A Mother's Day Call to Action

I am a mom. It is one piece of my identity (see also: spouse, daughter, rabbi, Reform Jew) and it is an important part of who I am, today and every day. Creating a better world for our kids is what drives me each day.

Today, I am thinking about the moms who make tough choices balancing caregiving and work. Today, I am with the women and people who yearn to be parents, with those who cannot be pregnant, and those who do not want to be pregnant. And I am with every mother who is missing her child today: in Israel, in Gaza, and around the world.

Since I became a mom, Mother’s Day has been a call to action for me. So I’m putting out this call to act for Women of Reform Judaism, and I hope for you, as well. Here are three ways to stand up for parents, mothers, families, women, and people who can become pregnant today.

On Mother’s Day, we urge Congress to support the FAMILY Act to provide paid family and medical leave for all workers in America.

On Mother’s Day, we ask Congress to protect fundamental reproductive rights, particularly the Women’s Health Protection Act.

On Mother’s Day, we demand the return of the hostages. Our hearts are breaking for the parents separated from their children. We hope and pray for them all to come home now.

What drives you this Mothers Day? Who or what are you speaking up for?

About the Author

Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch

Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch is the CEO of Women of Reform Judaism, a role she has held since July 2023.

Previously, Hirsch was the rabbi of Temple Anshe Amunim in Pittsfield, MA. She was ordained at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. In recognition of her academic and leadership achievements, she was honored as a Wexner Graduate Fellow, a Tisch Fellow, and a WRJ Scholar during her rabbinic studies. She completed her undergraduate education at Brown University with a degree in Environmental Studies.

She was the founding co-chair of RAC Massachusetts, a statewide synagogue-based community organizing project of Reform Judaism, and she serves on the National Council of Jewish Women’s Rabbis for Repro Rabbinic Advisory Council. She was a key faith leader in the 2020 campaign to pass the ROE Act, safeguarding reproductive rights and abortion access in Massachusetts.

Hirsch writes frequently on social justice, spiritual practice, and trends in Jewish life, with recent chapters included in The Social Justice Torah Commentary (CCAR Press, 2021) and Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftarah (CCAR Press, 2023). Her writing can be found at lizpghirsch.com.

Rabbi Hirsch lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband, Rabbi Neil P.G. Hirsch, and their two children.

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