Learn about the state of abortion access in our city and country, and honor the Jewish value of reproductive freedom at this post-Kiddush panel discussion and service project featuring an inspiring lineup of experts in abortion care, funding and advocacy: 

  • Allison Korman, Founder & Executive Director of the Red Tent Fund
  • Andrea Salwen Kopel, Executive Director of NCJW-NY
  • Dr. Gillian Dean, Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY)

Please help us collect supplies  for care kits for abortion patients  from our Amazon Wishlist here. Order by Wednesday, February 19 to ensure timely delivery. 

If you’d like to bring donations in person, please note we can accept only the following unused, individually packaged items: 

  • Small hot water bottles
  • Fuzzy socks
  • Lip balm
  • Sanitary pads
  • Body & hand lotion
  • Individually packaged snacks
  • Ginger candies

This event is co-sponsored by: Ansche Chesed, Congregation Rodeph Sholom, Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, New York Jewish Agenda, and SAJ – Judaism That Stands for All.

BJ is proud to partner with the National Council of Jewish Women for Repro Shabbat 2025 as we read Parashat Mishpatim—the Torah portion often cited as the foundation of Judaism’s approach to reproductive health, rights, and justice. 

Speakers 

Allison Korman (she/her) is a strategic thinker and nonprofit leader with a passion for helping others. From 2022 to 2023, she led the DC Abortion Fund (DCAF) as Senior Operations and Strategy Director, until her resignation in response to antisemitic conduct by staff and Board. Prior to joining DCAF, Alli served as founding Executive Director of Culture of Respect, a leading national initiative to end campus sexual violence. She has provided management, support, and technical assistance to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and served as the Associate Director of Education for the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP). 

Andrea Salwen Kopel is the leader of the staff team at NCJW NY and as such is responsible for all aspects of organizational management including programming, fundraising, and administration. Andrea comes to NCJW NY with 25 years of experience in non-profit management in New York City. She began her career at the national office of Planned Parenthood, working in communications and media relations. She has since served as Director of Program Services for Citymeals-on-Wheels; V.P. of Community Programs at the non-profit Big Apple Circus; and as Executive Director of Room to Grow.

Gillian Dean, MD, MPH (she/her) is the Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) where she oversees clinical services provided to New Yorkers in 23 health centers across 65% of the state. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is a nationally recognized leader in the field of complex family planning, and the author of numerous peer-reviewed publications and online resources and frequently quoted in print and online media. Dr. Dean is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and a fellow of the Society of Family Planning and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dr. Dean received her undergraduate degree in Women’s Studies from Barnard College and her medical degree from Harvard Medical School. She completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of California, San Francisco where she subsequently completed a Fellowship in Family Planning. She received an MPH in Health Policy and Management from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.