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Hello Hana,
Congratulations on your progress so far! My husband and I adopted our two daughters, ages 4 and 2 1/2, in 2004 and 2006. Last April we decided to convert to Judaism. It has been an amazing experience so far, and I'm so happy with the rabbi and the congregation we've found. I was concerned, too, about how we would raise Ethiopian children as Jews, but I have seen exactly what Sharon said. Our congregation is very mixed, and very open and welcoming, not only to our children, but to us as proselytes, to couples who are mixed, to adoptive families, to anyone really, who wants to be a part of the Jewish community.
My daughters love going to synagogue, and they love Tot Shabbat and the Jewish music we play in the car. They also love learning Amharic words and playing with their friends at our group of Ethiopian adoptive families. Being Ethiopian and being Jewish are just facts of life for them. They may have questions some day, but I think as long as we reinforce and support both these special aspects of their identiites, they will feel secure in being Ethiopian, Jewish, American, young women...
I look forward to hearing more about your experiences so that soon I can say Mazel Tov when your child is placed with you!
- Erin
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