On June 24, the Supreme Court delivered its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization; it overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that affirmed abortion as a Constitutional right. In a statement, the Anti-Defamation League expressed concern that the ruling “undermines fundamental human rights.” The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles released a statement that included, “We pledge to continue our 100-year history of providing support and resources to our partnering health and human service agencies, and ensure the well-being of all of us.”
The Journal asked several local Jewish leaders and clergy to share their reactions to this historic ruling:
“When engineers and architects change a system, the goal is to improve and make safer that which they build, to specifications focused on serving the greatest good. Roe v. Wade being overturned is like reinstating a bridge design from the dark ages but telling us it’s still safe to cross and the money was well spent. Government needs to serve the greatest and safest good for all Americans but has chosen instead to impose personal religious beliefs on all. It is shameful. Just as activists once fought for my right to choose, we must fight on for this and future generations and build a better bridge less easy to crumble.”
—Adeena Bleich
Civic and Jewish community solutionist
“I am worried sick about the women who will have to risk their lives either by getting unsafe abortions or from being forced to have a child they cannot financially or emotionally support. I fear for the marginalized children and communities this decision will most impact.
“As the father of a young daughter, it enrages me that these old paternalistic and theological laws are coming around again and as a California legislator this is why I have taken a leadership role in helping to deliver over $200 million for reproductive services and advocacy in California for our residents and those who come here seeking reproductive health support.
“The right to privacy has been embedded in Constitutional precedent for nearly a century. It protects every one of us.
“A woman’s right to choose is as fundamental and as basic to our liberty as the right to read and study and live the life you want.
“We need to get resources to other States who are not going to protect reproductive rights and we need to take this fight to Congress.
“I am going to fight like hell to make sure we find a way to overturn this ruling. If you feel the same, please call my office at (818) 901-5588 and let’s demand from Washington that a Woman has the right to choose!”
— State Senator Robert M. Hertzberg (D -Van Nuys)
“I can only begin to imagine the seas of mental anguish and fear caused by this decision. And I pray that as a Jewish community we do our part to alleviate as much of that pain as possible.“ – Rabbi Nicole Guzik
“I’m heartbroken and hopeful. Heartbroken over the countless number of women whose options have been severely limited and will face unthinkable consequences. Hopeful by the response of so many Jewish clergy who are opening their doors and raising their voices, reaching across state lines to offer their support and resources to those in need. Our tradition has grappled with the topic of abortion for thousands of years, insisting that abortion, while a serious and morally-charged decision, is not equivalent to murder. More modern sources acknowledge and uphold mental anguish as one of the reasons to permit abortion. I can only begin to imagine the seas of mental anguish and fear caused by this decision. And I pray that as a Jewish community we do our part to alleviate as much of that pain as possible. For the women of this country. For our daughters. For our sisters. For future generations unable to offer a voice. May they be proud of the actions we take.”
—Rabbi Nicole Guzik
Sinai Temple
“Can I offer a perspective that’s not connected to any political viewpoint, pro or con, whatsoever? I think that it’s interesting that when Roe v. Wade was made into law it was viewed as the actions of a radical court. And now that it is being overturned it is also being viewed as the actions of a radical court. Gertrude Stein quotes a Greek parable. A boy drags his father through a rocky field until the father shouts, “Stop! I didn’t drag my father past this point!” It seems each generation is outraged by the actions of its offspring, who in turn are outraged by the actions of their offspring.”
—David Sacks
Emmy Award-winning writer, producer and host of the weekly podcast, “Spiritual Tools for an Outrageous World,” available at torahonitunes.com
“It’s interesting that when Roe v. Wade was made into law it was viewed as the actions of a radical court. And now that it is being overturned it is also being viewed as the actions of a radical court.“ – David Sacks
“Sometimes the brokenness of our beautiful country overwhelms. So many feel broken-hearted and terrified about last week’s news from SCOTUS. And what that announcement means for women going forward, particularly poor women.
“As I empathize with that pain and fear, I also linger on the broader terribleness in our midst of a country that barely remains ‘one nation, undivided.’
“This moment is a reminder to us all about the vulnerability of powerlessness, which Jews well is an existential concern. An overwhelming majority of the women I know, love and respect feel more vulnerable and powerless in their lives today than ever before.
“We all ought to meditate on what is at stake when we are subject to the laws and limitations of powerful people who do not share our understanding of liberty and freedom. And that meditation ought to ignite us to exercise our most powerful weapon: our vote.
“There is much to say about this topic from a Jewish perspective. I firmly believe that nearly none of that Jewish material is actually germane to a national conversation on the issue. Just as we rightly bristle when evangelical Christians aim to direct national law and policy based on their interpretation of Scripture, neither should the Supreme Court take into account this or any rabbi’s halakhic discourses.
“Jews may not all agree on when the Jewish permissibility of abortion should be invoked. But an overwhelming majority of non-Haredi Jewish Americans are against the roll-back of an American right that had been, seemingly firmly, in place for nearly half a century. That is no small thing.
“The Torah always speaks to us. In last week’s narrative of the scouts sent to assess the land, we read a story of the future of a nation. And a story of division. We were reminded that members of the same community can peer into a land simultaneously, with some of them seeing monstrosities, and others beauty. We read that our God pushes us past fear and towards hope, even when it seems lost, and towards creating the future, the land and the nation we deserve and need.”
—Rabbi Adam Kligfeld
Senior Rabbi, Temple Beth Am
“At Open Temple, we believe in Artivism – using creativity as a form of Activism. In December, 2021, Open Temple Co-Creator Julie Cantor and I met to discuss our concerns about the imminent demise of Roe v. Wade. Julie, a lawyer and a physician, is also a law professor at UCLA. Our shared sorrow stemmed from a mutual love of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, her legacy and her practice of dissent. Our meeting was inspired by my desire to create a visual and wearable piece of jewelry for women to wear as a visible reminder, a kind of living mezuzah, of our dissent for when Roe finally fell.
“This week, Julie launches the national campaign in RBG’s memory of a cuff she conceived – the Dissent Cuff. A leather embossed ‘shackle,’ the Harlen cuff is a visible reminder of what the fall of Roe v. Wade has on every woman – our bodies are no longer our own; indeed, Liberty for all Americans is also under crucible. 50% of proceeds from the selling of the cuff are dedicated to advancing the next generation of advocacy for women’s rights and reproductive justice. To learn more about the Harlen Dissent Cuff, and read Julie’s poetic brief on the matter, go to https://harlencollection.com.”
—Rabbi Lori Shapiro,
Founder and Artistic Director, The Open Temple in Venice
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.