32 | JULY 14 • 2022
the Michigan chapter of NCJW, told attendees, “We are here
because of sadness. But what you should not feel is defeated.
Because what has happened is the fight for reproductive rights
has changed. It has gone from the national fight to a state
fight.”
Several clergy members were at the rally, including Rabbi
Asher Lopatin, executive director of the Jewish Community
Relations Council/American Jewish Committee; Rabbi
Blair Nosanwisch, director of spiritual care at Adat Shalom
Synagogue in Farmington Hills, Rabbi Marla Hornsten of
Temple Israel; and Rabbi Megan Brudney and Cantor Rachel
Gottlieb Kalmowitz, both from Temple Beth El in Bloomfield
Township.
From the stage, some of the rabbis spoke the words of
women who had shared their personal stories of abortion on
social media. Others spoke out about how banning abortion
violates the Jewish faith and traditions.
Judaism allows women the right to make the decision of
whether to carry a baby to term, Lopatin said. He noted that
although there are disagreements about abortion in Judaism,
“we live in a country where it is illegal for the state to establish
a religion” and abortion restrictions are “imposing a religion”
upon women.
“
And any decision by any court or by any statehouse across
this country that says the woman does not have that right (to
choose) violates the Jewish religion,” Lopatin added.
LEFT: Speakers read personal stories of abortion from the stage. RIGHT: Rabbi Asher Lopatin spoke about abortion bans
infringing on religious rights.
continued from page 30
OUR COMMUNITY
Rabbi Blair Nosanwisch led the
crowd in a symbolic mourning ritual.
Linda Levy addressed the crowd.
“IT IS ILLEGAL FOR THE STATE TO
ESTABLISH A RELIGION” AND
ABORTION RESTRICTIONS ARE
“IMPOSING A RELIGION.”
— RABBI ASHER LOPATIN, JCRC/AJC
continued on page 34