From Rabbi George Gittleman
The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade sent a shock wave of fear, anger and disbelief through our community. To many of us, the court’s ruling imperils our beliefs, supported by Jewish tradition, in the rights of women to access abortion as needed to protect their physical and mental well-being. For me as a rabbi, but also as Sophie’s father and Laura’s spouse, the court’s decision is an attack on the ability of women to control what happens to their own bodies
The congregation is not monolithic; we don’t all think alike and we don’t all agree on this issue. Legal arguments aside, the result of the ruling contradicts the deeply held values of much of if not all of the Jewish world, including the Reform and Conservative movements, as well as many in the Orthodox community.
As the week draws to a close, I hope you will join me this Friday evening – whether in person or virtually - for Shabbat Services. There is comfort in community. I will also be speaking about Judaism and reproductive rights and sharing resources for action.
Rabbi George
Judaism and Reproductive Choice
The Bay Area Jewish community has long demonstrated consensus in support of reproductive rights. Every American movement of Judaism (including the Orthodox Union) is against absolute abortion bans and insists on the importance of women being able to access abortion care for their mental and physical well-being. The Rabbis of the Talmud are clear: abortion is permitted, and in some cases required, for the health and safety of women.
- Read today's joint statement condemning the SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade from the Jewish Federation and the JCRC. Included in this statement are ways you can act right now, as well as further resources.
- Read a well-penned essay by Bay Area Rabbi Abby Phelps explaining the concept of pikuach nefesh and the Jewish texts and Talmudic writings on the permissibility of abortion.
- Read the JCRC Guidelines on Reproductive Rights, approved by the Jewish Community Relations Council of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, Sonoma, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties, on March 23rd, 2013.
- Read the Federation's resource page on reproductive rights giving opportunities - including the National Council for Jewish Women (NCJW) and Planned Parenthood, among several others.
Resources and Actions to Protect and Advance Abortion Access from the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism:
- Find a rapid response rally near you to demand #BansOffOurBodies.
- AbortionFinder: A comprehensive directory of trusted (and verified) abortion service providers in the U.S.
- Donate to Abortion Funds: Funding for patient care. Learn about NNAF's demands for creating a future where all people have access to abortion without shame or stigma.
- Keep Our Clinics: Independent community providers who provide most of the abortion care in the US.
- M+A Hotline: A confidential, private, and secure phone and text hotline for people in need of support for self-managed miscarriage or abortion.
- National Abortion Fund Hotline: The largest national, toll-free, multi-lingual Hotline for abortion referrals and financial assistance in the U.S. and Canada.
- Repro Legal Helpline: A free, confidential source for legal advice and information on self-managed abortion. Visit ReproLegalHelpline.org or call 844-868-2812.
- Abortion On Our Own Terms: A resourced website for people to manage their abortion safely and effectively, on their own terms.
- INeedAnA.com: Find a clinic - to find vetted, up to date, and personalized info on how to get an abortion; no search or user data saved.
- Support/Share Practical Support Organizations (PSO's): PSO's help abortion seekers with travel and logistical support
- Contact your local PP organization to be plugged into local advocacy campaign efforts and community care work.
- Discuss abortion with friends and family, say the word "abortion," and tell your story to destigmatize abortions.
- Get involved in state and federal advocacy for state protections, constitutional amendments, and legislation.
- Have heart-to-heart conversations with people in your life about abortion and the work of abortion funds using these Heart-to-Heart Abortion Conversation tools and talking points.
- Join the Reform Movement's Every Voice, Every Vote campaign to encourage and protect voter participation.
For more information:
- Watch the RAC, WRJ, and CCAR's webinar from May 26, 2022.
- What If Roe Fell: an overview of what could happen to abortion rights in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and the five most populous U.S. territories if the U.S. Supreme Court were to limit or overturn Roe v. Wade
- Track your state's abortion laws
- WRJ's Reproductive Health and Rights Resource Guide
