10 | NOVEMBER 24 • 2022 PURELY COMMENTARY guest column The Passage of Proposal 3 N ational Council of Jewish Women, Michigan lauds the hard work, the coalition build- ing and the educational outreach in which Michiganders engaged in order to pass Proposal 3, making Michigan the first state in the United States to pass a citizen-initiated consti- tutional amendment that guarantees the right to abor- tion and other reproductive health services. Michigan voters are to be praised for cutting through the disinformation some candidates spewed and the misleading signage that was on display throughout the state, and for recognizing the real threat that failure to pass the Reproductive Freedom for All ballot proposal posed. With a law from 1931 on the books, failure to pass Prop 3 would result in the possible enforcement of a law that banned almost all abortions, with no exception for rape or incest, and made abortion a felo- ny. Of particular concern to Jews was the disregard paid to the diversity on how dif- ferent religions, and even denominations within a religion, define when life begins. In the spring, lawsuits were filed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer with the Michigan Supreme Court and Planned Parenthood of Michigan with the Michigan Court of Claims to determine if abortion is consti- tutionally protected in Michigan. But Michiganders could not and did not wait. People from across our state gave thousands of hours of their time to fund- raise, build coalitions, educate neighbor- hood and affinity groups, knock on doors, and make phone calls — all to protect a right that Americans have possessed for almost 50 years. It became their mission to cement the right to reproductive health- care, bodily autonomy and religious free- dom for themselves and for future genera- tions. They succeeded! We know that there is more work to be done. The threat of a federal law banning abortion still looms. The same fight must now be won on the national level to pass legislation to protect an individual’s right to make reproduc- tive decisions and to secure access to all healthcare services, including abortion. We recognize this difficult path, but we have a re-energized population that has seen what grassroots advocacy can achieve. The threat to losing a freedom that many have possessed during their childbearing years and educating their young women about the direct affect on their lives, led to an increase in women registering and voting in these midterms. There was also a noted increase in voter turnout among young voters, with both students from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University being cited as having a large number of students going to the polls. We have learned that ballot initia- tives are a useful tool where a gap exists between what voters want and what state legislatures are willing to do. It is an important lesson, and one we intend to keep in the forefront of the minds of our elected officials, and one on which we are ready to act when necessary. Linda Levy and Lynn Lieberman are state policy advocates for the National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan. Linda Levy Lynn Lieberman Thanksgiving On Thanksgiving Day, a shaynem dahnk we’ll say far alle gutte zakhn, nisht ein, nisht tzvay. Far shayninke einiklakh far ingalakh un maydalakh, Un alle gutte zakhn coming your way. A shaynem dahnk: a nice thank you far alle gutte zakhn: for all the good things Nisht ein, nisht tzvay: not one, not two Far Shayninke einiklakh: for beautiful grandkids Far ingalakh un maydalakh: for little boys and girls un alle gutte zakhn: and all good things. By Rachel Kapen Yiddish Limerick Lifetime dental group is a locally owned dental practice providing complete dental care for the entire family. Our experienced dentists utilize the most advanced technology to provide elite dental care. For over 25 years we have been entrusted by thousands of patients and we are honored to now serve the city of West Bloomfield! (248) 855-8000 4320 Orchard Lake Rd West Bloomfield Township, MI 48323 www.lifetimedentalgroup.com