Bring the tough conversations to the table – The Australian Jewish News. 

Detected Manipulations & Suggested Changes

Appeal to authority

Relying on the status or prestige of a person or institution to validate a claim without providing supporting evidence.

Phrases such as: - "Ulman is a senior member of the Sydney Beth Din and one of the foremost rabbinical experts on fertility internationally." - "He developed a world-first protocol authorising the use of IVF within halachic boundaries. The protocol is now used across many countries." These statements lean heavily on Rabbi Ulman’s authority and global status to frame the approach as especially valid or superior, but no evidence, data, or external corroboration is provided (e.g., which countries, which institutions, or comparative context).

3 suggestions

Add specific, verifiable details to support the claims, for example: "Ulman is a senior member of the Sydney Beth Din and has advised fertility clinics in X, Y, and Z countries on halachic issues related to IVF."

Qualify the language to avoid overstating status without evidence, e.g.: "Ulman is regarded by many within certain Orthodox communities as a leading rabbinical expert on fertility."

For the "world-first protocol" claim, either provide a source or soften it: "He developed a protocol authorising the use of IVF within halachic boundaries, which he and his supporters describe as the first of its kind."

Unsubstantiated claims

Presenting statements as facts without providing evidence, data, or references.

Examples include: - "one of the foremost rabbinical experts on fertility internationally" – no criteria or external reference is given. - "He developed a world-first protocol authorising the use of IVF within halachic boundaries. The protocol is now used across many countries." – "world-first" and "many countries" are broad, unquantified claims. - "Over the past 30 years, Rabbi Ulman has seen thousands of Jewish babies born through fertility treatments guided by Jewish law." – "thousands" is a large, specific-sounding number but is not supported by data or a source.

3 suggestions

Provide sources or data where possible, e.g.: "According to the Sydney Beth Din, Ulman has advised on more than X fertility cases over the past 30 years."

Replace absolute or sweeping terms with more cautious phrasing: "He developed a protocol authorising the use of IVF within halachic boundaries, which is now used in several clinics in countries including A, B, and C."

For numerical claims, either cite a source or clearly mark them as estimates: "He estimates that over the past 30 years, he has been involved in cases leading to hundreds, possibly thousands, of births."

Selective use of sources / Unbalanced reporting

Presenting only one perspective or set of sources, which can create an impression of consensus or uncontested validity.

The article exclusively presents the perspective of Rabbi Ulman and the halachic framework: - It describes "Kosher IVF" and the network of mashgichim in detail. - It does not include perspectives from medical professionals, patients, other rabbis with differing views, or Jewish couples who may choose different approaches. - It does not mention any potential criticisms, challenges, or alternative halachic opinions about IVF. This creates an impression that this is the standard or only significant Jewish approach to IVF, even though the article’s topic (“tough conversations”) suggests there may be debate or complexity.

4 suggestions

Include at least one medical expert’s perspective on how religious supervision interacts with clinical practice, potential benefits, and challenges.

Add viewpoints from other rabbis or Jewish denominations (e.g., non-Orthodox, Modern Orthodox, or other halachic authorities) who may interpret IVF-related issues differently.

Incorporate brief comments from couples who have used or chosen not to use such protocols, to show the range of experiences and decisions.

Explicitly acknowledge that this is one approach among several: "While Rabbi Ulman’s protocol is followed in some Orthodox communities, other Jewish authorities and denominations take different approaches to IVF and related halachic questions."

Framing effect / Mild positive bias

Presenting information in a way that subtly emphasizes positive aspects and downplays or omits potential downsides or controversies.

The language is consistently positive and affirming toward the religious framework: - "Enter what’s affectionately been dubbed ‘Kosher IVF.’" - "Over the past 30 years, Rabbi Ulman has seen thousands of Jewish babies born through fertility treatments guided by Jewish law." - The description of the network of mashgichim is neutral-to-positive, with no mention of possible concerns (e.g., privacy, cost, logistical complexity, or differing views within the community). This framing can lead readers to see the system as unambiguously beneficial and widely accepted, without acknowledging that some may find it burdensome, intrusive, or controversial.

3 suggestions

Balance positive framing with neutral or critical perspectives, e.g.: "Supporters say the system provides religious reassurance, while some couples and clinicians note that it can add logistical complexity and emotional pressure."

Avoid affectionate or promotional language such as "affectionately been dubbed" unless clearly attributed to specific groups: "Some in the community refer to this approach as 'Kosher IVF.'"

Add a sentence acknowledging diversity of opinion: "Not all Jewish couples or rabbis agree on the need for such supervision, and practices vary widely across communities."