[hopeful_ima]

Hi--I'm starting the process of adopting an infant from Ethiopia and I'd like to 'meet' other parents who have adopted or will be adopting from Ethiopia and raising their children in Judaism.

I'm at the beginning of the proces--just started the homestudy. My child will definitely be raised Jewish. I was raised in an orthodox home, have connections with a more liberal mesorati community, but in recent years have been very inconsistent in my actual practice. But I have always known that with a child I would reincorporate more of the traditions back into my life. I don't have much of the attention span neeed for shul lately, but could definitely see sitting through a Tot-Shabbat service, LOL. And certainly the home-based traditions/practices would be a part of our lives.

I want to communicate with others adopting from Ethiopia. While there is an incredible Ethiopian community in my area, there are not many Ethiopian Jews here and I haven't met any other Jews adopting from Ethiopia. I feel that I will want to raise my child as a Jew while also including traditions from Ethiopia in our lives.

Would love to hear from you out there!

Hana

[jewishadoptionblog]

Dear Hana -

Our daughter is not Ethiopian, but is black and adopted domestically. I'd love to chat anytime about dealing with racial issues while raising a Jewish child. Best wishes and good luck!

[stephanie38]

I can't believe I came across your message. Over the last couple of weeks, I have been strongly considering adopting from Ethiopia rather than Russia (I am looking to start my home study in January), but my biggest concern is how my child will be accepted in the Jewish community. I would be very interested chatting further.
Stephanie

[jewishadoptionblog]

Dear Stephanie -

You can send me an email at jewishadoptionblog AT adoptionmail DOT com, and take a look at my blog (link below). I'm pretty good on email, and we could go into more detail about your concerns and I can share my small amount of experience (our kids are still little) on this subject.

We were raised Conservative, and are what I'd have to consider modern Orthodox, and are members of an Orthodox shul, and send our daughter to an Orthodox day school. While we were talking to people in the community about what path we'd be taking to adopt, we got alot of cautious and even not so positive feedback. My favorite line was that we should try to get a child that look the "least African as possible."

HOWEVER - and it's a big however - from day one of Anna's arrival, the community's support has been amazing. She has really been accepted and is one of the gang. Granted, there have been some bumps and hiccups and we are preparing ourselves for what the school years will bring. But we are very open with her about the adoption, her skin color, and dealing with differences in general.

Send me an email, or post here - I'd love to talk.
Happy Chanukkah,

[hopeful_ima]

Glad to 'meet' you folks who are also thinking about these issues!

[robinesp]

Hi,
We are almost finished with the homestudy. We are adopting a 4-6 yr old girl from Ethiopia. I would also love to keep in contact with other Jewish families who have also adopted from Ethiopia.
Robinesp@yahoo.com

[Davidsmom17]

Hi Everyone,
I have a 4 year old biracial son I adopted at birth from here in the USA. He attends a conservative Jewish preschool and so far things have been great. His teacher this year went out and purchased mulicultural crayons and clay. All his pictures come home colored brown. I bought the class the book What it means to be a Jew. This is a wonderful book full of black, guatemalan, asian and other kids celebrating Judaism. Overall I am very happy with the experience.
That being said, I did a lot of research before adopting my son and the one common thread from black adult adoptees seems to be their lack of true exposure to their culture and other people of color. I struggle with this issue a lot. The reality is that I won't be taking him to a black church and that he will be raised Jewish. I live in a fairly white town so his friends will be white as well. I don't have any answers, I just know that I have to keep asking the questions.
Laurie
PS I am lucky enough to be in touch with an adoptive Mom who has my son's sibling. She found an online group called The Jewish Multiracial Network JMNET@Shamash.org. It's where I found the book and other info that is helpful.

[robinesp]

jea : Jewish Ethiopia Adoption

The yahoo group above was created for Jewish families adopting from Ethiopia but anyone can join and it is great way to find other Jewish multi-cultural families.
Please feel free to sign up.
Robin
Change 4 Orphans** Hi my name is Leah

[hopeful_ima]

Hi, Robin and Laurie!

Laurie--the book sounds really nice. I like the JMN site--I had seen it about a month ago, but should check it more often.

Robin--thanks for the link to the yahoo group!!

Hana

[TrixieBelden]

We actually know a lovely couple where the mother is Jewish and they are waiting their son from Ethopia. Their dossier has been submitted and were told 2-8 months on referral. They are super excited. If you'd like us to put you in contact, please PM me with an email address.

Sincerely,
Trixie

[Idealistic_mom]

Hi, My husband and I are considering adopting a child from Ethiopia. We are modern orthodox Jews and have two children of our own. We are a little concerned about how an Ethiopian child will be accepted by our community and was hoping to hear from other families out there that have already adopted from Ethiopia or other African countries. Thank you.

[hopeful_ima]

Hi--you might want to also visit the Jewish Ethiopian Adoption group at Yahoo. It has more activity than here (although it's been very quiet this week for some reason) and there are some members who are Orthodox.
jea : Jewish Ethiopia Adoption

Hope to 'see' you there!

Hana