International conference on violence and abuse
Board members of The Jewish Taskforce Against Family Violence, Inc represented Australia at the recent International Conference on “The Jewish Community Confronts Violence and Abuse” held in Jerusalem.
L-R Marianne Cooklin, Lorraine Gold, Debbie Gross- Conference Coordinator, Anne Lewin, Sheiny New, Debbie Wiener
This landmark event drew over 600 participants from around the world including professionals and leading experts in the area of family violence and sexual assault. Notable rabbonim including Rabbi David Lau , Chief Rabbi of Israel, and Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, Rabbi Aryeh Stern, members of the Knesset and retired Supreme Court Judge Dalia Dorner came together to combat the realities of Family Violence and Sexual Assault in Jewish communities around the world.
The numerous sessions held over 3 days addressed providing support for victims and their families and ways to implement creative abuse prevention strategies. Debbie Wiener, JTAFV Inc Chair and Sheiny New, Vice Chair presented on the work being undertaken in Melbourne. Participants expressed great interest in the award-winning publication “Will My Rabbi Believe Me? Will He Understand?” Responding to Disclosures of Family Violence in a Rabbinic Context, which was produced by the JTAFV as a resource tool for engaging and empowering spiritual leadership. The ground breaking work of the Jewish Taskforce Against Family Violence in this area was acknowledged by the organizers of the conference and delegates from around the world enthusiastically embraced the book and were eager to utilize the it in their communities.
Distinguished presenters included authors Dr. David Pelcovitz, David Mandel and Lisa Twerski, LCSW. A video message was given by the visionary, Rabbi Dr Abraham Twerski, whose revolutionary work in the field of abuse in the Jewish Community forged the way for those currently working in this area.
The conference was coordinated by TAHEL- Crisis Centre for Women and Children. TAHEL founder and director Ms. Debbie Gross was instrumental in the training of Melbourne Rabbonim and Responders for the Jewish Taskforce Support Line.
