14. Jewish and Pro-Life

For episode 14 of Beyond Rome this week, James O’Reilly is joined by Cecily Routman of the Jewish Pro-Life Foundation. In this episode, Cecily shares about her journey as a pro-life Jewess, how she came to know God through her suffering, and how the Torah informs us about the dignity of each human life.Cecily founded the Jewish Pro-Life Foundation (JPLF) in 2006. A native of Pittsburgh, she was Bat Mitzvah at then conservative synagogue Beth Samuel Jewish Center and obtained her MSW from the University of Pittsburgh.The Jewish Pro-Life Foundation brings together Jewish people from all backgrounds and levels of observance who believe that human life in the womb is sacred and that Jews are commanded by HaShem to protect and defend these innocents. Jewish communities, from the most secular to the very religious, lack essential information necessary to understand and apply this way of thinking and acting.The JPLF draws inspiration and strength in the knowledge that Judaism was the first religion in human history to sanctify human life from conception and to prohibit child sacrifice. In Judaism, life takes precedence over all other matters, and each Jew is responsible for protecting and defending innocent life, including life in the womb. This is especially urgent now amidst the ongoing attacks on Jews from outside enemies.Beyond Rome is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and a variety of other media platforms!⬆️ LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE ⬆️ _______________________ Timestamps:00:00-08:14 — Introduction & Recap of Cecily’s Story with Jewish Pro-Life Foundation08:14-13:47 — Torah-based and Biblically based Pro-Life belief13:47-19:44 — Challenges for the Jewish Pro-Life movement19:44-20:47 — Return to God, the Desire for the Messiah’s Coming20:47-22:32 — Mother Teresa & Pope St John Paul II’s familiarity among Jews22:32-23:23 — WWII & relation to antisemitism and abortion23:23-28:44 — Torah and the use and abuse of legal systems28:44-30:12 — Encouragement to the Jewish community30:12-34:28 — Conclusion_______________________  Giving to Philos Catholic: If you've enjoyed this podcast, then please consider supporting our work! You can mark your gift for "Beyond Rome" through our giving page (see link below). Give here ➡️ https://raisedonors.com/philosproject/give-philos-catholic_______________________ Follow Philos Catholic: ➡️ Website: https://philosproject.org/catholic  ➡️ Instagram: / philoscatholic➡️ X: / philoscatholic_______________________Resources:➡️ Learn more about the Jewish Pro-Life Foundation: https://jewishprolifefoundation.org/➡️ Follow the Jewish Pro-Life Foundation on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cecilyroutman?igsh=MWMzbGxxY29wZzJnYg==➡️ Bonnie Chernin, Director at the Jewish Pro-Life Foundation, writes on Times of Israel: Judaism is pro-life and all Jews should be pro-lifeSupport Philos Catholic