Shifra and Our Mission

In Shifra's Arms offers women struggling with unplanned pregnancies the help and support they need to create positive solutions to the challenges they face. As a Jewish communal organization, we believe that we have an obligation to offer assistance to our neighbor in crisis, because the Torah teaches us to “love our neighbor as ourselves” (Leviticus 19:18). We serve all women regardless of their religious affiliation or lack thereof.

Our mission is to help women facing unplanned pregnancies to create a positive future for themselves, whether they choose parenting or adoption. We treat all women with kindness, care, and respect, regardless of their circumstances or the choices they make about their pregnancy (parenting, adoption or abortion). We believe that no woman should feel that abortion is her only choice because of a lack of resources or pressure from the child's father, or her family, friends, etc. We offer our supportive services throughout each woman's pregnancy and through the first year after birth to help our clients address the myriad of issues that can go along with unintended pregnancies.

Our organization is named for Shifra, one of the two midwives mentioned in the book of Exodus, known for her exceptional courage in refusing to follow Pharaoh's orders to drown Moses and the other Hebrew infants. We chose the symbol of the midwife since, through the ages, midwives have helped countless women face the challenges and fears of pregnancy and beyond.

We are a non-denominational Jewish organization. We can refer to rabbis from various denominations if a client requests. We work with Jews from across the spectrum of denominations as well as Jews who are unaffiliated.

Our volunteers also come from a wide variety of religious and secular Jewish backgrounds and political perspectives. What brings us together is our mission to serve and the belief that women struggling with unplanned pregnancies should have support available to help them overcome their challenges and create a positive future for themselves and their children.