Truth: Shalom bayit – domestic tranquility – is a central tenant of Judaism.
Myth: Domestic violence is not a Jewish problem.
Truth: Domestic violence is a community issue, not a private affair.
Myth: Domestic violence is rare among Jewish families.
Truth: domestic abuse occurs in Jewish families at the same rate as in all families in our community – about 20% – regardless of religious background, levels of education and socio-economic status.
Did you know?
October is the month to stand up, speak up and proudly wear purple, the color of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
For nearly thirty years, Jewish Family Service has worked to address the issue of domestic abuse in the Jewish community through family counseling, pro bono legal services, shelters, community education and advocacy programs.
Counting on community leaders
Stepping up the effort for an organized, community-wide intervention, the Jewish Women’s Foundation funded an assessment survey of several hundred Detroit area Jewish communal professionals. The survey revealed that many of the professionals and lay leaders in our community, including rabbis and social workers, had the need and desire for more expertise on this topic in order to best serve families turning to them for help.
Organizing the response
In 2008, a committed group of Jewish and secular organizations and dedicated advocates in the Detroit Jewish community came together to create JCADA -the Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse. JCADA is a coordinated, community-wide response to the issue of domestic abuse in Jewish families.
With the participation of over 40 community agencies and organizations, JCADA is working to educate, advocate and raise awareness of this destructive issue in our community.
Expanding the base
Building momentum for JCADA in its 2010-2011 grant cycle, the Jewish Women’s Foundation funded task forces and a community-building project to reach out specifically to teens, college students, those concerned with elder abuse.
Taking the message home
This October, JCADA kicks off a year-long initiative with the Big Purple Campaign sponsored by the Jewish Women’s Foundation, to raise awareness throughout the community. Look for purple posters, banners and ribbons, designed to remind that it takes a community to “Stand up against Domestic Abuse.” Walk into any participating community institution and you’ll see our poster as well as purple JCADA ribbons. Please take one and wear it throughout the month of October to show your support in fighting domestic violence in our community. You also can show support by uploading our “Jewish D stands up against DV” thumbnail for Facebook and Twitter.
The community-wide “Take the message home” initiative also includes a yearlong social media campaign called “Healthy Relationships through the Jewish Year.” You can participate by posting and tweeting about domestic abuse awareness throughout the year. To learn more, email eychute@jfsdetroit.org, or syechieli@jfsdetroit.org , or visit us at: www.jcadadetroit.org
