WCT University
Reproductive Rights in a Post-Roe Era: a Jewish Perspective and What You Can Do
October 29 at 11:45 am - 4:00 pm
- $10/person for WCT members
- $20/person non-members
- $25 at the door (space permitting)
- Students free
Light refreshments will be served.
Space is limited.
Featuring Keynote Speaker Professor Lisa Fishbayn-Joffe (Brandeis University), Shelley Mayer (New York State Senator), and Aviva Zadoff and Liz Zimmerman from the National Council of Jewish Women New York
The Keynote Speaker, Professor Fishbayn-Joffe* will discuss the lawsuits brought on (Jewish) religious grounds against highly restrictive religion-based abortion bans in several states throughout the United States.
Senator Shelley Mayer** will address the many ways we can strengthen existing abortion laws in NY State, and the need for comprehensive sex education.
Representatives from the National Council of Jewish Women will present on the deception and danger of fake abortion clinics - many that exist right here in Westchester County and the need to vote for the New York State Equal Rights Amendment to the New York State Constitution.
After hearing from our speakers, we will break into smaller groups to discuss the information we have heard and develop action plans. Some issues will include: the proposed NY Equal Rights Amendment, comprehensive sex education, calls to action (such as sending postcards), and the prevalence of “crisis pregnancy centers” in New York, aka, fake abortion clinics meant to discourage individuals from obtaining an abortion. There will be a special breakout group for teens.
This program is made possible by the Novins Family Speakers Fund
*Dr. Lisa Fishbayn Joffe is the Shulamit Reinharz Director of the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute and a faculty affiliate in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University. She is an expert on women’s rights under Jewish family law and on the intersection between secular and religious family law. She is a co-founder of the Boston Agunah Task Force, devoted to research, education, and advocacy for women under Jewish family law. She holds three law degrees, from Osgoode Hall Law School and Harvard Law School. She is currently counsel on lawsuits in both Texas and Florida, where abortion law is in violation of Jewish religious rights.
**Shelley Mayer was elected to the New York State Assembly in a special election on March 20, 2012, and subsequently re-elected in November 2012. She was elected to the NYS Senate from the 37th SD (part of Westchester County) in April 2018, and re-elected in November 2018 and November 2020. She chairs the NYS Senate Committee on Education and is part of the Senate Democratic Conference leadership.