Why these Jews are leading an interfaith push for reproductive freedom in Missouri

Repro Shabbat, an annual observance honoring the Jewish value of reproductive freedom, will be marked in St. Louis Feb. 13–14 with programming hosted by Access MO, National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis and Congregation Shaare Emeth.

Created by the National Council of Jewish Women, Repro Shabbat takes place each year during Parshat Mishpatim, the Torah portion that includes verses often cited as the foundation of Judaism’s approach to reproductive health, rights and justice. Jewish communities across the world observe the weekend through learning, worship and conversation.

At Congregation Shaare Emeth, the observance will include an interfaith conversation on reproductive justice hosted by NCJWSTL on Saturday, Feb. 14. The panel will bring together clergy and faith leaders from multiple traditions — including Judaism, Christianity and Islam — and will feature Rev. Kevin Cameron, Rabbi Andrea Goldstein, Dr. Kai Horn El-Amin, Rev. Deborah Krause and Rabbi Susan Talve, with an additional panelist pending.

The discussion will explore how different faith traditions shape values around reproductive freedom and how religious leaders engage both publicly and pastorally on issues of reproductive healthcare. Panel questions will address topics such as:

• How faith traditions inform support for reproductive freedom, including access to abortion care
• Ethical and moral principles that can guide lawmakers considering reproductive healthcare legislation
• The role of clergy in reducing stigma and supporting individuals and families
• The spiritual and communal harm caused when abortion is politicized rather than treated as a matter of personal conscience and pastoral care
• Real-world impacts of abortion access – or lack of access – on health, dignity, and family life

The conversation will be moderated by Dana Sandweiss, president and co-founder of Access MO, a nonpartisan political action committee focused on protecting reproductive freedom, including abortion access in Missouri.

On Friday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m., Sandweiss will speak during Shabbat services at Shaare Emeth in her role as co-chair of NCJWSTL’s PATH coalition — Protecting Abortion, Truth and Healthcare. Her remarks will focus on Amendment 3 and what Missourians need to know to protect abortion rights in the state.

“A lot of the conversation around reproductive rights and freedom revolves around religion and faith,” Sandweiss said. “For many anti–reproductive rights advocates, their opposition comes from their faith. What often gets overlooked is that there are many faiths — and many people of faith — who feel very differently and deeply support this right. Those voices haven’t always been elevated, and this is an opportunity to show the community that it’s not one-sided.”

Coffee, tea and light breakfast snacks will be served beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, with the conversation starting at 9:30 a.m. The event is free, though registration is required at bit.ly/interfaith-feb14. For more information, contact Wendy Flusser, NCJWSTL Chair of Repro Shabbat, wendyflusser@yahoo.com, or Ellen Alper, ealper@ncjwstl.org, or call 314-993-5181.

Repro Shabbat will also be observed in communities nationwide. In honor of the weekend, Lilith magazine and the National Council of Jewish Women are partnering on a national uterus challah baking challenge. Through Feb. 15, participants are invited to tag both organizations on social media with their best — or most memorable — attempts at baking a uterus-shaped challah. Two participants will be awarded a one-year Lilith subscription and a gift card to the NCJW shop.

Details and entry instructions are available through the organizations’ social media, and participants are encouraged to attend or host a local Repro Shabbat event.