I’m not worried about the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

After all, I am no longer of child-bearing age and so if I were raped I could not get pregnant.

I’m not worried about the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

Because if I was a victim of incest, I could not get pregnant.

 I’m not worried about the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

Because even if I were young enough to get pregnant, I live in Pennsylvania where choosing to terminate a pregnancy is still legal. At least for the moment.

I’m not worried about the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

Because even if I didn’t live in Pennsylvania, but lived in Kentucky or one of the many other states that have trigger laws banning abortion outright or with very few exceptions, I have enough means to get to another state – or even another country like Canada – to safely end a pregnancy.

And one of my colleagues in Canada offered her congregation as a refuge sanctuary while noting with disdain how once again America will have an underground railroad.

I’m not worried about the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

Because I could, at least for now, have access to a medicinal abortion.

I’m not worried about the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

Because I could, at least for now, purchase birth control.

I’m not worried about the overturn of Roe v. Wade  for me.

But the word “worried” does not even hint at my fear for my children and for you and your children and grandchildren and for American women and girls and for America.

This means that an ectopic pregnancy or a stillborn must be carried.

This means that pregnancies, no matter the health of the fetus, will continue. Let’s hope our healthcare system will take care of them.

This means that women living in poverty have less access to the health care they need which disproportionately affect women of color and their unborn children.

This means that the cycle of poverty will not only continue but increase.

This means that more children will be in the foster care system.

This means that women will be pushed into the corner to make dangerous decisions about ending a pregnancy in unconventional ways.

This means that rape and incest carry a life sentence – not just for the perpetrator but for both the victim and the child.

This means that Judaism which requires abortion access in case there is threat to the mother’s life is at odds with American law.

This means that the First Amendment separating “church” and state has been weakened.

This means that American Jews’ place in America is more tenuous than it was when we woke up this morning.

Ladies and girls: I don’t know what to say other than: I am here –  for support, for counseling, for access to resources, for empathy, for a hug.

Men and boys: I am here – for support, for counseling, for access to resources, for empathy, for a hug.

We are reeling. We are having trouble finding words. But let us at least begin…

If you are a parent, talk to your children – female and male – about the holiness of their bodies; about boundaries and limits; about choices; about commitment. About what the word “no” means.

If you are a grandparent, help your children find the words to speak to their children.

If you are a husband, be a partner, not a controller.

If you are a man, take birth control seriously and personally. Preventing pregnancy when it is not wanted is not only a female’s responsibility.

Let us speak out against sexually abusing women, against sexual trafficking. Let us take action to ensure that there are strict laws with substantial penalties and energetic follow-up by the police. No longer can rape kits remain on the shelf, unprocessed.

And let us vote and help others gain access to the polls. After all, it is June 2022 and we are still a democracy.

It is time to get to work.