Update: Following an FDA Advisory Committee’s “first round” approval for the new emergency contraceptive, ella, NCJW welcomed final FDA approval of this drug on Friday, August 13. We applaud both the scientifically-sound process the FDA employed in its review of the drug, and are pleased that women will have expanded options to safely prevent unintended pregnancy. Learn more by reading NCJW President Nancy Ratzan’s comments about ella’s approval.

by Emily Gordon, NCJW Legislative Team

On June 17, 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs approved ulipristal acetate (UPA), a new emergency contraceptive (EC) known as “ella.” This new drug will be available on a prescription-only basis because it is different from already-approved EC like Plan B®, Plan B One-Step, and Next Choice. Ella was approved in 2009 by the European Medicines Agency, and has been proven to prevent unwanted pregnancies for up to 120 hours after unprotected sex.

Unfortunately, ella’s approval did not come without protests from anti-family planning activists. During the approval process, UPA, the main hormonal compound in ella, was inaccurately linked to mifespristone, the compound used in medical abortions. For the record, UPA is not related to mifepristone. Thankfully, the FDA did not fall victim to these anti-family planning arguments; and, by approving ella, the agency took an important step toward increasing birth control options for women. 

NCJW is pleased with ella’s approval and hopes that it will increase women’s ability to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Because ella is currently only available by prescription, it may be more affordable than other EC options that — due to their over-the-counter status — are not covered by some insurance plans. In addition, because ella is effective for up to 5 days — rather than only 72 hours — women have more time after birth control failure or unprotected sex to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. 

Ella is an important new tool to help ensure that women retain the ability to make important life decisions. The FDA should be applauded for the sound, evidence-based decision-making process they used to review ella.

By Helen Grossman, NCJW Legislative Team

I can pinpoint the exact moment I realized that I needed to take a stand for women’s rights and equality in the United States and abroad: the moment I was forced to confront the fact that the dream of women’s equality is not yet fully realized.

On a cold, rainy December morning last year, I stood with hundreds of women at Israel’s Western Wall — Judaism’s most sacred site. We gathered to quietly conduct a morning service, held each Rosh Chodesh, the first day of every new Hebrew month, coordinated by the organization known as Women of the Wall. Though quiet, our service that morning at the Western Wall continues to echo within me.

Women at the Western Wall are forbidden to wear clothes deemed “offensive” to the ultra-Orthodox, establishment that controls Israel’s religious law; wear prayer shawls (tallitot) unless they are hidden underneath layers of coats; sing or worship openly so as not to disturb the prayers of the men across the partition; or read from the Torah. So, the minute that we started singing our morning prayers, the ultra-Orthodox men beyond the partition began to protest. They screamed at the top of their lungs and hurled insults that hurt deeply. We kept praying, even as the chorus of yells from behind the wall grew louder. We refused to let their actions distract us from our religious experience.  I recall thinking that if my singing was offensive to this holy site, they must realize that their name calling and violent anger was, too. This loud protest continued, as we went from the Western Wall around to Robinson’s Arch, where women can read the Torah legally. I had never had part of my identity challenged like this before; never been told that I couldn’t practice religion in the way I deem fit; never been told that I am not allowed to participate solely because I am a woman.

On the morning of July 12, 2010, Anat Hoffman, leader of Women of the Wall (with whom I had the opportunity to worship), was arrested at a Rosh Chodesh service for carrying the Torah at the Western Wall — an act that is not illegal, according to the prohibitive Israeli law that forbids women from reading from the Torah at the Western Wall. This outrageous turn of events has reminded me once again that working toward a more just world where women can live freely is in my hands. Anat Hoffman is challenging unjust policies in the great tradition of peaceful change-makers. She is making Israel, safer for all Jewish women, and her arrest has already inspired conversations at the Knesset about changing the policy at the Western Wall. As an American Jewish woman, I am proud to stand alongside Anat Hoffman and NCJW to ensure that all Jewish women and non-Orthodox Jews can worship freely at the most holy site in our religious tradition. 

Editor’s note: Read NCJW’s statement “NCJW Shocked by Arrest of Women of the Wall Leader in Israel” to learn more about Anat Hoffman’s arrest on July 12, 2010.

Perception. We all know the adage that truth is in the eye of the beholder. This week’s hearings to confirm Solicitor General Elena Kagan to serve as the next Associate Justice to the Supreme Court reminded me that through different sets of eyes, the same situation can appear drastically dissimilar. As I sat in room 216 of the Hart Senate Office Building on day three of the hearings, the senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee shined a spotlight on many of the most critical issues in our social and political life, and the fundamental disagreements about them. There are dozens of examples from this week’s hearings, but here are some that stood out on Wednesday.

Throughout the hearings, there was a lot of talk about “judicial activism.” Last year, during Justice Sotomayor’s hearings, Sen. Franken (D-MN) said this on the subject: “As I see it, there is kind of an impoverishment of our political discourse when it comes to the judiciary … Judicial activism has become a code word for judges you don’t agree with.” During General Kagan’s hearings, several senators made similar points. On Wednesday, Sen. Graham (R-SC) perceptively explained, “it seems to be an activist judge is somebody that rules the way we don’t like.”

Sens. Graham and Franken agree. The term “activist judge” has become a negative buzzword, largely due to the opposing and popular conception that judges should be like umpires (an analogy made famous during Chief Justice Roberts’ hearings), ‘calling balls and strikes,’ strictly adhering to precedent and the constitution. Throughout her testimony, General Kagan respectfully debunked both the activist and umpire models and reminded us more than once that “judging requires judgment.” In essence, she reminded us of what Justice Sotomayor and President Obama have said – that Justices bring their life experiences to the bench in part shaping their perceptions and subsequent decisions.

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I am just returning from a 24-hour NCJW DC immersion experience.

My first “stop” was the confirmation hearing of Solicitor General Elena Kagan, to serve as Associate Justice on the US Supreme Court. Watching General Kagan on the “witness stand” taking command of the hearings was inspiring and instructive. She demonstrated fluid knowledge of the law as well as uncompromising devotion to the ideals of access to the courts and equal justice for all.  I was reminded of my law school days, and the awe-inspiring experience of sitting before an exceptional legal scholar who not only understands and reveres the rule of law, but also then expresses legal understanding with exquisite clarity and poetic passion.  If confirmed, I look forward to reading future Justice Kagan’s wise opinions. 

My next event was a White House gathering on the South Lawn for senior federal advisory appointees. I had the privilege of attending this gathering with my husband because I was appointed to serve on President Obama’s Advisory Council of the Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.  President Obama, who spoke extemporaneously (after Michelle Obama good-naturedly removed his prepared speech), reflected on the accomplishments of the past 18 months and aspirations for the coming months. And then he acknowledged what we, as advocates, know to be true: change happens only because of our involvement, engagement, and tenacity. 

My final stop on this 24-hour DC sojourn was a meeting with the Senate Democratic Leadership and leaders of national women’s organizations. We had an intimate and meaningful dialogue about women’s economic security, health care, and reproductive rights — noting that each are inextricably linked and deeply impacted by the three branches of government. 

I leave DC emboldened and renewed. Being at the tables of change and having a powerful grassroots network of change-makers and mobilizers makes NCJW valued, vital, and visible. By engaging, we are building on our legacy of making a difference where it counts the most.

Now it the time to work to ensure the confirmation of General Kagan, and the legislative policies needed to create the kind of changes that we know are possible — the kind of changes that will ensure equal access and social justice for all.

by Donna R. Gary, honorary vice president of NCJW and executive committee member of ICJW

The 21st International Council of Jewish Women (ICJW) Convention was hosted by the Union of Jewish Women of South Africa  in Cape Town, South Africa May 8-11, 2010. More than 225 women from 23 countries gathered for intensive forums on contemporary issues, as well as conducting the business of the organization. 

Current pressing concerns of the global Jewish community provided the core themes for the convention. Experts presented on Israel-Diaspora relations in a changing international reality and contemporary anti-Semitism. A highlight was Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft, “The Travelling Rabbi,” who gave fascinating briefings on Jewish communities throughout Africa. In addition, a panel of exceptional young leaders addressed how they see their role in the Jewish community, how they would set their community agenda, their perspective of global Jewish issues, and their view of the future of volunteering. Additional sessions addressed human trafficking, HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, the effects of media on the psycho-social experience of teen girls, the environment, human rights, and cultural/religious/ethnic diversity. 

 ICJW leaders from NCJW-USA were well represented at the Convention. The opening program session, Chaired by Donna R. Gary, NCJW-USA, focused on “Women as Leaders of Social Change” and featured an impressive panel of female advocates, academics, and visionaries in the global sphere of nonprofits. Panelists included Helen Lieberman, founder of the award winning social service NGO Ikamva Labantu; Professor Marion Jacobs, Dean, UCT’s Faculty of Health Sciences; and Nomfundo Walaza, CEO of The Desmond Tutu Peace Centre. In other events that weekend, Madeleine Brecher (NCJW-USA), as a member of ICJW’s United Nations team in NYC, participated in a panel that illuminated ICJW’s international work and global interfaith initiatives. Felicia Anchor (NCJW-USA) delivered the D’var Torah at the opening plenary.

Election results for the ICJW officers included names that will be quite familiar to the NCJW community:

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by Nina Schwartz, NCJW legislative associate

On May 27, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted to lift the ban that prevented women in the military from using their own private funds to pay for abortion services. In place since 1995, that ban prohibits servicewomen from using their own money to pay for abortion care at overseas military hospitals in almost all cases. That the Senate Armed Services Committee passed the repeal of the abortion ban as part of the Fiscal Year 2011 National Defense Authorization Act was an important first step. Step two is passing the full Senate.

More than 100,000 women live on military bases and rely on military hospitals for their health care. As long as this abortion ban remains in effect, these women will face significant obstacles when attempting to access safe abortion services. NCJW will continue working to ensure that the provision allowing servicewomen to use their own money to pay for abortion services is included in the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act and signed into law.

It doesn’t take a long time — I’ve learned — for the President to announce the nomination of a Supreme Court Associate Justice. That was true last summer when I joined the gathering at the White House for President Obama’s introduction of Sonia Sotomayor as his choice to fill Justice Souter’s seat. And it was true today as I represented NCJW at the White House ceremony announcing the replacement for retiring Justice John Paul Stevens. 

On Monday, April 26, approximately 150 state advocates gathered in Washington, DC, for the Paid Sick Days Summit. Hosted by the National Partnership for Women and Families and Families Values @ Work, NCJW allies from across the country came to DC to advocate for family-friendly workplace policies like the Healthy Families Act (HR 2460/S 1152) — just like NCJW did in March at Washington Institute.

I was lucky enough to receive an invitation to speak to this group on behalf of NCJW. And, with so many passionate advocates in the room, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to introduce Higher Ground: NCJW’s Domestic Violence Campaign.

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“Today in Basel, I created the Jewish State.”

Thus spoke Theodore Herzl, the founder of Zionism, at the first Basel Congress in 1894. In 1948 his prophecy came true: the Jewish state of Israel was born out of the fires of the Holocaust. But well before 1948, NCJW women decided to do something about the social problems besetting the soon-to-be new state.

NCJW concerns, then as now, are echoed in the words of Melanne Verveer, President Obama’s Ambassador at-Large on Global Women’s Issues, at her 2009 confirmation hearing: “It remains a simple fact … that no country can get ahead if half of its citizens are left behind. That economic prosperity cannot take root if women are being treated as second class citizens.” Naturally the weaker minorities — women, Arabs, immigrants — bore the brunt of the business of creating a state. Today, they are still at the bottom of the ladder — but they are climbing up quickly.

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by Cindy Wolfson, guest contributor and member of the NCJW Board of Directors

The 2009 NCJW Israel mission participants were honored to meet with a hero of the gay rights movement in Jerusalem: Noa Sattath, recent director of Jerusalem Open House, which is a community center serving the needs of the LGBT population. The community center was founded 10 years ago by one of our NCJW mission sisters along with other courageous activists committed to making a difference in the lives of the Israeli LGBT community.

Unlike the US, in Israel gays serve openly in the military. Same sex partners married abroad are not only recognized as married, they also have most of the same rights as heterosexual couples.

But despite legal protections, gays in Jerusalem still face intolerance and hatred — something that, unfortunately, Noa can attest to based on personal experiences. While planning Jerusalem’s first gay pride parade in 2005, she endured death threats and an attempted car bomb. And during the parade that year, there were stabbing attacks committed by a Yeshiva student.

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