Malka Ella relaunching counselling division

SUZANNE BELLING

Tikvah is a helpline for couples experiencing infertility and is manned by a qualified clinical social worker. The couple is then referred to lay volunteer counsellors, who have experienced the pain of infertility and have also completed a basic course in counselling.

With the prevalence of infertility amongst couples trying to conceive today, Malka Ella plans to offer regular community talks, newsletters and updates on its website: tikvah@malkaella.co.za. There are also information stands at all local mikvehs.

Under the supervision of Rabbi Gidon Fox of Pretoria, “Shifra” (Science with Halachic InFeRtility Authority) oversees the treatment process from a Halachic point of view. “Shifra is looking to train more women to increase the number of supervisors on hand to monitor the procedures. 

Any woman who would like to become a mashgicha is required to adhere to the highest level of confidentiality and be “shomeret mitzvoth”. Rabbi Fox may be contacted on 082-339-9744 for further details.

To date “due to the overwhelming generosity of the South African Jewish community”, countless treatments have been sponsored and over 120 babies have been born. The couples who receive assistance need to be married according to Jewish law and the treatment regime is conducted in accordance with Jewish ethics.

Rabbi Yechezkiel Auerbach, a Halachic expert, is also part of the Malka Ella Fertility Fund and has advised and ruled on numerous matters for couples.

Five women, known only by their first names – Suzanne, Kate, Ester, Tanya and Avital – deal with various aspects of the fund, including applications for funding, administration, databases, counselling and training new counsellors.

“When community organisations create a structure where information can be explained, where issues can be discussed, where support can be given and the financial burden shared, then we are living in a community and country that truly cares for everyone,” the Malka Ella Fund said in a statement.

* Anyone who wants to “share the journey” with those who are knowledgeable, should call 082-426-8505.