supervision of the state rabbinate, the IDF rabbinate, the Masorti rabbinate, or the Reform rabbinate.

And in the best of all possible worlds, converts should be able to live without the fear that their conversions might be annulled because their degree of religious observance is ruled “not strict enough.” TOBY F. BLOCK

Atlanta, GA

Michael Hirsch (Letters, March 10) writes that the answer to “Who is a Jew?” should be that if “an individual would have been deemed eligible to be tossed into a gas chamber by the Nazis, then he/she is a Jew.”

I am sorry, but I am not willing to let the Nazis decide for Israel who should be considered a Jew. AVRAHAM SCHWARTZ

Jerusalem