Israeli Mother Writes Memoir on Coping with Infant Loss After Losing Two Sons

Gal Zeichner-Ada, a 44-year-old graphic designer and mother from Jaffa, has transformed her decade-long grief over losing her infant son into a memoir titled "Lo Noach" ("Not Noach"), published recently through self-publishing. The book blends dark humor with raw honesty, aiming to ease the heavy subject of infant loss and open dialogue on a topic often avoided. Zeichner-Ada lost her son Noach at 11 months old in 2017, exactly as her brother Ra'i had died at the same age years earlier under undisclosed circumstances.

Zeichner-Ada grew up in Nahariya, experiencing early family trauma including her parents' divorce and her brother's death. After a challenging academic path marked by late ADHD diagnosis and struggles in university, she found stability in a relationship with Michael, whom she met online. Encouraged by him, she pursued graphic design and started a feminist T-shirt brand. After their first son David was born, they continued fertility treatments, resulting in Noach's birth.

The tragic day Noach died, Zeichner-Ada was at a promotional event when she received a call from the daycare that her son was unresponsive. Despite emergency efforts, Noach was pronounced dead at Ichilov Hospital. The family chose to tell their older son David the truth plainly. The shared experience of infant loss in the family helped Zeichner-Ada process the grief, though the pain remains profound.

Her memoir arose from a desire to provide insight and comfort to others facing similar losses and to break the silence around infant death. Writing the book was therapeutic, helping her organize her thoughts and emotions. Zeichner-Ada now plans to study social work to support other women who have experienced infant loss, inspired by the connections she has made through sharing her story.

When asked how she survives such tragedy, Zeichner-Ada simply says, "You just survive," emphasizing the importance of caring for those left behind and allowing space for individual grief. Her story highlights the resilience required to continue living after profound loss and the need for societal support for bereaved families.