26% Of British Jewish Women Abused, Study Finds

One in four Jewish women are victims of domestic abuse, according to the largest survey of its kind. The Jewish Women's Aid study, You know a Jewish woman suffering from domestic abuse: Domestic abuse and the British Jewish community, found that 26 per cent of the 842 people surveyed had personally experienced domestic abuse.

Question of the month: How Do I Know If I’m Being Abused?

In an abusive relationship the abusive spouse believes that he is entitled to be in control of his spouse, in every way important to him, and will use a variety of tactics to gain and maintain that control. While most people think that it isn't abuse if there is no physical violence, the reality is she can be afraid of what her spouse might do, in any number of ways, even if she is not actually afraid that he will be physically violent.

Sarah’s Voice - Introducing Free Legal Aid for Victims of Domestic Abuse

Sarah's Voice is a new legal aid service that provides a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing domestic violence issues in the Orthodox community. Sarah's Voice ir run by a full-time lawyer and social worker are working hand in hand to ease the process as clients come forward to receive legal aid.

STF Hotline Growth and Expansion

Mrs. Sharron Russ, Hotline Director for Shalom Task Force, prays every day that her job will cease to exist. Alas, her prayers have yet to be answered. During hours, two female volunteers (of a staff of 70 trained advocates) are ready to respond to the urgent emotional and physical needs of Jewish women in crisis and Mrs. Russ is on the case.

For the last fifteen years, thousands of Jewish women have summoned up the courage to reach out to the Hotline. They rely on Shalom Task Force’s guarantee of anonymity and privacy and are aware that a an Orthodox Jewish wife will delay efforts to seek advice since she is fearful of embarrassment and potential negative consequences for her and her children. When she finally gathers the courage to face her dilemma, she calls the hotline as her first step towards help.

Making Shalom

Domestic abuse in the Orthodox community is a pressing problem, yet one which must be handled with sensitivity and awareness of halachic issues. Fifteen years ago Nechama Wolfson founded the Shalom Task Force to do just that.

Read the Founding of Shalom Task Force in PDF Format

A Story of Survival

My husband, who I thought would be loving and respectful, turned out to be controlling and eventually abusive towards me.

How Do I Know If I’m Being Abused?

By Lisa Twerski, LCSW

In an abusive relationship the abusive spouse believes that he is entitled to be in control of his spouse, in every way important to him, and will use a variety of tactics to gain and maintain that control.

The Problem Is Ours

By Rabbi Avraham J. Twerski

There is a potent word in the Yiddish vocabulary, so potent that it has influenced attitudes. Even those who do not under stand a single word of Yiddish are affected by it. The word is “shanda.”

Breaking The Silence

By Aviva Hoch

On Sunday, May I, 1994, the lead article of 'The Nation," a feature of the New York Times "Week in Review" section, described changes in the way law enforcement officials are handling complaints of domestic violence. Many who read the detailed article, sighed at the telling photograph of a victimized woman and child, and turned the page. How many among us were aware that this acute problem also rages within our “safe” Jewish communities?

Domestic Abuse - The Dark Side of Marriage

By Lisa Twerski, LCSW

In the past several years our community's' awareness of the many social problems we face has grown tremendously. Much has been written about child abuse, substance abuse, troubled youth and domestic violence. A deeper understanding of these problems, however, still eludes many of us. It is only with that deeper insight that we as individuals as well as a community can be of help.