THE SHOCKING FILM BIRTHRIGHT: A WAR STORY

NCJW Bergen County Section and Senator Loretta Weinberg, NJ State Senator Majority leader, were the sponsors of the film Birthright:  A War Story at the Teaneck International Film Festival on Sunday, November 5.  This film is a shocking and chilling exposé of the many ways that women’s rights are violated daily and the lives of women put in danger because of the aggressive campaign of the far right to limit women’s autonomy over their own bodies. We learned that not only is the Right to Life movement trying to control reproductive choice, but they are attempting and often succeeding in limiting the rights of pregnant women, jailing them, turning them into criminals and challenging their constitutional protections to control their health care decisions.

Following the film there was an engrossing talk back with Civia Tamarkin, award winning journalist and director/writer / producer of the film, and Senator Weinberg.  Radio commentator Sandi Klein led the discussion.  Ms. Tamarkin told us that she made this movie because she is appalled by the diminishing of the rights that women thought that they  had secured.  She is hoping that the film will be a wake-up call and help make the younger generation aware of the need to take action.  She wished to make a film that not only discussed abortion rights but also made the viewer aware of how the fight has expanded to contraception rights, pregnancy, bodily autonomy and the right of women to make their own medical decisions.

Senator Weinberg went on to discuss the state of women’s rights in NJ.   She pointed out that NJ has lost $7M in funding each year since Governor Christie took office.   She believes that women must show their concern by once again participating in rallies and marches, by voting, by economic boycotts and by becoming involved in the political process.  Giving a shout-out to NCJW, Senator Weinberg told the audience that we are an organization her colleagues respect.

Pictured L-R: Sandi Klein, Discussion Moderator and radio talk show host; Jeremy Lentz, Executive Director of the TIFF; CiviaTamarkin,  director, producer and writer of the film; Shelly Winner, NCJWBCS event chair; Loretta Weinberg, State Senator and Co-Sponsor of the film and Jane Abraham, NCJW BCS Co-President.