Jews who have had Abortions
Rabbi Jacobs' writes:
This is an important piece of research that's happening right now. Dr. Michal Raucher, one of the leaders of this study, is a friend and has been up at camp each Shabbat (her husband is on Limmud staff with me), during which she has been teaching a shiur about this issue. After starting with the traditional Jewish texts on pregnancy and abortion, she's brought accounts of people who have shared their abortion stories, either in the press or as part of previous research she's done on the topic - it has been a humbling experience to read and discuss these stories in community. Happy to talk more about this and share more about the deeper goals of the study. I'm probably also going to speak about it from the bimah on 8/26, when I'm scheduled to give the d'var.
About the study:
The research team at Rutgers University seeks to explore the role that religion plays in Jews’ decision to terminate a pregnancy. The general cultural narrative in the United States is that religion is opposed to abortion. Yet, when polled, the majority of people who identify with a religious tradition are supportive of legalizing abortion. This includes 83% of Jews.
The research is documenting the stories and experiences of Jews who have had abortions by collecting the largest data set to-date of Jewish people who have had abortions. By surveying and interviewing people who identify as Jewish from around the United States, this study will demonstrate how these individuals interpret their own pregnancy terminations within their religious identity and commitments. This study will explore what role religion played in their decision to terminate a pregnancy, how their religious commitments have been affected by their decision to terminate, and whether they have experienced any stigma surrounding their decision to terminate.
Drs. Michal Raucher, Rachel Fryman, and Leora Scheinerman of Rutgers University are conducting this research study titled “Jews Who Have Had Abortions.” Participation entails completing an online survey that will take approximately 30 minutes. During the survey you will have the opportunity to express interested in a 45-minute phone interview as part of the research; if you express interest, you will be contacted by a member of the research team to schedule the interview. All your answers to this survey will be kept anonymous, and this link is anonymous. It cannot be tracked, and it cannot be used to identify respondents.
If you are Jewish and have had an abortion in the U.S. since 1973 you can participate in the research by completing this survey. Reach out to [email protected] with any questions.
This is an important piece of research that's happening right now. Dr. Michal Raucher, one of the leaders of this study, is a friend and has been up at camp each Shabbat (her husband is on Limmud staff with me), during which she has been teaching a shiur about this issue. After starting with the traditional Jewish texts on pregnancy and abortion, she's brought accounts of people who have shared their abortion stories, either in the press or as part of previous research she's done on the topic - it has been a humbling experience to read and discuss these stories in community. Happy to talk more about this and share more about the deeper goals of the study. I'm probably also going to speak about it from the bimah on 8/26, when I'm scheduled to give the d'var.
About the study:
The research team at Rutgers University seeks to explore the role that religion plays in Jews’ decision to terminate a pregnancy. The general cultural narrative in the United States is that religion is opposed to abortion. Yet, when polled, the majority of people who identify with a religious tradition are supportive of legalizing abortion. This includes 83% of Jews.
The research is documenting the stories and experiences of Jews who have had abortions by collecting the largest data set to-date of Jewish people who have had abortions. By surveying and interviewing people who identify as Jewish from around the United States, this study will demonstrate how these individuals interpret their own pregnancy terminations within their religious identity and commitments. This study will explore what role religion played in their decision to terminate a pregnancy, how their religious commitments have been affected by their decision to terminate, and whether they have experienced any stigma surrounding their decision to terminate.
Drs. Michal Raucher, Rachel Fryman, and Leora Scheinerman of Rutgers University are conducting this research study titled “Jews Who Have Had Abortions.” Participation entails completing an online survey that will take approximately 30 minutes. During the survey you will have the opportunity to express interested in a 45-minute phone interview as part of the research; if you express interest, you will be contacted by a member of the research team to schedule the interview. All your answers to this survey will be kept anonymous, and this link is anonymous. It cannot be tracked, and it cannot be used to identify respondents.
If you are Jewish and have had an abortion in the U.S. since 1973 you can participate in the research by completing this survey. Reach out to [email protected] with any questions.
