Rabbi Sarah Smiley, of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, was recently appointed as a new member of Planned Parenthood’s national Clergy Advocacy Board.
One of ten new members, Rabbi Smiley will work with clergy across the United States — and across all faiths — to lead the national and local advocacy efforts and communicate with communities of faith and religious leaders for access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health care.
“We are thrilled to welcome the new members of the Clergy Advocacy Board to help raise awareness around the ways clergy leaders and faith communities have long been driven by their faith to support sexual and reproductive health care,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president & CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “These advocates know that caring about the health and rights of their communities is essential, and they stand with those across the country fighting for reproductive freedom. With our new members, we are energized and eager to carry our work forward on behalf of all people.”
According to Planned Parenthood, the majority of Americans of faith agree that Roe v. Wade should not be overturned. According to the Public Religion Research Institute, majorities of most large Protestant groups, such as white mainline Protestants (59%) and black Protestants (56%), say abortion should be legal in most or all cases. And 70% of people who identify as Jewish, a plurality of Catholics, and the majority of Muslims in the U.S. support legal abortion as well.
“B’nai Jehudah has a strong history of activism and social justice, and we are proud that Rabbi Smiley will continue that work on behalf of the greater community to affect positive change,” said B’nai Jehudah board president, Jocelyn Fry.
“More often than not, the only voice of faith we hear in regards to reproductive rights is the voice of opposition. I am excited to help change the narrative and bring a voice of faith on the side of reproductive justice,” said Rabbi Smiley.
