The Orthonomics Podcast

The Orthonomics Podcast

(58) The Gift of Life … with Mindy Schaper

Jun 12, 2026 · 24 min · 9 segments

Mindy Schaper is a unique personality. Not only did she volunteer a kidney to save the life of a young man whom she did not know, but she also volunteered as a surrogate mother, carrying the child of…

Mindy Schaper is a unique personality. Not only did she volunteer a kidney to save the life of a young man whom she did not know, but she also volunteered as a surrogate mother, carrying the child of an Orthodox couple full-term … and she did this twice! So now you understand the title of this podcast. Mindy Schaper grew up Chassidic in Boro Park, Brooklyn and now identifies as Modern Orthodox. She is a writer and marketing project manager, with degrees in psychology, English and Judaic Studies She helped to found and run Project Makom, an organization that supports people transitioning out of or re‑orienting from the Haredi world and often seeking a place in the Modern Orthodox world. Her video about being an Orthodox Jewish surrogate ("Being an Orthodox Jewish (and Married!) Surrogate" explores the intersection of modern family-building and traditional Halacha. It highlights the profound cultural and religious considerations required, including navigating Kosher dietary laws during embryo transfers and receiving specific Rabbinic guidance on fertility treatments. Here is a LINK to the video. In our post-interview segment, we share results from our recent survey on the issue of how and why Modern / Centrist Orthodox and Haredi identify and define themselves. The findings are in our new study "Issues of the Day: Orthodox Jewish Community Views on Key Current Issues," which also covers: Our strengths and top challenges; Top issues that we need to better understand; Dialogue and relationships with non-orthodox Jews and with non-Jews; and an Update on modern / centrist orthodox attitudes toward women in shul leadership. Click HERE to access the full report; and click HERE to access all of the Orthodox community research.

Mindy Schaper is a unique personality. Not only did she volunteer a kidney to save the life of a young man whom she did not know, but she also volunteered as a surrogate mother, carrying the child of…

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Teaser & Show Opening0:00 – 2:06

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:00

I was a gestational surrogate twice.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:02

I gave birth to the first child two years ago.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:05

Yeah.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:05

And the second one I just gave birth to a few months ago.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:08

Yeah.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:09

And actually it was literally the same way that the kidney donation happened.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:12

I saw an ad on Facebook this time where someone needed, was looking for a surrogate.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:17

And yeah, I think it was the first time I had ever heard of it.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:20

So I Googled it and I was like, okay, this sounds interesting.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:23

And I had a very easy time giving birth to my two children who are now teenagers and very easy pregnancies.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:30

So I was like, okay, I can do this.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:32

I read some articles about the halacha and then I kind of pushed it off, just forgot about it.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:37

And then I kept forgetting about it.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:38

And then I saw another ad on Facebook and I was like, you know what? Okay.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:41

I'm not going to let this opportunity pass by.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:44

I'm getting older.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:45

You know, I was in my thirties.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:47

I'm not going to be fertile forever.

Mindy SchaperGuest

0:48

Let me, let me just do this.

NarratorNarrator

1:03

Welcome to the Orthonomics Podcast, where we explore issues of importance to the Orthodox Jewish community through the dual lenses of data and informed conversation.

NarratorNarrator

1:15

And now, here is your host, Mark Trencher.

Mark TrencherHost

1:20

Welcome to episode 58 of the Orthonomics Podcast.

Mark TrencherHost

1:23

This episode is entitled The Gift of Life with Mindy Skaper.

Mark TrencherHost

1:27

Mindy is a unique personality.

Mark TrencherHost

1:29

Unique doesn't just mean different, it means truly one of a kind.

Mark TrencherHost

1:32

Not only did Mindy volunteer a kidney to save the life of a young man whom she did not know, but she also volunteered as a surrogate mother, carrying the child of an Orthodox couple full term, and she did this twice.

Mark TrencherHost

1:43

So now you understand the title of this podcast, The Gift of Life.

Mark TrencherHost

1:47

Mindy has an interesting background.

Mark TrencherHost

1:49

Her background is summarized in the show notes.

Mark TrencherHost

1:52

Also, there's a link in the show notes to a video she created about her experiences in being an Orthodox Jewish surrogate.

Mark TrencherHost

1:57

So thank you, Mindy.

Mark TrencherHost

1:59

I'm looking forward to having a fascinating conversation with you.

Mark TrencherHost

2:04

So, Mindy, thank you so much for joining me.

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