Emerging Clergy for Repro Pledge

Clergy ActionsPledgesRabbis for ReproOngoing Actions

Feb 1

Why take the pledge?

Reproductive health care is under a sustained and coordinated attack. People across the country are routinely denied basic health services and those seeking to curtail access to care have taken their crusade farther than ever. Now, more than ever, we need Jewish leaders to fight against attacks on bodily autonomy and to represent people of faith who support reproductive freedom because of their religion — not in spite of it.

Join us in educating our communities about Jewish values and reproductive rights; in changing the conversation about religion and reproductive health, rights, and justice; and in welcoming those who have had, are considering, or may ever consider having an abortion.

Will you take the pledge to speak about reproductive freedom in your rabbinic, cantorial, or other capacity as emerging clergy this year?

I pledge to use my voice as an emerging rabbi, cantor, maharat, or other Jewish clergy in training to teach, write, and speak out about reproductive rights and Judaism in the United States and in the Jewish community.

In Judaism, the life and well-being of the pregnant person is paramount. Jewish law not only permits the termination of pregnancies but requires it when the life of the pregnant person is at risk. Proposals to limit or block access to reproductive health care in most states reflect a specific Christian definition of the beginning of life and limit the termination of pregnancy even in instances where Jewish law demands it. Our access to reproductive health care is guaranteed not only by the Fourteenth Amendment — the right to equality and privacy — but also by the First Amendment's guarantee that no one religion or religious interpretation will be enshrined in law or regulation.

We must not remain idle while barriers to health care place any individual’s health, well-being, autonomy, or economic security at risk. We must speak out, particularly for those facing racism, classism, and ableism when exercising their human rights. Safety, justice, freedoms, and lives are at stake.

I will help lead the fight for reproductive health, rights, and justice by educating my community, and I pledge to speak and/or teach about reproductive rights in my capacity as emerging Jewish clergy this year.