I am a Jewish college student who is currently applying to Rabbinical School. I am also a Jewish volunteer at a reproductive justice organization.
Last week, as we held a Faithful Presence in defense of a local abortion clinic, I held this sign. I held this sign because my community believes in women’s rights and my sacred texts support such a position. I didn’t mean to make any sort of controversial statement.
However, the sign did seem to increase the anger of many of the protestors. One of them started yelling at me about how Hitler killing my people was just like the abortions I now “support.” He failed to recognize see the irony of yelling hateful things in order to denounce hate.
That kind of false analogy isn’t going to sway me. I do this because I’m Jewish, not in spite of it. I’m tired of some people’s religious views dictating the reproductive services for all women. My minority religious status teaches me that we must always fight for those are being targeted by an oppressive force—whether that means, Jews, homosexuals, Communists, Gypsies, or, in this case, women and their doctors.
I am Dr. TIller.
