[rbporlando]

My husband and I are in the overwhelming researching phase and are faced with several dillemas - 1) Our area has a VERY small jewish community, and in fact, after living here 2.5 years I have yet to make any jewish friends without joining the synagogue itself (we're both jewish) 2) We sense a lot of racial sterotypes within the surrounding community that neither of us agree with, believe nor support, nor are accustomed to as we grew up in other parts of the country

So... we have weighed international vs. domestic. We weighed info over which country. We have recently, after thinking we had made a decision on international and a country, found out that that gov't may not approve us due to medical reasons... so now we feel like we're back at square one!!!!!

All through this the one thing we cannot find info on is how our Jewish heritage will play out for a child of a different race or culture, or even a caucasian child who is adopted... Any advice would be appreciated!!!

[BrandyHagz]

I suggest PM'ing Spaypets - our resident Jewish adoptive parent of a wonderful little girl from India

Hopefully she'll see this thread as well and address your issues!

[spaypets]

LOL, I'm here!

I too, live in a tiny Jewish community, in a state that's very caucasian. We adopted from India 2.5 years ago and have received nothing but support from our synagogue (all 75 families worth). Indeed, Temple is the most integrated place I go, these days, what with adopted children, racially mixed marriages, etc. There are children from Cambodia, China, Ecuador and the US (Biracial).

I've also found that having a child really connects me more to the people in my Temple. Suddenly I've made new friends because we have kids in the same Hebrew school class.

As for the folks outside our Jewish community, again, I have received only positive comments.

As for adoption in general, most of the adopted kids I knew growing up with were Jewish. I think the Jewish community has been very accepting of adoption--certainly at least the Reform and Conservative branches, which has been my experience.

[LisaCA]

hi there,

I thought this article might help. It's from an organization called Pact, which places children of color in homes, same race and transracial. one of the founders of the nonprofit, Gail Steinberg, is jewish herself, and has adopted. She's also the coauthor, along with Beth Hall, of "inside transracial adoption" which I'm sure has more info on adoption and religion/identity.

http://pact.best.vwh.net/press/artic...-religion.html

there are other articles on the website, and there may be more that can help you make your decisions.

take care and good luck!

Lisa

[sak9645]

As the Mom of a wonderful daughter from China who attends Jewish day school (Conservative), I'd be delighted to answer any specific questions you may have.

Sharon

[Bonnie S.]

I agree with you, Spaypets. Even though we adopted a Caucasian child from right here in our own state, our synogogue is quite diverse. We have lots of adopted children in the religious school and, as you wrote, it has brought new friends into my life as soon as we adopted our child.

Where does everyone live? I am in Northern VA.