Jewish Rally For Abortion Justice
May. 27th, 2022 10:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fauxkloreOn Tuesday May 17th, I went to the Jewish Rally for Abortion Justice. I’d heard about this from one of the Jewish Facebook groups I follow, probably the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance (JOFA), but maybe Svivah, both of which were among the 100+ sponsors of the event. (The National Council of Jewish Women was the chief organizer.) At ay rate, I liked the idea of a pro-choice event under Jewish auspices, so signed up.
The weather was excellent. The rally was held at what is apparently called Union Square, which is next to the Reflecting Pool in front of the Capitol. When I got there, they had several tables where you could get tote bags, t-shirts, signs, and bottled water. Choosing a sign was a bit tricky. I was tempted by “Thou Shalt Not Steal My Rights,” but, in the end, decided to go with “People of All Religions and No Religion Have Abortions.” Here I am ready to rally:
I will admit that I was a bit nervous about the event. The intersection of anti-abortion right wingers and anti-Semitic right-wingers is significant - and both of those groups are prone to violence. Beyond a couple of police cars on Third St SW, I didn’t see any significant security presence. But, so far as I could tell, things stayed peaceful. (I later heard there were 3 or 4 Chasidic men counter protesting near the entrance, but I didn’t hear about anything else.)
There were a large number of speakers. That started with a couple of politicos. Senator Richard Blumenthal (of Connecticut) talked about the Women’s Health Protection Act. Other speakers included a number of Congresscritters - Carolyn Maloney, Andy Levin, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Jan Schakowsky, Judy Chu, and Haley Stevens. There were (of course) a number of rabbis, from all denominations - including Orthodox. Rabba Sara Hurwitz, the founder of Yeshivat Maharat, emphasized compassion and Rabbi Dov Linzer, who I thought was a particularly effective speaker, emphasized that halacha (Jewish law) clearly believes life begins at birth.
Clergy from other religions also spoke, as did several people who told their personal abortion stories. The speaker who got the loudest applause was Heather Booth, who found the Jane Collective back in the pre-Roe days in Chicago, which helped women get safe abortions. The other big deal was that the National Council of Jewish Women announced a fund for abortion access, the first time they are collecting money to directly help women seeking abortion care, including help with medical and travel expenses.
Overall, I was glad I went. I was, however, uncomfortable with a couple of speakers who said they were proud to have had abortions. I recognize this as shorthand for being proud of what they were able to accomplish as a result (which can cover a wide range of medical, social, and economic circumstances) but it still sounds like awkward phrasing.
The weather was excellent. The rally was held at what is apparently called Union Square, which is next to the Reflecting Pool in front of the Capitol. When I got there, they had several tables where you could get tote bags, t-shirts, signs, and bottled water. Choosing a sign was a bit tricky. I was tempted by “Thou Shalt Not Steal My Rights,” but, in the end, decided to go with “People of All Religions and No Religion Have Abortions.” Here I am ready to rally:
I will admit that I was a bit nervous about the event. The intersection of anti-abortion right wingers and anti-Semitic right-wingers is significant - and both of those groups are prone to violence. Beyond a couple of police cars on Third St SW, I didn’t see any significant security presence. But, so far as I could tell, things stayed peaceful. (I later heard there were 3 or 4 Chasidic men counter protesting near the entrance, but I didn’t hear about anything else.)
There were a large number of speakers. That started with a couple of politicos. Senator Richard Blumenthal (of Connecticut) talked about the Women’s Health Protection Act. Other speakers included a number of Congresscritters - Carolyn Maloney, Andy Levin, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Jan Schakowsky, Judy Chu, and Haley Stevens. There were (of course) a number of rabbis, from all denominations - including Orthodox. Rabba Sara Hurwitz, the founder of Yeshivat Maharat, emphasized compassion and Rabbi Dov Linzer, who I thought was a particularly effective speaker, emphasized that halacha (Jewish law) clearly believes life begins at birth.
Clergy from other religions also spoke, as did several people who told their personal abortion stories. The speaker who got the loudest applause was Heather Booth, who found the Jane Collective back in the pre-Roe days in Chicago, which helped women get safe abortions. The other big deal was that the National Council of Jewish Women announced a fund for abortion access, the first time they are collecting money to directly help women seeking abortion care, including help with medical and travel expenses.
Overall, I was glad I went. I was, however, uncomfortable with a couple of speakers who said they were proud to have had abortions. I recognize this as shorthand for being proud of what they were able to accomplish as a result (which can cover a wide range of medical, social, and economic circumstances) but it still sounds like awkward phrasing.
no subject
Date: 2022-05-28 12:13 pm (UTC)But I dunno.
I think it's important to erase stigma, you know?
Great picture of you.
no subject
Date: 2022-05-28 12:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-05-28 12:44 pm (UTC)I'm not sure that it is.
When I wrote about my own abortions in this very journal not too terribly long ago, I felt compelled to note that I'd been scrupulous about using birth control. I think I may have added, And I went on to have great kids!
The ever-sagacious
😀) pointed out to me that I was scrambling to justify myself.
And she was right.
The flip side of self-justification is pride.