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April 6, 2001/Nisan 13, 5761, Vol. 53, No.27
Phoenix adoption group holds first meeting
LEISAH NAMM
Assistant Editor
The first meeting of the Phoenix chapter of Stars of David showed that there was a need for Jewish adoption resources in the Valley. More than 50 people attended the March 22 meeting, organized by Craig and Andi Maron, held at Temple Chai.
Stars of David is a national nonprofit organization providing resources for all members of the adoption triad - birth parents, adoptive parents and adoptees.
The Marons are the parents of three adopted children and formed a local chapter of Stars of David to bring together Valley Jews involved with adoption.
"The first meeting was awesome," Craig Maron said. "Everyone who showed up was there for personal growth and learning or to help others. It definitely confirmed the need within the Jewish community for some adoption resources."
After a brief introduction by Maron, people introduced themselves and their connection to adoption. The meeting included adopted adults and children, adoptive parents and a birth father who had recently been in touch with his adult biological son. Adoptive parents ranged from those whose children were grown to those who recently adopted infants from this country and from Korea and Vietnam. One couple adopted a 13-year-old from Russia.
"The most amazing part of the evening was hearing everyone's introductions and adoption connection. It was a profound display of how beautiful and powerful adoption is for everyone involved," Maron said.
Mara Addison, who had been adopted as an infant, spoke about finding two sisters and a brother during a search for her birth mother.
Rabbi William Berk of Temple Chai talked about the traditional Jewish view of parenthood.
Berk has two adopted sons and two biological daughters.
"I know the unbelievable, emotional roller coaster, and sometimes agony, of trying to become an adoptive parent," he said during his lecture.
"Craig and Andi Maron have obviously found a need in the community and they filled a void," said Jodi Tils-ner, coordinator of Jewish Services for Jewish Family and Children's Service.
She said she receives at least two calls a month for Jewish adoption resources.
"I'm so glad that such an organization exists and I'm really glad to be able to refer people to them because I feel confident that they're going to get the service they need," she said.
At the meeting, Fred Wabnik of the Phoenix Jewish Free Loan Association described the Al and Fran Sachs Fund for Jewish Adoptions. Applicants must be Jewish and intend to raise and educate the child as a Jew and must be pre-certified for adoption by the State of Arizona. The fund offers an interest-free loan up to $8,000 and repayment terms up to three years. A loan up to $3,500 requires one co-signer and over $3,500 requires two co-signers.
For more information, call Phoenix Jewish Free Loan Association, 602-230-7983 or e-mail freeloan@qwest.net.
Cathy Shalen and her husband Barry adopted Emily, now nearly 5 months old, through the help of the Phoenix Jewish Free Loan. "They were so helpful and open," Shalen said. "It felt very warm and supportive. ... It made it a lot easier financially to be able to do it."
Shalen said she and her husband, members of Temple Chai, attended the Stars of David meeting because they wanted to get as much knowledge and shared information about adoption as possible. She also wants to offer support to others starting or going through the process of adopting a child.
Robin Rosenbloom, a single woman who has been trying to adopt a child for two years and is now certified by the state to adopt, is looking toward Stars of David as a resource and a support group as she continues the process. She said that she would also like to set up an organization to help with the financial aspect of the adoption process.
At the meeting, participants filled out a survey, choosing topics that they would like to see covered in future meetings. The most popular item, at 10 percent, was "Raising Your Child to be Jewish." Other topics were "Parenting/ Explaining Adoption to Children," "Transracial/Transcultural Adoptions," "Raising Adopted and Biological Children Together" and "How to Adopt - Understanding the Process."
A planning meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, at Temple Solel, 6805 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley.
Stars of David is working in conjunction with the Shalom Center for Healing, Education and Growth. To attend the planning meeting, call Maron, 602-770-0414 or Sharona Silverman, 602-971-1234.
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