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Peg Elefant
Hadassah National Vice President

Why I stand with Hadassah for reproductive rights

Photo courtesy of Hadassah.
Photo courtesy of Hadassah.

I have had an abortion. Was the decision easy? Yes. Was it emotionally painful? You bet it was. The “why” isn’t important (although I will disclose that later). The fact of the matter is my husband and I had a choice to make and thank G-d we didn’t have to travel to another state or another country to do what was right for us.

A year ago, the US Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade (Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, June 24, 2022). A shanda (beyond shame; a devastation!). And it touches us personally.

Image courtesy of Hadassah.

I am proud to be a 45-plus years member and current National Vice President of Hadassah. Hadassah always has and always will support women’s reproductive rights.

As stated in Hadassah’s January 2023 policy statement, Support For Choice In A Post-Roe Landscape:

“In light of the US Supreme Court’s decision overturning the long-held precedent of Roe v. Wade, which ended federal protections for reproductive freedom, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc., reaffirms its unwavering support for complete access to reproductive choice and health care. Hadassah also reaffirms its commitment to fight for protections for patients who seek reproductive health services, as well as for doctors, nurses, other health professionals and allies who provide those services or facilitate access to care.”

Kol haKvod (All honors), Hadassah!

A “bittle brief”—a little backstory: My husband and I are both carriers of the genetic mutation for Tay-Sachs Disease, an autosomal recessive genetic disorder which damages the brain and spinal cord. We were so caught up in wedding plans that we had not heeded our rabbi’s plea to get tested. You guessed it—three weeks later, we were pregnant. Six months later, through amniocentesis, we discovered our son Dan was healthy. Two years later, we weren’t so lucky. Two years after the abortion, we were blessed with Sharon, a healthy daughter

Thank G-d for testing; thank G-d for reproductive choice.

And Thank G-d for Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, for consistently advocating for and supporting women.

My family and I are Hadassah life members and Hadassah Associates. We always have and always will support Hadassah.

Join me. Become a member! And Donate now!

Hadassah National Vice President Peg Elefant is a member of the Hadassah Educators Council and supports Hadassah with her talents through Art in Support of Hadassah.

About the Author
Hadassah National Vice President Peg Elefant has demonstrated exemplary leadership over her 40-plus years at Hadassah, including service as a: Creative Consultant, Curriculum Developer and Chair for Building Hadassah Community; National Leadership Vice-Chair; President, Pacific Northwest Region; and National Online Training Chair. Peg has been intricately involved in Hadassah leadership, creating and delivering trainings for region presidents, multi-region conferences and individual regions. Having served on the Constitution and Governance Committee, Peg has a deep understanding of Hadassah’s constitution and bylaws and how they support the operations of the organization. As an artist, Peg paints both in Israel and at home in Oregon. She believes that art is a way of communicating a sense of place and has shared her knowledge and artwork with multiple regions. Originally from Northern California, Peg has lived in Corvallis, Oregon for over 40 years, where she first encountered and developed a passion for Hadassah.
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