[sak9645]

I adopted internationally. My daughter is from China. Because of Chinese laws and policies, the only adoption plan many families can make is abandonment. As a result, I know nothing of her biological parents, and they know nothing about me.

Being Jewish was never an issue. Although the Chinese government is officially atheist, the folks at the China Center for Adoption Affairs, the Chinese government bureau charged with making all referrals to foreigners, are very open about religion. Orthodox Jews, evangelical Christians, agnostics, and atheists are all welcome.

My homestudy made it clear that my daughter would come into an actively Jewish home, and this was not questioned in any way. I received a wonderful child, who has been converted to Judaism and attends a Jewish day school.

If you are concerned about American birthparents preferring to place with Christian families, you might want to consider adoption from countries like China, Ethiopia, or Guatemala, where religion is simply not an issue.

Sharon