Israel Bill Would Open Door to Adoption by Non-Orthodox Families

By JTA November 4, 2013

A new bill would allow non-Orthodox Israeli parents to adopt non-Jewish children.

The bill was approved Sunday by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation and would amend the current Adoption Law. It must undergo a preliminary reading in the Knesset and pass two more readings before becoming official.

Under the current law, only Orthodox couples are allowed to adopt non-Jewish children, since it is understood that they will convert the child to Judaism under halachic auspices. Non-Orthodox couples must either adopt Jewish children or offer proof that they will become religiously observant, convert the child properly, and raise the child in a religiously observant home.

The bill was submitted by lawmaker Adi Kol of the centrist Yesh Atid party.

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