After three miscarriages, Jewish woman publishes book of grief and hope
Ricki Stern created an anonymous Jewish anthology to confront infertility’s quiet pain
A Jewish woman who endured three consecutive pregnancy losses has channelled her grief into a new book bringing together testimonies from Jews around the world struggling with infertility and pregnancy loss.
Ricki Stern, who has not yet been able to carry a pregnancy to term, said the project grew out of profound isolation following her third miscarriage and a determination to ensure others did not suffer alone.
The book, Pregnancy Tests: Stories of Pregnancy Trials from People Struggling with Infertility & Pregnancy Loss, gathers personal stories and poems submitted by Jewish contributors across the globe, all published anonymously to protect privacy.
“I wrote this book to shatter the silence surrounding infertility and pregnancy loss, gathering the whispered sorrow of many hearts into one loving embrace,” Stern said. “It is a chorus of brave hearts, rising together to acknowledge the unspoken sorrow and offer support and guidance.”
She added: “Let this collection of personal stories be the lights in the darkness, guiding you toward the comfort of a community that understands every tear, proving that the strength you need is waiting for you in the community of those who understand you, because they’ve walked the path you’re walking on.”
Stern said the idea emerged after she realised how many couples were suffering quietly, particularly within Jewish communities that place a strong emphasis on family life and children.
“Many times, well-meaning relatives and friends can make comments that stab our hearts,” she explained, describing the strain of navigating communal life while childless.
With no funding and what she described as “a budget below zero”, Stern used social media and personal outreach to connect with contributors. Within months, she had collected stories from Jewish writers around the world, many of whom were eager to share experiences they had never voiced publicly.
She said the process transformed her own grief, allowing her to focus on supporting others even as she continues her own fertility journey.
Now complete, Stern hopes the book will reach both those directly affected by infertility and pregnancy loss, and those who are not – to foster greater sensitivity and understanding within the community.
Anyone interested in obtaining a copy of Pregnancy Tests: Stories of Pregnancy Trials from People Struggling with Infertility & Pregnancy Loss can contact the author at jewish.infertility.miscarriage@gmail.com or via Amazon.
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