6 | JULY 7 • 2022 

1942 - 2022

Covering and Connecting 
Jewish Detroit Every Week

To make a donation to the 
DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 
FOUNDATION
go to the website
www.djnfoundation.org

The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) 

is published every Thursday at 

32255 Northwestern Highway, #205, 

Farmington Hills, Michigan. Periodical 

postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and 

additional mailing offices. 

Postmaster: send changes to: 

Detroit Jewish News, 

32255 Northwestern Highway, #205, 

Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334

MISSION STATEMENT The Detroit Jewish News will be of service to the Jewish community. The Detroit Jewish 
News will inform and educate the Jewish and general community to preserve, protect and sustain the Jewish 
people of greater Detroit and beyond, and the State of Israel.

VISION STATEMENT The Detroit Jewish News will operate to appeal to the broadest segments of the greater 
Detroit Jewish community, reflecting the diverse views and interests of the Jewish community while advancing the 
morale and spirit of the community and advocating Jewish unity, identity and continuity.

DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205,
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
248-354-6060
thejewishnews.com

 
 
Publisher
The Detroit Jewish 
News Foundation

| Board of Directors:
 Chair: Gary Torgow
 Vice President: David Kramer 
 Secretary: Robin Axelrod
 Treasurer: Max Berlin
 Board members: Larry Jackier, 
 Jeffrey Schlussel, Mark Zausmer
 
 
 Senior Advisor to the Board: 
 Mark Davidoff
 Alene and Graham Landau Archivist Chair: 
 Mike Smith
 Founding President & Publisher Emeritus: 
 Arthur Horwitz
 Founding Publisher 
 Philip Slomovitz, of blessed memory

 
 
 

| Editorial 
 DIrector of Editorial: 
 Jackie Headapohl
jheadapohl@thejewishnews.com

 Associate Editor:
 Rachel Sweet
 rsweet@thejewishnews.com
Associate Editor: 
David Sachs
dsachs@thejewishnews.com
Social Media and Digital Producer:
Nathan Vicar
nvicar@thejewishnews.com
Staff Reporter: Danny Schwartz 
dschwartz@thejewishnews.com
Editorial Assistant: Sy Manello
smanello@thejewishnews.com

Contributing Writers:
Nate Bloom, Rochel Burstyn, Suzanne 
Chessler, Annabel Cohen, Keri Guten 
Cohen, Shari S. Cohen, Shelli Liebman 
Dorfman, Louis Finkelman, Stacy 
Gittleman, Esther Allweiss Ingber, 
Barbara Lewis, Jennifer Lovy, Rabbi 
Jason Miller, Alan Muskovitz, Robin 

Schwartz, Mike Smith, Steve Stein, 
Julie Smith Yolles, Ashley Zlatopolsky

| Advertising Sales 
Director of Advertising: Keith Farber
kfarber@thejewishnews.com
Senior Account Executive: 
Kathy Harvey-Mitton
kmitton@thejewishnews.com 

| Business Office
 Director of Operations: Amy Gill
 agill@thejewishnews.com
 Operations Manager: Andrea Gusho 
 agusho@thejewishnews.com
 Operations Assistant: Ashlee Szabo 
 Circulation: Danielle Smith
 Billing Coordinator: Pamela Turner

| Production By 
 Farago & Associates
 Manager: Scott Drzewiecki 
 Designers: Kaitlyn Iezzi, Kelly Kosek, 
 Deborah Schultz, Michelle Sheridan 
 

On June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling 
overturning Roe v. Wade, denying that abortion is 
a constitutional right and leaving it up to the states 
to allow or ban. Jewish groups and organizations 
responded. Here are statements from those against 
the ruling and those in support of it.

AGAINST THE RULING

STATEMENT FROM THE NATIONAL 
COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN
Sheila Katz, CEO of NCJW, issued the 
following statement:
“This decision by the Supreme 
Court is a moral failure. It will put 
lives at risk. By overturning 50 years 
of precedent, safe and vital abortion 
care is now virtually inaccessible to 
millions of people who need it. In the 

weeks and months ahead, we will see the 
devastating impact this ruling will have 
on human lives. 
“This egregious decision is a direct 
violation of both our American values 
and our Jewish tradition. Reversing the 
protections of Roe defies logic, morality, 
compassion and the fundamental 
right of all Americans to practice their 
religious beliefs without interference 
from the government.
“In the 13 states where abortion will 
become immediately illegal, millions 
of people will have to face the harsh 
truth that they no longer have control 
over their lives and their bodies. This 
decision will forever alter the lives of 
those who will be forced to remain 
pregnant, increasing the chances 

that they will face life-threatening 
medical complications, poverty and 
unemployment. And we know from 
existing data in states where abortion is 
already virtually inaccessible that this 
decision will disproportionately impact 
those who already face barriers to 
accessing health care, including women 
and particularly Black, Indigenous and 
people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, 
those with disabilities, young people and 
those working to make ends meet. 
“Abortion bans place greater value on 
the life of the fetus than on the pregnant 
person, a violation of both Jewish law 
and tradition and of American religious 
liberty. Now, it seems only certain people 
are entitled to religious liberty, which 
renders the entire concept meaningless. 
“Today’s decision betrays this most 
cherished American value. The rights of 
American Jews and other people of 
faith who believe in access to abortion, 
who are the majority of people in this 
country, have been sacrificed to the 
overwhelming zeal of one small group 
that has turned the shield of religious 
freedom into a sword.

opinion
Jewish Groups Respond to 
the Supreme Court’s Ruling 
Overturning Roe v. Wade

PURELY COMMENTARY

