JCADA on Righteous Crowd this Week!
Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse
Supporting Victims, Preventing Abuse
In this week’s Torah portion, Vayishlach, Jacob’s only daughter, Dinah, is a victim of sexual violence. In honor of Dinah, we are supporting a Washington, D.C. based organization that helps lift up victims of power-based violence. The Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse (JCADA) supports victims by empowering them to live safely, educates the community on these issues, and aims to prevent future generations from suffering such violence.
Read our interview below with Amanda Katz, Executive Director of JCADA.
When and why was JCADA founded?
JCADA began 20 years ago because Jewish women who were being abused were not getting the support they needed. The organization has expanded to help anyone (over the age of 14) suffering from any form of power-based violence, such as intimate partner violence, elder abuse, sexual harassment, rape, sexual assault or stalking.
How would you connect JCADA to a Jewish value?
JCADA is committed to challenging individual and systemic injustices and the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, through our work towards a future free of power-based violence, where our services are no longer needed.
What’s a story about your organization that is meaningful to you?
The clients who have told us how much we have helped them!
From a Victim Advocate: "She was one of my first clients, who moved with her children after leaving her abuser. She didn't really have a support system here but moved so she could protect her kids. Through working with the advocacy program, we were able to secure long-term housing (a year-long lease at an apartment), furnish the apartment, help her find a job, and help her feel more independent overall. She has continually told me how grateful she is for our services and support. She is probably one of my favorite clients to work with because she is always trying to do better for herself and her kids, while also accepting advice and guidance through everything."
What has surprised you about working with your organization?
I have been surprised by the way our prevention programs have helped teens and young adults identify the language they need to talk about the violence they are seeing in their relationships, and in their friends' relationships. They learn about the different forms of violence: physical, sexual, emotional, financial, and technological, and then learn how to advocate for themselves if they are in a violent relationship. At the end of each session, the feedback is powerful about how much they needed this kind of information and skill building.
If you or someone you know is suffering from power-based violence, please call JCADA’s free & confidential helpline at 1-877-88-JCADA(52232). JCADA is available to help anyone, anywhere.
During non-business hours, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.
To learn more about JCADA click here.