[Avodah] abayudaya

[Michael Elzufon]

*Someone Posted:*
... I heard they converted through the conservative movement. It is
highly
likely that the reason they converted through conservative is that they
didn't know better. It is also highly likely that when they converted
they
did so with full intention to practice halacha 100% (even if they didn't
know quite what that meant). As such it is possible that they are really
Jewish - but I don't know.

*Zev Sero Responded:*
Not if the dayanim were pesulim.  Three hedyotot can convert, even if
they shouldn't, but three apikorsim cannot.

*Response*
I guess this is just the question of whether anyone alive today can be
considered an Apikores or just a Tinok Shenishba. I doubt anyone
involved in
the conversion knew Shas.

[MJE]] Assuming the facts presented--which is obviously a big
assumption--we do not need to go (back) into the Tinok Shenishba issue.
Tinok shenishba may limit culpability in a lot of areas, but it will not
make a m'hallel Shabbat b'farhesia into a kosher dayan.  Now, if the
three dayanim were shomer Shabbat--which even today is a
possibility--that would be a different story, at least to some poskim.

On the other hand, the abudaya might fit the case of ger shenitgeir
l'bein hanochrim of Shabbat 68b, which would seem to be without kosher
dayanim or anything else Jewish, for that matter.  I think this one has
also been discussed here.