Purim Survival Guide
Tap through to read lots of really great practical tips here about how to make the holiday of Purim easier for anyone in this community when the 4 mitzvot of Purim bring up difficult and triggering feelings
Counting
“Six weeks Six weeks since my lifeless fetus was removed from uterus. 42 days 42 days since my dreams and hopes were ripped from heart. 1,008 hours.”
My Secret Menorah Poem
“I am a single woman with a very close friend that has gone through and is currently going through infertility and loss. I am with her on this journey and she sent me the poem.”
Purim Letter
I was sent this message on Purim, from Miriam Levin. Here is a heartbreaking letter to her stillborn daughter. “I wonder what costume you would choose...maybe a princess or a flower girl?”
Holocaust Remembrance Day
Throughout history, we have been the target of discrimination, resettlements and massacres. Age gaps. Family size. The Holocaust. It all intertwines.”
Shavuot Message
Sending love to all of you as we head into another holiday. Shavuos/Shavuot is the celebration of the time in our history when Gd gave the Old Testament to the Jewish people.
Looking Back and Forward
This time of year brings up a lot of emotions for everyone. We remember where we were last year at this time, physically, spiritually and emotionally.
Keeping It Together
You can only keep it together for so long. You need a place to be able to let it all out - a space that feels warm and nurturing and cozy.
Forgiveness & Boundaries
There should always be an element of forgiveness, but with the adult recognition that you may need to protect yourself against further insult.
My Secret Menorah
“My secret menorah Magical oil Lit every night for months In secret The trigger shot. That lights them all... My secret menorah.”
My Chanukah Miracle
Two years ago, we found out about my third miscarriage on the second day of Chanukah. Lighting the candles after that felt, not for the first time in my life, like a cruel joke.
This Night
Welcome to Passover. We are going to be talking about a lot about why it is so hard, why this holiday is so important in our minds, and how you can get through it.
How Can We Be Free?
How can we be free when we're slaves to basal body temperatures and the right combination of meds, organic food, herbs, yoga, acupuncture and meditation?
Passover Reflection
So many comments will come in during the next week about family size. Hopefully this piece will be a reminder to all of you to never assume anything.
Passover Seder Tips
So yeah - that's why we are talking about it so much. And giving voice to the negative feelings that surround it for so many.
Comparing Family Size
Hold your head high and don't do the comparisons. We broke free of the slavery thousands of years ago. There is no need to willingly put yourself back there.
Holiday Grief
Holidays: when you hoped that this would be the year that you had a baby to hold, it's even more devastating when that dream doesn't become a reality.
Yom Hashoah
So many things just hit differently through the lens of infertility, but we've heard from some of you that this day is particularly upsetting.
Holiday Angst
Holiday tables filled with rude and insensitive family members you don't regularly see can feel like walking into a landmine. The memories can be impossible to forget.
Bad News After Bad News
“I really thought I was going to be pregnant by this year, and now I just don't know what to feel. I'm angry, sad, and numb most of the time. I hardly go out. And I don't even know if I can go to shul on RH.”