National Council of Jewish Women on Supreme Court Decision to Hear Texas Abortion Ban Case
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2021
Media Contact:
Alyson Malinger, West End Strategy Team
amalinger@westendstrategy.com; 917-935-7311
National Council of Jewish Women on Supreme Court Decision to Hear Texas Abortion Ban Case
WASHINGTON — Today, the Supreme Court decided to hear two challenges to Texas’ extreme abortion ban on November 1, and that for the foreseeable future, the ban will remain in place. National Council of Jewish Women CEO Sheila Katz issued the following statement in response:
“This case will have repercussions for abortion justice across the United States. We know that SB 8 is an unconstitutional restriction on abortion access and religious freedom and National Council of Jewish Women will do everying in our power to fight back against this cruel law. We are extremely disappointed that the Court will allow the law to remain in effect while the case is heard, a decision Justice Sotomayor called ‘devastating’ for people seeking abortion care in Texas.
“The people most harmed by abortion bans like the one in Texas include: Black, Indigenous and People of Color; women; members of the LGBTQI+ community; immigrants; and those working to make ends meet who already face obstacles to health care. Equal access to abortion care — everywhere — is essential for social and economic equality, reproductive autonomy, and the right to determine our own lives with the dignity we deserve.
“NCJW works for access to abortion because of our Jewish tradition, not in spite of it. Jewish law views abortion as essential health care, not only permitted but in some cases commanded when a life is at risk. The Texas law prevents Jews and other people of faith from practicing their religion by preventing them from making reproductive decisions in line with their tradition and putting rabbis and clergy at risk for recommending an abortion according to Jewish teaching. We reject efforts to impose a single religious viewpoint on every American, regardless of their beliefs. These efforts to manipulate and weaponize our nation’s founding principle of religious liberty only serve to harm those most at risk.
“As states continue to pass laws restricting abortion, we urge the Senate to join the House of Representatives in passing the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA). WHPA would ensure people in all corners of the United States have access to essential health care regardless of decisions from the Supreme Court. We will continue to advocate until every person has the freedom to make their own moral and faith-informed decisions about their body, health, and future. ”
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National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of 200,000 volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. Through a program of education, community service, and advocacy, our advocates across the country create lasting social change on our key issues of the federal courts; reproductive health, rights, and justice, and voter engagement. More information on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW.