Submission #281 by Temple Israel of Sharon Brotherhood - Sharon, MA (738)

I have read the General Guidelines, "Nuts and Bolts" and Program Advanced Planning (Excel Spreadsheet) Documents
Club Name
Temple Israel of Sharon Brotherhood - Sharon, MA (738)
Safe Jewish Homes: We Need to Talk About It
Club Representative
Person completing form
Ronald
Czik
Club President at time of Convention
Ronald
Czik
Club President Now
Ronald
Czik
Mens Health Programs

Page 1

"Safe Jewish Homes: We Need to Talk About It" was a very special evening program the Temple Israel Brotherhood sponsored to raise awareness of the of the problem of sexual assault and domestic violence within the Jewish Community. The Brotherhood brought together social workers, law enforcement professionals, educators, psychologists and victims of domestic violence in a panel that educated and informed the entire Temple community.
Safe Jewish Homes: We Need to Talk About It

On Sunday, February 12, 2012 the Temple Israel Brotherhood sponsored a program for the entire Jewish community of Sharon titled “Safe Jewish Homes: We Need to Talk About It” The program was the first in what we hope will be continuing series of education and prevention of domestic violence within the Jewish Community. The program consisted of a panel of experts in the field of domestic violence prevention. Each member of the panel discussed how violence in the Jewish home is no different than domestic abuse within the general population. Perhaps the most moving discussion was the talk given by a victim of domestic abuse who is now a college professor in Women’s Studies and Sociology at a local university.

The purpose of the program was to raise awareness and understanding of the problem, how it directly affects Jewish men, and how we as Jewish man can work to eliminate this problem. It was a powerful , thoughtful and moving program.

The logistics of the program were:
• Deli dinner with vegetarian option (sponsored by the Brotherhood)
• Display of T-shirts from the Clothesline Project
o The Clothesline Project is a program where victims of domestic abuse (women, children and men) decorate items of clothing in response to and to promote learning and healing from domestic violence
• Survivor of domestic violence sharing her story
• A presentation by Ruth Zakarin, VP Operations, New Hope
• Question & Answer/Panel Discussion with Ruth Zakarin, Anne Yas (Assistant District Attorney, Norfolk County), Deborah Cohan Ph.D (Women's Studies and Sociology from Brandeis University) and Dr. Paul Davidson

We feel that as Jewish men, it’s our responsibility to address, educate and help prevent abuse in the Jewish home. This program can serve as a first step to raising awareness and promote dialog within the Jewish community.
safe_jewish_homes.docx

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Self Assessment
This program had a profound affect on the Brotherhood and the community. Various other programs have picked up on this theme and we are working with other branches of the Temple to do joint programs on preventing violence in the Jewish home.
We believe the mission of FJMC, Jewish Men living Jewish Lives includes learning about, understanding and preventing violence of all types in the Jewish home. It is Jewish tradition to protect the innocent and prevent harm to others. Violence against women, children and men needs to be addressed. We would like to see this become a thread in FJMC programs at the club and national levels.
Original Program
Previous Submission
Yes