Abortion

New study examines debate over brain-dead pregnant women kept on ventilator

The case that occurred in 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia, has just been described in “The halachic heartbeat at the edge of life: navigating maternal brain death and fetal life.”

|ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Prof. John Loike (R), Prof Alan Kadish (M), and Rabbi Tzvi Flaum (L)
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Christmas Holy Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, December 25, 2025.

Pope Leo decries use of military force in fiery 'state of the world' speech

Leo, the first US pope, said the weakness of international organizations in the face of global conflicts was "a particular cause for concern."

|ByREUTERS
A confrontation between pro-Palestinian protestors and Jewish congregants at Congregation Ohr Torah on Nov. 13, 2024

DOJ cites law designed to protect abortion clinics in suit against pro-Palestinian protesters

The lawsuit alleges that two pro-Palestinian groups and some demonstrators engaged in “threats of force, intimidation, and violent conduct” against the congregants of a New Jersey synagogue.

|ByGRACE GILSON/JTA
PROF. IDIT MAYA in her laboratory at the Rabin Medical Center.

Genetic model from Rabin Medical Center cuts pregnancy terminations

Rather than using a rigid, one-size-fits-all global cutoff, the new model allows for a personalized “true risk threshold.”

|ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH

Polish court rules activist guilty of helping terminate pregnancy

Along with Malta, Poland's anti-abortion laws are among the most restrictive in Europe, allowing for termination only in specific circumstances.

MARCH 14, 2023ByREUTERS
Used boxes of Mifepristone pills, the first drug used in a medical abortion, fill a trash can at Alamo Women's Clinic in New Mexico

US VP Harris to defend abortion pill facing legal attack

Mifepristone is approved for medication abortion in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy in combination with another drug, misoprostol.

FEBRUARY 24, 2023ByREUTERS
US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a Veterans Day event at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia, US, November 11, 2022.

Jewish communities nationwide gather in person and online to observe Repro Shabbat

1500 synagogues are expected to join the third annual shabbat commemorating reproductive rights.

FEBRUARY 18, 2023ByJACKIE HAJDENBERG/JTA
National Council of Jewish Women leaders and advocates rallied on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court to show support for abortion access, Dec. 1, 2021.

Sundance documentary ‘Under G-d’ details the Jewish legal response to the Dobbs decision

Filmmaker Paula Eiselt found a Jewish angle: the rabbis and Jewish organizations who are helping lead the charge in bringing lawsuits against the Dobbs decision.

JANUARY 24, 2023BySTEPHEN SILVER/JTA
Abortion rights demonstrators protest outside the United States Supreme Court as the court rules in the Dobbs v Women's Health Organization abortion case, overturning the landmark Roe v Wade abortion decision in Washington, US, June 24, 2022.

Five rabbis sue Missouri over abortion bans on religious freedom grounds

They are seeking to overturn a blanket ban on abortions except in the case of a medical emergency.

JANUARY 21, 2023ByJACKIE HAJDENBERG/JTA
THE ‘JEWISH RALLY for Abortion Justice’ rally near the US Capitol in May. The rally, hosted by the National Council of Jewish Women, took place two weeks after the leaked draft of the Supreme Court’s potential decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Abortion opponents push post-Roe agenda at annual Washington march

March for Life plans to ramp up its marches across different states, which started with the first state "March for Life" in Virginia in 2019.

JANUARY 20, 2023ByREUTERS
Anti-abortion activists hold a banner as they walk in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building during the annual "March for Life", in Washington, U.S., January 21, 2022.

Judge rules for Florida's DeSantis against prosecutor for abortion stance

Lawyers for DeSantis argued that the governor suspended Warren from office not over his speech but his conduct as a prosecutor.

JANUARY 20, 2023ByREUTERS
Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks with his wife Casey DeSantis at his side during his 2022 US midterm elections night party in Tampa, Florida, US, November 8, 2022

Reversing abortion drug's approval would harm public interest, US FDA says

The FDA commented on risks that would be posed by an abortion drug no longer being accessible.

JANUARY 17, 2023ByREUTERS
Used boxes of Mifepristone pills, the first drug used in a medical abortion, fill a trash can at Alamo Women's Clinic in New Mexico

Vatican dismisses Trump-supporting, anti-abortion leader from priesthood

The Vatican defrocked Father Frank Pavone in November, according to a letter sent to US bishops from its ambassador to Washington.

DECEMBER 18, 2022ByREUTERS
Pope Francis attends the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, November 30, 2022.

Judge blocks Indiana abortion ban following joint Jewish-Muslim challenge

Indiana became the first state to pass a new law banning abortion after the US Supreme Court in June overturned its landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling.

DECEMBER 3, 2022ByREUTERS
MEMBERS OF JEWS For Racial and Economic Justice and IfNotNow hold signs that say ‘Baruch Hashem For Abortion’ at a New York rally on Tuesday.