That birth control is completely in consonance with Jewish tradition is pointed out in a resolution adopted by the Rabbinical Assembly of America at a session of its executive council on February 13 and made public yesterday.
The resolution urges Congress to pass legislation permitting the dissemination of birth control information by responsible medical agencies.
Another resolution adopted by the council reaffirms the endorsement given by the rabbinical assembly to the labor movement in Palestine at the assembly’s last annual convention, on July 5, 1934.
“We believe that such reaffirmation is necessary at this time, in view of the charges made against the Palestine Labor movement in certain quarters,” the resolution says.
The birth control resolution points out that Jewish tradition explicitly recognizes the desirability of the use of contraceptives when the health of the mother or the children is involved. Careful study and observation have convinced the rabbinical assembly that birth control is valuable in overcoming some of the obstacles that prevent the proper functioning of the family under present circumstances, it is stated in the resolution.
“Hence,” the resolution says, “we urge the passage of legislation by the Congress of the United States and the State legislatures to permit the dissemination of contraceptive information by responsible medical agencies.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
