Rabbanit Sharona Halickman, who leads Keren Gefen’s Fertility Chavruta and learning and discussion workshop, has shared a blog post on the Times of Israel, "Keeping in Mind the Fertility Challenged at the Seder” . She touches on the verse from Shmot 1:7 included in the Hagadah: “The children of Israel were fruitful (paru) and swarmed (va-yishretzu), multiplied (va-yirbu) and grew (va-yaatzmu) more and more (bimeod meod). The whole land was filled with them.” Sharona continues on to talk about how this affects the fertility challenged:
"The seder is set up as a family oriented ritual focused on the concept of “you shall teach your children” with the Ma Nishtana (Four Questions) recited by the youngest child, the discussion of the Four Children, the different activities which keep the children interested culminating with the search for the Afikoman etc. It can be challenging for couples who are suffering from infertility to feel part of this.”

We encourage you to read her full post. To read it, visit the post on The Times of Israel Blog.

You can learn more about the Fertility Chavruta program on the program page or by contacting Keren Gefen.

Happy Passover!

Image: Detail of Midwives before Pharoah, The Golden Haggadah f8a

We are pleased to be able to share thoughts and reflections on the Infertility Awareness Shabbat by Ariella Ganz. This is the first year that more than 30 synagogues and organizations in Israel took part in the international shabbat.

I’m so grateful that this conversation is finally taking place on a communal level. Being an issue that affects 1 in 8 couples, it’s about time to bring the conversation out of the hush hush corners of society, and into the public sphere. Break the stigma. Remove the debilitating isolation. Build more understanding, accepting, supportive and empathetic communities.

Yoetzet Halacha, Atara Eis, spoke to a group of women and men (yes- men are affected by challenges of infertility as well!)