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 […]
Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month
#BabyLoss #PregnancyLoss #Miscarriage #Infertility October is the month we remember, share and grieve. The public sharing of the struggles so many have with experienced pregnancy and infant loss are important. Too often images of beautiful families make it look like it was all so easy to get there. A recent article about Mark Zuckerberg and […]
Spiritual Care During Covid-19 (2)
The COVID19 pandemic came at an interesting time on the Jewish calendar. Something very important can be learned from this. The period of time between Passover, celebrating the Exodus from Egypt, and Shavuot, celebrating receiving Torah at Mount Sinai, is a time of counting. Bundles of wheat were brought to the Temple. The portion was […]
Spiritual Care During Covid-19
COVID -19 RESPONSE Dealing with uncertainly, unknowns and lack of control is familiar to people facing infertility and family building challenges. Many other medical conditions and life circumstances also can put us in this state of unknown uncertainty. However, having it experienced on a global level, being sheltered at home, and having limited access to […]
COVID-19, infertility, and pregnancy planning
See ASRM press release on managing infertility therapy. Infertility is isolating and traumatizing on its own. With the COVID-19 spread now a pandemic, people dealing with infertility and other family building challenges face new questions. Read on for some answers: COVID-19: Suggestions On Managing Patients Who Are Undergoing Infertility Therapy Or Desiring Pregnancy Mar 12, […]
Two New Years?
By guest columnist Dr. Karen Wasserstein What to do with another New Year? Being Jewish, I celebrate two New Years. Is it lucky to have two New Years or is it unlucky? My family and I fully celebrate Rosh Hashanah as the Jewish New Year. We spend the month ahead of time talking about it, […]
Facing Fertility Challenges in the Jewish Community
By Terry Friedkin This column originally appeared in The Jewish News of Northern California , November 12, 2019 Several months ago, I was asked to speak at an event for Hasidah, a Berkeley-based nonprofit that “raises awareness of infertility, connects people to support resources and reduces financial barriers to [fertility] treatment in the Jewish […]