For Rachel Loftspring, a serendipitous encounter in 2019 at a conference for the American Society of Reproductive Medicine changed everything. She attended the conference as part of her work as a fertility attorney, and struck up a conversation with a woman who happened to be the chair of the Jewish Fertility Foundation (JFF).
“We have to have this in Cincinnati,” Loftspring had told herself.
Loftspring was uniquely situated to take the initiative. As a mom herself, she had a built-in empathy through her lived experience. In her law practice, Loftspring already routinely assisted individuals and couples seeking embryo donation, surrogacy, and other fertility treatments. Though her work is primarily drafting agreements with surrogates and intended parents and making sure birth orders are secured with the courts, she also knew how fraught this journey could be for couples experiencing infertility.
“It’s a club that no one wants to be a part of,” said Loftspring. “But that’s why meeting each other in a community in a way that’s supportive can be so amazing.”
After the conference, she immediately contacted the Executive Director of JFF, and as it happened, they were already contemplating expansion. The Director’s response was simple yet directive: “Get a group together and figure it out.” Driven by a mission to bring this resource to our community, Loftspring rallied the necessary support.
“The Jewish Foundation’s backing was mission-critical — they understood our vision and swiftly began funding us,” she said.
Cincinnati’s chapter of JFF officially opened its doors in January 2020. The launch couldn’t have been timelier.
“Our presence became even more important with the onset of the pandemic, which further complicated something that’s already so difficult and emotional,” said Loftspring. “We pivoted quickly and went online.
JFF thrived in spite of the pandemic, providing financial assistance, as well as community and emotional support. Since its launch, JFF-Cincinnati has assisted 97 people through financial grants, support groups, and “fertility buddies”- a 1:1 mentorship program for couples who have gone through similar experiences. Perhaps most exciting, as a result of their efforts, 29 babies have been born!
“What I saw in Cincinnati was an amazing shift from people not talking about it so much to people telling their story,” said Loftspring.
The once-taboo subject of infertility transitioned into an open dialogue, fostering a supportive community. JFF’s educational programming through events, webinars, and social media outreach has been instrumental in raising awareness and providing critical information. Each session is designed to empower individuals with knowledge, making the daunting path of infertility slightly more navigable. JFF also organized rabbi training sessions and encouraged discussions within sermons, further integrating their cause into the fabric of the community.
Loftspring has gone on to eventually chair the national board and oversee JFF’s expansion into nine cities.
When she’s not ensuring JFF’s success here In Cincinnati and across the country, Loftspring continues to practice law, assisting clients from diverse backgrounds — those facing infertility, LGBTQ clients, and international clients from countries where surrogacy is prohibited. She readily admits that her life, especially as a working mom of two, can be a challenge.
“Having kids and practicing law full time– there’s no such balance; it’s more about integration. I’m up early to work out or do work,” she said. “ I stop and start, and I’m lucky to have flexibility. I’m there for clients and my family and do the things I want to do. It’s not perfect all the time.”
Yet, she’s proud to set a strong example for her children.
“We talk a lot about the different lived experiences of other people,” Loftspring said. “It’s about understanding that families come in all shapes and sizes.”
Loftspring has also (somehow) found time to write a children’s book, Mila the Maker and the 200 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle, about managing big emotions. It is slated for publication on August 6.
