Birth

First, I want to thank Rachel Raice, registered nurse and doula whom without her, my birth experience in Israel wouldn't be the same. As suspected, the process here is completely different. Women are asked during tight contractions for medical record history, whereabouts, etc and Rachel knew the ropes, how to advocate for me and make sure what ended up being a very quick delivery, that it go well (going from 4 cm to 8 cm in five minutes and then pushing a human out 9 minutes later is traumatic and takes a tremendous amount of skill). We avoided oxygen and laughing gas - - things that made the process more natural and bearable (there was no time for an epidural even though I asked for one, or time to labor in a tub. It was that quick). I was right that my head wouldn't be able to think and answer in Hebrew, though the staff appreciated that I knew both languages. Rachel went above and beyond, caring for my emotional state of mind and physical, using visualization, telling doctors when to give me a break (which she did have to intervene since some didn't really listen at first) and really explained what my body was going through (especially since Thursday was onset early labor, my body stopped and we tried to regroup and figure out a plan). As a friend, neighbor and going through one the most intimate moments of life, it was such a blessing having her at our side.

Ignore my prior list also of what to bring... a good pair of scrub pants is more comfortable than a hospital gown and bring hazal pads, and toilet paper (quality a little better at hotel but still can be improved). 

Second, I want to thank Josh, for waiting patiently for my go signal (I know it wasn't easy and created anxiety), having a strong head on his shoulders with emergency management and being such a wonderful husband and father. I'm sorry you couldn't ever cut the chords. 

Assaf Harofeh is a fantastic hospital that turned out being a 25 minute ride off traffic hours versus 35+ of hilly roads to Jerusalem (not fun when in active labor). The staff was incredibly attentive, quick and understood the necessary fast pace to get everything ready (the nicest hospital worker helped hold my hand to get through triage). What was odd as an olah was sharing a room with two other women in recovery (the baby needed some slight monitoring that didn't allow us a zero separation room, but given it was shabbat, Josh and plenty of other spouses stayed with their wives). Sharing a bathroom was ok... only women who delivered are allowed to use it. It's important to really have good disposable underwear (what they call reshet or literally net ones here are not great /they only gave me one extra) and flip flops at an Israeli birth (get from Amazon prior). Josh was given a recliner and after we both couldn't really sleep because of one roommate snoring and moaning (not fun and PTSD of a surgery I had at NYU dealing with a roommate who did the same), we were so thrilled to be approved for the Assaf Baby Hotel. If it's in your budget to stay at a hotel, Assaf allows transfer after 12 hours. After 36 hours total we came back home (could have stayed another night, but 3 kiddos to get back to). Highly recommend. Bring snacks if you choose not to stay at a hotel... though my roommates were well equipped and knew the drill for post care more than I obviously did. 

An explanation for the name we chose.

Hodaya

Jodi M Vogel 

Born 2:11 am Saturday morning 6/26/2021

3 kilo

Active labor 10:30 pm, hospital arrival 1:30 am

The name Hodaya encapsulates our immense gratitude for all that Hashem has done for our family and for this successful pregnancy when at 6 weeks we discovered there were initially twins (look up this phenomena called "vanishing twin"). Throughout the pregnancy, we very much felt the verse הודו לה  כי טוב כי לעולם חסדו. Those who knew, often I'd say I'm blessed for what we have and understood the delicate balance that things aren't always a given. 

Jodi, mirrors her Hebrew name, an inversion of the letters י, ה, ו, ד, ה. Jodi means a Jewess and praising the almighty, similar to the name Yehudit. The initial M is in honor and memory of Josh’s grandfather, Martin (מנשה) Ruben who recently passed away. He was a mighty man (hence the M) who lived to 94 to see such blessing and served his country with dignity. 

As the story goes, Tamar's mother, Yehudit z’l’s  parents intended their child to be named Yehuda, her grandfather that perished in the Holocaust. Upon birth, the name was changed to Yehudit for a girl. When considering our daughter's unique destiny, it made sense to transform the name to acknowledge that despite losses we've experienced, blessings occurred as well - our return to Israel, acclimating to Israeli society, making new friends, surviving corona, rockets and navigating other push and pulls of life. 

The Biblical character Yehudit also had a tremendous mark in the history of the Beit Hamikdash, which we are mourning for this coming Sunday and the three weeks. This bravery is a trait Tamar's mother had - strong and unwavering. Her service to Hashem was one not many can achieve. Whenever asked how she was feeling or doing, she would always say חסדי ה  or something along the lines of praising Gd. She had an immense, undescribable and non understandable emunah till the day she departed olam hazeh. She lived by the passuk טוב להודות לה ולזמר לשמך עליון, ולהגיד בבוקר חסדיך ואמונתך בלילות. She didn't live in fear and trusted in Hashem's will completely. 

It is our blessing to our daughter that she always appreciate what comes her way, and sees through obstacles of life. Be strong, and you will be guided. Our baby girl, you are a reminder to us, to see שהכוס חצי מלאה, as your savta would often say, and to be the best a Jew can be to make the world a better place. We are eternally grateful to welcome our sabra to Eretz Yisrael and bring everything full circle - a true "woman of Judea."

Nicknames: Hudi, Udi which my father often called my mother by ❤️

Fun fact: all our kids are yom tov or Fri night / Shabbat babies

Our kids all have some inititial combination for TV and JV. All have unique Hebrew to English counterpart names.

Both our first and last are 40 + 3 days

Our boys weighed in the 8+ pound range. The girls 6+ pound.

Hodaya looks very much like Yaakov - - making it feel both my parents have been honored to have us blessed with 4 children.

>> https://www.rachelraice.com/