Cinema for the Soul

October 8, 2018 by J-Wire Newsdesk
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Cinema for the Soul is bringing the Jewish community together to support couples who are struggling with infertility.

The Australian Jewish Fertility Network (AJFN) will be screening, ‘One More Shot’, a documentary exposing the heartbreaking, challenging and, at times, hilarious journey of a couple struggling with infertility at their ‘Cinema for the Soul’ event. The inaugural Australian showing will take place on 15 October at Events Cinemas, Bondi Junction, commencing at 6.45pm.

With one in six couples experiencing infertility, the AJFN aims to bring both men and women together in an evening of solidarity, to support those Jewish couples who are struggling to conceive. 

The organisation also hopes to give the audience a deeper understanding of the day-to-day reality of IVF, so they are better equipped to help family or friends during their treatment.

Shterny Dadon, AJFN Founder, explains that infertility is very often a painful and isolating experience. “Couples often feel embarrassed or ashamed to discuss their fertility issues in public,” says Mrs Dadon. “Through the screening of “One More Shot”, we want to get rid of the stigma and open up the conversation. The more openly we talk about infertility, the easier it is for us to support one another.”

The huge financial burden of fertility treatments can also compound the emotional toll, with each IVF cycle costing $5,000 out-of-pocket (based on average costs of treatment the AJFN have funded over the past five years). Some couples could spend up to $50,000* to achieve their dreams of having a baby (*for multiple rounds of highly complex IVF treatments). 

“It is a harsh reality that there are people in our community who cannot afford the cost,” says Mrs Dadon. “Couples shouldn’t miss out on the absolute joy of a baby of their own because of financial hardship.”

 

All proceeds of the evening will assist couples in need.

AJFN is providing financial support to 12 couples, with 3 babies born in the past year and 6 couples expecting in 2019. 

However, the organisation is aware that there is a far greater need for their services in the community. 

“At AJFN, we believe that no couple should be alone on their journey to achieve their family and we are in the process of setting up an AJFN Board to enable us to reach more people in the community,” said newly elected AJFN Advisory Committee Chairperson, Kerry Gonski. 

AJFN are now able to expand on their current programs, increasing both the financial and emotional support for couples as they ride the rollercoaster of infertility. In addition to financial support, AJFN will also be offering emotional support for couples through their Peer to Peer Mentoring Support Program.

“By coming along to Cinema for Soul, you are playing a part in building our community and supporting new life – ‘Chai’.  The value of helping create another Jewish life within our community is priceless,” said Mrs Gonski. 

“If you are lucky enough to not have experienced infertility, you will also gain a deeper understanding of the process so that you are able to give much-needed support to those who you know may be struggling. It may be your sister, brother, daughter, son, colleague or best friend.”

Cinema for the Soul follows on from the successful ‘Theatre for the Soul’ event in 2017 and is part of a number of other AJFN initiatives that aim to give infertility a voice. 

A limited number of tickets are still available by visiting www.ajfn.org.au.

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