Why the Jewish Tradition Teaches that Life Begins at Birth

Religion is often used as a justification for the anti-choice movement, but there are many religious perspectives. In the Jewish tradition, life does not begin at conception. Thirty years ago, I marched on Washington to protest a case before the Supreme Court that threatened Roe v. Wade. I joined Jewish congregations in partnership with the Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights, an interfaith movement whose existence indicates support for reproductive rights in the religious world within and beyond my Jewish community. I wore a shirt to the protest that quoted the 19th century Rabbi Sofer: "No woman is required to build the world by destroying herself."