by Lisa Berman, Mikveh and Education Director
On May 30, we at Mayyim Hayyim launched our newest resource: Fertility Journeys: A Jewish Healing Guide. This book, lovingly created and compiled by Dalia Davis of Uprooted: The Jewish Communal Response to Fertility Journeys, provides readers a wealth of texts, meditations, stories, and exercises – all from our tradition or through a Jewish lens – to support their experiences as they strive to build their families.
With the sun bathing our Education Center in bright spring light, the launch event brought together a veritable representation of the book’s intended audiences: therapists and those in supportive organizations, those struggling with fertility issues themselves, gestational surrogates, partners, family members, Mikveh Guides, and clergy. Stories were shared of painful encounters with those who stumble in their words of comfort, however well-meaning. Of repeated interventions that have not yet yielded a pregnancy. Of partners’ feelings of helplessness.
At the same time, we were heartened by the enthusiasm of the attendees as they opened copies of Fertility Journeys for the first time, noting the book’s reminder that this struggle is heard over and over in the stories of women in our texts, grateful to be holding a wealth of ideas to help them on their way.
Professionals spoke about how Fertility Journeys could be easily used by groups of women and their partners to explore healing modalities of guided meditation, journaling, text exploration, and more.
For those who couldn’t make it to the launch, we offered it as a Facebook Live event. And here’s the most remarkable thing: to date, 763 people have viewed the event. More than anything, that let us know that all the work we put into this resource is needed – now. If you missed the event, you can watch it here.
If you’d like a copy of Fertility Journeys for yourself, a friend, family member, or someone in your community, click here. Consider sharing information about Fertility Journeys with your Sisterhood, Rosh Hodesh group, book group, or young couples gathering. The poignant fact is that the need is greater than we even realize. How gratifying to be able to offer a sourcebook of help to those in our Jewish community. If you’d like to talk about how to share this resource with your community, or have questions about the book, contact Lisa Berman, Mikveh and Education Director, lisab@mayyimhayyim.org.
Lisa Berman is the Mikveh and Education Director at Mayyim Hayyim.