Survivors at the Center:
How Do We Respond to News of Sexual Violence & Jewish Harm Doers?
With Dr. Guila Benchimol, Dr. Alissa Ackerman-Acklin, Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, Dr. Judith Rosenbaum, Rabbanit Aliza Sperling
In partnership with Ampersand Restorative Justice, Jewish Women’s Archive, Hadassah Foundation, Life Is A Sacred Text, SRE Network, Women’s Rabbinic Network, JCADA, JWI, Lilith Magazine, and more
What do we gain when we center survivors and address harm as a community?
Yes, there are a million other things happening in the world.
Yes, there is a war happening right now.
Yes, some might call this “old news.”
But we have to acknowledge what survivors of trauma are experiencing as too many stories of sexual harm and violence move in and out of the headlines.
“A Jewish Moral Reckoning on Sexual Violence” by Dr. Guila Benchimol and Dr. Alissa Ackerman Acklin
As a community, we have an obligation to adhere to Jewish values to care for the survivors among us — and, sadly, when we stay silent about harm, that silence can cause even more harmful secondary trauma.
How do we respond to the Epstein files as Jewish women*?
How do we support survivors and also navigate fear of antisemitic backlash in the times we are living in when a Jewish man is the face of all this?
What are the Jewish values that should guide our response – as individuals, and as a community?
How do we support survivors and support each other in addressing harm that causes all of us pain?
Join us. We have much to discuss together.
Wednesday, April 29th @ 8:00-9:30pm ET
Come when you can, stay till you can’t. But, come.
Please invite someone you think might want to be with us, too.
*SVIVAH welcomes all those wishing to be included in a circle of Jewish women. If you want to be with us, we want you with us and welcome. This gathering welcomes learners of all backgrounds. Our diversity is what makes our gatherings richest. Come be with us. We want to learn from you, too.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This conversation has the potential to be activating for some participants. We will have someone available for additional support during the program, but — you know yourself best. Please take care of yourself as you need. We do not want to cause anyone any additional harm.
All of these organizations wanted survivors to feel seen and heard. We are grateful for their partnership.
If your organization would like to partner with us, please be in touch.
With gratitude to the supporters of our work:
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.
If you would like to sponsor this gathering in honor or in memory of someone special, email us here.
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.