Jews for Repro New York (a project of National Council of Jewish Women New York) and the Social Justice Committee of Temple Adas Israel present:
Abortion Access in New York and The Changing Reproductive Rights Landscape
A Virtual Panel Discussion featuring:
Serra Sippel
Interim Executive Director, The Brigid Alliance
Lenore Davis
Co-Founder and Board Member, The Brigid Alliance
Dr. Felicia Kornbluh
Professor of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies & Director of Jewish Studies
University of Vermont
We will discuss the history of the movement to legalize abortion, including the many Jewish women behind that fight here in New York and elsewhere, as well as the current landscape and barriers that exist – and what we can do to help – here in New York and throughout the country.
For even more background, we invite you to watch the documentary The Janes at your convenience prior to the panel discussion.
The Janes: In Spring 1972, police raided a Chicago apartment where women who were part of a clandestine network had built an underground service for those seeking safe, affordable, illegal abortions called “Jane.” The film offers first-hand accounts from members of Jane who risked their personal and professional lives to help women in need. Before Roe v. Wade, abortion was a crime in most states, and the Janes provided low-cost and free abortions to an estimated 11,000 women. Click here to stream.
Dr. Felicia Kornbluh is an expert in reproductive rights as well as Director of Jewish Studies at the University of Vermont. She is the author of three books about the history of women and gender in the United States. Her newest book, A Woman’s Life Is a Human Life is the story of the movements that transformed the politics of reproductive rights.
The Brigid Alliance is a New York-based referral service that provides travel, food, lodging, and other logistical support for people seeking abortions from across the country and prioritizes those over 15 weeks pregnant.