Yesh Tikva

A Jewish Fertility Community

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Staff

Staff

Gila-Muskin-Block

Gila Muskin Block

Executive Director

How can the Jewish community be more inclusive of people struggling with infertility?

By learning about and talking about infertility and its impact on those in struggle. By asking instead of assuming. By showing up even when it is hard. By always erring on the side of sensitivity in how we talk to others. The reality is that 1 in 8 people struggle with infertility so please never start a conversation with “how many children do you have?”
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Get in touch with Gila: Gblock@yeshtikva.org

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Rachel Meisel

Director of Operations

How can the Jewish community be more inclusive of people struggling with infertility?

By promoting more awareness of infertility and more understanding of its emotional and social impact. This way we can help these women and men accepted and supported by the community.
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Get in touch with Rachel: rmeisel@yeshtikva.org

Jackie Louk

Jackie Louk

Director of Development

What’s the best way to support someone struggling with infertility?

To those that are struggling we need to listen and understand that each person’s journey is unique. We need to become an ally and to be supportive to others to lend a hand, shoulder or voice when needed.
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Get in touch with Jackie: jlouk@yeshtikva.org

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Kenzi Locks, LCSW, HWC

Director of Educational Engagement

What’s the best way to support someone struggling with infertility?

There continue to be misconceptions about how common infertility is, leading to those facing it feeling alone and ashamed. I’d love to see the community – on smaller and greater levels – recognize that every last one of us knows multiple people struggling or struggling to have a child. They are next to you at work, at synagogue, on the train, at your table. We all owe it to those people to have a basic understanding of and a lot of empathy towards infertility as well as childlessness due to infertility. Lastly, we all owe families with children through fertility treatments, donor conception, adoption, and surrogacy the empathy and understanding that Jewish families can be built in many ways.
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Get in touch with Kenzi: Klocks@yeshtikva.org

talia

Talia Hindin, PhD

Director of Fertility Friends

What’s the best way to support someone struggling with infertility?

In thinking about how to best support a loved-one who is facing the challenges of infertility, it is most important to simply show-up for that individual. Let her know that you are there for her without any judgement or expectations. Send a text letting her know you are thinking about her, drop off a meal with a thoughtful note, invite her out to do something fun to take her mind off the pain of her situation or ask her what you can do to best support her during this challenging time. Make sure that you are there for her no matter what she is feeling; it is important to give space to all feelings– positive and negative, strong and weak. And just be there to listen and not feel that you need to provide a solution, answer or response other than, “That must be so painful. I am here with you in your pain.”
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Get in touch with Talia: thindin@yeshtikva.org

Support Staff

Dubby Headshot

Deborah (Dubby) Rosner, LAC, PMH-C

Program and Support Associate

What’s the best way to support someone struggling with infertility?

Simply by being there for them. Show up for them in whatever way you can. Support them in whatever way you can. You don’t need to know their “story” in order to help them. Just let them know that you are there for them and care.
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Get in touch with Dubby: drosner@yeshtikva.org

Rabbi Michael Bleicher, LCSW

Director of Male Fertility Support

What’s the best way to support someone struggling with infertility?

The best way to support someone struggling with infertility is just to be there with them. It’s not about bringing anything tangible (though that can be a nice touch occasionally) or needing to say the “right” words. The best way to support them is just to stand with them through their journey by checking in periodically, listening carefully to understand their situation and their needs, identifying specific areas where you can offer help, just as you would with any other friends or relatives. Just because a person is struggling to have a child doesn’t mean they’re any different than the other people in your life you care so much about.
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Get in touch with Rabbi Bleicher: mmbleicher@gmail.com

Meira

Meira Alon, LCPC, LAC, LADC
Supportive Space Facilitator

What’s the best way to support someone struggling with infertility?

It helps to just be there for someone struggling with infertility so they can feel comfortable coming to you to talk about how they feel. When they do reach out just listen, don’t try to fix anything or try to say the right thing. Check in every once in a while so they know you are thinking of them.
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Kenzi Locks, LCSW, HWC
Director of Educational Engagement
Supportive Space Facilitator

What’s the best way to support someone struggling with infertility?

There continue to be misconceptions about how common infertility is, leading to those facing it feeling alone and ashamed. I’d love to see the community – on smaller and greater levels – recognize that every last one of us knows multiple people struggling or struggling to have a child. They are next to you at work, at synagogue, on the train, at your table. We all owe it to those people to have a basic understanding of and a lot of empathy towards infertility as well as childlessness due to infertility. Lastly, we all owe families with children through fertility treatments, donor conception, adoption, and surrogacy the empathy and understanding that Jewish families can be built in many ways.
more >>
<< less