Health – Reproductive Rights 2020

Support of a Women’s Right to Choose.

Biblical and rabbinic sources provide the background for the Conservative Jewish response to a women’s right to bodily autonomy and to the relative rights of a women versus a fetus. (This resolution is based upon the 2012 Rabbinical Assembly resolution on this subject.) It is also amended from previous Women’s League resolutions on abortion rights (1976) and (1982.)

Whereas reverence for life is the cornerstone of our Jewish heritage;

And whereas abortion in Jewish law is primarily for the mother’s physical or mental welfare;

And whereas abortion should be legally available;

And whereas Women’s League for Conservative Judaism believes that the transmission of religious values is the responsibility of the religious sector;

And whereas Women’s League for Conservative Judaism believes that freedom of choice is inherent in the civil rights of women;

Therefore be it resolved that Women’s League for Conservative Judaism urges its sisterhoods and members to support a women’s right to make her own decisions regarding reproductive issues and to oppose any legislative and judicial attempts to limit options permitting abortions.