A Ritual Guide for Remembering Roe

On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which had guaranteed federal rights to abortion access for half a century. This guide provides Jewish ritual context to remember and honor lives lost due to abortion bans. Included are basic scripts, resources, and suggestions. These rituals can be used together or individually — whatever feels most appropriate to your community and/or setting. Take license and tweak, edit, or adapt any of these rituals to best suit your needs.

While this guide is entitled Remembering Roe in reference to the anniversary of this decision, these rituals may be used at any time you feel called to memorialize lives lost or irrevocably altered due to abortion bans — perhaps on the date of a critical ban or clinic closure in your state — or as you honor a more personal experience.