Honoring RBG

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. Almost immediately after Justice Ginsburg passed, my workplace, the National Council of Jewish Women, kicked into high gear to honor her dying wish–to keep her seat vacant until after the election.

While this is crucial, it’s been challenging. Not only are we fighting for the fate of our democracy and the right to bodily autonomy, we are mourning the loss of a beloved Jewish woman who changed the lives of every person in this country, especially women. I’m mourning my hero.

While I am continuing the fight, I want to take a moment to reflect on the impact her legacy has had on me. This post is my collection of memories in honor of RBG.

I first wrote about Ruth Bader Ginsburg in a small blurb for Jewish Women’s Archive in 2018. The piece was in honor of her birthday and the meaning she’s had on Jewish women.

Next is a piece I wrote for Alma last year after Ginsburg made a comment about a senator who had passed and previously made an extremely disrespectful comment about her. She quipped, “That senator — whose name I’ve forgotten — is now himself dead. And I am very much alive.” While even on the surface this is a powerful statement, to me it meant something much deeper. As Jewish women, we’re still here and still fighting for justice, just like Ruth.

Next is my Instagram. I rounded up a few of my RBG-themed goodies I’ve had around my apartment and made a small memorial for her. I included the earrings that are modeled after her notorious dissent collar that I’ve worn since the Kavanaugh fight. I’ve worn them when I was arrested for civil disobedience, when I spoke out at the Supreme Court in honor of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, when I walked across the stage at graduation, and at countless marches, rallies, and protests in between.

Included is a beautiful piece of artwork my aunt Randi commissioned for me for my graduation, with the phrase, “I am very much alive,” in honor of RBG. I even dressed up as Justice Ginsburg for Halloween one year. Pictured in the memorial is the lace dissent collar I wore.

And lastly, is my recent interview with i24NEWS on Justice Ginsburg’s passing. While we also discussed the importance of federal courts for protecting reproductive rights, I got to speak a bit to Justice Ginsburg’s legacy.

This is all to say, in the midst of this horrendous fight, I am still mourning the loss of Ruth. She was and is a huge reason why I am fighting for reproductive justice as a Jewish woman. I hope that I make her proud and continue to honor her legacy.