Surviving Love: A Unique Journey of Parenthood
On June 11, Hadas Levi made history as the first woman to give birth using the sperm of her fiancé, Netanel Silberg, who had tragically died during the ongoing conflict in Gaza following the October 7 massacre which claimed about 1,200 lives.
Netanel was a captain in the Israeli Defense Forces and lost his life in battle back in December 2023. Hadas fondly recalls their first encounter on a blind date arranged by a friend in May 2022, describing him as handsome, tall, and with striking green eyes.
After the October attacks, despite being exempt from service in Gaza due to his age and rank, Netanel felt compelled to serve. Hadas recalls trying to dissuade him from going, but he was determined. He left to retrieve military gear from his family and ended up on the battlefield instead.
A month later, he proposed, but they opted not to celebrate the engagement with any events, as it felt too uncertain with war looming over them. Tragically, on December 18, he was killed.
That fateful day, she was at work, grappling with a sense of foreboding that led her to leave early. Hadas learned of his death through a call from Netanel’s mother, which prompted her to make an urgent request. She asked for the procedure to collect his sperm, a decision that would allow her to carry on his legacy.
Dr. Elan Altman, a specialist at the Rabin Medical Center, noted that collecting sperm from deceased soldiers has, regrettably, become commonplace since October 7. The process, which is similar to that used for living infertile men, is more efficient now, with bodies being quickly transported to prevent delays in treatment.
Since the law was amended, it is possible to collect sperm without a court order, though using it still requires one. Hadas’s story intersects with the experiences of several other IDF widows, seeking to create families with sperm from their late husbands, facilitated by the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization.
During the Jewish mourning period known as Shiva, Hadas communicated with Netanel’s mother about starting her journey toward motherhood with the collected samples. She continuously expressed how vital it was for her to hold onto any piece of him.
Fast forward to June, and Hadas gave birth via C-section at Hadassa University Hospital. Reflecting on her journey, she emphasized that her son’s identity isn’t just tethered to being Netanel’s child. “I love him for who he is, not just as a legacy,” she stated.
It’s been three months since the birth, and she notices traits in her son reminiscent of his father. Hadas humorously remarked that Netanel would have found it amusing that their child inherited some of his less favored features.
As she navigates the recent reality of solo motherhood, Hadas has become a source of inspiration for other women in similar circumstances, offering support and guidance to those looking to build families after loss. “The child is for themselves, not merely for the fallen father,” she asserts, a poignant reminder of the individuality of each new life.
