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Adoption

Many couples choose to adopt as pathway to building their families. This is a wonderful choice, and here at OVS we’ll celebrate your adopted child no differently than we celebrate biological children.

If your adopted child was not born to a Jewish woman, they’ll need to have a Conversion. The Conversion ritual involves:

  1. The parents affirming they’ll raise the child exclusively Jewish.
  2. Immersion in a מקוה כשר/Kosher Mikvah, with one or both parents in the water with the child if the child hasn’t yet learned to swim.
  3. If your adopted child is a boy, he’ll need to have a circumcision called a ברית מילה לשם גירות/brit milah l’shem gerut.
  4. The conversion will be affirmed when the child reaches the age of majority — 12 for girls and 13 for boys, through a בר/בת מצוה/Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

OVS would be happy to host the celebration of the latest addition to your family. You can meet with Rabbi Hearshen to create a personalized celebration, either through an עליה/Aliyah to the תורה/Torah, a specific reading, or other ritual that is meaningful to you.