Do I really have to answer that?? #FertilityQuestions
The debate about questions and their stupidity is on-going. Dumb is subjective. Thoughtless or insensitive is a little more precise. Questions about people’s family planning are often in that category. In the Jewish tradition, the Talmud guides a lot of our behavior and provides guidelines for prioritizing situations. However, Rav Abby, sister of Rabbi Landers, […]
#BabyBenefits Are All Business
Take the one with the best benefits. My dad gave me that advice when I was faced with the enviable position of choosing which job to accept after college. The advice struck me because it was not on my radar at all. It didn’t influence me much at the time, but it did in the […]
What Would You Give Up To Have A Baby?
Some things are just human and it doesn’t seem to matter much where you live. Facing challenges to building a family might be one of them. A recent survey in England got the following stats from people struggling to become parents. 90% say infertility feels like a trauma. 94% don’t think their friends, family or […]
The Human Right to Have a Child
Published by Truah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights Commentary on Rosh Hashanah Torah and Haftarah readings September 4, 2018 By Rabbi Idit Solomon Reproductive rights have been hijacked. When someone mentions the phrase “reproductive rights,” the first things that usually come to mind are either birth control or abortion. However, the ability to prevent […]
The Big Freeze
Is egg freezing a good thing? A recent article in the Forward by Amy Klein explores the personal stories of a growing number of Jewish women considering egg freezing. Egg freezing is empowering for some, a relief for others and scary for others. For cancer patients it ought to be a given option. For the […]
Headline Ransom
Ever see that headline that addresses a question that’s been nagging at you? When you are struggling with infertility, a lot of things are nagging at you. Is there something I could be doing differently to resolve this? Did I forget to ask a question? Is there a treatment or method I don’t know that […]
A Time to be Born – A Sukkot Message
Traditionally called the Season of Joy, Sukkot is inherently wrapped in fertility. Historically and religiously associated with agriculture, Sukkot is a harvest festival celebrating the fertility of the earth. Living in booths (Sukkot) commemorates the Israelite’s wanderings in the desert. Their temporary and unstable nature also reminds of of how fragile our lives and the […]
What genetic testing can tell you (or not) about your embryo.
In this very clearly written article, Dr. David Adamson from ARC fertility explains the different genetic tests performed on embryos during in vitro fertilization (IVF). Many people think that this testing is a guarantee or insurance. It is neither. However, it can be instrumental in improving chances of IVF success and protecting children from deadly […]
Infertility and the Unknown
When couples struggle with fertility challenges, things can feel more unhinged. We are told by our faith to “go forth and multiply” or that sex on the Sabbath is a mitzvah. The frustration and self-doubt that creeps in when couples try to honor these teachings, and are unable to create new life can be deep. Inherently, there is a sense of shame that many couples experience when they are unable to fulfill their dreams of parenthood, and often times, this struggle is kept silent.
No Silver Bullet
Lots of news articles and social media posts say what to do to combat infertility,