Advocacy

NCJW Atlanta has always worked tirelessly for the rights of women to control their own reproductive health. Since the fall of Roe v. Wade in 2022, many states have passed outright abortion bans, or in the case of Georgia, imposed draconian limits on abortion access.

NCJW Atlanta is at the forefront of fighting these limits on women’s health. We contact legislators to make our voices heard; we work with our coalition partners to support their direct work for abortion access; we educate our members/advocates through programs and projects on the issues surrounding women’s reproductive rights; we promote support for abortion access funding through resources such as the Jewish Fund for Abortion Access; and we work with 50+ Atlanta area clergy, who have signed NCJW’s Rabbis for Repro pledge to use their voices to teach, write, and speak out about reproductive rights and Judaism in the United States and in the Jewish community. 

NCJW Atlanta Section is proud that over 50 Atlanta area clergy support NCJW’s Rabbis for Repro initiative and have signed NCJW’s Repro Pledge to teach and speak out about reproductive freedoms.

Many of these clergy participate in NCJW’s annual Repro Shabbat, which connects Parshat Mishpatim (Exodus 21:22) to reproductive freedoms. This Torah portion is often used as the foundation of Judaism’s approach to reproductive health, rights, and justice. During Repro Shabbat, hundreds of rabbis, cantors, and Jewish educators across the country teach the Jewish value of reproductive freedom.  Many synagogues and Jewish institutions honor Repro Shabbat by holding Torah studies, Shabbat meals, or other learning opportunities to help educate the Jewish community about Judaism’s approach to reproductive rights.

All advocacy work begins and ends at the ballot box, and NCJW Atlanta Section’s Election Action Committee is committed to making sure citizens are registered to vote and know their voting rights. Members/advocates lead letter-writing campaigns, visits to legislators, and direct work with partner agencies. During the Georgia legislative session, our Capital Action newsletter keeps members updated on hot topics at the legislature and opportunities to get involved with the issues that matter most to NCJW.