AboutRabbi Ari Shishler Expertise As a campus rabbi, who teaches both religious and non-religious Jewish teens every day, I'm ready and waiting for your questions.
Experience I spent six years as the head of the Chabad House Young Adults' Division in Johannesburg, South Africa, before moving to learning director.
I am the campus rabbi at the Witwatersrand University and University of Johannesburg and was the campus rabbi at Boston City Campus in Johannesburg for six years.
I have worked closely with the South African Union of Jewish students since 1997.
For the past eight years, I have been a guest lecturer at the Johannesburg "Encounter" program for King David High Schools. I have also spent two years as guest rabbi at the "Encounter" program in Cape Town.
King David High Schools, Yeshivah College and Crawford High Schools invite me regularly to speak to various classes.
Since 1996, I have been teaching Talmud at a local religious high school.
Organizations Chabad-Lubavitch
South African Rabbinical Association
Publications Jewish Tradition, South Africa. Jewish Report, weekly newspaper, South Africa SAUJS annual Holiday guide.
Education/Credentials After completing high scool, I spent six years studying in Rabbinical seminaries in South Africa, Israel and New York.
I am Catholic christian. I am hispanic puerto rican. By all means my question to you is my faith is like the jewish in the bible like Jesus and Mary even his apostols. I believe fervently. But I would like to know are Puerto Ricans jews descendent? I know my ancestors are Native Indian called Tainoes. But sadly to say that is all I know. I read the bible constantly. I just would like to know if my family is Jewish in origin? Can you help my last name is like a smith lol it is Lopez. So that doesnt help much lol. I would be so happy if I found my true origin please help rabbi. I love the jewish clothing women wear and the food. I need answers can you help me.I even love the music lol.
Answer Hi Jacqeline
I see that you have a strong interest in Judaism, which is a good thing. Judaism considers a person Jewish if their MOTHER is Jewish. Sometimes, a person finds that their great-grandmother on their mother's side was Jewish, and so they are too.
Usually, though, it's very difficult to prove that you are Jewish based on your family.
If you have any way to trace your family tree more clearly, that would help a lot. Sadly, there are very few families who can do this.
Please feel free to ask for any further guidance with this.
