Farmington Hills, MI, September 10, 2014 – The Society for Humanistic Judaism (SHJ) joined coalitions of religious and secular organizations in supporting a pair of bills that would provide the same 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.’”
The Society for Humanistic Judaism is the national umbrella organization for Humanistic Jewish congregations in North America. These congregations embrace a human-centered philosophy that celebrates Jewish culture without supernatural underpinnings. Humanistic Jews value their Jewish identity and the aspects of Jewish culture that offer a genuine expression of their contemporary way of life. Humanistic Judaism embraces the belief in the human capacity to create a better world rather than in reliance on a deity.
The Society for Humanistic Judaism helps to organize local congregations and havurot, creates and disseminates celebrational and educational materials, provides national programs, including programs for teens and young adults, and serves the needs of individual members who do not live near an existing Humanistic congregation.