Infertility Awareness Shabbat 2025
This year’s Infertility Awareness Shabbat theme is "Giving Infertility a Voice," and it takes place from March 28 to 30.
Infertility affects one in six Australians. It is more than just a medical condition; it is an emotional journey that often leaves one feeling isolated and overwhelmed. The Australian Jewish Fertility Network (AJFN) supports those facing infertility within the Jewish community by providing means-tested financial grants for fertility treatments to emotional support through Peer Support Companions, care packs, Shabbat meals, challah deliveries, and spiritual support. The AJFN has helped welcome 86 babies into the world and, in 2024, supported 110 families on their fertility journeys.
This year’s Infertility Awareness Shabbat (IAS), themed “Giving Infertility a Voice,” takes place from March 28 to 30. It is a global Shabbat spearheaded by Yesh Tikva in California and it coincides with AJFN’s chai year, their 18th birthday, symbolising life and new beginnings.
“For 18 years, AJFN has created new Jewish life and contributed to Jewish continuity. We have made great strides in supporting those on their fertility journeys, but it is up to all of us to step up and create open, honest conversations. There is more work to be done. Individuals and families do not need to wait to reach out for help. Help is available, and infertility should not be faced in silence,” explained AJFN CEO Justine Saidman.
Initiatives such as Infertility Awareness Shabbat play a vital role in AJFN’s ongoing mission to ensure that no Jewish Australian walks their fertility journey alone.
Opportunities to get involved include attending a talk at a participating shule, saying an AJFN fertility prayer in your Shabbat rituals, such as baking challah or lighting candles. You can also register to volunteer with the AJFN by helping to deliver meals and care packs, or if you have struggled with infertility, you could become a AJFN Peer Support Companion to help others. You can also donate to AJFN before lighting your Shabbat candles or in the merit of a person struggling with their fertility.
This year, IAS activities in Melbourne are sponsored by Women’s Health Melbourne. Dr Raelia Lew, Founder and Medical Director of Women’s Health Melbourne said, “Supporting Jewish families to overcome infertility barriers and establish and grow families is a privilege and an honour. At Women’s Health Melbourne, we can support women and couples in preserving fertility with access to culturally safe, sensitive fertility care. We offer every level of intervention, from the most minor to the most major and advanced. We work closely with Shifra to facilitate Rabbinical guidance and supervision of assisted reproductive treatment processes for women and couples who require this support. Our discreet WHM practice and IVF monitoring centre in the heart of Caulfield, delivers excellence in fertility care within easy access. We welcome collaborating with AJFN, bringing warmth, support, understanding and care to those facing infertility in our Australian Jewish communities.”
For information on the AJFN and Infertility Awareness Shabbat visit www.ajfn.org.au/ias, contact 03 8840 6560, email: support@ajfn.org.au | Text: 0481 075 554
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