SHJ OPPOSES DENIAL OF EQUAL CONTRACEPTIVE COVERAGE TO WOMEN SERVICEMEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES
The Society for Humanistic Judaism (SHJ) joined coalitions of religious and secular organizations in supporting a pair of bills that would provide comprehensive access to contraceptive coverage for women Servicemembers and their dependents. Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen on July 29 and in the House of Representatives by Rep. Jackie Speier on September 10, the Access to Contraception for Women Servicemembers and Dependents Act of 2014 would ensure that all Servicemembers and their families who rely on the military for health care have the same access to comprehensive contraceptive coverage and family planning counseling as is provided by current law to the civilian population.
Quoting from the letters sent to Sen. Shaheen and Rep. Speier, SHJ Executive Director Bonnie Cousens said "We join with other women's health advocates in the belief that 'it is the duty of our military to provide the highest quality health care to all Servicemembers and military dependents, women included.'"
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SHJ URGED CALM REASONED RESPONSES IN DEALING WITH EBOLA
The Society for Humanistic Judaism (SHJ), like citizens everywhere, is concerned with the spread of communicable diseases such as Ebola and AIDS. In the past, fear and misinformation have only exacerbated the effects of communicable diseases. The SHJ urges a calm and reasoned response in dealing with the Ebola virus.
For our government leaders to rely on myths and fear rather than medical facts in approaching the treatment and control of Ebola only serves to further enflame and frighten people. The SHJ, believing that reason, "scientific knowledge, and respect for human dignity should be the underlying principles applied in the prevention and treatment of communicable diseases," issued a statement expressing concern "that certain populations may be unjustly stigmatized because of associations with frightening diseases poorly understood by the general public, such as Ebola and AIDS." Such stigmatization can lead to isolation of those who are ill or who have come in contact with anyone thought to be ill, a failure to report symptoms or seek treatment, the spread of the disease, and death. Quarantines and travel bans, dictated by fear without basis in reason and scientific facts, can result in lost wages and even lost jobs, creating hardships for many. The SHJ statement concludes by calling upon "governmental agencies and health professionals to provide responsible leadership and reassurance in responding to public concerns about the spread and treatment of communicable diseases, . . . upon pharmaceutical companies to develop and provide vaccines and medications to address outbreaks of communicable diseases," and "upon the media to exercise restraint in reporting on such matters."
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SHJ DENOUNCED TERRORIST ATTACK ON SYNAGOGUE IN JERUSALEM
The Society for Humanistic Judaism (SHJ) joined with leaders around the world in condemning the terrorist attack on a Jerusalem synagogue on November 18. Two Palestinians, armed with guns, knives, and axes, stormed the B'nei Torah Kehillat Yaakov synagogue in western Jerusalem's Har Nof neighborhood, killing four worshipers, three Americans and a British citizen, along with one policeman, who succumbed to his injuries. The two attackers were killed by police in the aftermath of the attack.
Quoting U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro, SHJ Executive Director Bonnie Cousens said,this "vicious terrorist attack . . . represents a barbaric new low in the sad and outrageous history of such attacks.'' Cousens continued, "The Society encourages both Israelis and Palestinians to seek a solution that will bring peace with justice to the entire region. We offer our condolences to the families and friends of the four men slaughtered in this attack. Our thoughts are with all those wounded and their families. We wish them a speedy and complete recovery."
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