Maslan on Righteous Crowd this week!
From right to left -The house represents Maslan's offices which are located at a house in Beer-Sheva, the tree represents Maslan's logo - the tree of giving, and the heart represents Maslan's target to create a safer society, free of violence.
Maslan
The Negev's Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Support Center
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 Maslan: The Negev’s Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Support Center which is one of nine active crisis centers working in Israel, and is responsible for the entire Negev region from Kiryat Gat to Eilat.
As recently reported in The Jerusalem Post, sexual abuse cases rose by 33% in Israel during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report by the Knesset Committee on Advancing the Status of Women.
Righteous Crowd learned about Maslan from the Women's Amutot Initiative of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.
Read our interview below with Noam Shmallo, Resource Development Coordinator, at Maslan.
Please tell us the history and mission of Maslan.
Maslan: The Negev’s Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Support Center has been active since 1988 in providing assistance, practical aid and emotional support for victims of sexual and domestic violence and their families. Alongside this, through educational activities and publicity, the organization works in order to tackle the root of the problem and create social change: break the silence, raise awareness, and therefore reduce the levels of such violence within our society.
Our mission is to combat the widespread sexual and domestic violence that permeates Israeli society, providing an outlet and a resource for every victim, while simultaneously working as an agent for social change. Maslan provides its services free of charge for victims of sexual and domestic violence, adults, teenagers and kids, with no distinctions towards religion, race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation, while employing full discretion.
Maslan has about 300 volunteers who have been thoroughly trained for eight months in the world of sexual and domestic violence. In their dedicated work they support, accompany, and assist the victims. The emergency hotline is staffed by professionally trained volunteers that offer emotional practical support and guidance in eight languages to accommodate the diverse needs of the Negev’s population. Also, Maslan operates a boutique where we sell designers clothes and second hand clothes at a low price. The boutique is fully operated by volunteers.
What has your organization's response been to COVID-19?
After the onset of the pandemic, Maslan's sources of income were severely reduced while the need for our services has doubled. The staff has worked around the clock in order to provide the best possible care for every victim. Also, we had to shift our Education Department to be online and through Zoom.
How would you connect your organization to a Jewish text?
"And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world." - Jerusalem Talmud, Sanhedrin 4:1 (22a). I believe that this verse connects to Maslan since we are, in fact, saving lives. I hope it doesn't sound pretentious, but Maslan's staff is helping victims of sexual and domestic violence to leave the vicious cycle of violence they live in, and/or deal with difficult situations.
What’s a story about your organization that is meaningful to you?
Yesterday, I heard a lecture by one of our volunteers, who is a survivor of domestic violence. During the lecture, she pointed out how meaningful Maslan's help was for her, and she said "I wouldn't be here talking to you, if it wasn't for Maslan." Hearing this gives us the strength to keep fighting for those who need our help.
To learn more about the Maslan, click here.