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.
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.”
Hopeful During Holidays
Someone in one of our support groups recently asked, “A part of me is just hopeless when I think about the holidays. How do I stay hopeful during this time?”
Shana Tova Message
“It’s a New Year. I sit here and reflect where I was last year at this time. The hope that the one healthy embryo from our retrieval would implant and turn into the baby we dreamed of.”
Rosh Hashana Prayer
There is a concept in Judaism that if you pray for someone else to have _______, then that blessing will be bestowed upon you too. So, I'm asking all of you to pray.
Forgive Yourself
We want G-d to forgive us for all our sins, but He can only do so if we are also gentle with ourselves. Look inside and be kind to the you that is hurting.
It’s Yom Kippur Again
On behalf of everyone at IWSTHAB, may this be the year where no one suffers, and Hashem answers all of your prayers. Gmar chasima tova. Xoxo, Aimee
Simchat Torah
I have a pit in my stomach. A feeling of nausea mixed with sadness that gets stronger each day. Simchas Torah is coming. A day usually filled with unbridled joy and exuberance makes me want to curl up in my bed.
Simchat Torah & Infertility
“Simchas Torah So many emotions surround this day. A day we celebrate torah. Fathers dance with their kids. Round and round the bimah. Holding torah scrolls.”
Empowered Passover
9 things you can say to family or friends to make you feel empowered during Passover (and always!). “I won’t be able to make it. Something came up.”