Counting Yourself
Counting days when you are young is often exciting. You count down to your birthday or the end of school. If you are experiencing infertility, you have likely counted days too and it was probably not so enjoyable. Days until ovulation, days after ovulation, days until a test, days waiting for results. Then there are […]
Being Redeemed from Infertility
On first glance Passover has nothing to do with (in)fertility. It’s about slavery in Egypt, God’s redemption, and the passage through the desert to join in covenant with God. On the other hand, (in)fertility is all over this holiday! How can anyone miss it? In addition to imposing hard labor, which is then made harder, […]
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 […]