[anjcohen]

Hello and help,

* I was adopted by Jewish family in 1956. Raised as a Jew.
* Did find biological siblings and remain in contact.
* Siblings confirmed our mother was Jewish.
* Now want to immigrate to Israel (aliyah) but on the religious side of things I will not be recognized as a "Jew" because I can not produce documentation (original birth certificate and adoption / name change) showing my birth mother and my being child (original name).
* N.Y. adoption record is SEALED.
* Biological mother and father deceased.
* Again, biological siblings aware of me.
*** Why can't I have access to my adoption records so I can prove to the Israeli Biet Din (orthodox) that I am indeed of Jewish ancestry????
* Shouldn't I have access if biological parents are deceased and siblings would sign letter of support for my request?
** My religious rights / status has been dissolved due my inability to access my record to prove my religion.

Can anyone offer their insight or help regarding my plight to attain my Jewish identity?

Thank you

[sak9645]

Do you know whether your birthmother belonged to a synagogue? There may be a record there.

Do you know where your birthmother is buried? If she is buried in a Jewish cemetery, you may be able to photograph the cemetery entrance sign and the grave marker, which might convince the rabbis. Non-Jews are not buried in Jewish cemeteries.

Don't your bio siblings have ANY records related to their parents? Did they just throw away everything when their parents died? I have tons of stuff about my parents stored away. I acquired it when my mother died. If you find any boxes of "junk", look through every scrap carefully. You may find a treasure.

Was your mother an immigrant? If so, go online and see if you can find her immigration records on-line. They often list religion. Places like Ancestry.com may also be useful. I found things like my father's draft card from World War I, showing that he was a conscientious objector -- something he never told me, although I happened to marry a conscientious objector!

Besides your own bio siblings, do you know anything about your mother's bio relatives, such as sisters, cousins, etc.? I'll bet that one of them has saved "stuff" that might include information about your mother's religious identity. If you can't approach them, maybe your bio siblings can.

Sharon

[BethVA62]

Have you asked a judge to unseal your original birth record yet?

Is the birth record the only document that will be accepted as proof of relation? Not that I can think of any other doc that would show your relationship to your mother, yet. DNA tests with siblings maybe?

I have a feeling there is a way somehow.

Originally Posted by anjcohen

Hello and help,

* I was adopted by Jewish family in 1956. Raised as a Jew.
* Did find biological siblings and remain in contact.
* Siblings confirmed our mother was Jewish.
* Now want to immigrate to Israel (aliyah) but on the religious side of things I will not be recognized as a "Jew" because I can not produce documentation (original birth certificate and adoption / name change) showing my birth mother and my being child (original name).
* N.Y. adoption record is SEALED.
* Biological mother and father deceased.
* Again, biological siblings aware of me.
*** Why can't I have access to my adoption records so I can prove to the Israeli Biet Din (orthodox) that I am indeed of Jewish ancestry????
* Shouldn't I have access if biological parents are deceased and siblings would sign letter of support for my request?
** My religious rights / status has been dissolved due my inability to access my record to prove my religion.

Can anyone offer their insight or help regarding my plight to attain my Jewish identity?

Thank you

[anjcohen]

Thank you for the replies but let me clarify.

1. I need my original birth certificate that states my name given at birth (different than adopted name) showing B-Mom's name (B-Parents deceased) .

2. I need an adoption document that shows I was adopted by A-Parents and was given the name I have now.

** Then I could prove I am the son of my B-Mom who was of the Jewish faith - i.e. making me a Jew by blood.

** I have letters from B-Siblings stating our mother was Jewish, etc.

** Israel Rabbinate (religious court) DOES NOT consider me a Jew since I can not prove my Jewish heritage (B-Mom) UNLESS I have the above stated!

** I need to have my N.Y. adoption record opened as this is a matter of establishing my Jewish identity that will satisfy the Israel Rabbinate Court so I will be accepted as compared to be considered a "Mamzer" (Jewish term and stigma of a Bastard).

** Can anyone assist this now 55 year old that painstakingly searched for years and who found his B Family (mother deceased)? Again, my religious identity is under New York lock and key for what I consider no reason now that I found my B siblings, B-parents deceased, A=Father deceased, A-Mother willing to sign aviddavit......

Thank you as I am new to this forum......

[anjcohen]

see me last post just before this too but "No" to DNA test as being proof......thanks.

[Dickons]

You should be able to petition the courts to unseal your records "for cause". The cause being to fully be able to participate in your religion. If they deny you that you should have grounds to appeal based religious freedom rights - a founding tenet of the constitution.

I have no idea about NY but my state to petition was simply filling out a form that asked specific questions and had a place at the bottom to base your argument - no lawyer involved.

Kind regards,
Dickons

[anjcohen]

The Manhattan court is listed on my A-Birth certificate that was issued so I assume I need to petition that court.

Do you know how I would personally petition the court (process, forms and whom I would direct it to?).

Is there any way I could have an opportunity to speak with a judge prior to see if they would be receptive to such a request or should I say have merit?

Thank you and yes, I would assume it should be my religious right.

Oh, as far as my requesting information via the registry requesting non-disclosing information, is religion of B Mom usually listed?
Do adoption papers list mother religion since my original most likely will not?

[anjcohen]

I have the ability through siblings to obtain death certificate of B mom to prove to judge and I could obtain letters from them giving me permission to open sealed record.
As far as any record outside of sealed A record stating my B mom was Jewish, according to B siblings, nothing.
I am hopeful it is in the adoption file.........??

[Dickons]

I do not know about NY but petition the court your adoption was processed through. For example my petition was filed in the Superior Court in the county my adoption was processed through - same court that approved my mother's surrender and mom and dads petition to adopt me. (my mom did the petition for me because I was sick). Below is what was done in my state so don't expect all states to do it exact.

The one page petition she filled out at the top said "Application For Access To Adoption File"

First 4 questions were who she was etc. The 5th question was to the relationship to the adopted child which provided choices and one was the adoptee. The 6th and 7th asked details about the specific file and where that knowledge came from. The 8th was facts known about the adoption. The 9th was why you wanted access to summarize. Then the petition was notarized by Deputy Clerk. If there was supporting documents, i.e. statements from your siblings I would assume they would need to be notized to be admitted with the petition. In my case it took about a week from the petition to answer but mine was based on medical need so that may have applied plus the fact that mom petitioned probably made it easier to grant.

Pretty sure you need to deliver the petition in person or follow allowed alternative methods perhaps through a court in your area.

There was no meeting with the judge, nor would you probably be able to know ahead of time who the judge would be.

Kind regards,
Dickons

[anjcohen]

Thank you for describing the petition process. That was helpful.
I live in Seattle and if I need to fly to New York - Brooklyn Superior Court to submit petition I will.
Does anyone have knowledge if I have the opportunity to meet a judge to personally explain details of opening case?

Thank you once again!

[Dickons]

Cannot answer your last question but forgot to add what was in my sealed file that may also be in NY sealed files.

One item was the adoption study that detailed both sets of parents and specified the religion of each parent. That was the only document in the sealed file that noted the religion.

Would that document be enough to satisfy the requirements you face - it was prepared for the courts for the adoption and entered in as evidence.

Kind regards,
Dickons

[Dickons]

Did a quick search although you probably already have this info: NY proceesses adoption in either the Surrogate Court (seems like most) or the Family Court. They have one notation in the frequently asked question section and also provide the different addresses for the courts throughout NY.

They do have on-line forms to fill out to petition the court for access. There are three different choices for reason - one medical - one non-medical - one native american for tribal affliliation - the second is your obvious choice but before filling out the form you would be best served to call the court in the area you were adopted from. They could answer your question about meeting the judge as well.

The Form: http://www.nycourts.gov/forms/surrog...n/adop27-A.pdf

Found on this link: Forms

Surrogates court link showing FAQ and addresses: New York City Surrogate's Court

Kind regards,
Dickons

[anjcohen]

Thank you to the last 2 replies! I will research which court. I do know it was in Brooklyn, N.Y.
I will obtain death certificates, etc, etc and then petition the court.
Does anyone have an idea how long it will take from the time I submit to the time it is reviewed by the judge?

The important pieces I will need in my adoption file to prove my Jewish identity to meet the Israel religious court is:

1. Original birth certificate
2. Adoption paper showing my birth name was then changed to present name.
3. Something stating B moms religion
4. Letters from B siblings stating B mom was Jewish.

Then after all that go before the Jewish Court.
As of right now I am considered a "Mamzer" or basically a bastard child even though I was raised in a Jewish home, etc, etc........sad situation indeed.


Thank you