[Shai's Mom]

DH and I are both Jewish. He is totally anti-religion and feels that religion is the root of all evil in the world.

I used to live a "Conserva-Dox" life style (conservative, drawn towards the orthodox). That was before I made Aliya (husband is Israeli - Sabra).

Our older son started to ask questions about G-d. So I am starting to teach him to pray and we read Bible stories. I explained to my husband that just because he himself doesn't need the "crutch" of religion to lean on, doesn't mean that the children won't need it. They will have their own burdens (as adoptive children) to deal with and anything that can help them, I'm all for it.

He saw my point.

In any case we do Kiddush on Shabbat fairly regularily and observe the Holidays.

In my opinion, it's important for children to have tradition and roots. Especially for adopted children, since they already will have to come to term with the realities of their adoption.

However, it's important that parents see eye-to-eye on these issues.

One more note: At the temple I used to attend, one woman was married to a Christian man. He left the religious education of the children entirely to her. During Christmas time they have a tree in the house. The mother always made it very clear to the children that this is not their holiday, that this is Daddy's holiday and they seemed to understand.

Both children are very firmly established in the Jewish faith/traditions despite the difference in the parent's religious beliefs.

It can be done but takes a lot of effort and consistency. You can not give mixed messages and need to stick to one religion. Imagine how confusing this would be for a child: No, Jesus is not the Moshiach, the Moshiach hasn't come yet and on the other hand, Jesus is the Moshiach.