A growing future for Jewish families

Jewish families and their children made possible by Path to Parenthood support. (Photos courtesy of Path to Parenthood)

This spring, the JUF’s Path to Parenthood program celebrates an important, but sweet, milestone: the arrival of its 50th child. 

The program began as a deeply personal commitment to supporting Jewish family-building. It has grown into a community-driven effort to ensure more families can access the support they need to welcome children into the world. 

For David and Melissa Sarnoff, that commitment was rooted in their own experience. The couple began building their Jewish family in their late 30s. Like many first-time parents in that stage of life, they anticipated that in vitro fertilization (IVF) might be part of their journey. Ultimately, they did not require medical intervention, but the experience left a lasting impression. 

“We were so lucky,” David Sarnoff said. “IVF is incredibly expensive. Melissa and I wanted to support other Jewish families who didn’t have it so easy.” 

That desire helped fuel Path to Parenthood, which partners with the Chicago Coalition for Family Building (CCFB) to administer financial assistance for those pursuing parenthood— whether through fertility treatments, surrogacy, or adoption. The program is designed to remove financial barriers and expand access, serving Jewish individuals and couples of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender identity, or sexual orientation. 

Today, the program’s impact is clear. With a 91% pregnancy rate among grant recipients, Path to Parenthood is not only helping families begin, it’s helping them succeed. CCFB Board President Dr. Eve Feinberg, a reproductive endocrinologist, describes the arrival of the 50th child as a moment of both celebration and urgency. 

“Welcoming Path to Parenthood’s 50th child is a momentous occasion,” Feinberg said. “As the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, addressing the declining Jewish population is incredibly important to me. It feels like Judaism is under threat from all fronts these days—especially since October 7. It is a joy, an honor, and a pleasure to be able to bring more Jewish children into this world.” 

Feinberg emphasizes that the program is uniquely rooted in community support. “I don’t think there’s a single program that comes close to Path to Parenthood. It’s funded by the local Jewish community for the local Jewish community,” she noted. “The continued funding from the Sarnoff family and our other donors has been tremendous. This is very much a passion project.” 

According to Feinberg, one in six individuals and couples trying to grow their families faces infertility challenges. For many, the cost of treatment is a major barrier. Path to Parenthood 

grants—up to $10,000—help bridge the gap between what insurance covers and the true cost of care. 

“There’s a high financial cost to fertility treatments, adoption, and surrogacy,” explained Eve Kleinerman, Assistant Vice President of Community Outreach & Engagement at JUF, and Executive Director of The Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics. “Not everybody has insurance coverage for these services. These grants help make the path forward possible.” 

Applicants are evaluated based on eligibility criteria, medical need, and the strength of their personal narrative. “This is a very personal, often emotional journey,” Feinberg noted. “The stories applicants share—their resilience, their hope—are a powerful part of what drives this program forward.” 

Looking ahead, Path to Parenthood continues to evolve. In addition to its biannual funding cycles, which close in April and November, the program is launching a new year-round funding opportunity for genetic disorder screening. This initiative will support couples who carry genetic conditions and require IVF to ensure their embryos are free from disease.  

For David Sarnoff, the milestone of 50 children is not a finish line—it’s a call to action. “I want this program to outlive me,” he said. “Which means we need more donors, and we need more participants.” 

As Path to Parenthood celebrates this moment, its mission remains clear: to strengthen the Jewish community by helping families grow—one child, and one act of generosity at a time. 

Jenna Cohen is a marketing and communications professional living in Chicago.