By Rabbi Jessy Dressin and Rachel Siegal
Last Friday morning, June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in a 5-4 landmark decision that reversed the constitutional right to access a safe abortion in the United States.
Despite the foreshadowing of this decision, including the leak of intel a little over a month ago, a wave of gut-wrenching shock still washed over us as the news alerts and text messages began to circulate. By lunchtime, with mixed emotions of sadness, anger, numbness and pain, we knew our first step would be to bring people together.
With just a quick exchange of text messages, we decided to host a Havdallah service on Saturday evening, the ceremony to mark the end of Shabbat. We would utilize the materials that the National Council of Jewish Women had the foresight to create for just this purpose – a marking of separation after the elimination of protected abortion under federal law.
The Facebook post was as follows: “Ok Baltimore…let’s come together – tomorrow night (Saturday) Havdallah – resisting the temptation to crawl into a hole and leaning into the resistance that comes from gathering and connecting. Let’s sing, maybe scream, do some ritual, be together, share what we need to. 8:30 PM in Rachel Siegal’s backyard … PM or comment below if you need an address.”
On Saturday evening, around 40 people gathered. As each person showed up, the same sentiments seemed to be shared: “It’s so good to see you, despite these circumstances. I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”
I (Rachel) offered words of welcome. We sang songs. Once there were three stars in the sky, we called upon the framework of ritual and the spirit of our ancestors who have shown us how to expand beyond this narrow space we now find ourselves in.
Rabbis Naomi Zaslow, Marci Jacobs and Kohenet Harriette Wimms helped to facilitate the ritual of Havdalah with me (Rabbi Jessy). In between each blessing guests were invited to share a reflection or intention, either of how they were feeling, a personal experience, or the strength they intended to draw from the gathering.
Perhaps the most powerful reflections were shared by the youngest in attendance. The age range of those who showed up spanned from age 6 to 99.
This Havdallah gathering was a moment to come together, to remind ourselves of the importance of organizing and fostering community in order to live out our values and be called to action. In times like these, we draw inspiration from the work of prior generations, recognizing that we’re now in a moment that will surely require action in addition to the prayers and rituals we engaged in on Saturday evening.
We gathered for the purpose of conjuring up the energy to face the week ahead, and now the chapter ahead, and there is much to do.
In addition to continuing to bring people together for community, ritual and connecting, here are some action items we discussed at Saturday night’s gathering:
- The importance of voting for representatives who reflect the values and policies we wish to see.
- votefwd.org is an organization that encourages citizens to write to other citizens to get out and vote, regardless of party or policy position.
- We applaud the passage of the Abortion Access Act (co-sponsored in the House by Delegates Lisa Belcastro, Dana Stein and Jon Cardin, all from District 11 and in the Senate by State Senator Shelly Hettleman), and encourage Governor Hogan to release the funds to support this piece of legislation.
- There are other issues to consider – even in Maryland, which will be expanding abortion training and access – to be sure providing abortion care to out-of-state residents is not criminalized.
- Some of us will plan to travel to Pennsylvania in the fall prior to the next election in support of pro-choice candidates, but also recognize that we want our representatives in Maryland to reflect these values as well, including whomever serves as our next governor.
- Maintaining Openness and Awareness of the Privilege we may carry:
- We know that those most impacted by the recent SCOTUS Dobbs decision may reside in other states; we also recognize that those who lack time and funds to be able to take out-of-state trips will be disproportionately affected by this change.
- We remind ourselves that all pregnant people – and those who have the potential to become pregnant – including trans men and non binary people- deserve our care, attention, respect, responsiveness and readiness to act in support of their needs.
- Volunteering to help those coming to Maryland for abortions. Check out baltimoreabortionfund.org to find out how to volunteer.
- Committing to financially support organizations leading this fight. Not just with a one-time gift, but with monthly donations.
Rabbi Jessy Dressin is the director of Repair the World Baltimore. Rachel Siegal is the chief development officer at Hazon.
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