Voices of WRJ: Ki Tisa

by Dr. Sharon Z. Draznin Parashat Ki Tisa, in the book of Exodus, begins with Moses taking a census of the Israelites (men over the age of 20) and collecting a half-shekel from each person to be used for the construction and upkeep of the Tabernacle. Taking a census involves counting, to determine the total number or to have merit, importance, or value, as in, “Your contribution really counts.” When I look at the more literal meaning of counting, I can see a direct relationship to WRJ and sisterhood in terms of membership. It is vitally important to the health of our cherished organizations that we encourage and nurture membership. Even though this portion refers to adult Israelite men, we can, in these modern times, and in a more inclusive and participatory society, understand that the example stated above is one that creates a positive and healthy model for us today. I encourage you to think about ways you can involve yourself and others in becoming active members of your local sisterhood and of WRJ in a larger and broader sense. By giving a half-shekel each, or today by paying membership dues, we come to realize that each of us is important as part of a whole. When we contribute to the community at large, each individual matters and counts. We, as Reform Jewish women, can have a radical and positive effect on every activity in which we participate. Think about our work during the past 50 years in the areas of women’s rights, namely health and reproductive issues, YES Fund, social action projects, support of Israel and our Reform Jewish rabbinic students, and many more. How important it is to be counted and to count! Currently, in the general area of women’s rights and specifically under the categories of reproductive rights and access to health care, WRJ commemorated the 42nd anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. This 1973 Supreme Court decision protects the constitutionally-given right to a woman to choose whether or not to have an abortion. This protection still exists but has been slowly eroded by subsequent sort decisions and by the passage of state and federal laws which have established significant obstacles to health care and abortion access. As Reform Jews, we understand how deeply personal a decision is to have an abortion and we affirm the right of all women to make that decision based on their own circumstances, faith, and feelings. However we also know that safe, legal and affordable reproductive health care is still problematic for many women in living in the United States. I’m happy to be able to report that in my own state of Virginia, Governor Terry McAuliffe recently signed the state’s budget which includes $24.2 million in funding for family planning for each of the next two years. Additionally, the Guttmacher Institute has published nation-wide statistics related to abortion and family planning. It has been documented that in the United States, births resulting from unintended pregnancy are costly not only to the families and individuals directly involved but also to federal and state governments, resulting in $12.5 billion in government expenditures (according to 2008 statistics). Further, without government funded family planning services, the annual public cost of births from unintended pregnancy would double, in the United States, to more than $25 billion. Therefore, taxpayers saved $10.5 billion in the year 2010 when women were helped to avoid unintended pregnancies . Let us, the Women of Reform Judaism, continue to support issues such as women's health and reproductive rights by action. We know that women working together can strengthen each other. Let’s not be afraid to stand up and be counted just as the early Israelites did. Our voices count! Dr. Sharon Z. Draznin is WRJ Board member and a Temple B’Nai Shalom Sisterhood, Fairfax Station, VA, Past President. She has also served on the WRJ Mid-Atlantic District regional board.