Orthodox Rabbis Oppose Oklahoma Abortion Bill
We, the undersigned Orthodox rabbis, respond with alarm to the 2022 Oklahoma abortion bill, called the Oklahoma Heartbeat Act, which effectively bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy (four weeks from conception).
Jewish law shows the utmost concern for life and potential life. Our communities are emphatically pro-natal, celebrating new lives and investing heavily in the education and moral development of our children. At the same time, there are cases where Jewish law requires aborting a pregnancy. Abortions are devastating, and we counsel women in situations where tragedy is nearly inevitable or has already occurred. But tragedies happen, and abortion is a medical procedure used by Jews since antiquity to mitigate dire outcomes and protect life.
Under this bill, Oklahoman Jews are not able to protect a mother’s life in accordance with the ancient laws of our faith. The new Oklahoma law is cruel to all women, and for Jewish women it constitutes a violation of their constitutionally protected right to practice religion and of their unalienable rights to pursue life, liberty and happiness as understood by Jewish law and practice.
We call upon Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to not to sign on to this bill, leaving decisions about abortion in the hands of women, their healthcare providers, and any religious and spiritual guidance they choose to seek out.
The Undersigned,
Rabbi Yitzhak Ajzner
Rabbi David Bigman
Rabbi Avraham Bronstein
Rabbi Dr. Michael Chernick
Rabbi Barry Dolinger
Rabbi Dr. Mel Gottlieb
Rabbi Steve Greenberg
Rabbi Dr. Yitz Greenberg
Rabba Amalia Haas
Rabbi Prof. Tyson Herberger
Rabbi David Jaffe
Rabbi David Kalb
Rabbi Gabriel Kretzmer Seed
Rabbi Aaron Leibowitz
Rabbi Hayim leiter
Rabbi Avram Mlotek
Rabbi Dina Najman
Rabbi Marianne Novak
Rabbi Avi Orlow
Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger
Rabbi Ami Silver
Rabbi Alana Suskin
Rabbi Zach Truboff
Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz
Jewish law shows the utmost concern for life and potential life. Our communities are emphatically pro-natal, celebrating new lives and investing heavily in the education and moral development of our children. At the same time, there are cases where Jewish law requires aborting a pregnancy. Abortions are devastating, and we counsel women in situations where tragedy is nearly inevitable or has already occurred. But tragedies happen, and abortion is a medical procedure used by Jews since antiquity to mitigate dire outcomes and protect life.
Under this bill, Oklahoman Jews are not able to protect a mother’s life in accordance with the ancient laws of our faith. The new Oklahoma law is cruel to all women, and for Jewish women it constitutes a violation of their constitutionally protected right to practice religion and of their unalienable rights to pursue life, liberty and happiness as understood by Jewish law and practice.
We call upon Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to not to sign on to this bill, leaving decisions about abortion in the hands of women, their healthcare providers, and any religious and spiritual guidance they choose to seek out.
The Undersigned,
Rabbi Yitzhak Ajzner
Rabbi David Bigman
Rabbi Avraham Bronstein
Rabbi Dr. Michael Chernick
Rabbi Barry Dolinger
Rabbi Dr. Mel Gottlieb
Rabbi Steve Greenberg
Rabbi Dr. Yitz Greenberg
Rabba Amalia Haas
Rabbi Prof. Tyson Herberger
Rabbi David Jaffe
Rabbi David Kalb
Rabbi Gabriel Kretzmer Seed
Rabbi Aaron Leibowitz
Rabbi Hayim leiter
Rabbi Avram Mlotek
Rabbi Dina Najman
Rabbi Marianne Novak
Rabbi Avi Orlow
Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger
Rabbi Ami Silver
Rabbi Alana Suskin
Rabbi Zach Truboff
Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz