During October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, JWI will continue to heighten awareness about domestic violence in the Jewish community by presenting Needs Assesment briefings to more communities across the U.S. Needs Assessment briefings have already been held in Chicago, Cincinatti, Washington, DC and New York.

JWI's Needs Assesment, a year-long study on domestic abuse in the Jewish community, includes findings from surveys, interviews and focus groups held with survivors, rabbis, professionals and community leaders.

The findings dispel a long-held myth that abuse is not a problem in the Jewish community--a myth that ultimately inhibits the development and funding of adequate resources and support for women who do reach out for help. The study affirms a clear need for a coordinated community response and increased funding to meet the needs of victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

Upcoming JWI Needs Assessment briefings:

Philadelphia, PA: On October 19, JWI is holding a luncheon briefing at Gratz College. Rabbi Jay Stein, of Har Zion Temple will be speaking along with JWI staffers, Resa Levy and Deborah Rosenbloom. Rochelle Schwartz, a member of JWI’s National Volunteer Board, is organizing this briefing.

Baltimore, MD: On October 14, JWI and CHANA are organizing a breakfast briefing on the Needs Assessment. The breakfast is being hosted by the Jewish Federation. Lori Weinstein, executive director of JWI, will be conducting the briefing.

New Orleans, LA: On October 14, JWI and The Brotherhoods and Sisterhoods of Anshe Sfard, Beth Israel Congregation, Congregation Gates of Prayer, Northshore Jewish Congregation, Temple Sinai, Touro Synagogue, Shir Chadash are sponsoring an interactive program: A Call to Action: Synagogues working to end violence in Jewish homes and relationships. The evening is being hosted by The Jewish Community Center-Uptown, Jewish Family Services and The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans. Deborah Rosenbloom will be conducting the briefing along with Resa Levy.

Richmond, VA: Amy Nisenson and Judy Katzen are organizing a breakfast Needs Assessment briefing for the Jewish community.

Austin, TX: On October 19th JWI volunteer, Diane Radin, is helping to organize a workshop for Jewish clergy and other Jewish professionals entitled "Addressing Relationship Abuse in our Jewish Community" to be held at the JCC.

Milwaukee, WI: Millie Sernovitz, JWI Past International President and Amy Rubin will be conducting several Needs Assessment Briefings including meeting with the Wisconsin Council of Rabbis on October 19th, Jewish Family Services and invited community clinicians on October 20th, the Milwaukee Commission on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Women's Division of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation both on October 21st.

In addition, in September, Sandy Unger, JWI International President, will be conducting a Needs Assessment briefing to the Jewish Domestic Violence Task Force in the Twin Cities and Diane Radin, JWI volunteer will be giving a Needs Assessment briefing to the Jewish Community Association of Austin Board of Trustees. Also in Austin, Naomi Graetz spoke on the issue of domestic abuse and the Jewish community during August.

The Needs Assessment is part of JWI’s larger commitment to developing a comprehensive strategy to end domestic abuse in the Jewish community. This study will be instrumental in shaping programming and strengthening advocacy efforts for the entire Jewish community.

The National Needs Assessment study was funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and its companion study, the Chicagoland Needs Assessment, was funded in part by the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago.

To present a briefing in your community or would like to order a copy of the Needs Assessment, call 1.800.343.2823. A summary of the study can also be downloaded from JWI’s website, www.jewishwomen.org.

The National Needs Assessment study was funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and its companion study, the Chicagoland Needs Assessment, was funded in part by the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago.

To present a briefing in your community or would like to order a copy of the Needs Assessment, call 1.800.343.2823. A summary of the study can also be downloaded from JWI’s website, www.jewishwomen.org.