Gila Block

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Gila Block

Gila is the Executive Director and Co-Founder Yesh Tikva. Three years into her personal fertility journey she founded Yesh Tikva with the help of four incredible and dedicated women. She received her BA in psychology from Yeshiva University Stern College for Women and an MA in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Columbia University. Prior to assuming the position of Executive Director of Yesh Tikva, she worked for 8 years as a behavior therapist and parent educator.

Resources by Gila Block

Host: Jewish Workshops

Guests: Gila Block, Kenzi Locks, LCSW HWC

Hope in the Waiting: Navigating Infertility During the High Holidays

Yesh Tikva’s Gila Block and Kenzi Locks, LCSW, HWC explore what it means to enter Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur...

Host: Gila Block

Guest: Erin Quick

Adoption After Infertility: Building an Ethical Family Through Open Adoption

Exploring the emotional and ethical realities of adoption after infertility with compassion

Understanding ethical adoption after infertility with compassion and honesty.

Host: Gila Block

Guest: Dr. Odelya Kaufman

Understanding Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: How Genetic Research Is Shaping the Future

Explore how new genetic research may help families experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss

New research offers hope for understanding recurrent pregnancy loss.

Host: Gila Block

Guest: Samantha Bonizzi

Finding Hope After Pregnancy Loss: One Woman’s IVF and Healing Journey

A conversation about recurrent pregnancy loss, IVF, and finding hope through shared stories.

Finding hope through pregnancy loss, IVF, and the power of shared stories.

Host: Gila Block

Guest: Eli Weinstein

How Men Experience Infertility and Grief: Understanding Loss as a Couple

A compassionate look at how couples experience and support each other through infertility

How couples can navigate infertility grief without carrying it alone.

Host: Gila Block

Guest: Natalie Richeimer

Genetics, IVF, and Finding Belonging: Family Building Beyond an Infertility Diagnosis

A thoughtful conversation about how genetics can shape the path to parenthood and why everyone navig

When genetics leads to IVF, your need for support is just as real.

Host: Gila Block

Guest: Dr. Carolyn Alexander

Understanding Secondary Infertility: Why Growing Your Family Can Become Difficult

A compassionate conversation about the medical and emotional realities of secondary infertility.

When growing your family isn't as easy the second time.

Clinical Companion

Author: Kenzi Locks, LCSW HWC

Co-Author: Gila Block

No Longer “Trying,” Still Struggling:

Supporting Pregnancy, Postpartum, & Parenthood After Infertility & Diverse Family-Building Pathways

A practical, trauma-informed clinical companion for professionals supporting individuals and families after infertility, reproductive trauma, pregnancy loss, donor conception, surrogacy,...

Host: Gila Block

20 Years After Infertility: Reflecting on Healing, IVF, and Life Beyond the Journey

A conversation about healing, perspective, and life long after infertility

What infertility can feel like decades later, through one woman's honest reflection.

Host: Gila Block

Guests: Ayala Gross, Josh Gross

Navigating 15 Years of Infertility: Marriage, Identity, and Reconnection

A conversation about how infertility reshapes relationships, and finding your way back to each other

When infertility turns partners into strangers and how connection is rebuilt

Co-Creator: Yesh Tikva

Author: Kenzi Locks, LCSW HWC

A Clinical Companion Toolkit: Reproductive Distress, Grief and Mental Health

A Clinical Companion Tikva Toolkit

Host: Gila Block

Guest: Jessica Mans

Understanding Embryo Grading in IVF: What Quality, Timing, and Results Really Mean

A clear and compassionate breakdown of embryo grading and what it can and cannot tell you.

What embryo grades really mean and what they don’t

Host: Gila Block

Guest: Cat Abrams

Donor Conception After Loss: Making Thoughtful, Informed Decisions for Your Family

An honest conversation about grief, readiness, and choosing donor conception with intention.

Choosing donor conception with care, clarity, and compassion

Host: Gila Block

Guest: Carly Joseph

Choosing Surrogacy After Infertility: Letting Go, Building Trust, and Finding a New Path

A deeply personal look at navigating the emotional and practical transition into surrogacy.

Letting go of one path and learning to trust another

Host: Gila Block

Guest: Lana Manikowski

Choosing a Life Without Children After Infertility: Finding Meaning, Identity, and Joy

A Conversation with Someone Who Gets It

A compassionate conversation about grief, purpose, healing, and rebuilding a meaningful life after infertility.

Host: Gila Block

Guest: Sigi Sharel

Jewish Mindfulness for Fertility: Finding Presence During Difficult Holidays

A conversation about using mindfulness, Jewish spirituality, and breath to navigate the Holidays

Mindfulness tools for navigating infertility with presence and compassion.

Host: Gila Block

Guest: Dr. Cheri Margolis

Infertility 101: Understanding the Diagnosis, Testing, and First Steps

Understanding the first steps after an infertility diagnosis, for individuals and their loved ones

Understand the first steps after an infertility diagnosis.

Host: Gila Block

Guests: Marta Han, Zofia Jameson

Fertility Exercises for Hormone Health: A Holistic Approach to Supporting Your Fertility Journey

How movement, mindfulness, and hormone health can support fertility and reproductive wellness.

A holistic approach to fertility through movement, mindfulness, and hormone health.

Author: Gila Block

Claiming Shame and Finding Strength While Navigating Infertility

End of Year Reflection: Moving from secrecy to self-respect, one brave truth at a time.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that claiming shame is not one-size-fits-all. There is room for privacy....

Author: Gila Block

Supporting a Loved One Facing Infertility During the Holidays

5 Simple, Thoughtful Ways

The holiday season is meant to be a time of joy, connection, and celebration, but for someone navigating infertility, holiday...

Host: Gila Block

Guest: Vicky Bakaturski

Behind Every Embryo: Inside the Embryology Lab with Pacific Fertility LA

A behind the scenes look at the IVF laboratory

What happens after retrieval and why embryo attrition is normal.

Collection of Reflections

Authors: Gila Block, Yesh Tikva

Co-Authors: Dvora Entin, LCSW, Rabbi Michael Bleicher, LCSW, Breindy Pattashnick

Kol Tikva: Hear Our Voices: Volume III

Reflections on infertility, community, hope, and belonging during the High Holidays

Personal reflections from members of the Yesh Tikva community on infertility, prayer, belonging, and returning to Jewish communal life during...

Collection of Reflections

Authors: Yesh Tikva, Gila Block

Co-Authors: Dvora Entin, LCSW, Dr. Tzvi Doron, Willie Balk

Kol Tikva: Hear Our Voices: Volume II

Reflections on infertility, uncertainty, hope, and the High Holidays

A collection of personal and professional reflections on infertility, uncertainty, prayer, hope, and emotional inclusion during the High Holidays of...

Author: Gila Block

Kvatter- Do or Don’t?

Why a well-intended Jewish custom can sometimes feel painfully public.

Being asked to serve as Kvatter at a Bris can feel meaningful to some couples experiencing infertility—and deeply uncomfortable to...