Members of Jewish community join ACLU in lawsuit against Ohio’s, ‘Heartbeat Bill’

COLUMBUS — Members of the Jewish community are coming together to tell the Ohio Supreme Court that the six-week abortion ban violates their religious freedom, our news partner in Cincinnati WCPO reports.

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The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism said their Ohio branch (RAC-OH) is working with other Jewish groups on filing an amicus brief, jumping with the ACLU and Planned Parenthood’s original lawsuit to share their agreement, according to WCPO.

Marisa Nahem and her family live in Northeast Ohio and believe Ohio’s, “Heartbeat Bill,” infringes on their freedom of religion, WCPO says.

“For me, being Jewish teaches me that, not only do I believe in access to abortion, but I believe the rights that exist and the views that people have, they have a right to have,” Nahem said.

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Reform and Conservative Judaism supports access to abortion, according to WCPO. Orthodox Judaism has no clear answer, which has been causing divides following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. However, Orthodox does believe abortion should always be allowed to save or prevent pain from the pregnant person, Suffolk University found.

The ACLU and Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against Ohio’s six-week abortion ban, but the Ohio Supreme Court rejected their attempt for an emergency stop, which would prevent it being enforced, WCPO reports.

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Ohio Right to Life praised the ruling from the Ohio Supreme Court.

“The pursuit and protection of life is actually rooted into both our Ohio Constitution, as well as the United States Constitution,” said Michael Gonidakis of Ohio Right to Life.

The ACLU of Ohio said they are looking forward to the Jewish community joining them in this legal fight, WCPO reports. So far, professors from Ohio State and the University of Cincinnati have filed amicus briefs, as well.

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