For example,
Do Abortion Bans Violate Jews’ Religious Rights?
Lisa Fishbayn Joffe - June 16, 2022 (1200 words of lucid persuasion)
Lisa Fishbayn Joffe is the director of the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute and director of the Project on Gender, Culture, Religion and the Law which explores the tension between women’s equality claims and religious laws. Her research focuses on gender and multiculturalism in family law and on the intersection between secular and religious law. She is a co-founder of the Boston Agunah Task Force, devoted to research, education and advocacy for women under Jewish family law.
“… there is widespread agreement among scholars and rabbinical authorities that a complete prohibition on abortion is inconsistent with Jewish law and tradition. Under Jewish law, an abortion to save the life of the mother is permitted.
“For this reason, Lisa Fishbayn Joffe, the Shulamit Reinharz Director of the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, argues that extreme anti-abortion laws risk infringing on Jews’ religious freedoms. Earlier this week, a Florida synagogue made this argument in a suit filed in a state court against Florida’s law banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. …”
“Are Jews across denominations arguing that anti-abortion laws infringe on their religious freedoms?
“Yes. It’s an argument being put forth by advocates like the National Council of Jewish Women. It holds that since Jewish law supports reproductive rights, abortion restrictions violate Jewish people’s right to make choices about their lives in accordance with Jewish law. This position has many strengths. …”