JFF’s CEO is Invited to White House Women’s Forum

Elana Frank, founder and CEO of the Jewish Fertility Foundation, was selected as one of 70 Jewish women from across the United States to participate in the inaugural Jewish Women’s Forum at the White House this month. The summit was held to commemorate Women’s History Month and bring together activists, influencers, rabbis, and others to discuss antisemitism, women’s issues and subjects related to the Jewish community.

According to Shelley Greenspan, White House policy advisor for partnerships and global engagement, “We selected Jewish female leaders who are working to improve the lives of people in their communities.”

Attendees heard from Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, and attended briefings with several senior White House officials, including Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism; Anne Neuberger, deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology; Latifa Lyles, special assistant to the president for gender policy; and Rosie Hidalgo, senior advisor on gender-based violence and special assistant to the president. Guests also attended a special reception on Capitol Hill at the Rayburn House Office Building with Jewish women members of Congress. Those attending included Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Kathy Manning (D-NC), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Sara Jacobs (D-CA), as well as Ambassador Lipstadt.

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“A highlight for me was meeting Rep. Sara Jacobs and learning of her own fertility journey. I was also very impressed with Anne Neuberger, who is an observant Jewish mom, originally from Borough Park. I was happy to share more about the Jewish Fertility Foundation with them and discuss reproductive rights, access, and justice,” said Frank. “It was a gift to be at the White House among these change-making women and to have the opportunity to discuss reproductive rights with many of our country’s leaders,” she added.

The participants at the Jewish Women’s Forum gather before briefing.

JFF, founded in 2015, provides financial assistance, educational awareness, and emotional support to people facing medical fertility challenges. Based in Atlanta, the organization also has offices in Washington, D.C., Denver, Pittsburgh, Birmingham, Cincinnati, and Tampa Bay. To date, JFF has distributed 161 grants and $1,351,000 in total grants, loans, and clinic discounts.

Frank, who has three sons, mentioned that she is fortunate to have a supportive husband, which makes a big difference as she frequently travels to the six other JFF offices. The Denver and Washington, D.C. organizations are the most recent additions, and Frank was able to spend time at the D.C. office following the Jewish Women’s Forum to meet with the JFF Advisory Council, clients, and funding partners.

Ever the involved, doting mother, Frank pointed out that the big win for her three boys was when she returned home with White House-stamped Hershey’s Kisses in hand.