Tamar’s abusive ex-husband kidnapped her children and violated the order that assigned her custody.

Rivka is seeking a restraining order against her violent husband, but is afraid of the shameful consequences it might bring, both in her family and in her close-knit religious community.

Shoshana wants to protect her seven children from the aggressive behavior of her husband of 20 years.

Basya suffers from constant physical and verbal abuse by her husband and fears for her life.*

All of these women live in ultra-Orthodox communities in Israel and have experienced the helplessness that plagues victims of domestic violence. What these women also have in common is that they have all turned to Miklat’s Legal Aid department for help.

Miklat is the only shelter in Israel that caters to the specific needs of observant women and their children. They operate with a special sensitivity to the unique social and religious pressures of the Orthodox community and help families facing domestic abuse find shelter and rebuild their lives in safety. In addition to the financial, emotional, and vocational support that Miklat provides for its clients, the shelter has recently created a Legal Aid department to offer free legal support as well.

Many ultra-Orthodox women who face legal difficulties do not know where to turn. Accustomed to being controlled by their husbands, they lack the tools necessary to gain access to legal services. Dozens of women like Tamar, Rivka, Shoshana and Basya have called the Legal Aid hotline in the last several months alone, and the Miklat attorneys have provided them with free consultations, in-depth counsel and representation as they seek justice in the secular and rabbinic courts. The cases range from criminal charges and alimony claims to divorce proceedings and child custody and visitation rights, but the Miklat Legal Aid department handles each client’s unique situation with the utmost sensitivity, care, and sense of urgency.

The overwhelming demand for Miklat’s Legal Aid services is unfortunately matched by the numerous applications for space in the shelter’s residence. Dozens of women seeking shelter from abuse have already been turned away from Miklat due to lack of space, and the waiting list to get into the shelter continues to grow. To better meet the pressing need, Miklat is currently constructing a second shelter in Israel, which will allow them to provide more families with refuge, support, and rehabilitation services. This exciting new facility is expected to open before the end of the year.

Miklat’s commitment to helping victims of abuse rebuild their lives is complemented by their work to educate the public about identifying and preventing domestic violence in the Jewish community. Rabbi Noach Korman, the director of Miklat in Israel, recently traveled to the U.S. with a former resident from the shelter to educate community members and opinion leaders about the problem of domestic violence among Israel’s observant population. From Riverdale, NY to Silver Spring, MD, nearly all were shocked to learn the staggering statistics – that domestic abuse crosses all religious lines and does not discriminate based on level of observance. Rabbi Korman has also developed an educational booklet to teach yeshiva students about traditional Jewish views on shalom bayit (domestic tranquility) and appropriate spousal behavior. He is currently promoting the pamphlet to institutions of higher learning throughout Israel in the hopes that they will incorporate the material into their curricula and better prepare young people for the challenges and obligations of married life.

Through Miklat’s efforts to bring happy endings to the stories of victims of abuse, the organization has earned a reputation of excellence in care and support. Miklat’s noble work was recently featured in The Jewish Press, the Jerusalem Report, and the Washington Jewish Week.

For more information about Miklat, please contact the American Miklat Committee at 212-419-2778 / miklatinfo@yahoo.com, or visit our website at www.miklat-shelter.org.

* Names and details changed to ensure anonymity.