Resolution Adopted by the CCAR
Abortion Rights
Adopted by the CCAR at the 91th Annual Convention of
the Central Conference of American Rabbis
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, June 23-26, 1980
In 1967 the Conference stated: “We strongly urge the broad liberalization of abortion
laws in various states, and call upon our members to work toward this end.”
The Conference reaffirms this position with the following comments:
A. Jewish legal literature permits therapeutic abortion.
B. The decision concerning any abortion must be made by the woman and not by the state
or any other external agency.
C. We oppose all constitutional amendments and legislation which would abridge or
circumscribe this right.
D. We call upon our rabbis and upon the Union of American Hebrew Congregations to
strengthen their support of the Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights on national,
state and local levels.