EVENT SPONSORS
The Fifth International
Surrogacy and Fertility Conference
Tel Aviv, March 2-3, 2017
The International Surrogacy and Fertility Conference will take place on March 2-3, 2017, at the “Beautiful Israel” Convention Center 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.
Our 2016 conference was not just our best-attended Israeli event yet, but was also highly significant in promoting public discourse and awareness about the social and ethical aspects of surrogacy. The conference was marked by an impressive alliance of collaborating organizations, including WIZO, Israel’s leading Women’s organization, CHEN L'Piryon, Israel’s fertility advocacy association, and the the Israeli Gay Father’s Association.
The 2017 the conference is moving to a venue that is larger, more centrally located and easily accessible. Session were added by expanding the hours on Thursday evening (and adding a supper). Simultaneous interpretation services will make most of the panels accessible to both Hebrew and English speakers. Proceeds from sponsorship and exhibiting fees will be dedicated for financial assistance and the advancement of surrogacy in Israel.
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 25 agencies, fertility clinics, and law firms from Israel and beyond will exhibit at the conference.
The 2017 the conference is moving to a venue that is larger, more centrally located and easily accessible. Session were added by expanding the hours on Thursday evening (and adding a supper). Simultaneous interpretation services will make most of the panels accessible to both Hebrew and English speakers. Proceeds from sponsorship and exhibiting fees will be dedicated for financial assistance and the advancement of surrogacy in Israel.
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 25 agencies, fertility clinics, and law firms from Israel and beyond will exhibit at the conference.
Where...
The “Beautiful Israel” convention center at the Yarkon park, address is Rokach Blvd 80, Tel Aviv.
Registration...
Online registration is 140 NIS.
Walk-in rate is 170 NIS, space permitting.
These rates are per person, for both days of the vent, and include a light supper on Thursday and lunch on Friday.
Online advanced registration will guarantee your entry, allow you to sign up in advance for private consultations and specialty panels, and receive email updates.
Walk-in rate is 170 NIS, space permitting.
These rates are per person, for both days of the vent, and include a light supper on Thursday and lunch on Friday.
Online advanced registration will guarantee your entry, allow you to sign up in advance for private consultations and specialty panels, and receive email updates.
Interpretation
Professional simultaneous translation will be offered for most of the sessions - see language icons at the detailed program.
Participating law firms
Supporting organizations
Detailed program
16:30-17:30 - Registration and expo
Conference attendees are invited to visit the information booths of over 25 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
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. The panel is underwritten by Tammuz Family.
Moderator- Smadar Shir, journalists, Yediot Acharonot
- Nataly Tesler- a mother through surrogacy
- Rivka Sagi- a surrogate mother who carried the son of Natali and her husband
- Guy Ronen- a father through surrogacy
- Cortney Nyman- a surrogate mother from Oregon who carried twins for Guy and his partner
- Hilla Perets-Bitton an Israeli surrogate
- Rafi Babian- a father through surrogacy
- Liat Platner-Nissan- a surrogate mother
- Kalanit Daniel, a mother through surrogacy
19:10-19:30 - Supper / expo
Light refreshments will be served, while the information booths are open.
Supper is provided courtesy of Manor Medical.
In this session we will examine the meanings and significance people tend to attribute to surrogacy in their lives. Experts, surrogates and parents will discuss about doubts, inhibitions and defense mechanisms that might stand in the way of having an open and connected process. We will examine how surrogates tend to see their role, their expectations, how their engagement is influenced by their social and spiritual prospective, and the long term implications surrogacy has on their lives and families.
Experts will review sociological and psychological studies about the way surrogacy affects the the welfare of the child, the surrogate, and her family. They will also discuss how the parties can deal with uncertainties and possible crises that the process may bring about, the dynamics of the relationship between the intended parents and the surrogates, etc.
We will also look at programs meant to encourage a more mindful surrogacy experience and attention to the social and ethical implications of surrogacy, including the Framework for Ethical Surrogacy, Responsible Surrogacy, and an initiative by Hilla Perets-Bitton to promote surrogacy as an example of an act of mutual support, camaraderie, self fulfillment and empowerment through giving.
Moderators:
- Ron Poole-Dayan, surrogacy father, executive director of MHB
- Nataly Tesler, a mother through surrogacy
- Efrat Levi- a clinical psychologist
- Reut Ben-Kimchi - a clinical psychologist, chair of the mental health section at the Israeli Fertility Association
- Hilla Perets-Bitton - an Israeli surrogate, social entrepreneur
- Ofer Beith Halachmi - Responsible Surrogacy
- Rabbi Elchanan Lewis - Puah Institute
- Rivka Sagi- a surrogate mother
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.
- Meir Rubin, Adv., Manor Medic - Georgia
- Merav Levy, Pundekaut Choveket - Israel
- Sarah Cohen, Esq. Fertility Law Canada
- Molly O’Brian, Esq. - USA
- Dana Magadasi, Adv., Lotus Surrogacy- Ukraine
8:00-8:30 Registration
8:30-9:50 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).
9:50-10:20- Coffee break / 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. The expo will be open until 1:30pm.
10:20-12:20 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.
8:30-9:50 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 Morgenbesser - surrogacy mother
- Assaf Rosenheim- conference organizer, surrogacy father, board member of Men Having Babies
9:50-10:20- Coffee break / 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. The expo will be open until 1:30pm.
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.
Oren
Alon
Eshel
Rotem
Ami Manor
Dr. David Smotrich
Victoria T. Ferrara, Esq.
Roy Rosenblatt-Nir
10:20
Ami Manor
Dr. Melvin Thornton
Victoria T. Ferrara, Esq.
Roy Rosenblatt-Nir
10:40
Emily Mounts
Erez Baron
Erez Baron
Dr. Melvin Thornton
Kathryn Kaycoff-Manos
Merav Levi
11:00
Emily Mounts
Erez Baron
Erez Baron
Jamie Speer
Kathryn Kaycoff-Manos
Carey Flamer-Powell
11:20
Dr. Nurit Winkler
Shira Benson
Mina Yulezry
Carey Flamer-Powell
11:40
Liat Kreskas
Shira Benson
Attorney Dana Magadasi
Gal Sava
12:00
Last opportunity to visit the information booths of over 30 clinics, agencies, lawyers, and organizations from Israel and abroad. A light meal, courtesy of La Jolla IVF.
13:30-15:00 Specialty sessions
Rotem
Oren
Alon
13:30-14:15
East European Surrogacy Options
Moderator: Attorney Michal Morgenbesser
Moderator: Attorney Michal Morgenbesser
- Ami Manor - Monor Medic
- Roi Rebenblatt-Nir - Tammuz Family
- Dana Magadasi - Lotus Surrogacy
- Gal Sava - Viva Family
- Mina Yulezry - Center for Parenting
- Victoria Gelfand, Esq.
- Kathryn Kaycoff - Agency for Surrogacy Solutions
- Steve Snyder
- Mickey Ouzen-Depas - Israeli Gay Fathers’ Association / GPAP
Surrogacy as part of a range of treatments available for fertility patients
Moderator: Ada Atias, Center for Parenting
Moderator: Ada Atias, Center for Parenting
- Associate Professor Einat Shalom-Paz, head of the IVF unit at Hillel-Yaffe Medical Center
- Dr. Shlomi Barak, Asuta Medical Center / Ashdod
- Dr. David Smotrich - La Jolla IVF
14:15-15:00
- Dr. David Smotrich / La Jolla IVF
- Dr. Melvin Thornton / CT Fertility
- Dr. Nurit Winkler / Los Angeles Reproductive Center
- Emily Mounts / Oregon Reproductive Medicine
Establishing parentage rights and citizenship status upon returning to Israel following surrogacy abroad
- Daphna Cohen, Adv.
- Michal Morgenbesser, Adv.
- Meitav Tesler-Schimmel / Itim Organization
Management of the surrogacy process in Israel
- Einav Eshkol, Adv.
- Merav Levy, Pundekaut Choveket
15:00-15:30 Conference conclusion / Reception with GPAP recipients
* Program is subject to change