Adoptions are acts of loving-kindness, but this is particularly true for older children who might never have had the opportunity of a permanent family or home. The Jones family is a wonderful example: Michele Jones is raising four older children, ranging in age from five to 28, adopted from foster care. She made the decision to adopt because she wanted to to give something back to the children who need our help most.. “When I adopted these children, I wanted them to feel safe…it’s all done in love.” Michele believes it is essential to have an honest relationship with your children. “It’s important that the children know where they came from and that they are not foster children any more.” She encourages others to do the same. "Please don’t give up….my family is many families, but one love.” Adoption is forever.

Left to right: Anna Andrews Jones, Jasmine Jones (seated on floor), Michele Jones, Shantel Marshall, Michele's granddaughter Kayla Simon, and Daniel Marshall.

Want to know more? Listen to Michele and Anna talk about teenage adoption on an NYC radio show. Watch a segment about Michele and her family from JCCA's Adoption is Forever. Learn about adoption through foster care. Visit our Adoption Resource Center View the website for National Adoption Month.

Jewish lifecycle events commemorate the most significant moments of a person's life, but can be even more complex in adoptive families. How should adoptive Jewish parents handle the observance of conversion, bar/bat mitzvah and other ceremonies? Come hear from and work with rabbis, educators and parents as we discuss the meaningful rituals that reflect, celebrate and bridge the diverse and unique backgrounds that make up our families.

Workshop Leaders:
Rabbi Simkha Weintraub, Rabbinic Director of the New York Jewish Healing Center, JBFCS
Dina Rosenfeld, DSW, Ametz Adoption Program Community Educator
Gidon Isaacs, Education Director, Society for the Advancement of Judaism
Myra Alperson, Noted author on cultural diversity
Marcia Hochman (moderator), Ametz Adoption Program

National Philanthropy Day in NYC

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has proclaimed November 15th as National Philanthropy Day in New York City. Please help celebrate with the Mayor and consider a gift to Jewish Child Care Association.