During the Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe, we are supposed to turn inwards to do the hard work of teshuvah, repentance. I am having trouble turning inward when I feel like my attention needs to be somewhere else. My attention needs to be finding my voice to carry on Justice Ginsburg’s legacy.
Roe v. Wade was decided 9 years before I was born. And I now fear that the liberties this legal decision gave will soon be a thing of the past. I fear that religious beliefs which do not align with my beliefs are being used to make decisions that affect all. Reproductive freedom is a Jewish value. Judaism believes that life does not begin at conception. And our tradition not only permits the termination of pregnancy, but even requires it when the life of the pregnant person is at stake. So when one uses their religious belief to demand the opposite, I cannot stand idly by and accept it as my own. My Jewish voice belongs in this conversation as much as the seemingly louder voices around me. So, I need to find my voice.
I can use my voice to educate and engage in dialogue with those whom I agree and disagree. I can use my voice to work for the justice of all individuals. I can use my voice to stop a group of people from overpowering others. I can use my voice, but I need your voices to join me. So as we do the hard work of personal teshuvah this year, let us also find our voices to support the issues that matter to us as individuals and our community.
One voice is quiet. A community of voices coming together are powerful.
Rabbi Sarah Smiley
Sustaining Rabbi of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah