OVER 300 ATTEND TIFF’S “ASK FOR JANE”Sunday, November 17 was the final night of the Teaneck International Film Festival. NCJW BCS was proud to sponsor the sold-out screening of “Ask for Jane” at Temple Emeth in Teaneck. The evening began with the presentation of the Wise Older Women (WOW) awards. The first was awarded to Eva Tobias, a dedicated activist and volunteer. The second was awarded posthumously to our beloved past president Jane Abraham to whom the Teaneck International Film Festival dedicated the film. The inscription on the award read “In recognition of her inspiring work with National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section, Age-Friendly Teaneck and Bergen Reads. Her powerful legacy of dedication, activism, caring and leadership will live on.” In accepting the award, Jane’s husband Andy expressed appreciation to the community and noted that Jane would have been so happy to receive it. In the lobby NCJW BCS mounted a photo display of Jane. “Ask for Jane” is the story of seven University of Chicago coeds who began a referral service for women seeking safe but illegal abortions in the late 60’s and early 70’s before Roe vs Wade made abortions legal. The women became known as the Jane Collective. In those years the women and a young man who was not a doctor performed 11,000 abortions, risking fines and imprisonment for themselves. They actually were arrested during one of their meetings. They could have each faced 110 years in prison, but because abortion had just been legalized, the judge threw the case out. Participating in the talk-back were Heather Booth, one of the original “Janes”, an NCJW member and a vocal activist; AngelaBonavoglia, award-winning author and journalist on women’s issues; Cait Cortelyou, producer and actress in the film; Rachel Cary, writer and director of “Ask for Jane”; and Sandi Klein, a former anchor of WINS radio and founder of the podcastConversations with Creative Women, who acted as moderator. The film is currently streaming on YouTube, Amazon Prime and Google Play. Click to enlarge photos.  NCJW BCS Resource Table Featuring A Photo Display of Jane Abraham.  Third from the left Heather Booth, an original “Jane” and panel member, with NCJW BCS advocates Bari-Lynne Schwartz, Carol Loscalzo, Phoebe Pollinger, Ruth Seitelman and Elizabeth Halverstam. |
This is the NCJWBCS Archives (January 2013 - May 2021). The current site can be found here.
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The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
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