At-Risk Teen Girls Thriving in New JWI-Funded Program in Israel

More than 30,000 teen girls have been designated “at-risk” in Israel. A growing number of young girls experience physical and sexual abuse, living in dysfunctional family settings rife with addiction and parental illness and neglect.

Studies show that gender-sensitive programs must be established to effectively respond to the unique needs of adolescent girls. Currently there are approximately 375 Israeli at-risk girls between the ages of 12 and 14 who are waiting for therapeutic placements outside their homes.

The JWI-supported Teen Girls’ Unit at the Jerusalem Hills Children’s Home addresses the unique needs of troubled teenage girls and helps them overcome a lifetime of struggle, isolation and despair, so they can improve their quality of life, stand on their own feet and become engaged and successful members of Israeli society.

The treatment for these girls is based on creating a healthy and stable physical and emotional environment while fostering confidence, independence, and self- esteem. Each girl is enveloped by a clear structure of professional guidance and support, through a coordinated program that combines intensive on-site schooling, integrated psychological, social, and recreational therapies, supervised therapeutic contact with the girl’s family, gradual interaction with the greater community and daily household responsibilities.

Nine girls are part of this year’s inaugural group; that number will grow to 1 this coming September.  The program seems to be enjoying enormous success in its inaugural year. The girls have adjusted well to the beautiful campus, to the educational and therapeutic environment, and to each other. For JWI and its seven-decade history of philanthropic investment into the Jerusalem Hills Children’s Home, the new girls’ program enables us to target resources to a populations that is key to our mission and work to empower women and girls – here at home, in Israel and around the world.

“If a kid breaks in a school and no one around chooses to hear it, do they make a sound?”

By Dana Fleitman, Program Coordinator

As Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) comes to a close, it is important to think about the different challenges adolescents may face, both inside and outside of their romantic relationships. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that bullying has been on the rise; a 2009 survey showed that one in five high school students had experienced bullying at school, and 25% of public schools reported that bullying occurred among  students on a daily or weekly basis. A new NIH study shows that bullying has powerful lifelong impacts on both the perpetrator and the victim, and children who are bullied may suffer from anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts into adulthood.

This innovative, powerful and moving combination of spoken word and animation – the To This Day Project by Shane Koyczan – is a poignant reminder of the impacts of bullying and childhood trauma and the importance of promoting positive and healthy relationships for young people.

Ethiopian Jewish Immigrants & Reproductive Freedom

By Dana Fleitman, Program Coordinator

It was truly heartbreaking for me to stumble across the article, Israel admits Ethiopian Jewish immigrants were given birth control shots. The article explains, “the majority of the women given these shots say they were administered without their knowledge or consent” and “many women’s and immigrant rights advocates believe that the 50 percent decline in the past 10 years in the birthrate of Israel’s Ethiopian community is the result of the Israeli government’s attempt to limit and restrict Ethiopian women’s fertility through forcible birth control injections.”

All women deserve reproductive freedom. While this case may initially appear even more bizarre because the Ethiopian women are, in fact, Jewish, the truth is that all people, of all races and religions, have the right to control their reproduction, and our painful collective past should make us all the more understanding and supportive of all people’s right to live and thrive.

This practice has ceased, and the Health Ministry has admitted to disproportionately administering birth control to Ethiopian Jewish women.  All Jews should understand the travesty of this practice and make it clear that this does not embody our values of justice, caring for others and the inherent value of life.

Israel Up Close

By Lori Weinstein, JWI Executive Director

By Dolev (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) ], via Wikimedia Commons

From the inauguration in America to the election in Israel – optimism abounds. Monday’s inauguration ceremonies and speeches reminded all Americans of the ties that bind us together; an unfailing belief in democracy and the promise that inspired leadership brings our nation.

From Monday to Tuesday: I arrived in Israel on election day to witness yet again, the power of the democratic process to inspire optimism and promote change. Israelis went to the polls on Tuesday and voted to move away from the far right and to strengthen its political center – the results of the election have surprised everyone that I have spoken to. Excitement and cautious optimism are present everywhere.

In addition to the strong showing of Yair Lapid and the Yesh Atid party, Israelis elected more women to the parliament than ever before. 26 women will join the 19th Knesset – in total women will comprise nearly 22% of this Knesset. No doubt that women will continue to promote legislation to advance women’s rights in Israel. Coalition building is the next step for Netanyahu’s party but we hope that this election was a game-changer.

Optimism transformed into opportunity opens new doors for both Israel and the United States.

“We do have a lot of rights…but they don’t seem as important to people.”

By Dana Fleitman, Program Coordinator

Watch this short video from Women with Disabilities Victoria about the challenges and needs of domestic violence victims who have developmental disabilities. Want to learn more? Register here to join our upcoming National Alliance webinar “Working with Survivors with Developmental Disabilities” with expert speakers Paul Feuerstein (Barrier Free Living), Shirley Paceley (Blue Tower Training) and Nancy Smith (Vera Institute of Justice) on January 17^th from 12-1:30pm Eastern.

Lights, Camera, Social Action: Domestic Violence Filmmakers Speak Out Webinar Recap

By Dana Fleitman, Program Coordinator

On December 20^th, groundbreaking filmmakers Kit Gruelle, Olivia Klaus and Margaret Lazarus joined the National Alliance to End Domestic Abuse to discuss their successful documentaries on domestic violence. Their films are fantastic and inspiring resources for advocates working on domestic violence issues, and the websites below offer more information on their films as well as study guides and other tools for building awareness and momentum.

Cambridge Documentary Films Website
Rape Is… Project Website
Sin by Silence Website
Sin by Silence Legislation Information
Private Violence Website

16 Days: India

By Sophia Bass, JWI Intern

Gender-based violence against women has been around for centuries involving various cultural, religious, economic, and social factors. In 1980, domestic violence was recognized as a human rights issue throughout India due to the increasing number of dowry deaths. Patriarchal tradition and male superiority produce high levels of gender discrimination against women and girls in schools, households, and the workplace, negatively impacting the social and economic success of women.

According  “Woman Leaders Combating Gender Violence Against Women in India,” a crime against a woman occurs every 3 minutes, a woman is raped every 29 minutes, a dowry death occurs every 77 minutes, and a case of cruelty by a husband or relative occurs every 9 minutes.

In response to gender based violence of women throughout India, Ranjana Kumari, director and founder of a New Dehli based NGO, Centre for Social Research, has been working to empower women for three decades to protect women’s rights. As a driven activist and feminist, Kumari believes that “women can be the catalysts and agents of social change” (gulfnews.com). Her work focuses on domestic violence against women, rape, trafficking, illegal immigration issues of women to various countries, and prenatal sex selection.  Kumari’s powerful efforts to fight for fundamental women’s rights continue to empower women throughout India every day.

Domestic Violence from a Child’s View

By Dana Fleitman, JWI Program Coordinator

Domestic violence affects children and parents and has lifelong effects on the parent-child relationship. This creative short PSA from Verizon offers a glimpse into the impacts of violence on children and mothers:

Want to learn more? Register now for the National Alliance to End Domestic Abuse’s upcoming webinar, “Domestic Violence and the Parent-Child Relationship.”

Ready to Vote?

 

Working Towards Zero Victims of Domestic Violence

By Susan Feldman, Endowment Specialist, The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit; Domestic Violence Survivor; JWI Board of Trustees

October as you know is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Ironically, October happens to be the month that I took my three children out of our home and fled in safety.  The date, October 5, 1995….. 17 years ago this month that we marched to freedom and we have never looked back!   Now our life is about looking forward.  My kids and I spend time speaking out and educating others about the fact that Domestic Violence occurs not only in low income/trailer-trash environments but it just as frequently affects those who are Jewish, well educated professionals  and upper class.  Generally we don’t know their stories because they are too embarrassed to speak out about what is taking place behind closed doors.  I know that for a fact, I too, was embarrassed to speak out about what I was experiencing.

Now during Domestic Violence Awareness month I proudly wear a purple ribbon to work every day (pictured). These same ribbons and signs about Domestic Violence Awareness month can be found throughout our office building as well as on the campuses of other Jewish agencies throughout the Metropolitan Detroit area.  Similarly purple ribbons are on trees outside these same agency buildings recognizing the importance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Co-workers can be seen wearing the ribbons as well.  What a great feeling that I am no longer alone….that we get it and our voices are being heard.

In this same vein, I am happy to state that I spoke at a fundraising breakfast for The Haven, a safe haven shelter.  300+ men and women attended this powerful fundraising event.  Since then I have been contacted by individuals on LinkedIn and around the Detroit community thanking me for sharing my story and telling me that they have now made their first donation to The Haven.  Those individuals in the audience that knew me but had not heard me speak could be seen wiping away the tears rolling down their cheeks.  I told them not to cry, for my kids and I are healthy and we survived; cry for those whose voices can no longer be heard and be their advocates.  Let’s make zero our goal for the number of victims of domestic violence!

Susan Feldman shared her story at JWI’s 2011 Women to Watch gala luncheon. Watch the video of her speech:

News anchor responds to bullying viewer, on-air and with grace

Jennifer Livingston, an anchor for CBS affiliate WKBT in LaCrosse, Wisc., took a moment Tuesday morning, Oct. 2, 2012, to address an email sent by a viewer who felt justified in criticizing her weight. Livingston seized the opportunity to call attention to National Anti Bullying Month – which shares October with breast cancer and domestic violence. Her stern, dignified response is making the rounds on social media worldwide.

Why Doesn’t Domestic Violence Get the Corporate Dollars it Deserves?

The impact of domestic abuse far outweighs the amount of corporate philanthropy the issue receives. Help raise awareness by contacting the companies whose products  you buy, and by sharing our blog posts, tweets and Facebook posts this month. We’ve got more tips for getting involved at www.jwi.org/dvam.

Girls Rock

By Ali Lewis, JWI Database & Web Manager

Last week, I took a week of vacation from JWI. Instead of a much-needed week at the beach, I spent the week as a camp counselor at Girls Rock NC’s camp in Raleigh, NC. I have been involved with GRNC for a few years. My first experience as a camper myself in 2008 at a women’s rock camp weekend, and I’ve done a few other small volunteer things. But this was my first full immersion into their week-long camp.

So what is camp at Girls Rock NC? Girls come to camp. They form bands. They write a song and the accompanying music. And at the end of the week, they perform a show.

Sounds a bit shallow, right? It’s not. Let me explain…

The show at the end is just the icing on the cake. It’s the week of work preparing for the show that means the most. Girls from different backgrounds gather together. They take part in workshops on body confidence, women’s history, D.I.Y clothing and zine-making. They learn to express themselves to each other and then through the music. They practice and perfect. They become fearless. They become rock stars.

I am a mom to three girls (and one boy). I know how catty, difficult, and unwelcoming girls can be; Sectioning themselves off into the different crowds based on looks or clothes or some other superficial thing; Ostracizing ones who are different. What Girls Rock NC does is create an environment where girls feel safe to be themselves. Girls learn collaboration instead of competition. They are passionate about the music, but they are compassionate for each other. Each individual girl becomes confident in herself and she trusts that her band will be there for her. The music is just the method by which all these other positive effects happen.

Collaboration. Compassion. Confidence. Trust. Feeling like a rock star. I wish these things for all women and girls.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is 5 Frets, the band I managed during the week. (We were having some tech issues, skip to 5:00.)

This is The Noise from Upstairs, my 13 year-old daughter Katie’s band.

This is The Dead Dancers, a zombie rock band comprised of 9 year-old girls, including my daughter Skye on drums.

Real Professional Advice for Real Professional Young Women

By Chelsea Feuchs, JWI Intern

Recently, JWI hosted the first of this year’s Summer Series for Interns and Young Professionals roundtables, titled “Being a Young Professional Woman in D.C.”  Two successful women, Danielle Rodman, Senior Legislative Assistant to Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Arielle Linsky, Senior Account Manager at OMP, led the talk.  Both women explained their career paths and provided helpful insight into the daunting and often resented work of internships and first jobs.

Rather than offer a handful of clichés to the audience, as many speakers in similar situations do, the two women provided funny and practical advice for the audience.  So, for all of you ladies that could not attend this meeting let me provide the SparkNotes version here:

• Lower your expectations: Your first job won’t be your last, so it’s okay if you’re not in love with it
• Always be ready to find a job: Have copies of an up-to-date resume ready (to get closer to that dream job)
• Send thank you notes: Your grandma was right, they make all the difference
• Take notes: You may think your mind is a steel trap, but do it anyway to avoid looking disengaged or clueless

Rodman and Linsky also stressed the importance of passion and excitement for work, even if you have to feign it sometimes.  You don’t need to be a cheerleader because, let’s face it, that girl is too much to handle even after a morning coffee, but doing your tasks well and with a smile is a simple way to excel.

Most importantly, you must be specific about what you want.  You may be able to answer verbatim what an interviewer wants to hear, but the right answer is the one that blends this understanding with the truth about your goals and expectations.  This piece of advice takes more than purchasing thank you notes or a legal pad, it means digging deep to find what matters to you and practicing articulating this passion.

Come join JWI for the rest of our Summer Series with “Sexual Assault on College Campuses” on July 11 and “Economic Empowerment and Women” on July 18.  Register to hear more amazing speakers and meet fellow professional young women at www.jwi.org/summer.

Violence Against Women is Never in Style

By Danielle Cantor, JWI Design & Communications Manager

In the latest issue of Bulgarian fashion magazine 12 is a “beauty spread” depicting models with horrific injuries. It’s a feature usually used to sell both a makeup artist’s skills and the season’s hottest new shade of eyeshadow, but the spread – and its message – is plain ugly.

From Jezebel:
“There are models with Black Dahlia-style Glasgow Smiles, models who’ve been strangled, models who’ve had their earrings and facial piercings ripped out, and models who’ve been mutilated with acid. It’s all special-effects makeup, but it’s still sickening. These photos give you an idea the nature of the spread. And it’s hardly the first of its kind.”

Read the rest at Jezebel, and see examples of other “fashion” spreads that have glorified violence against women.