RECONCEIVING INFERTILITY

By Faye Hedrick,Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

Did you know…

1 in 8 couples have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy? Age, genetics, other medical conditions, and previous treatments can aff ect fertility? Rates of infertility are even higher in the Jewish community, according to the Jewish Fertility Foundation, with infertility aff ecting as many as one in six Jewish couples?

Together the Young Professionals & Families Division of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida and Hadassah Jacksonville are partnering on Reconceiving Infertility. This important topic will include a panel of experts discussing the religious, psycho-social, and medical perspectives of infertility.

We will take a look at the history of infertility from Biblical times, discuss some of the factors leading to infertility, who may need fertility treatments, and what some of those treatments entail. In addition, the program will examine the many emotional feelings that arise from and psychological consequences caused by the diagnosis, treatment options, as well as the high cost of family building. As we know, fertility doesn't only aff ect intended parents, but extended family and communities as well.

Hadassah’s Fertility Treatment Clinic is considered one of the leading units in Israel. Hadassah physicians have been at the vanguard of infertility treatments for decades and pioneered the use of preimplantation genetic testing. We will learn more about this and much more!

Dr. Ellen Goldstein, a double board-certifi ed OB-GYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist, as well as one of our evening’s panelists, asserts, "I'm looking forward to "zooming in" to this special program with my hometown community to educate everyone about normal and abnormal fertility and options for treatment. Since you all last saw me when I was growing up in Jacksonville, I have built my career working at the intersection of intimate human connection and the most advanced science and technology. Together, let's continue to build the next generation of warm, supportive family networks in Northeast Florida!"

The Reconceiving Infertility panel also includes Rabbi Mona Decker and Colleen Rodriguez, LCSW and Executive Director of Jewish Family & Community Services. A group that is sure to have the answers to the questions we may have.

There will be a follow-up program to Reconceiving Infertility on June 15, 2022. During the second gathering, a variety of personal stories from our community will be shared.

Please register at https://events.idonate.com/

ReconceivingInfertility. This program is free and open to the community.

COMMUNITY

NEW EXHIBIT OPENS IN JFCS FRISCH FAMILY HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL GALLERY

By Donna O'Steen, Jewish Family & Community Services

The Frisch Family Holocaust Memorial Gallery’s latest exhibit, Art in the Holocaust, is officially open!

The Art in the Holocaust exhibition contains digital images of works in the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum Collection and stories of the 20 artists who created them. Depicting the Holocaust in ghettos, camps, forests, and while in hiding, the artworks reflect the tension between the artists’ need to document the terrible events they endured and their desire to break free through art and escape into the realms of beauty and imagination. It stands as testimony to the strength of the human spirit that refuses to surrender and our innate need to create, even during times of trauma and destruction.

While visiting the gallery you may also view the work of the Mayo Clinic Lyndra P. Daniel Center for Humanities in Medicine program as it intersected with the Holocaust Memories project at Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS). This collaborative installation uses words and art to shine a light on the power of the humanities to heal in times of trauma.

The Frisch Family Holocaust Memorial Gallery provides a space dedicated to learning the lessons of history by exploring human rights, individual courage, and the search for peace. The gallery features exhibitions, public programs, and educational tours. The changing art on the walls serves as a platform for reflection and conversation. It is funded thanks to generous donors, Florida Blue, The Larry and Kathy Kanter Art Fund, and the Theodore and Pauline Cohen Charitable Trust.

Location and Hours: 8540 Baycenter Road, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm For more information, visit JacksonvilleHolocaustMemorial.com.

JFCS is a beneficiary of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida. Their funding helps support the programs and opportunities we provide for the Jewish community.

THE DUBOW PRESCHOOL'S GARDEN IS GROWING MENSCHES

By Lisa Ansbacher,Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

A large part of what makes the DuBow Preschool so unique is the school’s focus on teaching students how to nurture themselves, others, and the world. From the time the children enter the pre-school, they are immersed in a comprehensive Jewish gardening curriculum with the underlying theme of Tikkun Olam (healing the world). While the students are growing plants, the school is growing mensches, people who care about making the world a better place.

The Jewish value of healing the world by performing mitzvot is instilled through meaningful gardening techniques implemented daily and at special events held on Jewish holidays. This curriculum is designed and taught by Morah Karen Morse, who enthusiastically embraces the opportunity to teach DuBow Preschool students how to apply commandments from the Torah to gardening. Morah Karen’s Jewish gardening curriculum is derived from Ginat Ha’Yeladim and Jewish Court of All Time.

The preschool students learn about the commandment bal tashchit - do not destroy or waste. They apply bal tashchit to the garden by planting leftover produce, making salads from the crops they grow, watering the plants with rainwater they collect in barrels, and composting with a Martin J. Gottlieb Day School student-made composter. One of the garden’s six beds is currently unplanted to honor the commandment of shmita - allowing the fields one year to rest. The students also learn about sustainable and organic gardening, two additional tools for healing the world.

The garden at DuBow Preschool is a magical place where a love for performing mitzvot and a love for Israel is instilled and cultivated at an early age. For more information about DuBow Preschool or to arrange a garden tour with Morah Karen, please call (904) 268-4200.

DuBow Preschool is a beneficiary of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida. Their funding helps support the programs and opportunities we provide for the Jewish community.

An Even Brighter Future

Recent years have taught us that life is fragile, a hug is priceless, and that a virtual visit is good but being together in person is the best. Throughout our 76 years of continuous excellence, we’ve learned many things. Importantly, that by working together with an unwavering commitment to our mission, we’ll ensure an even brighter future for our community’s seniors.

For more information, call (904) 260.1818 or visit RiverGarden.org

A not-for-profi t agency sponsored by the organized Jacksonville Jewish community.