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June 9, 2023 – NCJW NY Launches Jews for Repro NY

Today, the National Council of Jewish Women New York Section (NCJW-NY) announced their grassroots “Jews for Repro NY” campaign. Jews for Repro NY seeks to reshape the narrative around religious perspectives on abortion rights and inspire action to protect and expand reproductive rights in New York State.

Culminating on the 1-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Center decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 18-day campaign will include social action, educational forums, and community outreach activities. These efforts aim to increase public awareness of the importance of reproductive rights and inspire New Yorkers to support policy change at the state level.

“Jews for Repro NY will continue the fight to uphold abortion access as a Jewish value,” said Aviva Zadoff, NCJW-NY’s Director of Advocacy and Volunteer Engagement. “We believe that forced pregnancy explicitly violates our rights as Jews, and we are committed to ensuring everyone can make faith-informed decisions about their bodies, lives, and futures.”

“People invite their rabbis, cantors and other religious leaders into their lives for counsel, prayer and support when in medical situations and making personal decisions. The clergy experience in these pastoral settings demonstrates the importance of establishing laws and policies that safeguard access to health care, including abortion. New York State has a long history of providing the range of reproductive care services to people of all backgrounds. We, along with religious leaders from a spectrum of faiths, will build on that history and work to protect access to that vital care,” said Rabbi Dennis Ross, Director, Concerned Clergy for Choice at Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts.

Jewish law and tradition clearly establish women’s right to abortion and other reproductive care. Jewish teachings emphasize the value of life but also respect the autonomy and moral decision-making capacity of individuals. For this reason, Jews for Repro NY represents the belief that access to safe, legal abortion services is a matter of public health and individual rights and reflects deeply held Jewish values.

The campaign calls on all community members, Jewish and otherwise, to join in their effort to protect and expand reproductive rights in New York State. Jews for Repro NY seeks to enact bold legislative change in New York State, including:

  • NYS Shield Law (A1709/S1066B): The Shield Law, which protects healthcare providers in New York who are offering telehealth abortion care to patients in states with restrictive laws, is crucial in ensuring every individual has access to safe, legal abortion services.
  • Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Program (S348B): The proposed Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Program is crucial in improving abortion care infrastructure.
  • NYS Equal Rights Amendment in the NYS Constitution in 2024 (S108A/A1283): The proposed NYS Equal Rights Amendment is a vital step in ensuring all residents of New York State are protected against discrimination based on sex. This amendment would affirm that reproductive rights are civil rights, safeguarding them under the Constitution.

For more information about NCJW and Jews for Repro Visit: https://www.ncjwny.org/jews-for-repro-ny/