Family Violence group in interfaith initiative
October 23, 2015 by J-Wire Staff
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The Jewish Taskforce Against Family Violence Inc has participated in the development of the multi faith resource for faith and spiritual leaders.
Back row: Helen Heath (City of Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network), Jasbir Singh Suropada (Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria), Fr Jean Mawal (Antiochian Orthodox Church of St Pauls), Suleyman Sahingoz (Emir Sultan Mosque)
Front row: Sheiny New, Ursula Aruma (Sathya Sai), Jacqueline Russell (Brahma Kumaris Centre for Spiritual Learning), Rabbi Glasman
‘Promoting Equality and Respect: An Interfaith Collaboration on Preventing Family Violence’ to prevent family violence in faith communities.
The resource was developed by the City of Greater Dandenong in partnership with The Interfaith Network and was launched at the Dandenong Council Chambers in Melbourne.
JTAFV representative Sheiny New joined faith leaders from Christian, Muslim, Bahai, Hindu, Sikh communities to address the audience and acknowledge the achievement of what was the culmination of extensive collaboration to create the multifaith resource for faith leaders across Victoria. The aim of the resource is to become a tool for faith and spiritual leaders to have discussions about family violence and enable them to assist in preventing family violence in their communities.
The Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong, Cr Sean O’Reilly presented the grim statistics and highlighted the devastating impact of family violence on members of society. He stressed that attitudes needs to change, and that faith leaders play a pivotal role in modelling these changes.
Components of the resource include a series of videos depicting faith leaders highlighting views of their respective faiths on the importance of respecting women, including a presentation from White Ribbon Ambassador Rabbi Yaakov Glasman, who also attended the launch.
“The JTAFV immediately recognised the importance of a resource to support spiritual leaders,” said Mrs. New. “Many Jewish victims of abuse turn to their rabbis for support and guidance which was an impetus for the development of the book “Will My Rabbi Believe Me, Will He Understand? Responding to disclosures of Family Violence in a Rabbinic Context in partnership with The Rabbinical Council of Victoria. The book was launched in 2011 by then Chief Commissioner Ken Lay.
“It was a privilege to work with the dedicated faith leaders representing Victoria’s religiously diverse and multi cultural communities,” said Mrs. New.
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