149. Reimagining Parenthood with Rachel Shanken
Rachel Shanken joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about her journey to becoming an adoptive parent, something she never envisioned herself doing, the heartbreaking conversation as a single woman in her 30s when her doctors said that she may never have biological children and how she got married, but then struggled through the ups and downs of umpteen failed cycles to try to get pregnant.
8 Things Jewish Adoptees Want You To Know
What are some things that Jewish adoptees and families wish their communities knew?
This eye-opening resource comes from the Adoption and Jewish Identity Project @adoptionjewishidentity which was borne out of research they did, from surveys and oral histories they took from a diverse group of Jewish adoptees raised in American Jewish families.
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.
Many people consider adoption not because they ran out of options.
They adopt because they want to give a child a loving home.
My Story of Adoption As A Single Mom
I was supposed to live a storybook life. Graduate college, get married & start a family. Only, it didn’t happen and suddenly I was in my 40s with a biological time clock ticking so loud I could barely think.
Why Adopt?
Don’t automatically assume that adoption is only for those who “fail” treatments. It’s for anyone who wants to give a child a (Jewish) home. It’s the very essence of Tikkun Olam (tikkun olam is the idea that Jews bear responsibility not only for their own moral, spiritual, and material welfare, but also for the welfare of society at large).❤️
Episode 47: Expectations, Pain, and Adoption with Chavie Bruk
Chavie Bruk, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about dealing with unmet expectations and how to have a mindset shift, leaning in and feeling the pain and the good and hard things about being an adoptive parent.
Episode 57: International Adoption with Cynthia Darrison
Cynthia Darrison, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about the hurdles to adopt a baby girl from China, how her community accepted her daughter, Rachel, and what advice she gives to would-be singles and couples wanting to adopt.
Episode 26: I'm an Adoption Mama of Two with Yettie Katz
Yettie Katz, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about her 25 years of infertility, her adoption process and the difference between jealousy and envy.
Why Do People Adopt?
Many people adopt because they *want to* not just because they are infertile 🫶 As we close out our discussion about adoption we want to remind you that family is family no matter what.
8 Things Jewish Adoptees Want You To Know
What are some things that Jewish adoptees and families wish their communities knew? This eye-opening resource comes from the Adoption and Jewish Identity Project @adoptionjewishidentity which was borne out of research they did, from surveys and oral histories they took from a diverse group of Jewish adoptees raised in American Jewish families.
Behind the Scenes
Even if you choose to adopt, there is nothing that is simple about the process. We share these complexities so *you* can arm yourselves. Even after people adopt, there can be lingering grief and trauma around the so many of these issues.
“Just Adopt”
November is Adoption Awareness Month. So this is a perfect time to remind everyone… It’s tempting to tell people that adoption would *so* much easier than the 6th round of IVF or going through another miscarriage.