[sheila512]

I have an adopted child that happens to be from a Jewish birth mother. We are conservatives Jews, extremely proud of our heritage, but have never pressed our child about observances. We expected him to go along with our style without objection. From a very early age, he rejected all aspects of Judaism. He went to Hebrew School and hated it, even had a Bar Mitzvah and hated every minute of the preparation. He will no longer go into a synagogue and will not join the family for any family observances. He claims to be no religion and yet he is a very spiritual person. It is very hurtful to have this rejection, since Judaism is a big part of my life. He thinks anyone who is a slave to religion is crazy. I have tried to reason with him and show him that I am NOT a religions person,,but I am more of a secular Jew that will never reject my history or my ancestors. He stays away more and more, especially at all holiday times. Any suggestions....of course I give him 'space' but he is an adult now and it is very childlike.