EVENT SPONSORS
The Fourth International
Surrogacy and Fertility Conference
Tel Aviv, March 10-11, 2016
The International Surrogacy and Fertility Conference will take place on March 10-11, 2016, at the Dan Panorama Hotel in Tel Aviv
The International Surrogacy and Fertility Conference is the most comprehensive event on surrogacy that has ever taken place in Israel. This event is equally suited to couples and singles, gay and straight, secular and religious. The conference aims to provide unbiased information regarding surrogacy and to present the currently available surrogacy options including in Israel, USA, Canada, Ukraine, and Georgia. Intended parents will be guided on how to overcome challenges and navigate the process successfully.
Now in it’s fourth year, the conference has been significantly upgraded in moving to the spacious halls of the Dan Panorama Hotel, and the support of additional organizations lead by WIZO, the leading women’s organization in Israel. In joining this conference, WIZO wishes to bring added awareness to the social and ethical aspects of the surrogacy process. For the first time at the conference, an ethical framework for surrogacy will be presented, which has been developed by parents and surrogates in Israel and abroad, and promotes the wellbeing of all parties involved.
Experts will offer panels advice on the medical, legal, psychological, and financial aspects of the process. Surrogates and parents who have gone through the process will share their experiences at the conference. Additionally, over 30 agencies, fertility clinics, and law firms from Israel and from around the world will exhibit at the conference, including 3 Canadian organizations for the first time.
Where...
The conference will take place at the the Dan Panorama hotel, 10 Prof. Yehezkel Kaufmann Street, 68012 Tel Aviv, Israel.
Registration...
Admission is 100 NIS per person for the entire conference, when registering in advance (120 NIS at the door, space permitting).
Interpretation
Professional simultaneous translation will be offered for some of the sessions - see language icons at the detailed program.
Participating law firms
Supporting organizations
The participation of WIZO at the conference is done as part of the “Pundak” project, part of the social entrepreneurship incubator of the organization. The project aims to provide a network of assistance and support for intended parents, surrogates and their families.
An additional supporting organization is the “CHEN L'Piryon,” Israel’s fertility advocacy association, which voluntarily assists 160,000 couples and individuals in Israel who need assistance while undergoing fertility treatment.
This conference is a nonprofit venture. Net proceed will be dedicated to the advancement of surrogacy in Israel and to assist intended parents through the “Pundak” initiative and the Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP) of MHB.
An additional supporting organization is the “CHEN L'Piryon,” Israel’s fertility advocacy association, which voluntarily assists 160,000 couples and individuals in Israel who need assistance while undergoing fertility treatment.
This conference is a nonprofit venture. Net proceed will be dedicated to the advancement of surrogacy in Israel and to assist intended parents through the “Pundak” initiative and the Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP) of MHB.
Detailed program
17:00-17:20 - Registration and expo
Conference attendees are invited to visit the information booths of over thirty clinics, agencies, law firms, and organizations from Israel and abroad which assist intended parents in areas of fertility, egg donation and surrogacy.
- Assaf Rosenheim, a board member Men Having Babies
- Ofra Balaban, CHEN L'Piryon, Israel’s fertility advocacy association
- Udi Ledergor, Chairman of the Israeli Gay Fathers Association
This year’s conference marks the 20th anniversary of the Israel’s Surrogacy Act and at the opening session WIZO, Israel’s leading women’s organization, wishes to turn attention to the social and ethical aspects of the surrogacy in Israel.
Moderator- Talia Peled Keenan, Journalist Channel 10
Opening remarks- Nurit Mor Buria- WIZO Tel Aviv Manager
Remarks - Dr. Etti Semama, surrogacy researcher at the Ben-Gurion University
Remarks - Professor Assa Kasher, ethical aspects of surrogacy
Panel discussion:
- Yael Sivan- medical psychologist
- Rabbi Elchanan Lewis
- Udi Ledergor- chairman of Israeli Gay father’s Association
Magen David Adom (Israel’s medical emergency response service) and the David Shield insurance company will be honored for their contribution to the heroic efforts to evacuate dozens of surrogacy families from Nepal after the devastating 2015 earthquake.
19:10-19:30 - Break / expo
Light refreshments will be served, courtesy of Worldwide Surrogacy.
Surrogates and parents through surrogacy in Israel and abroad will share their stories while addressing the relationship between surrogates and intended parents, and social and ethical aspects of the journey.
Moderator- Ron Pool-Dayan, Executive Director of Men Having Babies
- MK (Parliament Member) Amir Ohana- father through surrogacy
- Michelle Pine- a surrogate mother from the US who carried Amir and Alon’s twins
- Irit Bendak- can actress and surrogate mother
- Noa Ruth- a film director and single mother through surrogacy
- Naama Canning- an Israeli surrogate
- Reut Kartzinberg- an Israeli surrogate
- Dr. Miriam Warshaviak- a mother through surrogacy
9:00-9:30 Registration and expo
Conference attendees are invited to visit the information booths of over thirty clinics, agencies, law firms, and organizations from Israel and abroad which assist intended parents in areas of fertility, egg donation and surrogacy.
9:30-10:30 Planning the surrogacy journey
General overview of the medical, legal and logistical aspects of surrogacy, and the available surrogacy options in Israel and abroad (subjects that will be discussed in further detail in the comparative panel and specialty workshops).
10:30-10:45- Break
10:45-12:00 Comparative panel - Legal, bureaucratic, financial, and ethical aspects of surrogacy in Israel, US, Canada, Ukraine and Georgia
This session will provide an overview of the various surrogacy tracks that are currently available for Israelis and adhere to ethical guidelines that will be presented at the conference. These include surrogacy in Israel, the US, Ukraine, and Georgia. Experts who are familiar with these tracks will answer questions about topics such as communication with agencies and clinics, costs, eligibility for health insurance coverage, sources for egg donation, screening and selection of surrogates, and differences in the process of parental recognition upon the return to Israel.
Moderator - Victoria Gelfand, Adv.
12:00-13:00 Lunch break / expo
Last opportunity to visit the information booths of over 30 clinics, agencies, lawyers, and organizations from Israel and abroad. A light meal, courtesy of San Diego Fertility Center.
13:00-15:00 Specialty workshops
Conference attendees are invited to visit the information booths of over thirty clinics, agencies, law firms, and organizations from Israel and abroad which assist intended parents in areas of fertility, egg donation and surrogacy.
9:30-10:30 Planning the surrogacy journey
General overview of the medical, legal and logistical aspects of surrogacy, and the available surrogacy options in Israel and abroad (subjects that will be discussed in further detail in the comparative panel and specialty workshops).
- Michal Bitton- conference organizer, project “Pundak” to support and assists intended parents, surrogates and their families.
- Assaf Rosenheim- conference organizer, board member of Men Having Babies
10:30-10:45- Break
This session will provide an overview of the various surrogacy tracks that are currently available for Israelis and adhere to ethical guidelines that will be presented at the conference. These include surrogacy in Israel, the US, Ukraine, and Georgia. Experts who are familiar with these tracks will answer questions about topics such as communication with agencies and clinics, costs, eligibility for health insurance coverage, sources for egg donation, screening and selection of surrogates, and differences in the process of parental recognition upon the return to Israel.
Moderator - Victoria Gelfand, Adv.
- Merav Levy, Pundekaut Choveket- Israel
- Cindy Wasser, Esq, Hope Springs- Canada
- Victoria Ferrera, Esq, Worldwide Surrogacy- USA
- Amy Manor, Manor Medic- Georgia
- Dana Magadasi, Adv., Lotus Surrogacy- Ukraine
12:00-13:00 Lunch break / expo
Last opportunity to visit the information booths of over 30 clinics, agencies, lawyers, and organizations from Israel and abroad. A light meal, courtesy of San Diego Fertility Center.
13:00-15:00 Specialty workshops
Room 4
Ganei Yehuda Auditorium
Room 2
Room 4
13:00-13:55
- Dr. Michael Feinman- HRC
- Dr. Michael Doyle- CT Fertility
Management, budgeting and streamlining the process of surrogacy in the US and Canada
- Victoria Gelfand, Esq.
- Udi Ledergor - author of the guide to US surrogacy
- Mickey Ouzen-Depas - GPAP
Psychological and social considerations in surrogacy
Moderator: Dr. Hanna Gilay Ginor- clinical psychologist, “Counseling and therapy for fertility patients,” Tel Aviv University
Moderator: Dr. Hanna Gilay Ginor- clinical psychologist, “Counseling and therapy for fertility patients,” Tel Aviv University
- Dr. Tzvia Birman- clinical social worker
- Dr. Ilan Tabak-Aviram- clinical psychologist
- Ida Baron- “Shai Li” agency
- Dr. Rakefet Ganon- surrogate
Surrogacy as part of a range of treatments available for fertility patients
Moderator: Dr. Itai Bar- Hava, “Fertility from A to Z”
Moderator: Dr. Itai Bar- Hava, “Fertility from A to Z”
- Dr. Eti Maman- a senior IVF physician at Tel HaShomer Hospital, director of IVF at Herzliya Medical
- Dr. Reut Bartov the Center for Male Fertility
- Michal Bitton- Project “Pundak” for assistance and support for intended parents, surrogates and their families
14:00-14:55
- Dr. Cliff Librach / CReATe
- Dr. Susanna Park / San Diego Fertility Center
Establishing parentage rights and citizenship status upon returning to Israel following surrogacy abroad
- Gil Leibovitz, Adv.
- Matan Hodorov, Adv.
- Ilan Gat / David Shield
- Yardna Cope-Yossef, Adv. / Itim Organization
Framework for ethical surrogacy
- Asaf Rosenheim- board member of Men Having Babies
- Dr. Elly Teman - the Ruppin Academy Center
- Ofer Beith Halachmi- Responsible Surrogacy
Legal and bureaucratic issues, management and budgeting surrogacy in Israel
- Einav Eshkol, Adv.
- Paz Beit Halachmi, Adv.
- Eliraz Zar-Aviv, surrogate
15:00-17:00 Introductory workshop with agencies and clinics
Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in up to 6 introductory 20-minute group consultations with the various sponsors. Take advantage of this opportunity to "shop around" and get to know these agencies and clinics more closely. Most of the sessions will be in English.
Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in up to 6 introductory 20-minute group consultations with the various sponsors. Take advantage of this opportunity to "shop around" and get to know these agencies and clinics more closely. Most of the sessions will be in English.
Room 4
Room 3
Room 2
Room 1
Susanna Park, MD
Ari Baratz, MD
Merav Levi
Victoria T. Ferrara, Esq.
15:00
Susanna Park, MD
Ari Baratz , MD
Merav Levi
Victoria T. Ferrara, Esq.
15:20
Michael Feinman, MD, FACOG
Michael Doyle, MD
Ida Baron
Stephanie White
15:40
Michael Doyle, MD
Jennifer Scott
Steven H. Snyder, Esq.
Emily Mounts
16:00
David Sher
Jerald Goldstein, MD
Steven H. Snyder, Esq.
Kathryn Kaycoff-Manos
16:20
Jerald Goldstein, MD
David Sher
Judy Weiss, RNC
Gal Sava
16:40
17:00-17:30 Conference conclusion / Reception with GPAP recipients
* Program is subject to change