Rabbi

The rabbi whose progressive synagogue sued the state of Florida over a bill that would ban abortions after 15 weeks, arguing that it infringes on religious liberty , has created an initiative to help other faith organizations — and atheists — push back against anti-abortion legislation across the U.S. Rabbi Barry Silver's initiative, Helping Emancipate Abortion Rights Today (HEART), seeks to "restore abortion rights in a post-Roe v. Wade world " and defy the "theocratic tyranny" of laws that clash with the Jewish belief that abortion is a basic right and life begins at birth, not conception, he said in a phone interview Tuesday. "The initiative is designed to be able to allow any person of any belief system to challenge the anti-abortion laws on religious grounds," Silver said. "It's the height of chutzpah for people to tell the Jewish people what the Bible means and lecture the Jewish people on the sanctity of life." Silver's synagogue, Congregation L'Dor Va-Dor, sued … [Read more...] about Rabbi fighting Florida’s anti-abortion law is on a mission to help religious groups challenge ‘theocratic tyranny’

A study of the Jewish populations in twelve European countries found that Jews living in France were the most fearful for their own safety, mostly due to anti-semitic terrorist attacks in recent years. The European Jewish Association (EJA) released the data earlier this week, which compiled a “Jewish Quality of Life” index using data gathered by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research in London and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights regarding key issues for Jews in Europe. According to the index, French Jews claim they feel the least safe in their country. In contrast, Jews in Denmark felt the safest, with Daniel Staetsky, the author of the index, citing anti-semitic terrorist attacks in France as a possible reason for the feelings of insecurity, broadcaster CNews reports . France, which has the largest population of Jews in the European Union, ranked 10th out of 12 in the index overall, which covered security of Jews, government attitude toward Jews, freedom … [Read more...] about French Jews Fear For Their Safety the Most in Europe: Survey

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 14 Praise and lament for the overturning of abortion rights filled sacred spaces this weekend as clergy across the U.S. rearranged worship plans or rewrote sermons to provide their religious context -- and competing messages -- about the historic moment. Abortion is a visceral issue for deeply divided religious Americans. Some are sad or angry in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s seismic Dobbs v. Jackson decision Friday. Others are grateful and elated. At St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh, the Very Rev. Kris Stubna discarded his planned Sunday homily and focused on the decision, calling it “a day of great joy and blessing.” He said the overturning of the nearly 50-year-old Roe v. Wade ruling was the result of prayers and efforts of many Catholics and others. “This law violated the very law of God, that every life is … [Read more...] about After Roe’s demise, clergy lead faithful in praise, laments

The Supreme Court decision reversing Roe v. Wade answered the prayers of conservative Christians across the U.S. who rallied against the landmark 1973 ruling for nearly half a century. But many American Jews are dismayed, and some Jewish leaders view restrictions on reproductive rights as an attack on religious liberty. In statements following the release of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the ruling that overruled Roe, organizations such as the American Jewish Committee , the Anti-Defamation League , Hillel International and the Women's Rabbinic Network expressed deep anguish. "In this moment, our feelings are best embodied by Numbers 11:10 : 'God became exceedingly angry; and Moses despaired.' ... We stand with generations of Jewish scholars who state clearly and unequivocally that abortion access is a Jewish value," the Women’s Rabbinic Network said . The decision to sweep away Roe and about 50 years of legal precedent, the group went on to say, … [Read more...] about In wake of Roe reversal, some American Jews see attack on religious liberty

Protests have taken place in the UK after a "devastating" decision to scrap the constitutional right to abortion in the United States was widely criticised. The US Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion that have been in place for nearly 50 years by deciding to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade ruling . It is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half of US states. Prime Minister Boris Johnson described it as a "big step backwards", and hundreds took to the streets of London and Edinburgh to demonstrate against the decision. At a protest outside the United States embassy in Vauxhall, south London, the crowds, some in costumes, held signs reading "Our bodies, Our choice". A protestor holds a placard in support of abortion rights outside the US Embassy in London Judith Orr, vice chairwoman of campaign group Abortion Rights, which claims to have organised the demonstration, said protesters were "full of rage and anger". In the … [Read more...] about UK joins US as protests erupt after ‘devastating’ decision to scrap abortion rights

Imagine if Coloradans suffering from anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder had a legal way to treat their ailments with psychedelic mushrooms. Advocates say it’s not that far out. Residents could be voting in November to legalize psilocybin and psilocin, the psychoactive compounds in magic mushrooms, for use in therapeutic settings after advocates said they’ve collected enough signatures to qualify the question for the ballot. On Monday, Kevin Matthews and Veronica Perez of Natural Medicine Colorado, the campaign behind the legalization effort, submitted a petition with 222,648 signatures supporting Initiative 58, also known as the Natural Medicine Health Act , to the Secretary of State’s office. The state still needs to verify the signatures, so it’s not a done deal yet, but given it requires about 125,000 valid signatures, Natural Medicine Colorado believes the question will be in front of voters this fall. If it passes, the Natural Medicine Health Act would … [Read more...] about Legalize psychedelic mushrooms? Advocates say they have enough signatures to make this November’s ballot