[ContactChar]

Everyone,

I have a coworker who is in the process of adopting a baby from Korea. She and her husband are Jewish (I am not), although I don't know how devoutly religious they are. In looking for adoption-friendly books for my new DS, I ran across a book about a Jewish family adopting a baby from Vietnam. I bought the book, thinking she might like it. . . but now I'm worried that the gesture may be offensive. First, obviously, her baby will be Korean, not Vietnamese (I don't want her to think I don't know the difference!). More importantly, I just don't know if it's inappropriate for me (a Christian) to give a book of this nature to a Jewish person. I read the book and found the story to be very nice-- in fact, if I don't give it to her, I'll probably just keep it for my DS. Maybe I'm overthinking, but I want to make sure I don't offend her.

Any thoughts?

[sak9645]

I'm Jewish, and I think it's a great idea to give your colleague a book about a Jewish person adopting internationally. Since there are all too few such books around, your friend will know that you did a lot of work to find it. She'll surely be impressed.

It doesn't really matter that your book is about Vietnam instead of Korea. Transracial adoption is an important issue to people of all religions, and books about kids who don't resemble their parents are usually very welcome. My daughter happens to be from China, and I would have LOVED a book about being a Mom to an Asian child, whatever his/her country of origin.

Sharon

[mom2justynsarah]

I think your gesture is very nice! I can't imagine she would be offended. I would definetly give her the book.

[linda512]

I am Jewish and I would be touched that you went to the trouble to find and buy the book. And it would be helpful for me to read- as a matter of fact, what is the name?

[ContactChar]

Thanks everyone! The name of the book is Rebecca's Journey Home by Brynn Sugarman. It's actually a very nice little book. I hope she enjoys it!

[Shai's Mom]

I am also Jewish and this sounds like a wonderful story I would enjoy reading to my kids. Thank you for giving us the title and author. I was going to PM you, asking for it.

[ajrl]

Hey Char:

I just saw your post and wanted to respond.

Being Jewish here myself. I think if you approach it as you found this wonderful Jewish adoption book about a family that is adopting a vietnamese child and you thought it had so many similarities to her that you wanted to share it w/ her. I know I would love to have a friend give me a book like that.

Let me know what happened when you give it to her.

AJ