The Priya Fund, established in 2015 by Annie and Rabbi David Glickman, was created to ensure no Jewish individual or couple needs to navigate the infertility world alone.
The Priya Fund provides substantial financial, educational and emotional support to individuals and couples within the Kansas City Jewish community to assist with reproductive and adoption difficulties. Priya is one of the only charitable funds in the country to provide this type of assistance to Jewish couples and individuals of every Jewish denomination.
In addition to financial support, the fund offers educational programs and emotional support. Since its inception, the Priya Fund has supported 21 families, bringing 16 babies into the community.
Recently, Taly Friedman was named the new director of Priya, in addition to her current role as director of Volunteer Engagement at JFS.
“I’m honored to get to continue the incredible work that Annie led through her vision of supporting those in our community with infertility,” Friedman said. “I’ve been passionate about Priya since I first learned about it a few years ago when I was the co-chair of BK Give, a women’s giving circle through the Jewish Federation. I was proud to be able to be part of a group of women providing funding to Priya.
“During BK Give, I was blown away by the statistics that one in eight couples struggle with infertility but even more so was touched by the stories of so many who found it an opportunity to share that they too had experienced loss or infertility, but had felt so alone.”
Friedman has experienced her own challenges with growing her family and recently learned that she is a carrier of the BRCA 2 mutation, putting her at higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer and more common than she thought. One in 40 Ashkenazi Jews are carriers. Since learning this, Friedman has become an advocate for her own health and empowering others to get educated through genetic testing.
“I’m so excited to be a part of helping our community grow healthy families and providing support, outreach and education around the prevalence and stigma of infertility and adoption as well as the important role that genetic testing plays,” Friedman said.
Friedman is a non-profit professional who received her degree in community health through the School of Education at the University of Kansas. She is passionate about health, advocacy, education and building our Jewish community. Friedman was recognized as recipient of the “18 under 40 Jewish Leaders” through the Jewish Federation in 2016 and has been in her current role with JFS since 2013.
Infertility can be challenging both financially and emotionally and Priya is here to support those on their infertility journey. The Priya Fund provides compassionate, confidential counseling through the JFS Priya Family Consultant Porsche Elkins. A group of medical professionals and other community members serve on its advisory board.
To learn more about Priya or to receive financial or emotional support, contact or go to www.priyakc.org.