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The Path Forward on Abortion Resource Guide
August 3, 2022
Here are some resources and actions to protect and advance abortion access.
Women's Rights
Description
For decades, the Reform Movement has advocated for women’s full and equal participation in society. As the first Jewish movement in America to ordain female clergy, we know that women’s equality is necessary to create a world where all people are treated with respect and dignity. Despite years of progress toward gender equity, women still face systemic barriers to full equality. On average, American women currently make 82 cents for every dollar earned by men and are routinely and systematically denied agency over their own bodies. One in three American women and one in two Canadian women report physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime, and the #MeToo movement has underscored that the Jewish community is not immune to the pervasive nature of sexual harassment.
Why Jews Should Care
Our advocacy around women’s equality is based in the Jewish value of kavod ha’briyot, respect for human dignity.
The value of kavod ha’briyot is core to our advocacy around gender pay equity. Valuing a person’s work by paying them a fair and equal wage demonstrates a respect for their inherent dignity. In a society that places so much emphasis on the idea that hard work leads to success, paying women less than their male counterparts signals that their work is worth less, and, as a result, that they are worth less. This understanding is accurately conveyed in the Talmud, which states,
“One who withholds the wages of a hired laborer, it is as though they take their soul from them" (Baba Metzia 112a)
The Mishnah teaches us that violence against another human has repercussions far greater than the act itself: one who injures another person is liable on five counts and responsible for paying for five factors: for the injury itself, for pain, for healing, for loss of time, and for embarrassment (Bava Kamma 8:1). This multidimensional understanding of personal injury can be applied to addressing the insidious and pervasive nature of physical and sexual violence, which we know most disproportionately impacts women and girls.
Take Action
Urge Congress to End Pay Discrimination
American women today make, on average, 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. This disparity is even worse for women of color: African American women make 62 cents for every dollar earned by their white, male counterparts, Native women make 57 cents, and Latina women make 54 cents. The Paycheck Fairness Act would deter pay discrimination by closing loopholes in the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and by barring retaliation against workers who disclose their wages.
Related Issues
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Gender-Based Violence
Gender-based violence is violence that is directed at an individual based on their sex or gender identity. Gender-based violence is rooted in unjust power relations, structures, and social and cultural norms, and as a result, worldwide, women are disproportionately harmed by gender-based violence.
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Reproductive Rights and Women's Health
The Reform Movement's positions on reproductive rights are grounded in the core belief that each person should have agency and autonomy over their own bodies. Our advocacy around abortion access is inspired by the Jewish value of kavod ha’briyot, respect for individual dignity.
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Pay Equity
On average, American women currently make 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. This disparity is even worse for women of color: African American women make 62 cents for every dollar earned by their white, male counterparts, Native women make 57 cents, and Latina women make 54 cents.
What's New
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Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence in the Jewish Community
October 28, 2022
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) in the U.S. This year, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) chose the theme of #Every1KnowsSome1 to highlight how common domestic violence is. Each of us may (or likely) knows someone, either in our Jewish community or our secular communities, who has been impacted by or is a survivor of domestic violence.
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In a Time of Chaos and Concern, our Efforts are Not in Vain
August 10, 2022
Last week, President Biden issued his second Executive Order to improve access to abortion services since the Supreme Court's ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. This executive order is meant to support patients traveling out of state to receive abortion care, ensure health care providers comply with federal non-discrimination law, and promote research and data collection on maternal health outcomes.
Related Press Releases
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Reform Movement Leaders Decry Supreme Court’s Apparent Plan to End Abortion Rights
"As Reform Jews, we will not stand idly by as our rights are taken away. We stand firm in our commitment to the fight for a just and compassionate world, where everyone is free to make decisions about their future no matter who they are or where they live."
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Reform Movement Responds to Senate Vote on Women’s Health Protection Act
Although we are disappointed that the cloture vote failed, we will continue to work to enact this vital legislation that would help protect access to abortion by creating federal protections against state restrictions and establishes a right for health care providers to provide, and their patients to receive, abortion services free of restrictions and bans that unnecessarily delay or obstruct access to care.
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Reform Movement Leaders Deplore New Texas Anti-Abortion Law
We denounce, in the strongest terms, the law that went into effect today in Texas, effectively making abortion care illegal in that state.
RAC Email Sign Up
Learn more about the RAC's key issues and get involved by signing up for the legislative updates newsletter.
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Reform Judaism's Resolutions on Women's Rights
Learn more about the position of the Reform Movement on these key issues, and read the formal resolutions by URJ and CCAR.
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Engage Your COngregation
Sexual Assault Awareness Month Toolkit
Every April, we can raise awareness about sexual assault in our communities, educate ourselves on preventing and responding to cases, and advocate for survivors’ rights. Explore this toolkit, which provides programming ideas and advocacy tips and resources.
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Every Voice, Every Vote
The Reform Jewish Movement’s 2022 Every Voice, Every Vote Campaign is a nonpartisan effort, grounded in our Jewish values and commitment to racial justice, to strengthen our democracy by encouraging and protecting voter participation.
Contact our Legislative Assistants
For more information on this issue, please contact Lillie Heyman.
What Our Partners Are Doing
- The RAC is partnering with Women of Reform Judaism on the Reform Movement’s Reproductive Justice Campaign, a platform that provides an organizing structure for congregations, women's groups, and other communities to take collective action for reproductive justice.
- The Reform Pay Equity Initiative is coordinated by Women of Reform Judaism and the Women’s Rabbinic Network, with participation from all arms of the Reform Movement.
- The URJ and WRJ are members of the Interfaith Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, made up of diverse national faith organizations that come together to advocate for national legislation and public policies that protect all people from domestic and sexual violence.