National Council for Jewish Women, Essex Co.

The National Council for Jewish Women (NCJW), Essex County is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.

NIRH started working with the Thrive Coalition, comprised of the Cherry Hill Women’s Center and New Jersey Policy Perspective, on a campaign that culminated in the passage of the Reproductive Choice Act in January 2022.

But the work we and our partners had set out to do in New Jersey was unfinished.

NIRH started working with the Thrive NJ Coalition, through a partnership with Cherry Hill Women’s Center and New Jersey Policy Perspective, on a campaign that culminated in the passage of the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act in January 2022. But the work NIRH and its partners set out to do in New Jersey was unfinished. 

In 2022 NIRH worked with Thrive NJ Coalition, and specifically Cherry Hill Women’s Center, Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey, and National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County, to continue to put pressure on legislators to address all of the abortion access issues left unaddressed by the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act through a new bill called the Reproductive Equity Act. The Dobbs decision in June 2022 demonstrated the continued need for New Jersey to be a bold leader on expanding access to the full range of reproductive health services, including abortion. NIRH worked with its partners to build momentum in the legislature and galvanize grassroots support for the coalition’s core initiatives, including comprehensive sex education. NIRH also led trainings for coalition members to build capacity in legislative advocacy, both through community outreach and through direct meetings with legislators.  

NIRH’s work with the Thrive NJ Coalition continued in 2023 by pushing for legislative, regulatory, and executive action around abortion access, focusing specifically on passing the Reproductive Equity Act.  

After Dobbs, New Jersey abortion providers have noted a significant increase in out of state patients traveling to NJ for care, thus establishing the state as a haven for abortion seekers. Comprised of Cherry Hill Women’s Center, Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey, and National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County the Thrive NJ Coalition is uniquely positioned to be a bold leader in guaranteeing that unrestricted access to abortion services is a reality to all. In 2023, NIRH will firstly work with the Thrive NJ Coalition to establish an education and communications campaign to understand and implement the needs of abortion providers and seekers in New Jersey. Secondly, NIRH will provide strategic guidance and technical assistance to the coalition as they develop legislation to introduce during the Lame Duck session and launch an advocacy campaign to advance their legislative priorities.