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ne in four women will experience A critical reason why domestic violence is friend who is Don Rochlen, JFS chairperson; Hannah Katz, Frankel Jewish Academy, domestic abuse in her lifetime. so hard to combat is because victims often then notified if first-place essay winner; JFS CEO Perry Ohren; Zachary Collen, North ODespite this problem’s prevalence do not come forward. They could be afraid the student either Farmington High School, second place; Mark Jacobs, 100 Mensches in our society, few steps have been taken of what their partner might do (or they have presses a button co-chair; and Randi Traison, FJA, third place to address it. Indeed, people often under- received threats from their partner) or could or fails to press estimate the extent of domestic violence in be afraid of what people may think. One way a button within Finally, Jewish values teach that we pun- Jewish communities such as our own, believ- to encourage victims of domestic violence a certain amount of time. By utilizing this ish those who choose to engage in domestic ing that it is something that happens to other to seek help is to always reach out to people technology for domestic abuse victims in our violence. Jews believe in the concept of communities, especially those of who appear to be in need — to “seek community with our members monitoring, hochai’ach tochee’ach or “you shall rebuke.” less affluence. peace” for them and “pursue it.” we can help them continue with their daily This value requires a Jew to be a critic of Unfortunately, this false Bakesh shalom v’rodfehu also lives with little interruption. those who make terrible mistakes in order to assumption causes domestic instructs Jews to be proactive in help- aid society. Consistent with this value, there violence within our community ing others, including by organizing PREVENTING ABUSE must be consequences for those who engage to be ignored, which, in turn, others to do the same. In the case of However, helping domestic violence victims in domestic violence. Our community can discourages victims from seeking domestic violence, there are many after the fact does not prevent domestic achieve this by reporting known instances of help. The tragedy with domestic types of organized assistance our violence from occurring in the first place. domestic abuse, by promoting the diligent violence going unaddressed in the members could establish by leverag- In order to stop domestic violence, we must prosecution of domestic abusers and by sup- Jewish community is that our very Hannah Katz ing our large number of profession- educate people before they become abusers porting tough penalties for those who engage Jewish values provide a playbook als, giving members and financial — in fact, when they are children. What we in such misconduct. to recognize it, create avenues for strength. Whether it is free counsel- learn as children impacts us for the rest of Whether publicized or not, domestic vio- victims to seek help and to stop it at its roots. ing, legal services, lodging or even financial our lives. lence is a problem in our own Jewish com- One reason why domestic violence occurs assistance, our community has the talent and The Jewish value of derech eretz, or munity. But, as discussed above, our Jewish at such a high rate is that friends and fam- resources to provide help. “proper behavior,” instructs us to do this very values provide tools and guidance to help ily of victims lack the fundamental ability For example, willing people in our com- thing. The values instilled in us as children tackle it. While I may only be a high school to recognize it. However, signs usually exist munity could temporarily house victims of from our parents, friends and teachers shape senior, I intend to pursue a career involv- that it is occurring, and our Jewish values domestic abuse after they choose to leave whom we will become. As part of derech ing the protection of women’s rights, which encourage people to have the vision to rec- their abusers. The organization could set eretz, children must be expressly taught would include the prevention of violence ognize those signs. Signs that someone may up a mobile application similar to Airbnb, that violence against children and spouses against women. be experiencing domestic violence include which helps travelers find places to stay. is unacceptable in our community and soci- The Jewish values that have been instilled absences from school or work, changes in With respect to domestic violence, victims ety. Children must also be taught that even in me not only have been an inspiration for personality, low self-esteem and isolation. could use the application confidentially to when they feel they do not have the means this pursuit, but also provide me with the While these signs may be somewhat vague choose a conveniently located home with to deal with problems or insecurities in their tools for being successful. With my pas- or not directly indicative of violence, they amenities to suit their and their children’s relationships other than by violence (which sion for helping all people, along with my are all examples of bad things happening to needs. is often the mindset of domestic abusers), strong Jewish values, I hope to help create a people. For another example, people could volun- there are, in fact, other means, and violence violence-free tomorrow. * As Jews, we have an obligation to “bakesh teer to escort victims or accompany them is never acceptable. shalom v’rodfehu” or to “seek peace and pur- throughout their day to make them feel safe So, as part of teaching “proper behavior,” Hannah Katz, a recent graduate of Frankel Jewish sue it.” In this case, bakesh shalom v’rodfehu after they have fled an abuser. Indeed, this our community (through its day school and Academy, won first place in an essay contest for high teaches not to ignore someone’s absences, could even be done on an “electronic” basis. Hebrew school curriculums) must not only school seniors on the topic of how Jewish values personality changes, expressed low self- On college campuses throughout the teach that violence is never acceptable, but can help create a future free of domestic abuse. The esteem or isolation. Rather, it teaches us to country, applications are emerging that allow must also teach children the practical con- contest, which paid cash prizes for the top three reach out to discover what is wrong and to students to walk home alone while being flict resolution and people skills to substitute essays, was sponsored by Jewish Family Service’s 100 help. “e-accompanied” by a family member or for violence. Mensches men’s group. editorial Haredi Vitriol Toward Non-Orthodox Hurts nagging undercurrent to the con- “And if we do not maintain our holy com- of the Wall, which is committed to liberal UNNEEDED FRENZY troversy over Israel’s plans to cre- mitment on these matters,” Rabbi Shlomo prayer at the Wall, might gain a recognized Meanwhile, leaders of the Reform and A ate a designated prayer section for Amar declared on June 5, “we will find our- presence at ’s holiest site. Conservative movements in the U.S. main- non-Orthodox worshippers at the Western selves immediately dragged into things that In January, Israel’s Cabinet approved tain a drumbeat of pressure on Israeli Prime Wall takes the form of haredi Orthodox rab- will lead to a schism among the people.” developing the Wall’s non-Orthodox wor- Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to break the bis ridiculing non-Orthodox Jews. In reality, Amar’s rant has proven a drag ship space to the south of the Orthodox- stalemate in his government and bring to The boorish behavior not only isn’t on the efforts of non-Orthodox Jews to controlled traditional plaza. Uproar by fruition the ’s expanded plural- becoming of rabbinic leaders in the ancestral establish a toehold in the waters of religious Israel’s haredi Orthodox parties, and both istic worship space. Jewish homeland, but also does nothing to pluralism inside Israel. current chief rabbis, effectively shelved Israel faces a battery of grave matters, not bring the Jewish people, varied as we are reli- It didn’t help that Amar, current Sephardic expansion of the contentious space pending the least of which are international isolation, giously, together. of and thus a role further review. Palestinian violence, a spiraling cost of liv- In a recent example, Israel’s former model in the haredi Orthodox community, The haredi coalition is against construc- ing and terrorist groups staging at multiple Sephardic chief rabbi, said the landmark branded Jews who favor a pluralistic worship tion of a shared entrance to both the tradi- borders. compromise creating a mixed-gender prayer space at the Western Wall as “wicked.” tional plaza and the new space, arguing these It doesn’t need the distraction of a furor space at the Western Wall would “weaken distinctly different prayer areas should not over who is a Jew — or Shlomo Amar divi- Jerusalem,” the Israeli capital. He went on PUSH AND PULL be thought of as equal. The coalition also is sively mocking egalitarian-prayer proponents to say allowing the space in an area dubbed Such name-calling reeks of fear that against non-Orthodox representation on the for acting, in his twisted view, “brazenly and Robinson’s Arch would be “an unforgiveable Israel’s Progressive (Reform) and Masorti committee overseeing the non-Orthodox mockingly” in their quest to “desecrate” the wrong, a sin that begets more.” (Conservative) streams as well as Women area at the Wall. Western Wall. *

8 June 23 • 2016