My name is Inbal*, and this is my story.
After I finished my military service in Israel I began a career in modelling. I got married to a wonderful man and became pregnant fairly quickly. We had a beautiful baby girl.
During my pregnancy, I began to recognize the miracle that was growing inside of me and I began to return to religion. My husband, who had no interest in religion, was very much taken aback as he wondered why I was reverting to a more “primitive lifestyle”.
Needless to say we began to have our differences. I naturally left my modelling career which in turn shocked my husband even more, and we eventually agreed to get a divorce.
Soon thereafter I married a wonderful man who also recently became religious. We had triplets and suddenly began having a lot of financial difficulty which created fissures in my faith. I began to wonder if I had not left my modelling career, perhaps our financial situation would have been better.
My worries began to gnaw at me, and as they became more deeply established I began to physically feel ill. Friends suggested I go get a checkup and to my surprise I discovered that I had contracted uterine cancer. The word hysterectomy was thrown around and I knew that this was a sign from God. I was in a state of crises, and I felt that I would only be saved if I again returned closer to God.
After many painful procedures I was again deemed healthy, thank God, and after quite a few years, at the age of 45, I became pregnant again. If they had performed the hysterectomy then I would not have been able to bring this new child into the world. I felt that the new pregnancy was a sign from God that my repentance had been accepted.
The doctors had a different opinion. They decided that I must undergo an abortion due to the cancer I once had and because of my age. I was broken. I had no idea what to do. On one hand I was very happy with the pregnancy on the other, I was full of doubts.
We were told to contact the Save A Jewish Baby (SAJB) organization and one of their volunteers called me back the very next day. She helped me through the entire pregnancy. She helped me through the crises I experienced from time to time and strengthened me when I was weak and needed someone to talk to.
To know that there was someone I could talk to, to just pick up the phone and call them, to talk or to cry, whenever I needed, very much reassured me.
After the birth of our very cute little girl, we received packages containing everything we would need for the baby. I am so thankful to SAJB. I am very happy and overjoyed that I can share this new life with my daughter.
*(Names have been changed to protect the anonymity of those involved.)