Licensed clinical social workers Fraida Nathan and Fran Gustein, both Chicago natives, play a key role providing compassionate support to Jewish pregnant women in crisis across the United States. They work as counselors for In Shifra’s Arms (ISA), a national nonprofit that helps Jewish women cope with unplanned pregnancies.
ISA offers four supportive services: free counseling, material aid, financial aid and community connections. The foundational resource is ISA’s Jewish Pregnancy Helpline, the number people call to connect with an ISA counselor. Fraida and Fran provide counseling via phone or video chat. Both women also have private psychotherapy practices.
After two national searches for counselors, ISA Executive Director Erica Pelman hired Fraida in 2013 and Fran in 2017 because of their clinical skill, compassionate natures and ability to connect with Jewish women from any background. Both had spent time working at Shalva in Chicago. It seems beshert that both women live in Chicago, because having them in the same city has benefits. They can easily meet for training and collaboration. Women in Chicago also benefit, because they can see their counselor in person if they want.
Fraida, who has worked for ISA for 6 years, is an Illinois certified domestic violence professional (ICDVP) and a certified alcohol and chemical dependency counselor (CADC). Her experience serves ISA’s clients well. There is no “typical” client. Some are observant, others are not. Some are married and have children, but they are overwhelmed at the thought of an additional child. Others are single and struggling with the ramifications of a pregnancy outside of marriage. Some clients are trying leave abusive relationships. ISA helps each woman navigate her unique circumstances.
“I decided to work for In Shifra’s Arms because I am interested in and devoted to women’s struggles and challenges, as well as the Jewish people,” Fraida said. “Women with unplanned pregnancies have been struggling throughout the ages. I feel so privileged to be part of this amazing organization.”
ISA focuses on helping women continue their pregnancies, but also provides caring follow-up in cases of miscarriage or abortion. There are many existing resources related to adoption and abortion, but no other American Jewish organization offers pregnant women the support they need to overcome the challenges of an unplanned pregnancy crisis.
“I typically have a hard time talking to people about myself… but I felt at ease with Fran,” a recent client living in Chicago said. “I was able to speak to her about really painful topics that I kept bottled up. From the first chat I had with Fran, I felt like I finally found a haven.”
“It wasn’t so much that I felt validated—she prompted me to validate myself. ISA was not a cute Band-Aid for me to look at and feel better. I learned life-long skills for overcoming uncertainties and embracing growth,” the client said. (Quote included with client’s permission.)
Women often call ISA when they are not prepared financially to have a baby. ISA offers material aid, including care packages, maternity clothing, baby clothing and baby equipment. Eligible clients can also apply financial aid grants to meet urgent needs. Typical examples include money toward postpartum support for those who do not have extended family help, gift cards for a year’s worth of diapers or emergency rent money if finances are tight.
ISA partners with local agencies to provide supplemental services. When a client needs help beyond what ISA provides, such as in a domestic abuse situation, ISA connects the client to an agency in her community. To expand these community connections and emphasize an exclusive focus on the social service—not medical—aspects of pregnancy support, ISA recently joined the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies.
Erica founded ISA 10 years ago to give Jewish pregnant women the resources and support to cope with unplanned pregnancy crises. The organization has grown significantly over the last few years. Since 2016, ISA has helped nearly Jewish 100 women and babies in twelve different states.
“I am so grateful for my team in Chicago, and for the generous support of the Walder Foundation,” Erica said. “We are truly impacting the lives and futures of pregnant Jewish mothers and their babies all over the country.”
To learn more about In Shifra’s Arms or to support the organization, visit: https://jewishpregnancyhelp.org. If you or someone you know need unplanned pregnancy support, please call our Jewish Pregnancy Helpline: 1-888-360-5872 or text ISA directly at 646-632-8547.
