OPINION: 'Overturning Roe v. Wade disallows Jewish women from following the practice of our religion. When abortion is permitted and sometimes - mainly when the mother’s life and health are at risk - even required in Judaism, legal restrictions and…
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer. Alma Hernandez is a Democratic member of the Arizona House of Representatives for Legislative District 3. She is a candidate for the state House seat in LD 20:
On June 24, the Supreme Court majority in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruled that the “Constitution does not confer a right to abortion.” In the wake of the shocking ruling, as many as 26 states are considered “certain or likely to ban abortion,” in some cases even for rape victims and the victims of incestuous abuse, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Just 25% of Americans maintain confidence in the Supreme Court, a historic low and down from 36% just last year in 2021.
The religious and cultural Jewish beliefs surrounding abortion have resulted in most Jews supporting abortion access. According to Pew Research, 83% of American Jews support legal abortion in all or most cases, more than any other religious group surveyed. Overturning Roe v. Wade disallows Jewish women from following the practice of our religion. When abortion is permitted and sometimes — mainly when the mother’s life and health are at risk — even required in Judaism, legal restrictions and bans become a First Amendment issue. The Constitution protects religious freedom and the free exercise thereof, and in Judaism, that inherently includes our access to abortion.
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