A specific opportunity has arisen (as opposed to the constant opportunity which exists for everyone to adopt) wherein I could adopt a small child in order to prevent her from growing up in an orphanage (India) where the children's chances are nearly nill of becoming adopted in their lives. If I were to do so, what would be the protocol for such an endeavor?

Obviously the child would be raised in a kosher home, but beyond that, what does one do with a goy child in the way of religion? We are not in the period of time that accepts the idea of active conversion in any way (rather we discourage it vehemently) yet, I do not know how to separate a goy child (who would be my own after adoption) from what is our "normative" lifestyle, and frankly, would consider it cruel to do so, as it would be a constant discrimination in my home and would undoubtably and unavoidably further scar an already emotionally damaged and neglected child.

Halachicly speaking, how should I proceed?

Clearly, there would have to be an Orthodox conversion at the coming of age (IF THE CHILD SO CHOSE) but in the meantime-- should I neglect teaching the child our ways? How do I know the child was not at Sinai and this was already written in HaShammayim for her return to Bayit Yisrael?

This is a rather urgent issue, so advice from all is welcomed and encouraged! Todah Rabah

By the way-- the child would have to be deaf and mute and blind not to learn Halachic ways growing up in my home. How does this fit into the idea of not teaching goyim Torah?

Does Torah make provisions in cases of mercy upon the orphans?

Also-- her infant brother (newborn) may also be included in this. If I take them both-- should he have a bris? Wear peyot and tzitzit?

adopting a Goyisha child falls under the category of Ger Katon, a minor Ger. We don't incourage conversions by grownups that are somewhat set in their ways, but a child, especially a baby, we can convert. Though we don't take other people's babies to convert them. But if we have custody, like adoption, or a family that converts can convert their children along with them. When the child turns to be Halachically an adault, they may protest their conversion and retroactively revoke the conversion. If they don't protest immediately they cannot protest later and they're always a Ger.

Of course, the conversion must be done under an Orthodox Beis Din so you need to call the Rabbis in your area to perform the conversion. But this is standard procedure (my sister in law is an adoptive Geyores) and it happens often, so there is no need to worry about it.

What usually happens in such cases (and they are not uncommon; adopting a non-Jewish child involves fewer Halachic problems in the long run) is that the Beis Din convert the child now in the same way that any child is converted when the mother converts as well.

You should therefore seek advice of your nearest Orthodox Beis Din that deals with conversions. The child will be brought up as Jewish and, provided your home is run on Orthodox Jewish lines (i.e. you are Orthodox), there should be no problems regarding the conversion.

TODAH! Thankyou for your quick response-- this puts my mind at complete ease...again thanks!

SIDENOTE: I realize there are many people who take for granted the "gift" of the Global Yeshiva-- but I for one, have for the past year in particular, have found it to be an INDESPENSABLE tool in my household. Time and time again, the sound advice and fascinating Torahl discussions have both enlightened us, delighted us, and yes, even kept us from sin. Thankyou GY, for being such an integral part of our lives.

An excellent book to read, that I think is similar to the above situation, is "The Bamboo Cradle" http://www.judaism.com/display.asp?fp=108&sp=13

Here's a page that links to an excerpt - http://www.innernet.org.il/article.php?aid=201

A link to various sites selling this book- look for the sites selling for under ten dollars.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sam-,

Sam:
Todah! How poignant!

Where did you find this book? Were you considering adoption as well? Or did you come across it by "accident" (if such a thing exists)?

quote:

Originally posted by Yocheved Broscova-Guerra:
Where did you find this book? Were you considering adoption as well? Or did you come across it by "accident" (if such a thing exists)?

It's a very well known book and the girl herself, I believe, has spoken around the world about her experiences.

Wow. Thanks, I had never heard of it.

quote:

Originally posted by Yocheved Broscova-Guerra:
Where did you find this book? Were you considering adoption as well? Or did you come across it by "accident" (if such a thing exists)?

I read the book a number of years ago and I was reminded of it at the time I read your posting.

There is one thing here that has not been discussed herein. In India, the children are not to be adopted by anyone other than another Hindu if the child is Hindu. They do not want the childs upbringing changed by the introduction of another religion. Have you been able to receive this child?

That is only partly true, Ms. Green. There are many xtian and Jewish orphanages raising many unwanted children. The xtains are raising them thus, the muslims are raising them thus, the sikhs are raising them thus, and the Jewish orphanages are likewise doing the same or raising them with exposure to both ways (Judaism and some basic Hindu understanding-- quite watered down). It is a task, but it can be done. There are so many that they are literally dying on teh streets. I guess the supporters have raised this issue enough tho force them to recognize "better to a Jewish home than to be dead". Hinduism is the predominant religion, but certainly not hte vast majority, as the muslims likewise have a great hold (remember the wars??) and others likwise are having their influences there. There are a couple of outstanding organizations that are Orthodox in Mumbai already. That is who I am working with currently. Remember that one can actually be a Hindu and an Orthodox Jew at the same time. Unlike being a Muslim or other religion, there are compatibilities. Many Hindus believe in one G-d (and many others believe in several or none at all-- and obviously those who fall into the former category cannot be considered frum Jews as it violates our primary belief of one G-d). I personally have no Hindu ties knowingly in my beliefs, but it is theoretically possible to be both a Hindu believing in one G-d and also a frum Jew; I know this because I have a couple of friends there in India who claim to be both simultaneously and are outstanding examples in Yiddishkeit. But that is a whole other irrelevent thread to this discussion. The point is that it can be done. My question was whether I could do so or not and still have them converted as per our laws, since we do not proselytize.

Pardon me, Ms. Green-- in my diatribe there I forgot to answer your question! How rude of me! No, I am still in the process. My guess is that it will be a good three-six months before all is done and the child is safely in our hands. A great deal of corruption exists over there and we are doing our best not to fall into the pitfalls. Bezrat HaSh-m, it will happen sooner than later, thanks to the Ravs here who enlightened me on the facts of converting children!

In general it is easier socially (an in a narrow set of halachot, halachically) if you take the child to beit din and have them converted as a minor. They will still have a say in the matter when they approach bar/bat mitzvah age as the beit din, or at least the rav, is required to check with with them and affirm they wish to continue with the decision the parents made for them. I know of one case where a women and her children were all converted and her oldest son, a very nice young man who regards himself as a noahide, decided he did not wish to be Jewish. The other children decided to remain in the fold. I do not recall whether or not there was a second consultation point before they turn (20), however.