New #Hanukkah Resource Available
A Hanukkah Miracle Hanukkah is associated with miracles, standing up in the face of opposition, and succeeding against the odds. The Maccabees, a small band of rebels, fought against the mighty Greek- Assyrian army and prevailed in the end. They returned to the Temple and lit the one day’s worth of oil, which then lasted […]
San Francisco Memory Garden #Miscarriage
Pregnancy loss is one of the most common losses women will experience, yet very little conversation happens about it and very little attention is given to it withing Jewish mourning practices. This used to be a protective measure to save people from endless mourning. While medical advances of the years may have made pregnancy safer, […]
My Path to Building My Own Jewish Family
Mariela Socolovsky: My Path to Building My Own Jewish Family A Note: I’ll be starting my maternity leave at the end of this week, on November 4th. I’m currently 38 weeks’ pregnant, but started writing this essay a bit before my 20th week of pregnancy. In my 20s, the “do not get pregnant” advice translated […]
An Interview with Founder Rabbi Idit Solomon
Hear from Rabbi Solomon about what led her to start Hasidah, Hasidah’s vision, and infertility in the Jewish community.
Weeding out Fertility
A recent article in Epoch Times shared many research studies that pointed a finger at the use of agricultural fertilizer (e.g RoundUp) with higher rates of infertility. Some of it is directly linked, and most of it is a very understandable, like the A=B, B=C so A=C. These ties include lower rates of testosterone, disrupted […]
Holidays, family gathers and other risky social situations
By Rabbi Idit Solomon Holidays can be wonderful. Meaningful traditions, connecting with family and friends, and symbolic foods. Family gatherings sometimes are the highlight of the year. They can also be trigger-filled stress fests that have you walking on pins and needles and wanting full body (and soul) armor to protect yourself from the shrapnel […]
Empty Space: Reflections on #PregnancyLoss
Going outside helps me journey inside my mind and soul. The stillness of nature allows me to tune in and listen to the thoughts and feelings that are buried under the chaos of everyday life. Several months ago I had the blessing to spend a few quiet moments in a nature reserve with majestic redwood […]
Practice #SelfForgiveness this #YomKippur
Yom Kippur, Hawaii and Infertility Self-blame is often an uninvited guest at an infertility experience. It sometimes tags along with curiosity. Is this because I was on birth control pills? Sometimes it just walks in the front door. I waited too long. I didn’t take care of my body. I didn’t eat well. Other times […]
Happy Passover 2021
“Passover” is known by four names – the Festival of Freedom, Passover, the Festival of Matzah and the Spring Holiday. These four names are linked to four spiritual levels. The Feast of Freedom represents our physical freedom. Passover (sacrifice/shank bone) represents the ability to rise above our animal needs and do the right thing. The […]
#ReproShabbat – Protecting All Reproductive Care
The term reproductive rights has too often become synonymous with abortion rights. “Reproductive rights” are not seen as such in Judaism. A more expansive view of reproductive rights is important for understanding Judaism’s stance on the issue. It is also essential because Jewish views include the painfully overlooked population of those facing infertility and other […]