Dear Friends,
This past week, when the draft of the Supreme Court’s position about repealing Roe V. Wade was leaked, it became increasingly clear that the right to have an abortion in the United States – a right that has been in place for the past 49 years - is about to disappear. It will soon be up to each individual state to decide if those who are able to become pregnant will be permitted to make decisions about their own bodies and choices regarding fertility, family planning and medical procedures. In addition, 26 state legislatures (are eagerly poised to enact punitive and draconian measures that will not only eliminate access to abortion services but, in many cases, will also penalize certain forms of birth control and create a system of intimidation and recrimination that will impact every aspect of society.
These new laws will be driven by a narrow interpretation of religion based on fundamentalist Christian principles whose proponents are openly seeking to create a theocratic government that tears down the fundamental values of our nation. In addition, it is very clear that the same forces that are pushing to ban abortion are also looking to use the Supreme Courts probable decision to abandon Roe to do away with other basic rights including Gay marriage, in-vitro fertilization and criminalize many other practices that impede upon individuals’ privacy personal space.
Lest I have been less than clear how I and many others are feeling at this watershed moment in our history: The idea that that Government, Church, synagogue, or mosque should be placed in the position of legislating or interfering in the most intimate aspects of our lives is antithetical to the foundation of the separation of religion and state upon which our nation was founded and for which too many have died.
As I have stated on numerous occasions, there are those who have struggled with the issue of abortion and, after deliberate and careful analysis – after much prayer and reflection – have come to the conclusion that they cannot support an individual’s right to choose. While I, personally, do not agree with their conclusions, I respect their deliberation and I feel that the process of dialogue and discussion is vitally important. We can agree to disagree- honoring the process that has brought us to our own conclusions. But when these disagreements become the basis for regressive legislation that represses, punishes, and demonizes, a dangerous line has been crossed.I am speaking tonight, because I am disgusted by the hypocrisy that we witness on a daily basis that justifies the creation of laws that, on the one hand, prohibit someone from terminating an unwanted pregnancy, and on the other hand, make it difficult for that same person to receive proper healthcare, nutrition or childcare once that unwanted pregnancy comes to term.
I am speaking tonight because we all have listened to the stories of those who, not so long ago, have had to resort to desperate measures to terminate an unwanted pregnancy:
- Women who were victims of rape or incest; who were emotionally, spiritually, physically or financially unable to care for an unwanted or unexpected pregnancy;
- Women who were butchered by incompetent practitioners in unsanitary conditions;
- Women who were subjected to scorn and abuse and worse because they were in crisis and had nowhere else to turn.
- Trans individuals who were beaten, raped and brutally attacked because of the way they express themselves in society and celebrate they way that God created them;
- People from low income or immigrant communities who have no access to reproductive health care;
I am speaking tonight because I am dismayed by the misogyny and gas-lighting that is the bedrock of many laws that attempt to silence women’s voices and marginalize their experience- while saying nothing about the responsibilities of the men who are responsible for every pregnancy.
Throughout history, demagogues have always looked for easy targets and those who threaten their narrative . They spew their fear-mongering at them – creating perceived enemies who represent the evils of society. The movement to abolish abortion and put laws in place that will demonize birth control and women’s rights show us once again how those who are able to become pregnant - especially low-income individuals and people of color - have always been a favored target. We are increasingly seeing how national Far-Right, fundamentalist, PACs, advocacy groups and state legislatures have tried to undo decades of progress in women’s health and bring us back to a much darker time.
Banning abortion and curtailing reproductive rights serves the function of shifting attention from the real issues that plague us by claiming to have a singular understanding of God’s will. Abortionists, the LGBTQ community, immigrants, “wokeness”– these are the ills of society – these are those who God hates. Forget about the poor, the homeless and the hungry. Don’t talk about voting rights, racism, ignorance, abuse, homelessness, climate change, war, pollution (the list goes on and on) – no – those who would outlaw reproductive choice teach us that it is the women and trans people – anyone who has a uterus - who want to make choices about how to take care of their bodies and the courageous Doctors, nurses and counselors who make that possible - upon whom we should focus our attention.
In a recent article, Rabbi Rachel Barenblat writes:
This week’s Torah portion, Kedoshim, tells us: “You shall be holy, for I your God am holy.” The charge is in the plural. This is not about singular individual holiness. These are instructions for communal righteousness. Sometimes Torah speaks in poetry and metaphor, but this week Torah gives us a very concrete clarion call to justice.
How does a community act righteously? Torah is very clear. Feed the hungry, says the Book of Leviticus. Also: Don’t withhold a worker’s wages until morning. Don’t place a
stumbling block before the blind. Judge justly. And do not stand idly by upon the blood of your fellow.
These verses are so important that we hear them twice a year: not only now, in our cycle of regular weekly Torah readings, but also on the afternoon of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. As the holiest and most awe-filled day of our year draws to its close, as we grapple personally and communally with who we are and where we have missed
the mark, these verses ring out.
A righteous society, Torah says, is one that centers the needs of the most vulnerable. And we must not stand idly by when others are harmed.
Last March, here in Colorado, a bill was passed and signed into law called the Reproductive Health Equity Act – that guarantees the right of those who can become pregnant to have access to reproductive health care and abortion services – regardless of what actions the Supreme Court of the United States might take. I was honored to be asked to testify and share Sue’s and my story about how we had to terminate a pregnancy early on in our marriage because the fetus we conceived was Tay- Sachs positive and carried a fatal genetic flaw. With the repeal of Roe V Wade- and the laws on the books in many states, we would not have been able to make that choice – had we lived in a community that passed those measures. We all are fortunate to live in a state where the rights of individuals to make choices about reproductive freedom are secure – at least for now. But if we look at the map of those states are poised to ban abortion, we realize that we are surrounded by communities hostile to reproductive freedom. This means that people seeking abortions will be traveling to Colorado – in many cases at great risk to themselves due to punitive laws that target individuals seeking reproductive health care – as well as targeting those who assist them. Temple Emanuel is currently exploring avenues to partner with other congregations and organizations – from multiple faith traditions – to find ways to support those seeking abortion care and coming to our state. Abortion providers are already overtaxed. The numbers of medical professionals who are trained to perform abortion services are limited. We will need to help people find housing, transportation as well as physical, mental and spiritual assistance. This is a fluid situation, and we are actively pursuing avenues of solidarity and support. For the time being, as I wrote in my letter to the congregation, if you would like to help, donate to the COBALT Abortion fund - 100% of the monies raised go to support abortion seekers and providers.
A word about language. There was a time that those of us who supported the right to terminate a pregnancy shied away from using the word “abortion.” Instead we spoke about the right to choose. To state that one is “pro abortion” seemed to imply that we reluctantly engaged in a battle over freedom while still casting aspersions on the medical procedure itself. I will no longer use this type of language. The fight ahead of us is about reproductive freedom. Period. I do not want to judge anyone’s choices. Abortion Rights are the issue at hand. Any other terminology is obfuscation and misses the point.
My friends, the task that lies ahead of us is clear. We – as people of faith who stand as a beacon of hope and reason in the face of darkness and disinformation – we must never waiver in our work. No one knows the mind of God. No one has a monopoly on faith.
This week’s parasha commands us to be holy. Holiness is not always easy to understand. Sometimes it is messy. Sometimes it means marching in the streets, raising money or holding the hand of a scared young person who feels isolated and persecuted. This is our sacred task. We cannot desist from carrying it out.
We all are committed to working together to bring wholeness and holiness to our world. Let us start right now.
Shabbat Shalom
