Mayyim Hayyim “Embracing Waters” Training Session Report

Madelyn Bell attended a training session at grantee Mayyim Hayyim to get a deeper understanding of the “Embracing Waters” initiative which we are funding.

Here is her report:

“The sessions were led by Janet Yassen, who is a Mikvah guide and a psychotherapist. She started by doing a review of domestic abuse and the impact of domestic abuse on survivors (that was the focus of the first session). There were two male guides in attendance in addition to about eight women guides. The two women from the staff of JF&CS who dealt with domestic abuse were there, and had been at the first session as well. Apparently they talked a lot about abuse in the Jewish Community in the first session. This time, there was a lot of conversation on recovering from abuse. There was constant reinforcement of the point that abuse can be emotional as well as physical, and it is not gender specific.

Everyone got a folder with pertinent material on abuse. Included was “Immersion Ceremony, Healing from Abuse.” This will now be added to the folder of Immersion Ceremonies that one can choose from. (Many of the people who come don’t announce in advance the reason for their coming: conversion, getting married, an illness, a loss, etc.) The label on the front reads “Mayyim Hayyim Embracing Waters, in collaboration with Journey to Safety of JF&CS.” Our logo is included on the label as well.

A sheet “Domestic Abuse Resources” was distributed and gone over item by item. The representatives from JF&CS led the discussion. There was then conversation on what to do if a client mentions abuse, or there is a hint that this may be an issue in their lives.

MH and JF&CS made it clear that they consider this an important piece to add to MH’s Life in Transition ceremonies, and that a lot of outreach will now be done (temples, for ex.) to inform the community that this is now an available service at MH.

...very professionally done."

Israel Site Reports from Doris Gordon

Please review these two excellent reports from Doris Gordon who visited Economic Empowerment for Women and Mahut in October.

First-hand visits like the ones Doris made are our best source of information about programs that we fund. If you are planning a trip to Israel, I hope you'll consider spending time with one of our grantees and sharing your learning with us.

And special thanks to you Doris for your excellent work and report!

Best, Susan

Mahut Center visit on October 21, 2009 by Doris Gordon

1. The Mahut Center without question fits the BJCWF’s goals and mission.

2. The organization is clearly fulfilling its mission of empowering, educating and training economically marginalized women.

3. I spent 3 ½ hours at the center. The first two hours I attended a class on empowerment with 15 women. The director Michael Dagan and Robin Arnon translated for me. I was very impressed with the facilitator, she helped the women face their personal fears, share their problems with each other and talk about the obstacles and barriers to finding employment. It was a second meeting, for a mix of both Jewish and Arab women. These women, all over age 40, are subject to substantial age discrimination. Consequently, even after they find employment, they keep coming back for added skills and support. The participants were fully engaged in the training during my time there.

I spent another hour and half with the Director, staff, the facilitator. I was impressed with their dedication, professionalism, and with how they continually work to improve their programs. They were very open with me, and we talked a lot about the challenges which low income women face. The National Insurance Institute has selected Mahut to study its methods. It is a prestigious honor. The Institute hopes to use Mahut as a model for other groups in Israel.

4. I have no concerns or hesitation in recommending Mahut for a grant.

5. If Mahut did not receive funding from BJCWF it would be forced to cut back on its support for these women. Mahut has made many improvements and modifications to the program. They are constantly upgrading to improve their offer.

We should definitely fund it. Our funding is needed and appreciated. It is a dynamic agency and I am proud that we have supported it.


Economic Empowerment for Women (EEW) visit on October 19, 2009 by Doris Gordon

1. EEW fits BJCWF’s goals and mission.

2. This was my second time visiting this amazing organization. It is clearly fulfilling its mission. I am proud that we have funded this organization for 3 years. Two years ago I attended one of their sessions, this year I sat with three of their staff, two of whom I had met before.

3. They have expanded and improved their incubator program—it is working better than before by expanding in more cities. It is helping many women become successful in their own business by offering business training, improving self-confidence, peer support and mentoring. EEW appears to utilize its resources efficiently.

4. I have no concerns or hesitation in recommending EEW.

5. I understand that we have already supported EEW for three years. Continued funding would be well used.

6. I wish that we can continue to fund EEW.

Announcing a New BJCWF and Mayyim Hayyim Collaboration!

Collaboration: Embracing Waters

We received this announcement from our wonderful partners Mayyim Hayyim concerning a new collaboration. Check it out!

Journey to Safety has embarked on an exciting new collaboration with Mayyim Hayyim Living Waters Community Mikveh and the Paula Brody & Family Education Center. Mayyim Hayyim has received a grant from the Boston Jewish Community Women's Fund designed to make the mikveh and education center an even more welcoming space for survivors of abuse and other trauma.

As part of this effort, called Embracing Waters, Mayyim Hayyim has invited Journey to Safety staff to run several educational workshops for mikveh guides, providing an overview of domestic abuse and looking more closely at domestic abuse within the Jewish community. These sessions will help guides recognize signs of abuse, feel more comfortable and more confident interacting with abuse survivors and, most importantly, give guides the referral information they need to help connect survivors with Journey to Safety and other domestic abuse service providers.

Moreover, planning for future trainings has already begun, with the ongoing goal of letting people in the community know that Mayyim Hayyim is a tool for spiritual healing available to Jewish survivors of abuse. Future workshops are in the works for the Mayyim Hayyim staff and board, as well as for local clergy and therapists.

For more information, call 781-647-JFCS (5327) or email your questions to us by clicking here.