This past Sunday, Bonei Olam arranged for rabbonim to hear from a renowned Swedish doctor who is a pioneer in the field of uterus transplants and was the first to deliver a healthy baby by such a procedure just four years ago.
Over the last two decades, b’rachamei Shomayim, incredible medical developments have been witnessed, especially in the field of infertility. From the most remarkable of them, is this procedure, which is providing hope for those who had no conceivable dream of having children on their own.
But now they can dream.
They can dream thanks to a procedure known as a uterus transplant.
At the exclusive, one-of-a-kind event, held at The Renaisssance in Boro Park, rabbonim and poskim heard from Dr. Mats Brännström, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Thanks to the pioneering work of Dr. Brännström, women will be able to have a uterus transplanted and then hopefully deliver healthy babies.
The event opened with remarks from Bonei Olam founder Rav Shlomo Bochner, who is currently in Los Angeles for the week on a fundraising trip. Rav Shlomo flew back-and-forth to the East Coast, just to attend the event, joining the over 150 rabbonim from across the tri-state who attended.
Rav Yechiel Michel Steinmetz, Skverer Dayan of Boro Park and posek of Bonei Olam, gave a brief halachic overview and implications of this revolutionary transplant. He also discussed the pain that childless couples have to endure, and the special opportunity that the Rabbonim have to give them the support and the guidance that they need.
Rav Binyomin Landau, Tosher Dayan of Boro Park and expert in medicine and halacha, then spoke about the halachic ramifications of uterus transplants. Rav Chaim Landau, chairman of the Bonei Olam Halacha and Medicine Committee, gave Bonei Olam’s perspective.
At the event, it was announced the launch of a new 24-hour rabbonim medical line for all fertility-related questions.
The speakers expressed the gratitude of the wider frum community to the attending rabbonim, who areavailable to couples day and night, guiding, assisting and encouraging, empathizing with the pain that people experience as they grapple with the challenge of infertility. Bonei Olam, the speakers said,connects these rabbonim with the public, enabling available help to reach the masses.
The attendees then heard from Dr. Brännström. Thanks to Dr. Brännström’s research conducted at Sahlgrenska Academy since 1999, those who have suffered from uterine infertility – which has had no treatment – now have hope.
The information shared by the professor was enlightening and encouraging, presenting new opportunities for those who have been unable to establish a family.
Scientists, many of whom were both doubtful and critical before, now believe Dr. Brännström’s work could help them extend the use of organs for those who need transplants.
“Hearing about the groundbreaking procedure from the ‘source’ was fascinating,” said one of the rabbonim. “This has the potential to change lives dramatically, and it is just another chesed from the Ribono Shel Olam, allowing Bonei Olam to conduct its miraculous chassodim on behalf of our brethren pining for children of their own.”
