Reproductive freedom is a Jewish value.
We invite you to join us in honoring it.
Join the Movement!
National Council of Jewish Women invites you to join our annual Shabbat celebration honoring the Jewish value of reproductive freedom. Sign up to bring a Repro Shabbat event to your home or community. Leading up to the Repro Shabbat, we will provide you with resources to help make your Shabbat a more meaningful experience.
Parshat Mishpatim
Repro Shabbat is an annual Shabbat celebration that honors the Jewish value of reproductive freedom. It takes place annually on Parshat Mishpatim, which contains the verses commonly referenced as the foundation of Judaism’s approach to reproductive health, rights, and justice. Individuals and communities across the world gather to celebrate Repro Shabbat and the Jewish traditions it honors. Participation can take many forms, from a private study or hosting a Shabbat dinner to participating in a communal event. However you choose to celebrate, we have resources to support you.
Judaism offers a critical perspective on reproductive freedom that is too often unheard in our public discourse. Repro Shabbat is a time for communities and individuals to connect, educate, and activate towards a more just future.
Why Participate?
When you participate in Repro Shabbat, you are joining a movement to explore issues of reproductive freedom and abortion access from a Jewish perspective. You will gain access to curated resources — like a conversation guide, a study guide, a Shabbat Spotify playlist, recipes, and more — to help you plan an individual or communal Shabbat practice on Parshat Mishpatim. We’ll even email you (not too much, we promise) additional resources and planning tips.
Featured Events from 2025
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Embracing Abortion Positivity Training
Feb 24, 2025 | 7:00pm ET
VirtualThe Embracing Abortion Positivity training teaches a framework of understanding and discussing abortion without stigma or shame. We will learn about the climate of American abortion following the Dobbs decision, how to confront abortion stigma everywhere we see it, and how to align the words we choose with our goal of creating a future where abortion is safe, legal, affordable, stigma-free and accessible for all. Sophie Nir is the co-founder and CEO of the Abortion Positivity Project and founder of the Vaccine Vigilantes and a veteran of the campaigns of many prominent women elected officials.
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“The current state of abortion access in Wisconsin” with Ali Kliegman, M.P.H.
Feb 21, 2025 | 6:00pm CT
Hybrid- both virtual & in-personAli Kliegman, M.P.H. (they/them), the Care for All Co-Founder & Executive Director, will share about the current state of abortion access in Wisconsin. They grew up in Milwaukee most recently served as Director of Operations for the Milwaukee Health Department, overseeing the city’s three public health clinics. They are currently a member of the Board of Directors Governance Committee for Abortion Care Network (ACN). Most notably, Ali is the Co-editor of the first-ever abortion section in Nelson's Textbook of Pediatrics.
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Repro Shabbat Service and Theology & Power of Abortion Rituals with Rabbi Rachael Pass
Feb 21 & Feb 22, 2025 | 6:30pm ET & 8:45am ET
Hybrid- both virtual & in-personOn Friday evening, Rabbi Rachael Pass will teach about abortion in Jewish thought and tradition and share her own personal experience with reproductive healthcare. On Saturday morning, Rabbi Pass will speak on the Theology and Power of Abortion Rituals — the different creative Jewish rituals written over the past three decades for individuals and couples who have sought abortion. We will be reading different rituals for their theological and ideological insight into Jewish views on abortion from people who have actively sought abortion care. The Shabbat Morning Service will follow at 10:15am.
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Repro Shabbat Service
Feb 21, 2025 | 5:45pm ET
Hybrid- both virtual & in-personJoin us for guest speaker, Darcy Hirsh, Director of Government Relations and Advocacy at the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), and a Temple Sinai member. Ms. Hirsh leads the organization’s policy work at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as its critical advocacy in the courts. She will share her insights about the changing political environment. Join us prior to the service, starting at 5:45pm, for a festive oneg.
No registration necessary
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Repro Shabbat Virtual Havdallah and Briefing
Feb 22, 2025 | 7:30pm ET
VirtualMark the end of Repro Shabbat with a virtual community Havdallah Service and Briefing. Following Havdallah, we will learn about the Jewish value of reproductive freedom and the changing landscape of reproductive rights in Maryland and the nation. Our keynote Speaker is civil rights champion Heather Booth.
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Reproductive Freedom Shabbat Panel and Service Opportunity
Feb 22, 2025 | 12:30pm ET
In-personLearn about the state of abortion access in our city and country, and honor the Jewish value of reproductive freedom at this post-Kiddush panel discussion and service project. This will feature an inspiring lineup of speakers and leading experts in abortion care, funding, and advocacy: Allison Korman, Founder & Executive Director of the Red Tent Fund; Andrea Kopel, Executive Director of NCJW-NY; Dr. Gillian Dean, Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY).
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Repro Shabbat 2025
Feb 21, 2025 | 6:45pm CT
Hybrid- both virtual & in-personState Representative Renuka Mayadev and State Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin join us for Repro Shabbat and speak to the state of reproductive rights today in Wisconsin. State Rep. Mayadev, representing the 77th Assembly District in Madison, has worked as a Program Advisor for Maternal and Child Health at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and is focused on ensuring reproductive freedom for Wisconsinites. State Sen. Habush Sinykin, representing the 8th Senate District, is a strong advocate for protecting people's access to reproductive healthcare in Wisconsin.
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Reproductive Justice Shabbat
Feb 21, 2025 | 6:00pm ET
In-personPlease join us for our fourth annual Kabbalat Shabbat calling for greater access to reproductive healthcare. This year, we welcome guest speaker, Dana Sussman, Senior Vice President of Pregnancy Justice.
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Repro Shabbat & The Torah of Reproductive Freedom
Feb 19, 2025 | 11:30am CT
VirtualJoin us for an interfaith webinar on The Torah of Reproductive Freedom with the ISJL's Rabbi Salem Pearce as we explore key texts from Jewish tradition that illuminate Judaism's approach to reproductive freedom and discuss them in the context of the events that are currently impacting reproductive issues and rights across the country.
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No one Asked you!
Feb 26, 2025 | 7:00pm CT
In-person"No One Asked You" features comedians Lizz Winstead (The Daily Show writer) and Sarah Silverman. Every person can do something, and Abortion Access Front takes enormous pride in showing folks all of the ways they can make a difference, and guiding them to the people who need it most. We also really love making people laugh!
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Repro Shabbat 2025
Feb 21, 2025 | 7:00pm ET
Hybrid- both virtual & in-personSeveral congregations in Louisville are observing Repro Shabbat on both 2/21/25 and 2/22/25. Our section has connected with each of them, shared resources, and members of our Repro Rights committee are acting as point persons for additional support. We hope you join us!
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Documentary showing of Zurawski v Texas
Feb 19, 2025 | 7:00pm CT
In-personWe will be showing the documentary Zurawski v. Texas, with Q&A following. The panel will include plaintiffs Amanda Zurawski and Samantha Casiano, as well as one of the attorneys on the case, Austin Kaplan.
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Reproductive Rights Havdalah
Feb 22, 2025 | 7:00pm ET
In-personJoin us for an evening of social justice and advocacy for repeoductive rights! Our program begins with Havdalah and a Parshat Mishpatim text study led by Rabbi Lefkowitz. We will then be joined by Shira Zemel from NCJW to share their work as well as things you can do to help nationwide. We will finish our evening with two hands on activities; writing thank you cards to abortion providers in PA and making care packages for people who have had an abortion.
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Movie Screening and Panel Discussion: Zurawski v Texas
Feb 19, 2025 | 6:30pm CT
In-personJoin us for a screening of the documentary Zurawski v. Texas, followed by a panel discussion.
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Havdalah and Hora
Feb 22, 2025 | 7:00pm MT
In-personAn evening of blessings, reflection, singing, dancing, community, and divine desserts in celebration and hope for reproductive freedom and justice for all With Music Provided by Eitan Kantor and Friends.
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Repro Shabbat with Dr. Michal Raucher
Feb 21 & Feb 22, 2025 | 6:00pm CT
Hybrid- both virtual & in-personJoin the Kansas City Section of NCJW and Congregation Beth Shalom in welcoming Dr. Michal Raucher. Friday evening (in person), after services and dinner, she will speak about the history of abortion advocacy, including in the Jewish community. Saturday (virtual option) morning during services, we will learn with her about what the phrase "reproductive justice" encompasses - medically, legally, and sociologically.
Check out our Repro Shabbat Partners
