198. Balancing Roles and Expectations: A Father’s Surrogacy Story with Samuel Konig and Aliza Abrams-Konig
In this episode, Aliza Abrams-Konig, surrogacy consultant for I Was Supposed to Have a Baby, sits down with her husband, Samuel Konig, to discuss the unique and often overlooked experiences of fathers during the surrogacy process.
The couple recounts the surreal moments of their journeys, from the stress of legal uncertainties to the specific heartache of seeing someone else’s name on their newborn’s hospital bracelet.
Aliza and Samuel explore the cultural and social pressures within the Jewish community, including the decision to keep their journey private until their children arrived. Sam highlights the importance of finding therapy as a neutral support system to manage the intense stressors that come with surrogacy. The two focus on the profound gratitude that follows a difficult road to parenthood and how facing these challenges together can fundamentally strengthen a family.
If you are navigating the unique complexities of surrogacy or seeking a deeper understanding of the father’s role in the fertility journey, this episode is for you.
View our surrogacy resources: here
More about Sam Konig:
Sam Konig was born in Vienna to Jewish Polish parents who were expelled from Poland in 1969 and found refuge in Copenhagen, where he grew up. He completed his schooling in the UK, attended McGill University, and earned his M.A. in Ottawa.
Sam has built his career in Jewish communal life, serving as Executive Director of Towson University Hillel before moving to New York, where he worked with Hillel International and later with the American Friends of Bar-Ilan University.
He now serves as Director of Strategic Philanthropy for the Northeastern region at American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA).
More about Aliza Abrams Konig, MSW:
Aliza Abrams Konig is the Director of Student Leadership at Yeshiva University. Throughout Aliza’s career, she has worked within areas of student life, team building, creating curricula, and Experiential Education. Earlier in Aliza's career she served as the YU Director of Alumni Engagement, Assistant Principal at Central, Yeshiva University High School for Girls, Director of Student Life at Stern College, and as the Director of Jewish Service Learning for the University. Aliza is a member of the inaugural Wexner Field Fellows program through the Wexner Foundation.
As a sought-after consultant on surrogacy, Aliza is passionate about raising awareness around surrogacy in the Jewish community. She has spoken on podcasts, worldwide in synagogues, community centers, and schools about the contemporary Jewish family, dating, infertility, and surrogacy. Aliza holds a BA in Judaic Studies from Stern College, and a Master’s in Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work and is now a doctoral candidate at Wurzweiler. Aliza, her husband Samuel, and their family live in Riverdale, New York, where they are very involved with their community, synagogue, and other local organizations.
Connect with Aliza:
- Set up a surrogacy consultation here
- Contact her via email
- Connect on Instagram
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