[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-image mt-image-right","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"163","height":"191","alt":"DeborahSwerdlow.jpg"}}]]Deborah Swerdlow is a participant in the Religious Action Center's Machon Kaplan summer program for college students. She is a student at the University of Florida and an intern at the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
This is my city, hands down. I love riding the Metro, I love walking past the White House and I love my internship. For the past week and a half, I've been working at the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, an alliance of more than 40 religious groups from 15 denominations. The RCRC is dedicated to women's healthcare from a faith-based perspective. Our main goals are making sure that women have access to affordable reproductive healthcare; ensuring that abortion remains safe and legal; providing medically accurate comprehensive sex education in public schools; and raising awareness of STDs, HIV and unintended pregnancy and ways to prevent these problems in the first place.
I work in the public policy department, which is a relatively new department of three people. My second week at work has been a little unusual, given that our office was flooded over the weekend and, sadly, we had no ark. But on Wednesday, we left the still-slightly-damp office around 3 p.m. to go to the Interfaith Service of Witness and Prayer. The service represented everything the RCRC stands for: bringing together members of different faiths, regardless of whether they pray to Jesus, Buddha or Allah, to fight for something they all believe in. On Wednesday, that cause was health care reform that is inclusive, accessible, affordable and accountable.
The RCRC attended this event because we support the right of every woman to have access to affordable healthcare that meets all her needs, including reproductive ones. Although some groups objected to our participation, we remained steadfast in our commitment because we believe in the bigger issue. I am proud to say that I stood at the RCRC table for four hours in the D.C. summer heat, wearing stickers that proclaimed, "Pro-faith, pro-family, pro-choice," and telling passersby about our organization's passion for healthcare reform. Everyone who approached us expressed gratitude for our position and presence at the event. My interactions with the other participants taught me about the power of working together for something you really, truly believe and solidified my love for this city.
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-image mt-image-none","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"480","height":"640","alt":"Picture 004.jpg"}}]]
This is my city, hands down. I love riding the Metro, I love walking past the White House and I love my internship. For the past week and a half, I've been working at the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, an alliance of more than 40 religious groups from 15 denominations. The RCRC is dedicated to women's healthcare from a faith-based perspective. Our main goals are making sure that women have access to affordable reproductive healthcare; ensuring that abortion remains safe and legal; providing medically accurate comprehensive sex education in public schools; and raising awareness of STDs, HIV and unintended pregnancy and ways to prevent these problems in the first place.
I work in the public policy department, which is a relatively new department of three people. My second week at work has been a little unusual, given that our office was flooded over the weekend and, sadly, we had no ark. But on Wednesday, we left the still-slightly-damp office around 3 p.m. to go to the Interfaith Service of Witness and Prayer. The service represented everything the RCRC stands for: bringing together members of different faiths, regardless of whether they pray to Jesus, Buddha or Allah, to fight for something they all believe in. On Wednesday, that cause was health care reform that is inclusive, accessible, affordable and accountable.
The RCRC attended this event because we support the right of every woman to have access to affordable healthcare that meets all her needs, including reproductive ones. Although some groups objected to our participation, we remained steadfast in our commitment because we believe in the bigger issue. I am proud to say that I stood at the RCRC table for four hours in the D.C. summer heat, wearing stickers that proclaimed, "Pro-faith, pro-family, pro-choice," and telling passersby about our organization's passion for healthcare reform. Everyone who approached us expressed gratitude for our position and presence at the event. My interactions with the other participants taught me about the power of working together for something you really, truly believe and solidified my love for this city.
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-image mt-image-none","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"480","height":"640","alt":"Picture 004.jpg"}}]]
Related Posts
Image
Dying and Living with Dementia
Read about one man's journey to embrace life after he was diagnosed with early-stage dementia and how he found new meaning through studying Torah.
Image
The Union for Reform Judaism’s Responses to the Increase in Antisemitic Incidents
As antisemitic rhetoric and violence escalate in North America and around the world, the URJ is speaking out with urgency and clarity as a voice for Jewish safety, justice, and dignity.
Image
Reflections
Read about one transgender camper's journey of self discovery at Eisner Camp 12 years ago and how her camp community encouraged her to be her full, authentic self.