Aug 30, 2016
Federation Welcomes First Miracle Baby!
With great pleasure and heartfelt excitement, Federation is thrilled to announce the birth of the very first Making Miracle Babies Fertility Fund baby. Since 2014, Federation and the Hebrew Free Loan Association (HFLA) of South Florida have worked together to support this innovative loan fund, started by Michelle and Matan Ben-Aviv, in honor of their son, to empower South Florida Jewish couples with fertility obstacles to pursue parenthood via In Vitro Fertilization. Thanks to a generous donation from Reggie and Jeff Goldstein, whose son and daughter were adopted, the fund also includes interest-free loans for adoption. Mazel tov to the new arrival’s parents, family and friends, as well as to all those involved in making these parents’ dreams a reality!
Of the birth, HFLA Executive Director Andrew Weinberg said, “As Jews, we are taught to give back, so this is really the pinnacle. It’s incredible to be able to add to our community in this way.”
In hopes of removing the shame that often comes along with fertility issues, the Ben-Avivs have always been open about their struggles with infertility. Michelle Ben-Aviv said, “Knowing how difficult it was, we wanted to help lessen the burden on those in a similar situation and create something beautiful out of our own struggle. We’re big believers in paying it forward. It’s such a challenging situation, even without the financial stress, so if we’re able to help with that piece of the puzzle, it’s one less hurdle for them to cross.”
When the Goldsteins read about the program in Federation Five, they saw an opportunity to expand the initiative. “With our history of infertility and failed IVF treatments, we know that adoption also plays an important role in helping create families. After all, our two kids are adopted!” said Reggie Goldstein. “So we approached the Ben-Avivs about allowing the fund to include adoption support.” Thanks to the Goldsteins’ generosity, along with participation from their family, the fund can now support three adoptions.
Goldstein is anxious to get the program underway and hopes to meet a need in the community. “Adopting our two children has been the most wonderful thing for us and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” added Goldstein. “However, we know how difficult the process can be, how astronomical the cost. We were fortunate in that aspect, but not everyone is, especially after pursuing equally expensive IVF treatments. A family is a wonderful gift and we want everyone to have that opportunity.”
The Making Miracle Babies Fund provides couples with an $18,000 interest-free loan for IVF treatment. The Goldstein Family Adoption Fund provides a $24,000 interest-free loan that can be used to cover the birth mother’s medical and living expenses, adoption and attorney fees, social worker fees and court costs.
One of the unexpected outcomes of MMB is that it has become a platform to discuss the challenges and stigmas surrounding infertility. “There’s no need to suffer in silence when so many women and families are experiencing the same issues,” said Ben-Aviv. “As word has spread about MMB, many people have approached me to discuss their own struggles. Our next step is to expand the program to cover surrogacy costs. We’re all for building families in any way possible.”
According to Simon Kaminetsky, Director of Philanthropic Initiatives, due to the impact of the initiative, other communities are looking to Federation to assist in creating their own free loan funds. For more information on the Making Miracle Babies Fund, contact Andrew Weinberg at [email protected] or 305.933.1187.
