For the first time in living memory, the Supreme Court has curtailed rather than expanded citizens’ rights. Decades of political power-building by religious fundamentalists have culminated in the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, along with rulings against LGBTQIA+ folks, pushing prayer in school, and more.
Because American Jews overwhelmingly support women’s equality, abortion access, and LGBTQIA+ rights, many Jewish social justice initiatives are pushing back. There are also nonsectarian organizations focused on the separation of religion and government. However, few initiatives advocate for religious freedom as a matter of separation of church and state through Jewish perspectives to address specific, ongoing policy challenges.
JFASD is convening a transformative network of Jewish volunteer activists across organizational and denominational lines in Pittsburgh, primarily women and Jews of other marginalized genders, focused on educating and advocating about these issues from a religious freedom perspective and connected to a growing national network.
The capacity for expanding this conversation has long-term, far-reaching implications and can help elevate the defense of reproductive and other rights. Since women and other Jews of marginalized genders are disproportionately impacted, JFASD especially seeks to platform Jewish women leaders. “Jewish Women and Religious Freedom in America: Fostering a Community Action in Pittsburgh” highlights the unique historical perspectives that Jewish women bring to addressing these challenges.
In this next phase, we will build on connections made in 2023 and 2024 through funding from the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Pittsburgh. We have begun establishing relationships and generating interest in collaboration on this project. Both Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania at large have specific and unique issues that the program will address. At the same time, it will draw on the success JFASD has had in Florida, Michigan, and nationally, engaging Jewish women on religion-government separation issues.
By educating and advocating to Jews and our allies about Jewish perspectives on reproductive rights and other issues related to the separation of religion and government, this initiative fosters social change by empowering a growing network of activists to better articulate values on issues to more people and ultimately build momentum toward policy change and genuine religious freedom for all.
To get involved, contact us at pennsylvania@jfasd.org.
