Bio:
Emily Korotkin was born and raised in Bloomfield Hills, MI. After attending MSU for three and half years she followed her need for hustle and bustle to Chicago where she graduated from Columbia College. As her sisters’ families began to grow, family called her back to her hometown. She began her career as a 5th generation of her family to work in the insurance business as she worked alongside her father. She alongside her business partners have grown the family agency over the last 15 years. While back in Michigan, she met her beautiful wife, Stacy. As they began their lives together, their love only grew further with the births of their beautiful children. Their son Davis is 6 years old, and their daughter Cash is 4 years old.

Why JFF?
When Emily and Stacy began to grow their family, they quickly learned that plans, biology and science don’t always work the way you imagine. They both had wanted to carry a child and, luckily, even though her own eggs were not capable of giving her the ability to carry her own embryo, she had a wife with champion eggs. Emily was able to carry their son Davis, and Stacy carried their daughter Cash. The two share full genetics thanks to the incredible science and fertility technology available today. They felt lucky to make all their family dreams come true. When Emily was presented with the challenge and ability to help bring JFF to Detroit, the challenge was accepted and a passion flame was lit. Emily wished to help give access to those on a family-building journey, who desperately wanted to become parents, and bring awareness, resources and guidance to her Jewish community of Detroit.

Amanda Goldberg is a native Detroiter and excited to join the JFF Advisory Council. After meeting her husband Dan at the University of Michigan, the two spent almost 10 years in New York City where they started their family. Amanda works in Sales Enablement at LinkedIn and is passionate about connecting others with professional skills and experiences that allow them to impact change in their careers. Amanda and Dan have two daughters from their IVF-PGD journey.
Why JFF? Amanda is excited to join the JFF Advisory Council given her experience and multiple rounds of fertility treatment endured while building their family.

Danielle has cultivated a diverse professional background, spanning various industries and
disciplines. From teaching and navigating academic affairs overseas to orchestrating events in both non-profit settings and the hospitality industry, as well as offering guidance and coaching as a school counselor, each experience has contributed to her unique set of skills and insights.

Today, Danielle embraces her roles as an entrepreneur and dedicated licensed clinical
therapist, specializing in maternal well-being. Alongside her husband, she co-owns ART + FRAME, a custom framing and art gallery specializing in preservation and serving both commercial and residential clients.

Within her private practice, Danielle has served as a consultant with local and national healthcare settings, developed educational programs tailored for expectant and new mothers, provided training to current therapists, and has contributed to various initiatives and programs with Postpartum Support International. As a certified specialist, she extends her compassionate care and knowledge to clients and professionals and offers a nurturing space for navigating the complexities of motherhood.

Danielle's areas of expertise span the intricate dynamics of parenting, the transformative journey of pregnancy and postpartum, the nuances of motherhood-related anxiety and burnout, and the
complexities of ADHD management. Anchored by her academic foundation—a BA in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of Michigan, complemented by an MA in Counseling from Oakland University—Danielle exemplifies a steadfast dedication to professional growth and holistic well-being.

Why JFF?

Through her professional life, Danielle has many contacts in the world of infertility and prides herself on the connections she has made between clients, professionals, families, and multiple different avenues of support. On a personal level, Danielle has many close friends and family members who could have benefitted from the services provided by JFF, had it been available in Detroit, and wants to make sure those going through a fertility journey never feel alone.

BIO:
Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny was ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2004. She has been a rabbi at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, MI since ordination. She is also a hospice chaplain at the Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network. Rabbi Jen married Ryan Kaluzny in 2007 and together they welcome their miracle babies Bayla in 2010, and Asher and Sage (z’l) in 2012.

Why JFF:
After finding out that Rabbi Jen and Ryan carried the same mutation of the same gene for the disease Gauche, they decided to use IVF with PGD to avoid passing on the disease to their children. The process was long and arduous, but they would do it all over again to ensure healthy and happy babies. (Their daughter Sage died of unrelated issues). Rabbi Jen wants to help mentor others who are going through IVF so that they feel supported every step of the way. Also, Judaism has so much to offer when it comes to ritual and connection when faced with infertility.

Semonna was born and raised here in Detroit, Michigan. She attended West Bloomfield High School and Michigan State University before pursuing her degree in nursing at Oakland University. Upon completion of her nursing program, Semonna worked at the University of Michigan hospital in Ann Arbor, specializing in labor and delivery, where she developed a passion for supporting new parents and families. Semonna currently resides in Bloomfield Hills with her incredible husband Jared and their wonderful boys Isaac and Benjamin. She is also a dog mom to Millie, a golden retriever.

Why JFF?

While Semonna worked at U of M in labor and delivery, she took special interest in working alongside the Maternal Fetal Medicine team. Here she encountered and was able to support many families who were struggling with infertility and many who had undergone IVF. This population touched Semonna in so many ways, and after witnessing many of her friends and others around her going through infertility and/or IVF, she knew she wanted to help. When JFF approached Semonna about working together to bring JFF to Detroit it was a no brainer. She now hopes to spread awareness about infertility and how JFF is able to help in her community of Detroit!

As Executive Director, at IVF Michigan and Ohio Fertility Centers, Michelle runs the non-clinical side of the medical practice, which includes 9 clinics and 2 surgery centers throughout Michigan and Ohio. Prior to joining IVF Michigan in 1994, she has consulted for many years, worked to defend hospitals and physicians in regulatory compliance matters, medical coding and billing analysis. Additionally, Michelle spent time on the Women’s Philanthropy Board of the Jewish Federation of Detroit as well as a board member of ORT.

Michelle is a lifetime resident of metro Detroit, growing up in Southfield, Michigan and graduating from Michigan State University. Michelle and her husband, an attorney, live in metro Detroit as empty nesters, with their oldest son graduating from the University of Michigan and moving to Denver in 2024 and their youngest son, a senior at the University of Michigan. She spends her free time taking care of their two dogs, playing tennis and canasta and being an active “Swiftie.”

Why JFF?
Becoming a member of the Advisory Council of JFF-Detroit holds special meaning, as Michelle’s niece was conceived via IVF and surrogacy in 2001, well before IVF was common or nearly as successful in the United States. Both personally and professionally, Michelle holds a core belief that having children should be accessible to all couples, and the JFF grants can help that dream become a reality for so many. The support, both financially and emotionally, that JFF provides is so critical. Michelle is grateful that the metro Detroit Jewish community is receiving the gift of JFF, which is a welcome and appreciated resource.

Dr. Suruchi Thakore is a physician specializing in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She is the Medical Director for the West Michigan offices of IVF Michigan and Ohio Fertility Centers. Prior to moving to Michigan, Dr. Thakore was the Division Director of the University of Cincinnati Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Her clinical interests include third party reproduction, fertility preservation for single women and oncology patients, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and reproductive endocrine disorders. Her current research is focused on quality and performance improvement in the clinical setting, optimization of fertility procedures, social egg freezing, and fertility preservation. Dr. Thakore is a member of AMA, ACOG, SREI and ASR.

Dr. Thakore received her medical degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo School of Medicine in 2009. In 2013, she completed her OB/GYN residency at the Women and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY. In June 2016, she completed her Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship at University Hospitals at Case Western Reserve University and moved to UC Health Center for Reproductive Health at the University of Cincinnati. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility.

Joanne Aronovitz lives in Huntington Woods, Michigan with her husband, Danny. They have been married for 37 years. Her three children, Sara, Ben - and his wife Jill - and Anna all reside in Detroit after having lived in Chicago and New York City.

Joanne is a residential and commercial interior designer and has been working in the field for 39 years.

Joanne’s passion has always been to elevate the Jewish community. She serves on three community boards: Hebrew Free Loan Detroit, which provides interest free loans to Jewish people in Michigan; JARC (board member and past vice president), which provides care for developmentally disabled people; and Jewish Senior Life, which provides residential care for the elderly. Previously, Joanne has packed and delivered meals to homebound people through the National Council of Jewish Women’s Kosher Meals on Wheels program.

Why JFF?
By chance, Joanne met JFF’s Founder and CEO Elana Frank at the airport on the way to the International Lion of Judah Conference. Joanne knew the support and resources JFF provides was missing from her community and knew she wanted this important resource in her hometown. Joanne is thrilled this vital service that helps those struggling with infertility is here to help the Detroit Jewish community grow their families.

Rachel Gottlieb Kalmowitz is honored to have served as Cantor at Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, since 2004. She is a proud member of the Jewish Fertility Foundation’s Advisory Council, the Executive Board of the American Conference of Cantors, and the Michigan Board of Cantors (Financial Vice President). A District Winner in The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and Grand Award winner for Best Supporting Female Actor in a Musical (Clara in Passion), her talents encompass many genres. When not busy with liturgical music, Rachel is often sought for recital and concert work of all kinds, including regular performances with Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival. She has recently returned to her roots in community theatre, as Arlene in Baby and Kate Keller in The Miracle Worker with Ridgedale Players in Troy. She has also performed with local jazz great Cliff Monear and his trio, sung at Comerica Park, and spoken at the massive AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington D.C. She is currently recording an album.

Prior to assuming her position at Beth El, she was a resident of New York City, where, as a member of Actor’s Equity and AGMA, she had a rich variety of experiences in opera, theatre, and concert work. She received her cantorial certification from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, a Master of Music in voice performance from University of Michigan, as well as degrees from Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy, and she shares her life with her husband, Carey, and daughter, ilana.

Why JFF?
When Rachel experienced unexpected fertility issues, including three miscarriages, the isolation she experienced was deeply unsettling. It felt as though society had imposed this upon her and every similarly situated woman, because of the secrecy traditionally kept until the second trimester. After ultimately delivering a healthy baby girl, she made it one of her life’s missions to share her story, trying to relieve the suffering of other women for whom every month, every day, every moment, can feel like an eternity. To help normalize the utter physical and emotional exhaustion that so many share, and to help create community for those who feel so alone.