Israeli Surrogacy and Organ Donation Unite Diverse Families in Chain of Kindness
Ruth Dorothy Lavi-Aminoff was born naturally on July 17, weighing 3.4 kg, through the surrogacy of Bat Chen Grievsky, a religious Israeli mother of three who chose to help a gay couple become parents. Her husband, Ohad, acted as her doula during the birth. The baby’s two names symbolize family by choice and self-sacrifice, reflecting the values of all involved. The story grew when Itay Aminoff, one of Ruth’s biological fathers, donated a kidney to Spa Abilini, a Christian Arab woman from Maalot-Tarshiha, four days after her transplant, despite not knowing each other beforehand. Spa calls Itay her "angel" for saving her life.
The three couples, Itay and David Lavi-Aminoff, Bat Chen and Ohad Grievsky, and Spa and her husband Simon Abilini, now form one extended family united by acts of giving that cross religious, ethnic, and social boundaries. David and Itay, a gay couple from Jerusalem, shared their personal journey to raise awareness about surrogacy in Israel, where demand for Israeli surrogates exceeds supply despite legal allowances for same-sex couples. Bat Chen’s decision to become a surrogate was inspired by her friend Itay’s story and her own desire to help others, even as a religious woman balancing family life and military service.
Spa’s kidney transplant story highlights challenges faced by Arab Israelis in organ donation awareness and access. After years of dialysis and waiting, she received a kidney from Itay, who decided to donate after feeling fulfilled by helping others. Both families emphasize the importance of kindness and human connection beyond societal divisions. The couples maintain close relationships, ensuring Ruth grows up understanding the sacrifices made for her and the power of compassion.
This narrative illustrates a rare and powerful chain of goodwill bridging gaps between religious and secular, Jewish and Arab, and LGBTQ+ communities in Israel. It challenges stereotypes and offers hope for coexistence through personal sacrifice and mutual support. The families plan to continue expanding their circle of giving and sharing their story to inspire others.
