Jewish clergy across the state have spoken out about domestic abuse in the Jewish community.
“I’ve never told anyone, but…”
“From the outside, it looks like I have the perfect family and the perfect life, but…”
“I know I should be sending you a donation rather than asking for support, but…”
“I’ve never actually been hit or threatened with violence, but…”
“I thought this didn’t happen in Jewish families, but…”
So begins many conversations at JF&CS Journey to Safety, where we know that domestic abuse is a Jewish issue.
Although public awareness has come a long way, it’s still not common to hear about domestic abuse in the Jewish community. That silence, coupled with the persistent myth that abuse is rare in the Jewish community, complicates and amplifies concerns people may have about whether they will be judged or blamed if they reach out.
Many Voices, One Message
The Many Voices campaign is a response to the silence that keeps people being harmed by their partner feeling invisible and alone. In signing on to the statement, Jewish clergy speak in one clear, unified voice.
“We join together in saying we will not tolerate domestic abuse in the Jewish community.”
The campaign was first launched nine years ago by JF&CS Journey to Safety, Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership Against Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse, and the Jewish Domestic Violence Coalition.
We are particularly inspired by the broad spectrum of names on the list, with clergy coming from many different expressions of Jewish life and practice. The list also reflects the wide range of roles that clergy play in their professional lives—in congregations; Jewish communal organizations and/or schools; as chaplains; or serving in their communities in a multitude of different ways. Taken together, their reach and influence are spread out widely and deeply across the Commonwealth.
Many people who have been harmed by their partner tell us that clergy voices matter and that support from their rabbi or cantor really made a difference to them. Others have emphasized the importance of lifting up this issue publicly in Jewish spaces.
We are grateful for everyone’s ongoing individual and collective support for this powerful statement and we gratefully thank the Jewish clergy across Massachusetts who are continuing to shine a light in the darkness for people being harmed by their partner.
