A fall 2012 Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Initiative for the Southeastern Massachusetts Jewish Community, generously underwritten by The Hadassah Foundation and Sisterhood Agudath Achim.  Organized and directed by Rabbi/Cantor Anne Heath of Congregation Agudath Achim and The Jewish Community House of Taunton, MA.

New Hope (in Massachusetts) and Sojourner House (in Rhode Island), regional service providers for domestic violence awareness and prevention, will lead the adult and student workshops with the support of Rabbi Heath and rabbis of participating congregations and organizations.

Workshops are based on the “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” curriculum developed by Shalom Bayit of Oakland, CA. Initial coordination with and advertising for the surrounding area synagogues/temples is underway.

PARTICIPATING JEWISH CONGREGATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Congregation Agudas Achim, Attleboro, MA – Rabbi Elyse Wechterman, Spiritual Leader

Tifereth Israel, New Bedford, MA – Rabbi Raphael Kanter, Spiritual Leader

EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

Shown below are available events, programs and resources related to dating and domestic violence awareness targeted to the Jewish community using insights from Jewish tradition and teachings to expand and deepen education on awareness about and prevention of dating violence – but, free and open to all, without charge:

 • “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” Dating Violence Awareness/Prevention Workshops, Sunday Evenings, 6:00-8:00 PM, The Jewish Community House, 133 High Street, Taunton, MA (includes pizza supper):

• October 28, 2012 – Parents

• November 18, 2012 – High School Students

• December 2, 2012 – Middle School Students

• November 16, 2012, 7:00 PM, Shabbat Evening Service, Speaker Julie Youdovin from Journey to Safety.

• TBD, “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” University of Rhode Island Hillel College Student Workshop.

• TBD, “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” Brown/RISD Hillel College Student Workshop.

• Sample sermons on the topic of domestic violence in general and teen dating violence in particular will be circulated to area rabbis, if requested, for First Day Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Shabbat Hol HaMoed Sukkot, and Shabbat Parashat Noah.

Information about related programming for interfaith and community settings may be found under the name “Common Ground” on our site. Click here for information.