The Four Children
The Four Children are coming. It used to bother me that it was four sons. What about the daughters? Now it bothers me that I have no children. I’d instruct my children if I had them. Wicked, wise, simple, unable to ask or otherwise. I’d tell them about the Exodus. I’d tell them how I […]
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, […]
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 […]
Support for Infertility in the Jewish Community
In honor of Passover – removing chametz from our lives and leaving the narrow places – Hasidah invited several guest bloggers to provide support for dealing with infertility during the holiday and beyond. Guest blogger Alissa Hirshfeld-Flores, is a marriage and family therapist in Santa Rosa, CA Many Jewish holidays can evoke grief for women […]
The Fifth Child #InfertilityAwareness
As part of Passover preparation – removing chametz from our lives and planning to leave the narrow places – Hasidah invited several guest bloggers to provide support for dealing with Infertility during the holiday and beyond. Dalia David is co-founder, choreographer and Education Director at Uprooted – A Jewish Communal Response to Fertility Journeys At […]
How Do You Share The Story?
As part of Passover preparation – removing chametz from our lives and planning to leave the narrow places – Hasidah invited several guest bloggers to provide support for dealing with Infertility during the holiday and beyond. Aron Wolgel is an educator and infertility veteran based in Berkeley, CA. The excitement of Pesach is upon us! […]
#MothersDay Message
On the last night of Passover, the participants at the retreat I attended shared reflections on Passover themes. What were our journeys? What made us feel liberated? One woman, while describing the diversity of participants in our newly formed community, referred to me as a nursing mother. Me? Ironically, moments earlier I had leaned over […]
Passover and Infertility, Charoset and Apples
Early in the Exodus story Pharoah’s decreed hard labor for the Children of Israel and that their baby girls may live but their baby boys may not. Despite this harsh reality, they continued to have children. The Midrash teaches that this is connected to apples. The women would take their husbands to the fields to […]