NCJW/Essex and NCJW's Abortion Access Week of Action
The blasts of the shofar have been used to call the Jewish people to action – whether in the spiritual or political realm.
On Monday, Sept. 12, those sounds signaled the start of NCJW’s Abortion Access Week of Action, bringing the Jewish community and our tradition’s wisdom and moral leadership, our thirst for justice and communal power to the fight for access to abortion for everyone. Our own Jennie Rothman, Caitlin Higgins Joy, Laurie Kahn and Stephanie Abrahams marked the day with a “sho-test” (Shofar + Protest) to kick off NCJW/Essex’s outreach.
Legislative issues dominated the middle of the week, with a call to action to reach out to legislators in New Jersey to pass the Reproductive Equity Act (S2918/A4350). New Jersey needs legislation that removes remaining cost barriers to abortion, especially for our most vulnerable communities. Visit our Reproductive Rights page to find your legislators and suggestions as to what to say when you call.
Next, as reproductive health clinics are disappearing across the country, Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs), which spread misinformation about pregnancy and abortion, are thriving. The federal Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation (SAD) Act would create a critical tool for ensuring patients’ rights to legitimate information by authorizing the Federal Trade Commission to regulate CPCs’ misleading advertising.
Thank you to our NJ representatives Mikie Sherrill, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Tom Malinowski and Josh Gottheimer who have signed on as co-sponsors in the House. And thank you to Senator Menendez for introducing the bill and Senator Booker for co-sponsoring in the Senate! There is still time to urge the House and the Senate to pass the SAD Act immediately!
We can’t forget those on the front lines of this fight – abortion providers. NCJW/Essex has sent more than 600 postcards to providers across our state thanking them for their work and pledging our ongoing support.
Now, as the NCJW Abortion Access Week of Action ends, there’s so much more we can do NCJW/Essex is creating Abortion After Care Kits for people seeking abortion care in New Jersey. Shop our Amazon Wishlist. And, consider donating to the NJ Abortion Access Fund to help those who are not able to break through financial barriers to abortion care in NJ or the Jewish Fund for Abortion Access that serves and supports abortion providers.