[Robin in Mesa]

Hi,

I converted in adulthood (combined Reform/Conservative conversion-- beit din, mikveh, classes) because, although our family history is that my mother's mother's family was Jewish, my grandmother was orphaned at a very young age and there is no evidence to confirm. She was raised in a Mennonite orphange, my mother was not raised in any religion, my dad was a non-practicing Catholic... :-)

Anyway, I am adopting from Ethiopia and plan to raise my daughter Jewish. It is highly unlikely I will be matched with an Ethiopian Jew, although wouldn't that be lovely?

There are other people-of-color in my (Reform) temple, including children... but I have the same worries for her that I had for myself when I converted...

I knew I would not keep kosher, etc. and that it would be deceitful to go through with an Orthodox conversion. I understand, my legitimacy as a Jew is questioned by some as a result. While that was/is fine with me, now I feel concerned that I will raise her as a Jew, only to have her discover later in life that a significant part of our people do not accept her.

I am seeking others' input-- what do you think? Any suggestions?

Thank you,

Robin

[Julia in CO]

Robin,

This is very late in responding, but I wanted to address your concern. As someone born of the Jewish faith, I can tell you that unless you are ultra-orthodox or even chasid, there will always be those in the Jewish community who will question your faith.

I was raised Reform (and my family history varied from Reform to Orthodox) in a very ultra-orthodox community. Regardless of our being born of Judaism, our neighbors did not consider us as fellow Jews, since we did not keep kosher or walk on shabbas. But that doesn't mean we aren't "legitimate" Jews.

Your legitimacy as a Jew is no different than mine. Just because you converted does not mean you are any less a Jew in the eyes of G-d. Don't worry about what other, more orthodox, Jews might think. As with any religion, the more orthodox will always question the less so. Doesn't mean you're any less Jewish.

If raising your child Jewish is important to you...then by all means...go for it! :-)

Best,
Julia

[Howdy]

Robin,

Here is what I'm finding with myself.

I'm trying to be a little more observant than I was before I adopted. I take my kid to Hebrew School almost every Sunday. I managed to teach her most of Mah Nishtanah for Passover. We sing the aleph-bet in the car. When we have conversations that touch on ethics, I toss in the Jewish point of view. She's only 9 but she's already talking about her Bat Mitzvah. I bought a book of Jewish Prayers for Children and try to have her say a prayer each night. She knows not to mix meat and dairy dishes, but she sure doesn't keep kosher outside of the home.

I am not raising her as religiously as I thought I would raise my child. But having a child has definitely shoved me into becoming more observant and more involved in the Jewish community.

[Ima2B]

Hi Robin
I myself am an ultrorthodox jew and I can tell you where you will have difficulty is if she wants to make aliyah or get married inIsrael or if ever she decides she wants to become orthodox. Any of these will require an orthodox conversion. And anything involving israel requires a conversion by a rabbi on their list of approved rabbis.