Whether you’ve already made your decision to adopt or you’re still weighing your options, you probably have lots of questions. Here are some Jewish adoption resources that can help.
JCCA – Jewish Child Care Association
The JCCA website is a great place to start your adoption journey. Their Ametz Adoption Program is a comprehensive child care agency that will work with you throughout the entire process of your adoption. If you’re still deciding whether adoption is the right choice for you, their Resource Center has gathered tons of articles, FAQs, and personal stories on topics including how to finance an adoption, how Judaism plays into adoption, statistics, and listings of both domestic and international agencies. For those in the New York area, JCCA also hosts free monthly meetings for registered guests, including a pre-adoption support group and an informational how-to session.
AJFCA – Association of Jewish Family & Children’s Agencies
The AJFCA is a membership organization of over 130 Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies throughout the United States and Canada, many of which offer adoption services to prospective parents and families who have adopted. Their website has a listing of agencies in most states and provinces, and you can also contact them directly for the information that you need to move forward.
JCAN – Jewish Children’s Adoption Network
JCAN is a recruitment and referral organization that helps place adopted children into Jewish homes. They specialize in placing special needs children who are developmentally or physically disabled, as well as victims of abuse and neglect, who need a healthy, loving environment to call home. You can find a registration form on their website that includes an extensive series of questions asking about what you are looking for in an adopted child.
Local Options
Most major cities have adoption services that serve their community. While there are plenty of options in the New York metro area, here are some other regional Jewish organizations that can help:
Chicago: Project Esther. Does not place children but connects Jewish families with agencies, lawyers, physicians and rabbis, as well as hosts local events for families with adopted children.
Florida: JAFCO, Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options. Works to place abused and neglected children in South Florida into adopted or foster care homes.
Philadelphia: JFCS. Runs the Open Arms Adoption Agency, which serves the greater Philadelphia area as well other parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Make the Call
If you’ve done your research and feel like adoption is the right choice for you, there’s only so much a website can do. We suggest calling one of these organizations and talking with someone that can work with you throughout the process.
Want to learn more? Check out this video from our friends at G-dcast.
