Our
Story
At the heart of our birthing center lies a story of survival, faith, and the enduring power of life.
It is a story that begins generations ago, with Chana S Zagdanski — the beloved grandmother of our founder and director, Yetty Engel.
Chana Sura Zagdanski, née Zucker was not just a woman. She was a legacy and an inspiration for generations to come.
Born in Poland in 1905, Chana Sura entered the world at a time of turmoil and uncertainty. But she grew up in the loving embrace of her parents and siblings, surrounded by warmth and joy.
Her life took a new turn when she married Ezriel in 1923, and they had their first born daughter in her parent's home in 1925. Chana's mother, Ruchel, took great care of Chana and baby Chava. In 1928, they moved to Paris to seek a better future. There, she gave birth to her second child, Josef, in a hospital, where she witnessed a shocking scene of a woman bottle feeding her wine to her baby.
With Ezriel, she opened a kosher grocery store and worked hard to provide for their growing family. She never stopped thanking G-d for the children who were a pleasure to birth and a pleasure to raise. And when her own grandchildren were born, she became their guide and inspiration, passing down her stories and her wisdom.
To Chana Sura, birth was not a painful or scary experience, but a natural and beautiful one. She believed that every child was a blessing from G-d, and that every mother was capable of giving birth with courage and strength.
Yetty is Chana's granddaughter. When Yetty was newly married and expecting her first child, she constantly reassured her that birth happens "comme une lettre à la poste" meaning (in French) it just works perfectly. When Yetty did give birth, and got to the point when she did feel pain, the baby was born, and all the unpleasant sensations evaporated into thin air at the sight of the perfect newborn baby in her hands.
Chana's legacy lives on in the lives of her descendants and the women she inspired, like her granddaughter, Yetty, who became a midwife to support women in their most vulnerable moments.
Chana Sura Zagdanski, nee Zucker was a woman of resilience, faith, and love.
And her memory will continue to inspire and bless those who come after her.
תהי זכרה ברוך!!
May her memory be blessed!!
"When you bring life into the world - even in the darkest place - you kindle a light that can never be extinguished."
Mémé (Hannah Sarah)
After the war, Mémé, as she was affectionately known, carried with her the stories of the lives she helped usher into a wounded world. She emigrated, rebuilt her life from ashes, and passed down her wisdom and spirit to her children and grandchildren – always teaching that to bring life into the world is the highest act of faith, love, and hope.
Her granddaughter Yetty, grew up in awe of these stories – the whispered memories of courage, sacrifice, and tenderness. From an early age, Yetty knew she was called to continue this sacred mission.
But she also knew that today's women deserved more than survival – they deserved birth experiences rooted in dignity, empowerment, and deep, personal care.
Thus, the dream of our birthing center was born.
A place that would honor the strength and spirit of women like Mémé – who, in the darkest times, chose life.
Today, our birthing center stands as a living tribute to that legacy.
Here, every birth is embraced as a sacred event. Every woman is honored not just as a patient, but as a bearer of life and light.
Here, we carry forward the unbreakable chain of faith, resilience, and love – one birth, one story, and one beautiful new life at a time.
