In 1989, the United Synagogue (the lay body of Conservative Judaism) reaffirmed its 1975 statement regarding abortion that said, in part, Judaism does not believe that personhood and human rights begin with conception. The premise that personhood begins with conception is founded on a religious position which is not identical with Jewish tradition. Therefore, under special circumstances, Judaism chooses and requires abortion as an act which affirms and protects the life, well being and health of the mother. To deny a Jewish woman and her family the ability to obtain a safe, legal abortion when so mandated by Jewish tradition, is to deprive Jews of their fundamental right of religious freedom.
In the same 1975 statement, the United Synagogue resolved that it would continue to affirm its strong support for the 1973 Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade, and that any weakening, limitation, or withdrawal of the Roe decision is sure to produce tragic consequences. The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of Rabbinical Assembly the body authorized to make determinations on Jewish law in the Conservative Movement has passed similar resolutions.
As a rabbi, I spend a great deal of time and energy discussing what Judaism is and what it stands for. Judaism is on the whole, pro-life, meaning that the saving of a life has precedence over virtually every commandment in the Torah. The Jewish definition of life is from the time that a baby takes its first breath until circulation and respiration cease. The protection of a fetus was considered important for its potential for life, but the sages consistently affirmed the precedence of the life and health of the mother over that of an unborn child. Terminating the potential life of a fetus was and is considered tragic, but considered by normative Judaism as a necessity in certain rare cases. I oppose H.B. 228 because of my religions stance and I regard any ban on abortion as depriving me of my religious freedom, and preventing me as a rabbi from counseling my congregants in a manner consistent with the Jewish legal system. Therefore, I urge you to vote against H.B. 228. 1