Standing Up: Real Stories of Upstanding
What It Takes; Why Its Crucial — And The Role We All Play In Making Change
Featuring Dr. Keren McGinity, Hannah Dreyfus, Dr. Alissa Ackerman, Dr. Guila Benchimol, and Bonnie Goldberg, LICSW, LCSW, LMSW
Supported by SRE Network, The Covenant Foundation and JCADA
What happens when women* speak about sexual harm?
What can we do to support them?
How can our communities grow to support those who call out bad behavior?
How can we - as community members - help our institutions respond well when individuals bring forward claims they don’t want to hear?
Join us as we continue our exploration of "upstanding" -- what it takes, what it does, and why it is an essential piece of creating a world that reflects the values we hold dear.
We will be part of a conversation with three powerful speakers - Dr. Keren McGinity, Dr. Alissa Ackerman, and Hannah Dreyfus, facilitated by Dr. Guila Benchimol — who will share their personal experiences and perspectives on upstanding and how it reflects their faith and Jewish values, and how it has personally impacted their lives. They will be joined by Bonnie Goldberg, LICSW, LCSW, LMSW a trauma-informed clinician at JCADA who will offer her expert framing and offer support should anyone need it during the course of our conversation.
Join us on Wednesday, July 12th from 8:00-9:30pm ET, for this critical communal conversation in partnership with the SRE Network and The Covenant Foundation
This is important learning. We are grateful to be doing it together with you.
**This gathering will raise issues of gender-based violence and harm. We want to hold our community as best we can, please care for yourself as you need to while we address these complicated topics.**
As always, our learning is incomplete without you.
Please invite someone you think might want to be with us, too. See additional support resources below.
Join us Wednesday 7/12 @ 8:00-9:30pm ET
Please note this conversation will reference sexual harm and victimization. We acknowledge that these important conversations may be difficult and painful. We encourage you to take the care you need for your well-being and safety if you would like to participate.
Suggested Reading
“American Jewry’s MeToo Problem: A First Person Encounter” - Dr. Keren R. McGinity’s 2018 Op-ed
“Harassment Allegations Mount Against Leading Jewish Sociologist” - Hannah Dreyfus’s 2018 expose
”Steven Cohen shunned after harassment accusations, trying to make a stealthy comeback” - Hannah Dreyfus
“Michael Steinhardt, A Leader in Jewish Philanthropy, Is Accused of a Pattern of Sexual Harrassment” - Hannah Dreyfus, NYTimes March 2019
“Rabbis Blast Jewish Studies Scholars for Attempts to Rehabilitate Steven M. Cohen” - Hannah Dreyfus March 2021
The Good Edit podcast episode - Dr. Keren R. McGinity
“Restorative Justice and Teshuva Following Sexual Misconduct” - Dr. Alissa Ackerman and Dr. Guila Benchimol
“#UsToo: How Jewish, Muslim, and Christian Women Changed Our Communities” - Brand new book release (with free access) from Dr. Keren McGinity
Bystander Intervention: Focusing on the Facts in SexuaI VioIence - an overview by Dr. Guila Benchimol
This gathering is made possible in part by funds granted by the SRE Network, The Covenant Foundation, The Aviv Foundation. The statements made and the views expressed, however, are solely of SVIVAH.
This gathering welcomes women* 12+ and learners of all backgrounds.
SVIVAH is dependent on the generosity of those who choose to invest in a powerful community of women. As always, cost should never be a barrier to anything SVIVAH, but if you can, please help us show respect to our speakers/facilitators for their time and expertise. www.svivah.org/donate
Questions about ZOOM or about this gathering? Email connect@svivah.org
*SVIVAH defines "Jewish woman" as anyone wishing to be included in a circle of Jewish women. If you want to be here, we want you to be here.
Resources
SRE Network is committed to ensuring safe, respectful, and equitable Jewish workplaces and communal spaces.
Sacred Spaces builds healthy Jewish communities by partnering with Jewish institutions to prevent and respond to sexual abuse and other abuses of power.
FaithTrust Institute provides faith communities and advocates with the tools and knowledge they need to address the faith and cultural issues related to abuse.
JCADA serves clients in MD, DC, and NoVA, and you can reach their Helpline during business hours: 1.877.885.2232. For 24/7 support and/or for those outside of the Greater DC area:
National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline: 800.656.HOPE
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.799.7233
How to support a friend:
“The Torah of #MeToo”, Center for Jewish Ethics, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
ZA’AKAH is dedicated to advocating for survivors of child sexual abuse in the Orthodox Jewish community.