Jewish adoptees are not alone in their experience of being Jewish “and,” of navigating the reality of multiple identities in Jewish community. There have been many thoughtful efforts  created by and for Jews (young and old) whose reality is anything but straightforward—including Jews of Color, Jews with disabilities, LGBTQ Jews, and Jews in interfaith families. There is much that we can learn—and even apply directly—from these efforts to serve Jews with multiple identities and to create Jewish community that is more fully inclusive of all.

    • Be’chol Lashon
      • Be’chol Lashon strengthens Jewish identity by raising awareness about the ethnic, racial and cultural diversity of Jewish identity, both historically and today. Among its many programs are Camp Be’chol Lashon for Jewish kids of color; Be’chol Lashon Family Camp; Passport to Peoplehood, an education resource to connect young Jews to their multicultural heritage; and diversity trainings for Jewish organizations. Its website includes a wealth of publications by Be’chol Lashon and others, a dynamic blog, and lists of books for children and adults. 
    • Jewish Multiracial Network
      • The Jewish Multiracial Network nurtures and enhances Jewish diversity throughout the community via capacity development, community development, community empowerment, and social capital. It hosts an annual retreat, as well as smaller events in communities around the country, and offers educational resources and training and resources. Its website includes book lists for children and adults, a list of films and videos, and a list of welcoming synagogues around the country.
    • The Union for Reform Judaism Audacious Hospitality Toolkit
      • The Audacious Hospitality Toolkit supports congregational and Jewish communal leaders as they embrace the diversity that is the reality of modern Jewish life. The Toolkit is supplemented by a Jews of Color Educational Resource Module. These resources are by no means limited to Reform communities. Please note that you will have to fill out a form in order to download the material. 
    • The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism – Resources for Embracing Diversity in Our Jewish Community
      • The Religious Action Center provides a clearinghouse of useful resources for congregations and other communal organizations to work to embrace diversity. The website includes links to organizations, articles, blog posts, ELI and Ted talks, and Racial Justice Advocacy Resources. 
    • Jews of Color Field Building Initiative
      • The Jews of Color Field Building Initiative is a national effort focused on building and advancing the professional, organizational, and communal field for Jews of Color. Its website provides access to resources for fundraising and promoting an inclusive Jewish community, as well as important demographic studies.
    • Jews in All Hues
      • Jews in All Hues is an education and advocacy organization that supports multiple-heritage Jews, assisting Jewish communities and organizations in the creation of sustainably diverse communities. Its website is currently being rebuilt, so check back for updates!

    • Keshet
      • Keshet works for the full inclusion of all LGBTQ Jews and their families in Jewish life. It offers professional development, consultations, and community learning; leadership projects; teen Shabbaton retreats; and resources for families of LGBTQ youth. The Keshet website includes a list of LGBTQ inclusive Jewish institutions and clergy, as well as a tremendous library of resources on Jewish community inclusion, gender identity, holidays and lifecycle events, Jewish text and tradition, Queer Jews of Color, coming out as LGBTQ in the Jewish community, LGBTQ parenting, Torah Queeries, and supporting transgender and non-binary individuals. 
    • The Union for Reform Judaism Audacious Hospitality Toolkit
      • The Audacious Hospitality Toolkit supports congregational and Jewish communal leaders as they embrace the diversity that is the reality of modern Jewish life. The Toolkit is supplemented by an LGBTQ Educational Resource Module. These resources are by no means limited to Reform communities. Please note that you will have to fill out a form in order to download the material.

    • RespectAbility
      • RespectAbility fights stigmas and advocates opportunities so that people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community. Its faith-based inclusion work to date focuses on the Jewish community. Its website includes links to a rich array of resources, including, among many others, a Jewish Synagogue Inclusion Toolkit, Jewish inclusion webinars, information about specific disabilities, polls in Jewish inclusion, and Weekly Shabbat Smiles. 
    • Gateways
      • Gateways provides high-quality special education services, expertise and support to enable students with diverse learning needs to succeed in Jewish educational setting and participate meaningfully in Jewish life. Although its Jewish day school, supplementary school, and b’nai mitzvah programs are focused on the Boston area, its website includes a wide variety of resources for Jewish holidays and lifecycle events. 

    • InterfaithFamily
      • InterfaithFamily empowers people in interfaith relationships to engage in Jewish life and make Jewish choices, and encourages Jewish communities to welcome them. Its website provides a wealth of information and resources for families interested in bringing together multiple heritages.
    • My Jewish Learning
      • The My Jewish Learning website offers thousands of articles, videos, and other resources to help navigate all aspects of Judaism and Jewish life. Its Interfaith section includes holiday, lifecycle event, parenting, grandparenting, and relationship resources for members of interfaith families.


“Maybe my neshama [soul], my spiritual history, is Jewish, but my blood, my ancestry, is tied to the Americas.”

(Latina/indigenous, transracial adoptee from Honduras)


“Even with an Orthodox conversion & countless hours of learning a third language, Hebrew, people still questioned if I was Jewish enough.”

(White, same-race adoptee from Russia)


“My identity often exists in the intersections. I’m very aware I’m often the only one who contains all these identities in one person.”

(black, transracial domestic adoptee)


“Someone in my Birthright group told me I was not a real Jew because I was adopted, and Orthodox Jews would never recognize me as being Jewish.”

(white, same-race adoptee)


“Miami International Airport was my Ellis Island.  People don’t think of me as an immigrant, but I am.“

(Transnational, transracial adoptee from Honduras)


“As I fostered an identity as a woman of color, I often felt torn between worlds.”   

(Transnational, transracial adoptee from Thailand)


“I’m very much on the new horizon of Jewish identity. It’s a constant evolution, and I feel empowered that I’m part of creating that identity.”

(Domestic, transracial adoptee)

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