About Us

Butterfly fertilizing flower

Our Mission and Vision

Keren Gefen was established in May 2014 as a non-profit organization to provide psychological and emotional support to fertility-challenged women. Our activities are based in the warm and nurturing Gefen Center, located in the German Colony in Jerusalem.

It is well known that psychological barriers such as stress and depression, often brought on by prolonged infertility, prevent many women from becoming pregnant. We have created an array of innovative programs to address these barriers and significantly increase chances of pregnancy. Gefen fulfills a crucial need. Although Israel is a country that encourages birth by offering free IVF treatment to fertility-challenged women, there is no accompanying psychological support. Women with fertility challenges suffer from anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and problems in their relationship with their partner. Harvard research shows that these stressful emotional states lower fertility potential by up to 30%. Gefen steps in during this most difficult period with exceptional wellness and psychological services to supplement their medical treatment.

Israel is committed to the development of families

As a result, every year thousands of women in Israel undergo fertility treatments. The government provides financial support for these physical treatments. In fact, Israel is the highest provider of IVF treatments worldwide per capita, with approximately 29,000 IVF procedures a year. The emotional/psychological toll of these treatments including increased stress, depression, self-esteem issues, and marital problems is enormous. Research supports the obvious assumption that lowering stress and depression is associated with higher pregnancy rates.

Keren Gefen's goal

is to enhance fertility among Israeli women [and men] who are having difficulty conceiving by providing an array of wellness and psychological services to supplement their medical treatment.

Keren Gefen is unique in its ability to support women in a variety of approaches.

It is the only organization of its kind in Israel: it is open to all women at no cost, regardless of where they are treated. Keren Gefen actively reaches out to fertility challenged individuals and groups, and facilitates fertility workshops in the greater Jerusalem area. Women from all over the country and many sectors of society have participated in the Gefen program.

Rimon Center

The Rimon Mind/Body Fertility Center at Hadassah Mt. Scopus Hospital works in cooperation with Keren Gefen. The state-of-the-art methods it uses were developed at Harvard University and are used in hospitals worldwide.

Curricula

Keren Gefen is currently developing curricula in order to tailor psychological protocols to the specific needs of the Israeli population and the subgroups within.

Research

Keren Gefen received a Helsinki approval to explore Mind/Body treatments among the diverse communities in Israel. The research project will be conducted jointly with Bar Ilan University.

 

We are supported by people like you

Keren Gefen is funded entirely by donations; including a multi- year grant from the Stanley and Joyce Black Family Foundation (Los Angeles), the Pratt Foundation (Australia) and private donations from individuals like you.

Donate Now