Shalom Task Force - Promoting Peaceful Relations & Healthy Marriages

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.

The caller could be a distraught mother who believes that her married daughter is suffering from a controlling, critical husband. She wonders what can or should be done for her daughter. Another call could be a young girl in her twenties, engaged to be married in just one month, who is uneasy because she heard her chassan speak to a family member in a cold, hostile way. Is this a red flag she should be paying attention to? Is he really the mensch everyone said he is? She’s been uneasy for a while now, as she’s seen this darker side of his personality emerge on several occasions. Should she break off the engagement? And if she does, will she ever get another chance? These cases are representative of hundreds of different situations that are presented to our highly-trained staff of dedicated women.

STF hotline advocates do a three-hour shift once a week. Their volunteers are there as advocates for other Jewish women in need. They don’t take the responsibility lightly nor do they do it for honor. In fact they rarely reveal that they volunteer on the hotline.

STF’s growth in the number of volunteers has been necessary to respond to an estimated 1000 hotline calls received each year. Many of these calls are in response to a domestic abuse situation. Additionally, the hotline provides referrals and a listening ear for personal and family concerns.

Rachel*, a dedicated volunteer, shares her experience on the hotline: “One of my first calls was a woman who called me Monday morning at
9:02, right after we opened. It was clear she was waiting until we opened. She said: “I just want you to know that Hashem blessed me with seven children. Last night, Baruch Hashem, was the last sheva brachos for my youngest child. I have been married 35 years, my life has been a living hell and I have to get out of my marriage.” Rachel, the volunteer, continues: “Many times the phone will ring and all I’ll hear is sniffling. I’ll say, ‘I’m here for you, I care about you. I’ll hold on for as long as you need.” The woman will start sobbing because someone cares about her. I have listened to women cry for ten minutes before they start talking.”

The Shalom Task Force hotline is very excited about an affiliate program, which began a few years ago, allowing services to expand beyond the NYC region. Since it is very costly to start up a new hotline and to train volunteers, other areas of the country are joining Shalom Task Force as affiliates. These cities put together a customized manual for social service, therapeutic and legal referrals in their area, and supply the New York volunteers with these manuals. If a woman in trouble calls from elsewhere she will speak to a New York volunteer who has access to referrals that are well-suited to her caller’s geographic location.

Sarah* is the name that the anonymous victim used when she called the hotline one Tuesday morning, after her husband had left for work and her children were safely at school. She had been summoning the courage to make this call for at least three years. Her hands trembling, her mouth as dry as the Sahara, she practically whispered the words: “I’m frightened for my children to witness what is going on, what do I do?” Sarah called the right place. Shalom Task Force is here to help.

For more information call our hotline at 1-888-883-8383 or 718-337-3700 or visit online at www.shalomtaskforce.org.
Anonymous and No Caller ID