Join the Temple Sinai Reproductive Health & Rights Group as we support reproductive rights and abortion access.

The Reproductive Health & Rights Group (RH&RG) aims to fight for reproductive rights and abortion access through our fundraising, educational programming, and advocacy.

Fundraising

In light of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade, the RH&RG has set up an ongoing fundraising campaign for three organizations which are working to provide legal support, direct support and abortion access for people around the country:

• Baltimore Abortion Fund
• NCJW’s Jewish Fund for Abortion Access
• If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice

For each organization, there is a way to give and identify yourself as a member of Temple Sinai.  We want to act collectively and send a strong message that there are many people of faith who support abortion access. Learn more about the organizations and find links to donate here.

Educational Programming

View the following recordings from our programs:

• The program on Abortion Rights and Access featuring representatives from the three organizations in our fundraising campaign, August 2022
• Repro Shabbat featuring Mini Timmaraju, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America, January 2023 (see bottom photo)
• A discussion on the documentary The Janes featuring Heather Booth, one of the founders of the Janes, January 2023
• A panel discussion on “Reality After Roe: Religious, Medical, Legal and Policy Perspectives” featuring experts from Temple Sinai, May 2023

Advocacy and Volunteering

In addition to our fundraising efforts and our educational programs, we are also researching volunteer opportunities.  The results of our Volunteer Assessment Survey confirmed that our members are very interested in helping the fight to protect reproductive rights, especially if the Temple organizes an activity.  If you are interested in helping one of the many organizations in our area involved in this effort, you can find more information here.  This list will be continuously updated with new opportunities.

We have also put together a list of resources featuring national and local organizations, as well as media resources, so you can stay informed and take action on reproductive rights.

Contact Robin Glantz or Michelle Engelmann to join the group or suggest activities.

From Our Clergy

Rabbi Hannah Goldstein delivered a sermon on Rosh Hashanah (2022), in the aftermath of the Supreme Court decision striking down Roe V. Wade, on making a commitment to create something new, and sacred and beautiful (“Today the work is conceived. Hayom harat olam.”).  You can read this powerful sermon here, urging us to push through this ongoing emergency where we have lost our right to make decisions about our bodies and our health care. 

Rabbi Fred N. Reiner, Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Sinai, wrote a brief article on when life begins in response to the recent Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.  The thoughtful piece is available to read here.

Rabbi Mindy Portnoy, Rabbi Emerita of Temple Sinai, testified on abortion to the U.S Senate Committee of the Judiciary on December 7, 1981.  This testimony was delivered on behalf of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and Union of American Hebrew Congregations. 

Special Opportunity to Join Jews United for Justice

Reproductive Health and Rights is working with Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) to advocate for full funding of the Birth to Three for All DC Act. This legislation provides a framework for increasing the quality and affordability of early education, particularly for vulnerable families, as well as providing equitable wages for early educators, who are overwhelmingly Black and brown women. If you would like to learn more, please contact Michelle Engelmann.