XII.     Projects Concerning Victims of Domestic Violence

2001 Report -Table of Contents Return to Previous Section | Continue Report

XII.     Projects Concerning Victims of Domestic Violence

We remind our audiences throughout the country of the importance of retrieving unused cellphones that can then be reprogrammed to 911 and given to victims of domestic violence free of charge.

We have learned of Call to Protect, a national educational and philanthropic initiative that provides the security and mobility of wireless phones to victims of domestic violence. A recent survey found that four out of ten domestic violence victims have used Call to Protect phones to summon help. Call to Protect phones provide security for nearly 100,000 women nationwide. Further information about donating phones can be accessed at the website www.wirelessfoundation.org or by calling 1-888-901-SAFE (888-901-7233).

A. Saving Lives-Jewishly ($250)*

Today, most communities provide some type of safe haven for people who are victims of domestic violence. Our belief is that every well-populated Jewish community should provide a safe Jewish place for victims of such violence. We are particularly impressed with the efforts being carried out in New Jersey where the Rachel Coalition does just that. They provide a number of services, including a kosher emergency Safe House. We recommend that other communities contact them to learn how it is done.

[Rachel Coalition, Jewish Family Service of MetroWest, 256 Columbia Tpke., #105, Florham Park, NJ 07932, 973-765-9050, fax: 765-0195, sheller@jfs-metronj.org, www.jfs-metronj.org.]

B. Put a Smile on Your Face ($200)*

Though we have known of his work for many years, we finally met Dr. George Brennan last Spring at our Los Angeles Mitzvah Heroes Conference. The Face to Face program provides facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons who donate their services to restore the faces of women who have been tragically scarred by domestic violence. We can think of no greater gift to a woman who has suffered not only the trauma of such an attack, but must then be reminded of it each time she glances in a mirror or goes out in public. A fine example of using your talents to do Mitzvahs.

[Face To Face Domestic Violence Program, Ann Holton, 310 S. Henry St., Alexandria, VA 22314, 703-299-9291 X 229, aholton@aafprs.org, www.facemd.org, click on “Humanitarian Programs”.]

C. A Warm Place to Stay ($178)

Naomi Berman-Potash is a creative Mitzvah thinker. There are now more than 400 hotels in 10 cities across the country that work with Project Debby. When a local shelter is either full or non-existent, participating hotels provide a safe and clean room for women who need emergency housing. Now, hotels are also donating gifts-in-kind such as toiletries, blankets, and linens to local shelters. Milwaukee hotels have just joined her efforts. This is such a simple program, one can only wonder why it isn’t being done everywhere.

[Naomi Berman-Potash, Project Debby, Inc., 11456 N. Solar Avenue, Mequon, WI   53097,  262-240-0400,  fax: 512-3398, nberman822@aol.com.]

D. Lending An Ear ($8,250)

The good work of The Counseling Center for Women continues to grow. CCW empowers women through therapy and counseling, and provides educational programs that raise awareness of gender-based biases. $2,500 provides one year of counseling for a low-income woman. Ziv’s donation, this past year, provided 165 hours of therapy to nine different women. For Israeli women who must deal with serious issues of abuse, parenting, food disorders and sexual harassment, CCW provides essential support. What began on a very small scale has become a major force in the Israeli women’s movement. We applaud their work.

[Counseling Center for Women, 8 Herzl St., Ramat Gan, 52431, Israel, Attn: Emily Levy-Shochat, phone: 03-673-9006, fax: 673-9032, ccw@netvision.net.il. Our contact in Jerusalem: Bella Savran, phone: 02-673-3827, fax: 02-673-5382, bellasav@barak-online.net.]

E. Linda Feldman Rape Crisis Center In Jerusalem ($400)

Since 1981, the Rape Crisis Center has provided truly life-saving services to survivors of rape and sexual violence in Jerusalem. They offer a fine education program, pro bono legal advice to callers on their 24-hour hot-line, extensive support groups for survivors of rape and incest, and a Police Accompaniment Project which provides volunteers who accompany victims to police and court appointments. We were impressed by their newest program, SAWA, that provides outreach, aid and education to the Arab speaking community in Jerusalem.

[Linda Feldman Rape Crisis Center, Michal Sela-Armoza,  PO Box 2549, Jerusalem,  91024, Israel, 02-623-2451, fax: 624-1942,  jrcc@gezernet.co.il.] 

 

Continue Report

2002 Annual Report | Curriculum | Books | Links | 116 Mitzvah Suggestions
top of page