Religious Misconceptions: American Jews and the Politics of Abortion

Lecture Description:

Liberal, religious Jews strongly advocated for legal abortion between the 1970s and the turn of the twenty-first century. On what grounds did they argue for reproductive rights, and why did they consider it an important priority? Join Dr. Rachel Kranson as she shares from her forthcoming volume Religious Misconceptions: American Jews and the Politics of Abortion. Kranson will uncover the history of the American Jewish lawyers and activists who advocated for abortion access to be protected by the guarantees of the first amendment of the constitution. Their efforts have become even more significant as the US enters a post-Roe era, and experts are looking for new legal avenues through which to protect reproductive freedom.

Biography:

Dr. Rachel Kranson is Director of Jewish Studies and Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. A scholar of post-WWII American Jewish history, gender, and sexuality, she is the author of Ambivalent Embrace: Jewish Upward Mobility in Postwar America (2017) and the co-editor of A Jewish Feminine Mystique: Jewish Women in Postwar America (2010). Dr. Kranson's writing has appeared in academic journals as well as popular venues like The Washington Post, Lilith, and The Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

To learn more about Dr. Rachel Kranson, go to the main event webpage: https://www.pdx.edu/judaic-studies/20th-annual-gus-and-libby-solomon-memorial-lecture-2025

The 20th Annual Gus and Libby Solomon Memorial Lecture is presented by the Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies at Portland State University. Sponsored by Richard B. Solomon and Alyce Flitcraft. Cosponsors include Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, Oregon Jewish Community Foundation, PSU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, PSU Department of History, PDX Hillel, and PSU Jewish Student Union.

Support this free, annual event: Make a donation to the Gus and Libby Solomon Lecture Series Endowment.

Please note that parking availability is limited onsite at the hotel and the rate is $3 per hour. As an alternative to parking, we recommend you travel by MAX. The Orange Line stops directly in front of the hotel. The stop ID is 13710. Here is a link to help you plan your trip: https://trimet.org/home/planner

Seating is limited. Be sure to bring your ticket, and plan to arrive by 7:20pm. Doors to the lecture hall will open approximately 7:20pm. Ticketed registrants will be seated first, then unticketed guests will be offered any remaining seats.

Thank you for your support of this event!

Host or Publisher Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies