JCPA and Other Jewish Organizations Urge House Representatives to Cosponsor the Infertility Awareness Resolution, H.Res. 345

 JCPA joined over 30 Jewish organizations in a letter to the House of Representatives urging them to cosponsor the infertility awareness resolution, H.Res. 345, introduced by Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Dan Crenshaw. This important resolution recognizes that infertility is a disease that affects a diversity of populations, disproportionately impacting the Jewish community. Click here or read the full letter below.

June 26, 2023

Dear Representative,

Infertility disproportionately affects the Jewish community. As 32 Jewish organizations committed to serving and supporting those facing infertility and pregnancy loss, we urge you to cosponsor the infertility awareness resolution, H.Res. 345, introduced by Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Dan Crenshaw. This important resolution recognizes that infertility is a disease that affects a diversity of populations, disproportionately impacting the Jewish community. Our organizations join together in support of this resolution because we believe our country has a responsibility to collect data about infertility’s prevalence, encourage research into treatments, and help address availability of care.

Family and children are important values in the Jewish community. But too many Jews have trouble fulfilling the mitzvah of bringing children into the world for a variety of reasons. Some conditions that cause infertility — like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), cystic fibrosis and Fanconi anemia C — are more prevalent in the Jewish community. A higher incidence of genetic mutations also increases the Jewish community’s need for Assisted Reproductive Technologies.

One in four Ashkenazi Jews is a carrier of a Jewish genetic disease, including some that can be debilitating or fatal in childhood. Having access to preimplantation genetic testing can help ensure those couples have healthy children. Additionally, with one in forty Ashkenazi Jewish women carrying the BRCA mutation that increases risk for breast and ovarian cancer — especially at a young age — there is also an increased need for fertility preservation services.

Infertility can lead to anger, depression, anxiety, social isolation and other health problems. It is therefore essential that we raise awareness and improve education about infertility and its side effects, as well as work to improve available infertility data, research, treatments and access to care. We urge you to cosponsor H.Res. 345 today.

Sincerely,

Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America
A TIME/A Torah Infertility Medium of Exchange
Agudath Israel of America
B’nai B’rith International
Bonei Olam
Chava/Programs and Services for all Women’s Reproductive Health
Coalition for Jewish Values
Hasidah
HUG/Hope Understanding and Guidance for Pregnancy Loss
I Was Supposed To Have A Baby
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia
Jewish Fertility Foundation
Jewish Labor Committee
Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance
Jewish War Veterans
Jewish Women International
NA’AMAT USA
National Council of Jewish Women
Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies
Orthodox Union
Priya Kansas City
PUAH
Rabbinical Assembly
Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association
Stardust Jewish Fertility Association
Tzedek Association
Union for Reform Judaism
Women of Reform Judaism
Women’s Rabbinic Network
Women’s League for Conservative Judaism
Yesh Tikvah