Joint Statement Condemning Today's Regressive SCOTUS Abortion Decision
San Francisco, CA – The Bay Area Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund are deeply saddened and angered by today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. With Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, abortion rights will now be determined state by state, and more than 20 states are poised to institute bans of varying severity. Pregnant individuals will be forced to continue pregnancies, and those seeking abortion will be faced with new and often insurmountable barriers, such as out-of-state travel, time away from work, childcare, and access to healthcare. Make no mistake: People will inevitably die because of this decision.
Rooted in Jewish values, our Bay Area community has long demonstrated consensus in support of reproductive rights. Judaism not only permits abortion but also commands it to protect the life of the person carrying the pregnancy. Our community is also informed by constitutionally guaranteed religious freedoms such as equal protection under the law, freedom of religious expression, and the separation of church and state—which guide our community’s understanding of family planning and reproductive choice.
We vehemently oppose any court decision or legislative effort that denies or delays an individual’s right to reproductive choice without the imposition of the government or any other party. We also will be working with community partners to ensure our state of California is a safe harbor for reproductive rights and abortion access. Now is the time to act to support people who need abortions and the medical professionals who ensure abortion access.
ACT NOW
Tell your California legislators to vote in support of AB 1666! Help protect people who need an abortion, and their providers. Abortion access is under attack and states are using the threat of potential lawsuits to ensure people will not have access to the support or healthcare they need for a medically safe abortion.
View giving opportunities to safeguard reproductive health of women. The Federation’s donor-advised fund holders can recommend grants to curated organizations which focus on one or more of three general approaches to reproductive rights: advocacy, access to care, and research.
FURTHER RESOURCES
National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) advises that we fund local abortion clinics to keep clinics open, donate to NCJW’s Jewish Fund for Abortion Access, tell your own abortion story, and listen deeply to the stories of people you love. Now is the time for us to show up and fight for our communities.
ACCESS Reproductive Justice advises that if you are seeking support with a reproductive or sexual health care appointment, please leave a voicemail or send a text message to its English Healthline at (800) 376-4636 or its Spanish Healthline at (888) 442-2237, or email practicalsupport@accessrj.org. Include your appointment date(s) and specific support needs in a message or email, as they prioritize individuals by appointment date.
FROM OUR BLOG: Read “Judaism, Civility and Reproductive Choice” by Rabbi Abby Phelps of San Francisco’s Congregation Sherith Israel for background on Jewish support for legal abortion.
