UTJ MK Rabbi Avrohom Ravitz has filed a proposal to amend
the Adoption Law. His proposal states that in the event of
mandatory adoption, the court will not allow adoption by
someone whose lifestyle does not correspond to that of the
adopted child's parents or to the type of education the
child had thus far received.
An additional proposed clause would limit welfare officials'
jurisdiction over adoptions. This includes determination of
the need for adoption in a particular case and choice of the
adoptive parents. The jurisdiction would be transferred to a
special public committee.
Rabbi Ravitz also seeks to address the current lack of
sufficient cooperation with the biological family during the
various stages of adoption. He suggests that the existing
law be made more flexible in order to enable intermediary
forms of adoption which would preserve the affinity between
the adopted child and his biological parents -- whenever
possible -- in order to minimize harm to the child.
In his explanation of the law, Rabbi Ravitz says,
"Acceptance of this proposal will improve the mandatory
adoption procedure which by definition is complex and
difficult, mandating setting up a cautious, sensitive
system."
