[Twin Sis]

Hi, what a broad header, I know.
We're looking into adoption and I have many IF friends as well.
I would love to know from all of yous out there. What are my chances in finding a Jewish baby? Where am I likely to find one? How do I go about it?

[spaypets]

I don't know the likelyhood of finding the child of a Jewish mother (which is what I assume you mean by Jewish baby), but I want to mention two things:

1. It's very easy to convert an infant.

2. Be cautious about the circumstances of conception. If the Jewish child is the result of incest or adultery, it may be impossible to marry in the traditional community.

[yael]

Most of the infants born to Jewish mothers are being placed for adoption because they have special needs. We have adopted three babies in these circumstances. It is quite often upper middle class families who make a decision, for emotional reasons or for the good of their other children, to place their infants.

I believe it is very unlikely that you would find a healthy Jewish infant being placed for adoption. While it does happen occasionally (and I personally know of two such cases), it is very rare. You might try speaking to your local Jewish Family Services and see if they can help you with this.

By the way, to spaypets post: while it is true that there can be halachic issues with a Jewish child, given open adoptions and the ability for a rabbi to interact with the birth family, these concerns should not keep anyone from adopting a child born to a Jewish mother.

Yael

[Twin Sis]

Originally posted by spaypets


2. Be cautious about the circumstances of conception. If the Jewish child is the result of incest or adultery, it may be impossible to marry in the traditional community.

I think you're referring to a Mamzer. The only time that a child is a Mamzer is if the mom is married and concieves from another man other than her husband.

[spaypets]

I am no way saying don't adopt a Jewish child, just make sure you know the circumstances surrounding conception. A mamzer isn't just from the adulterous situation you described--it also includes incest.

http://www.jewishgates.com/file.asp?File_ID=607