Setting the Sabbath table
Setting the Sabbath tableIsrael news photo: Flash 90

“I didn’t believe that it could be happening to me,” Batel recounted.

“I gave birth to my firstborn son exactly one year earlier, and it didn’t seem logical that I was pregnant again. I grew exceedingly stressed. It was my last chance to apply for work-funded schooling, a course that could potentially upgrade my salary by a significant amount. I was worried that if they knew I was pregnant, they wouldn’t accept my application.

“Since I couldn’t afford a private abortion, I thought about turning to the Committee for the Termination of Pregnancies. From the inquiries I made, I understood that I could get approved for an abortion by the Committee, without any issues or potential problems.

“I spoke with my sister-in-law, who worked in the place I did. She told me that, years ago, she had been in the exact same situation. She was hired six months after giving birth, only to find out two months later that she was again with child. Out of fear of losing her new job, she had desired terminating the pregnancy. A neighbor of hers directed her to the “Efrat” organization and today she has no regrets.

“I listened to her story with mixed emotions. On the one hand, I trusted my sister-in-law wholeheartedly, and I was certain that if she would direct me to 'Efrat,' I would be able to be at peace. On the other hand, I knew that we were two very different people. She was much stronger than I was in the face of stressful situations and crises. I had less courage. I was deeply and truly afraid, mainly, because of my impending study program.  She encouraged me to apply to the program and told me that she would do everything she could to help me get accepted.

“Simultaneously, she turned to the 'Efrat' organization on my behalf, and one of the organization’s representatives contacted me. I wasn’t angry at her. Some part of me wanted it to happen. I was in a situation in which I wanted someone stronger than me to lead to safe ground.

“The conversation with the social worker was pleasant and to the point. I felt as if I was in good hands. My thoughts of turning to the Committee for the Termination of Pregnancy were shelved.

“In retrospect, I know that I made the right choice. My son brings me so much happiness. This is why we get up in the morning and cope with all that life brings before us; for our children. That is what gives us strength. If I would have had an abortion, I would never have forgiven myself, because every thought I had about terminating the pregnancy came from an egocentric place within me. I was only thinking of myself, my job and my studies. It never even occurred to me that it could return to me like a boomerang. I don’t know a single woman who had an abortion and never regretted it, even if she continued to believe that her considerations and constraints were justified.

“My story proves that there is no justification for terminating a pregnancy: not money, not work, not school. If there is someone out there who is willing to support you, like the 'Efrat' organization, there is no reason to end a life. Not my infant son’s life and not my professional life.”