Here’s My Story: My Gem Collection

Mrs. Miriam Shulamit Brovender

Click here for a PDF version of this edition of Here’s My Story, or visit the My Encounter Blog.

This story is an excerpt from the book My Story vol. 2. Get your copy today at www.jemstore.com.

After I married my husband, Rabbi Chaim Brovender, in 1962, I found that I could not have children. I went to see a fertility expert in Brooklyn, who conducted a series of tests over several months and then sat me down and said, “Your test results are not good. I am quite certain that you will never have children, so I think you should consider adopting.”

I was twenty-two years old at the time, and to me this verdict was unacceptable. “You are not G-d,” I told him. “You are just a doctor. You have no right to pass such a judgment.”

He didn’t respond and I started to cry. I demanded the results of all the tests he had done and I left. I never went back to him again.

A short time later, we made aliyah to Israel — this was in 1965 — and I started treatment at the Tel HaShomer Hospital in Tel Aviv. It took three buses to get there from Jerusalem where we lived, but I felt it was worth it. Following a series of tests, I met with three doctors and asked them straight out, “Tell me honestly: What are my chances of having children?” Two gave me a bleak prognosis, but one — Professor Shlomo Mashiach, who continues to practice in the field — had a completely different attitude. Professor Mashiach said, “You have to pray to G-d so that He can help us help you.”

This time I cried again, but they were tears of joy, as I was so moved by the sensitivity with which Professor Mashiach said these words. He was there to help me — but he also knew that he needed help from Above.

Nonetheless, his treatments initially did not yield results. During this time, we came to visit family in New York and decided to go see the Rebbe for a blessing. For years, I had wanted to go see him and I was excited that I finally had the opportunity.

Our appointment was for two in the morning, and I made sure to submit a letter in advance, stating that I was coming specifically to receive a blessing for children. The very moment I entered the Rebbe’s office, I felt sure that my request would be granted because I felt enveloped in warmth. Suddenly, I was calm and comfortable.

My parents and my husband were present, and the Rebbe first spoke to them. I recall that he tried to encourage my husband to do outreach work. My husband demurred, but the Rebbe pressed him, even saying to my father, “I want you to be my lawyer and convince your son-in-law that he should do this.”

After a few minutes, the Rebbe’s secretary knocked on the door, signaling that our time was up. Before I knew it, we were taking our leave, and I was on the verge of tears. The Rebbe had seemingly forgotten to give me the blessing that I had requested in writing.

But, of course, the Rebbe did not forget. He looked at me and said, “May we hear good news this coming year.”

Those few words jumped out at me, and I left exhilarated. He said it with such compassion and sincerity that it was all I needed.

All throughout our trip back to Israel, I kept hearing his words in my mind, and upon return, I resumed the fertility treatments, certain that this time they would work. And they did.

Only three months after I received the blessing from the Rebbe, I found myself pregnant for thefirst time — after eight years of marriage! Of course, I informed the Rebbe and received a blessing for an easy birth, which helped me remain calm when I went into the delivery room.

I gave birth to Na’ama Chana, my oldest, and then I asked the Rebbe for more blessings, and he blessed me again and again. I gave birth to Eliezer Menashe, Efrat Freidel, Shira Beila, Batsheva, and Bruria Liba, my youngest.

They are my gems — gems that were given to me by G-d through the Rebbe’s blessings.
But my story continues.

We have since been blessed with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And all of them are here because of the blessings I received from the Rebbe so many years ago. Each birth is another gift. Each birth is another miracle.

Mrs. Miriam Shulamit Brovender is a former teacher who for the past thirty years has worked as a marital counselor. She was interviewed in her home in August of 2020.