We must stand up to Christian nationalism

By Elliot Ratzman

“In the scriptures, it says that children are a reward, they're a heritage, they're a blessing,” is how Ohio Rep. Melanie Miller explained her opposition to abortion. “They are not a burden, but they are a gift from God.” We have come to expect such anodyne sentiments misconstruing reproductive care as “anti-child” and “anti-family.”

However, last summer, The New York Times podcast, The Daily, interviewed an anti-abortion activist and pastor, Jeff Durbin, whose organization was committed to introducing legislation to charge women who received abortions — and the doctors who performed them — with homicide, possibly incurring the death penalty.

“It’s a command of God to rescue those who are being led to the slaughter,” he explained. “That’s in Proverbs Chapter 24. So that’s not a request or a suggestion.”

In many cases, anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ extremists, who assert that life begins at conception, or that gender is binary and immutable, cite “Old Testament” passages to justify their positions.

Infuriating. Ohio's Jews must oppose this both as citizens committed to democratic pluralism, but also, clearly, publicly, and forcefully, as Jews.

After the Dobbs decision, we hear that anti-abortion extremists, nearly all Christian, who along with seeking a nationwide abortion ban, even of mifepristone, are also targeting legal birth control. We see the storm brewing here in Ohio in the attempt to thwart the reproductive freedom referendum.

It is not just abortion access that is under threat; at Pride parades and events all over the country, we have, for decades, seen messaging by anti-gay activists citing Leviticus or referencing Sodom and Gomorrah.

Organized hate to gay, lesbian, and transgender people continually refers to our Scriptures for support.

We are living in times when legislation against reproductive rights and gender-affirming care is being organized by the Christian right, imposing a fringe religious agenda on Jewish bodies, and citing “Old Testament” texts to add insult to injury.

Let’s connect the dots.

Crusades against abortion rights and transphobia are grounded in a Christian “supremacist” logic laced with antisemitic tropes. While the majority of mainstream Christians support repro- ductive freedoms and are supportive of LGBTQ issues, the activist core of the religious right is, in essence, Christian nationalist. They reject the separation of church and state, recast the American project as the story of a “Christian nation,” and demonize liberal opponents with religiously tinged dog-whistles, framing them as harming children and killing babies — a new sort of blood libel.

Anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ extremists explicitly seek a theocracy, a rule by alleged “laws of God.” Christian theocracy has a long bloody history, and Jews and other perceived heretics, eccentrics, and misfits do not fare well under such regimes.

Even the Catholic right, while not strictly Christian nationalists, insist, absurdly, that their narrow views on reproduction, contraception, and gender are grounded in “universal reason” accessible to all, rendering all others, including the vast majority of American Jews, “irrational.”

Christian nationalism also seeks to expand mass incarceration, criminalizing healthcare providers, parents, and those who seek abortion. In the name of “protecting children,” Christian right bills contain heavy penalties for families who seek proper reproductive and gender-affirming care. The claims that children are being murdered and mutilated by doctors draw on age-old Christian superstitions and antisemitic conspiracies.

Within the conversations of the Christian nationalist right, Jews are already being divided into “good” and “bad”— Soros and liberal Jews are demonized. Liberal Jews are scapegoated and their spaces are under threat as was the case with Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life murders.

By contrast, the Christian right is more than happy to embrace Jewish conservatives, the Ben Shapiros, Marc Levins, and Josh Mandels, who will buck Jewish values on social issues, and whose stated positions on abortion and gender-affirming care are indistinguishable from the Christian right.

As Jewish ethicist Michal Raucher points out, “Unless you support a person’s right to bodily autonomy, then you are supporting a system wherein someone else determines what you or anyone else can do with their bodies.”

At Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, we agree and insist that bodily autonomy is a Jewish value. This extends to trans people’s gender-affirming care.

Some Jews believe that making common cause with White Evangelicals is “good for the Jews,” either through their desire for public funding of religious schools or in Christian support of the State of Israel. On June 8, AIPAC tweeted that it “mourns the passing” of Pat Robertson, one of the architects of the modern religious right. Commentators have insisted that, on Israel, American Jews will have to forego their social liberalism for this unholy alliance.

Other Jews may perceive the burden will fall primarily on poorer women, women of color, the disenfranchised, those who cannot access health care, or afford arrangements in states where abortion or gender-affirming care is legal. While this is true, it is our Jewish obligation to stand with those most vulnerable, both on principle and out of a larger sense of self-interest. Jewish history is familiar with the costs of social exclusion.

Our role as Jews, as an organized Jewish community, should not be to stand with the wicked and the powerful out of misplaced self-interest, but those populations at risk—women, people of color, LGBTQ—who are the targets of Christian nationalists and their anti-abortion, anti-“woke” legislative agenda.

True security for Jews means living in a pluralistic society, not one guided by toxic extremists who would use the state to deny us rights and freedoms.

There is plenty to do. In the short term, gathering petitions for Ohio’s Right to Reproductive Freedom amendment, mobilizing the vote for August, and opposing anti-trans and anti“woke” legislation.

In the medium term, we must join in coalition with others—African Americans, the LGBTQ community, liberal Christians—to contain the threat of Christian nationalism.

While disrupting pernicious legislation is crucial, while standing in coalitions is incumbent on us, we also need to turn to our Christian nationalist neighbors in dialogue and discussion.

By doing the hard work of engagement, we will get to the heart of these retrograde hostilities to social pluralism, religious freedom, and misunderstandings of the Hebrew Bible, and to accompany their journey out of hate toward mutual understanding and democratic pluralism.

Whether the efforts of the coalitions for reproductive freedom succeed or fail in their efforts this August and November, Jews must be central to the organized resistance to Christian nationalism in Ohio in the coming years.

Elliot Ratzman is a professor in the religion department at Earlham College in Richmond, Ind. He is part of the leadership team of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action — Ohio.

By Rabbi Rachel Isaacs

When you walk into the back door at my home away from home, Beth Israel Congregation of Waterville, Maine, you’re greeted with a faint scent of kosher matzah ball soup mixed with the slightest hint of mildew from a 70-yearold building that can’t quite manage its moisture anymore.

On your left, you’ll see the kitchen, the heart and soul of our congregation. It is often where the most invaluable Torah is taught and learned. That happened a few years ago, when my wife, Mel, was joined one snowy Saturday night by our rabbinical intern.

“Mel,” the intern asked, “do you always need to make this many sandwiches for the food pantry?”

“No,” she replied. “Demand has gone up over the past few years, but we always need to make double at the end of the month.”

“Why?” the intern asked. Mel stood there somewhat stunned by a question that should not have felt like a Talmudic riddle. How could he not know?

“Most of the clients we serve, some of whom are members of our own congregation,” she explained, “rely on WIC and EBT, government benefits that are issued at the beginning of each month and that often run out by the end, especially in families with children.”

“Oh, OK. I didn’t know that,” he said with a humility that endeared him so deeply to all of us at Beth Israel.

He didn’t understand the significance of the double portion at the end of the month, but before I came to Waterville, I didn’t either. I knew nothing about communities like Waterville. And what I thought I knew was not only wrong, but actually, in retrospect, was harmful and offensive. And if I did think about class differences when I lived in Brooklyn, I rarely thought about it in connection to the Jewish community.

But my ignorance and that of my student should not surprise us. How many of us really talk honestly about class? Class isn’t just about money. It’s a messy alchemy of financial wealth, social connections, political and cultural power, the opportunities people encounter in their lifetime, and the communal regard they receive. To put it more concretely, someone can have the money — through personal resources or scholarships — to attend a Jewish

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Dave London

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force honored Dave London of Beavercreek as its 2022 Museum Volunteer of the Year for his dedication and excellence in serving the museum and the Air Force.

Dave received the honor at the museum's 41st Annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet. The museum’s exhibits division nominated Dave, who has contributed more than 1,200 hours maintaining, updating, and creating exhibits, with "remarkable attention to detail."

Among the museum volunteers who received special recognition at the banquet was Steve Markman, who received the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which honors those who have completed 4,000 hours or more of volunteer service.

Courtney Cummings will play the role of Baroness Elsa Schrader in Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra and Dayton Playhouse's production of The Sound of Music, July 21-23 at the Arbogast Performing Arts Center in Troy.

Send your Mazel Tov announcements to mweiss@jfgd.net.

Volunteering at JCC's Camp Shalom this summer are two shluchim (emissaries) from Israel: Itay Cohen, 22, (L) from Haifa, who recently completed his IDF service; and Harel Ben Yosef, 24, of Kiryat Ata, a city in Israel's Haifa district. Their stay here is coordinated by the JCC Association and the Jewish Agency for Israel.

Brennan, the grandson of Robert Kahn and the late Gertrude Kahn of Kettering, has reached a remarkable milestone in his life. He recently graduated with a bachelor of science degree in business administration, specializing in management and marketing, from the prestigious University of South Carolina. Brennan's career is flourishing as a digital marketing consultant at PureCars, a highly regarded firm located in Atlanta.

The bride-to-be, Kara Chambers, holds a special place in the hearts of her family, including her grandparents Gary Winisky and the late Audrey Winisky of Lavonia, Mich. Kara's educational journey has been commendable, culminating in the attainment of a bachelor of science degree in business management from Kennesaw State University and a bachelor of science degree in actuarial science from Georgia State University. Currently, she excels as a senior strategic sourcing analyst at AXIS Capital, a renowned company based in Alpharetta, Ga.

Brennan and Kara, a couple radiating with joy and eager anticipation, are delighted to share their plans for a Summer 2024 wedding. As their love story continues to unfold, their families eagerly await the union of their beloved children. Congratulations to Brennan Kahn and Kara Chambers on their engagement! May their journey towards matrimony be filled with everlasting love, boundless happiness, and treasured memories.

On May 13, Jennifer Wells of Noblesville, Ind. married Jose Ramos at Longboat Beach, Fla. Bridesmaids were her nieces, Madeline Linville, Lauren Linville, Gabby Linville and Erika Ramos, daughter of the groom. Officiating was her cousin, Rachel Kirkpatrick. Jennifer's parents are Joan and Peter Wells. Her sister was Rebecca Michelle Linville of blessed memory. Jose's groomsmen were his three sons.

Congregations

Beth Abraham Synagogue

Conservative

Rabbi Aubrey L. Glazer

Cantor/Dir. of Ed. & Programming Andrea Raizen

Fridays, 5 p.m.

Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.

305 Sugar Camp Circle, Oakwood. 937-293-9520. bethabrahamdayton.org

Beth Jacob Congregation

Traditional

Rabbi Leibel Agar

Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. Evening minyans upon request.

7020 N. Main St., Dayton. 937-274-2149. bethjacobcong.org

Temple Anshe Emeth

Reform

320 Caldwell St., Piqua.

Fri., July 14, 7:30 p.m. led by Steve Wyke and Mary 'Mahira' Rogers. Contact Steve Shuchat, 937-7262116, ansheemeth@gmail.com. ansheemeth.org

Temple Beth Or Reform

Rabbi Judy Chessin

Asst. Rabbi/Educator Ben Azriel

Fridays, 6:30 p.m. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 937-435-3400. templebethor.com

Temple Beth Sholom

Reform

Rabbi Haviva Horvitz

610 Gladys Dr., Middletown. 513-422-8313. templebethsholom.net

Temple Israel Reform

Senior Rabbi Karen BodneyHalasz. Rabbi/Educator Tina Sobo

Fri., July 7, 6 p.m.

Fridays, July 14, 21, 28, 6:30 p.m. Sat., July 8, 10:30 a.m. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 937-496-0050. tidayton.org

Temple Sholom

Reform

Rabbi Cary Kozberg 2424 N. Limestone St., Springfield. 937-399-1231. templesholomoh.com

Additional Services

Chabad of Greater Dayton

Rabbi Nochum Mangel

Associate Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin

Youth & Prog. Dir. Rabbi Levi Simon. Beginner educational service Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. 2001 Far Hills Ave. 937-643-0770. chabaddayton.com

Yellow Springs Havurah Independent

Antioch College Rockford Chapel. Contact Len Kramer, 937-5724840 or len2654@gmail.com.