Orthodox Jews are 16% of the USA Jewish population, so this figure does indicate a deep divide between traditional Jewish attitudes towards abortion and those who have rejected Jewish tradition on this issue (unaffiliated, Reform, Conservative, etc.). The only ancient Jewish text that deals with abortion in a direct and unambiguous way is the Mishnah, which states that abortion is permitted during a breech childbirth in which the life of the mother is in imminent danger. We differ from the Catholic Church and perhaps some other "conservative" Christian groups in that the life of the mother takes precedence over that of the baby in this circumstance, but that is the extent of it. Outside of an imminent danger to the physical life of the mother, traditional Jewish law doesn't really permit abortion. Now the views of the majority of the American Jewish population on this topic do not coincide with this tradition, but that does not mean that the "choice" of an abortion for any other reason than that to save the life of the mother is some sort Jewish value. It is just a popular notion among American Jews and it has more to do with cultural assimilation than religion. Let's not conflate the two, please.
As for you comments about "In Shifra's Arms", I actually pulled my four children out of a Conservative Jewish day school because they had invited Planned Parenthood to the school. At least "In Shifra's Arms" has a direct Jewish connection, while I am happy to say that Planned Parenthood does not, and I hope it never will!
Orthodox Jews are 16% of the USA Jewish population, so this figure does indicate a deep divide between traditional Jewish attitudes towards abortion and those who have rejected Jewish tradition on this issue (unaffiliated, Reform, Conservative, etc.). The only ancient Jewish text that deals with abortion in a direct and unambiguous way is the Mishnah, which states that abortion is permitted during a breech childbirth in which the life of the mother is in imminent danger. We differ from the Catholic Church and perhaps some other "conservative" Christian groups in that the life of the mother takes precedence over that of the baby in this circumstance, but that is the extent of it. Outside of an imminent danger to the physical life of the mother, traditional Jewish law doesn't really permit abortion. Now the views of the majority of the American Jewish population on this topic do not coincide with this tradition, but that does not mean that the "choice" of an abortion for any other reason than that to save the life of the mother is some sort Jewish value. It is just a popular notion among American Jews and it has more to do with cultural assimilation than religion. Let's not conflate the two, please.
As for you comments about "In Shifra's Arms", I actually pulled my four children out of a Conservative Jewish day school because they had invited Planned Parenthood to the school. At least "In Shifra's Arms" has a direct Jewish connection, while I am happy to say that Planned Parenthood does not, and I hope it never will!