Efrat is an Israeli abortion group that tries to persuade Jewish women not to have an abortion . To this end, the organization distributes explanatory materials and offers economic assistance to pregnant women considering abortion. The name Efrat comes from I Chronicles , where Efrat is the name of Caleb's wife (according to Jewish tradition, she is none other than Miriam ). writes, “Why is it called Efrat? Because Israel was fruitful ( "paru" ) and multiplied through it. ”This refers to her actions against the decree of the pharaoh on infanticide, thanks to which she saved the lives of many Israelis.
Efrat’s explanatory materials demonstrate the quality of life of the fetus at different stages of pregnancy in order to show that the fetus is human life. In addition, the organization testifies to the medical dangers caused by abortion, talks about women who had an abortion and later regretted it, and also tells about women who planned to have an abortion, but ultimately did not.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the organization has focused on providing financial support to pregnant women who plan to have an abortion due to their economic situation.
The organization’s approach is illustrated by the following quote on the Efrat website:
- What is an abortion? Abortion means the termination of a child who is not sufficiently developed to survive outside his mother.
- Although the vast majority of abortions are for socio-economic reasons, abortion does not solve financial or social difficulties. Very often, psychological scars caused by abortion only complicate existing problems. Sometimes it takes a lifetime to solve these problems.
- Economic and social problems can be solved. Situations can - and indeed - are changing. But life can never be restored.
The organization’s main offices are located in Jerusalem and are led by Dr. Eli J. Schussheim and, according to the organization’s website, 2,800 volunteers work in the streets of Israel.
According to the organization’s publications, in 2006 it prevented about 2,600 fetuses and generally prevented about 25,000 abortions as of 2007.
Criticism
Various organizations, including Mishpach Hadash ( The New Family ), have attacked Efrat. The main complaint is that the religious position of the organization supports the protection of pregnancy at almost any cost and can lead to the fact that the mother and child will be unhappy, for example, in cases of teenage pregnancy or pregnancy, which is associated with medical danger.
The law proposed by Knesset member Reshef Chin from Shinui attempted to prevent Efrat from providing information to women considering abortion, on the grounds that he believed that they were persecuting a pregnant woman. The law was not passed, and some legalists attacked it.
In 2012, Efrat ambassadors were criticized for suggesting that a pregnant teenager not have an abortion because a teenage couple later attempted suicide. [one]
In response, Efrat claims that the opposite position to abortion is legal, and that in many cases a repeated abortion will make the woman miserable. In addition, the organization states that it does not force women to not perform abortions and provides only information. She also seeks to ensure that women do not have an abortion due to economic problems.
Notes
Links
- Efrat's website
- A review of Efrat, from a meeting of the Knesset's Committee on the Status of Women ( Hebrew { {{1}}} )
- "Sefer Hahayim (Book of Life)" , an interview with Dr. Eli J. Shussheim in the newspaper HaTzofe ( Hebrew { {{{1}}} )
- Ofrah Locks, Sefer Hahayim (Book of Life) , a report on Efrat in Besheva ( Hebrew { {{1}}} )
- Responsa on the topic of abortion in cases of severe illness ( Hebrew { {{1}}} )