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