'A Day of Hope': Thousands at Jewish Rally Against Overturning Roe v. Wade
The rally comes as the Supreme Court appears poised to overturn the ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. Jewish groups and lawmakers promised to keep fighting against new restrictions
WASHINGTON — Several thousand people participated in the Jewish Rally for Abortion Justice in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, where U.S. lawmakers, Jewish community leaders and activists rallied in support of abortion rights.
The rally, organized by the National Council of Jewish Women and sponsored by nearly 150 Jewish organizations – including representatives from all denominations – comes after the leak earlier this month of an initial draft majority opinion suggesting the U.S. Supreme Court has voted to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion nationwide.
"We've been so sad the last few weeks seeing the leaked draft. Today is the first day I have hope," NCJW CEO Sheila Katz told Haaretz. She noted the rally was the first time she had seen the Jewish community rally behind a cause in years.
"I'm really proud this is a diverse community that reflects every type of Jew out there. I'm proud the people we have on stage represent the folks who have come out, and I'm touched that people got up at 2 o'clock in the morning on buses to get here on time," Katz added. "It's really something special, and it's a reminder that when we bring our voices together, we can make change."
U.S. lawmakers to address the rally include Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Reps. Andy Levin, Judy Chu, Jan Schakowsky, Haley Stevens, Carolyn Maloney and Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
- When Roe v. Wade Dies, Israel Will Be More Liberal Than U.S. on Abortion
- Jewish Leaders Rally for Abortion Rights After 'Devastating' Roe v. Wade Opinion
- For Abortion, Against Trump, Against Fascism: Why U.S. Jews Won't Stop Fighting
The rally comes one day after the NCJW announced that it is partnering with the National Abortion Federation to raise funds for people who need assistance ending pregnancies — the first time it has undertaken a fundraising effort for another domestic organization.
The Jewish Electoral Institute’s 2022 National Survey of Jewish Voters found that 75 percent of Jewish voters are concerned about the overturning of Roe v. Wade, while the 2018 Pew Research Center survey found that 83 percent of Jews believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases.
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