Slightly OT - Adult Conversion before/after adoption

Hello, Congratulations on your decision to adopt and to convert! What a neat idea, converting yourself and your child at the same time. My gut tells me that would be a beautiful ceremony. Are you already working with a Rabbi? If so, you might want to run this by him/her as there may be implications if you convert at the same time, since technically you wouldn't be Jewish yet. If not, go with your gut and if you feel like one is taking longer than you think you can always just proceed with the other. Please let us know what you decide. Best,

Congratulations on both decisions! Converting to Judaism is, at least when done in a more traditional way, a lengthy process. Depending on the rabi you decided to work with, you will have to study a lot about Judaism and you will be asked time an again about your motives for conversion - not because Jews don't like you :D but because the rabbis want to make sure that you convert for the right reasons, namely an inner conviction and a genuine desire to join the Jewish people and share their fate, for better or worse. In your place, I would use the time to study Judaism, join a congregation and participate in Jewish activities. You might also use the time to learn Hebrew - nothing compares to reading the scriptures in the original text. (As a native Hebrew speaker, I can assure you that reading translated scriptures may be likened to reading Shakespeare translated into Chinese :)) I LOVE the idea of a double conversion. What a special event that will be! Wow. Go for it. :clap:

Congratulations on both decisions! Converting to Judaism is, at least when done in a more traditional way, a lengthy process. Depending on the rabi you decided to work with, you will have to study a lot about Judaism and you will be asked time an again about your motives for conversion - not because Jews don't like you :D but because the rabbis want to make sure that you convert for the right reasons, namely an inner conviction and a genuine desire to join the Jewish people and share their fate, for better or worse. In your place, I would use the time to study Judaism, join a congregation and participate in Jewish activities. You might also use the time to learn Hebrew - nothing compares to reading the scriptures in the original text. (As a native Hebrew speaker, I can assure you that reading translated scriptures may be likened to reading Shakespeare translated into Chinese :)) I LOVE the idea of a double conversion. I never heard of anybody who did THAT. Wow. Go for it. :clap:

Thank you to you both! :) I have begun working with a Reform rabbi. (I live in a very small town and this is the only congregation available, although I do find it jives best with what I believe anyway). He mentioned, and I had read, about the three times I will be turned away, and I'm prepared for it, or I think I am. :) I've begun attending Shabbat services and though lost in the Hebrew songs I do read along with the transliterated text along side. The rabbi's wife is very kind and helped me out and pointed to which ones I needed to memorize. :D The synogogue offers "introduction to Judaism/Hebrew" classes but won't be having them until more people come forward showing interest. So for now I'm stuck finding things via internet (as I'm a poor college student). I've found Judaism 101 (jewfaq.org) and Torah.org to be very helpful, but haven't looked up any Hebrew related sites. Do you know if any? And can you think of anything I can do to help myself get better aquainted with traditions etc? I've been reading as much as I can get my hands on, but most of the sources I've come upon say the same things and I don't know what questions to ask the rabbi specifically. Thank you for letting me reach out to you. Lauren

I converted as an adult a few years ago. For me it was a very powerful and personal experience. I'm currently waiting to be matched; I'm glad I converted first and feel fully a "part" before bringing a child into my home, but that's a personal thing.I don't think you necessarily need to choose one way or another now. Start meeting with the rabbi if you haven't and see where things go. My process took far longer than I would ever have imagined, partly because of life changes (moving and stuff I went through 3 congregations and 4 rabbis), and also because "stuff" came up for me in the process that I had to figure out. Whatever you do will be the right thing for you. I'd say one of the most important things, whichever way you pick, is getting connected with your community. If you will be raising your child as a Jew, especially without an extended Jewish family, your congregation will be an important source of support. All the congregations I have experience with are very welcoming and more than willing to help people learn (the "turning away" thing is really about making sure you understand what you're getting into, and in my case was more gentle conversation than rejection, so I wouldn't worry too much about it). Feel free to PM me if you want to talk more or need support through the process.

Thank you!