Massachusetts Supreme Court Rules Jewish Couple May Adopt Non-jewish Child

The Massachusetts Supreme Court has ruled that there is nothing in the state law to prevent a Jewish couple from adopting a non-Jewish child. The case involved a Jewish couple from Brooklyn, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Krakow, who wished to adopt Stephen Harrington, age two, of Gloucester.

The case came to the Supreme Court on an appeal after a lower court refused permission for the adoption on the grounds that New York laws “while not forbidding, do not favor the adoption of one by another of a different religion.” Seven similar cases are pending in Massachusetts.