Religious Misconceptions: American Jews and the Politics of Abortion

Liberal, religious Jews strongly advocated for legal abortion between the 1970s and the turn of the twenty-first century. On what grounds did they argue for reproductive rights, and why did they consider it an important priority? Join Dr. Rachel Kranson as she shares from her forthcoming volume Religious Misconceptions: American Jews and the Politics of Abortion. Kranson will uncover the history of the American Jewish lawyers and activists who advocated for abortion access to be protected by the guarantees of the first amendment of the constitution. Their efforts have become even more significant as the US enters a post-Roe era, and experts are looking for new legal avenues through which to protect reproductive freedom.

The 20th Annual Gus and Libby Solomon Memorial Lecture will be delivered by Dr. Rachel Kranson, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Pittsburgh.

For speaker biography and event registration details, visit the Judaic Studies website.