by Emily Alfano, senior manager of government relations

Nearly two years ago, the National Council of Jewish Women launched Higher Ground, a campaign to end domestic violence by promoting women’s economic security. Higher Ground is an expression of NCJW’s unshakable commitment to ensuring that no woman ever has to choose between personal safety and financial stability. Now it’s time for Congress to again demonstrate its commitment to the victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by passing the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act (S 1925).

When we launched the Higher Ground campaign we heard from an NCJW leader who shared her experiences with domestic violence while she was volunteering at an abortion clinic: “One of the questions I had to ask when meeting with incoming patients was, ‘Are you in an abusive relationship?’  I was shocked that so many women answered yes, and outraged that in my more than 22 years of talking with women about unintended pregnancies, the prevalence of violence only seemed to increase. One woman, I remember, told me of how her boyfriend had been verbally abusive before she got pregnant. Now that she was pregnant, he now had become physically abusive. Her name was Michelle. She told me of how her boyfriend now punched her in the stomach repeatedly, and told her that she wasn’t worthy of being a mother, and that he would leave her if she didn’t get an abortion. When I asked why she stayed with a man who beat her, Michelle stated matter-of-factly that he paid the rent and that she would be out on the street if she left him.”

Stories like Michelle’s are still far too common.

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by Dr. Nilza Kallos, Miami, FL, NCJW Miami Section

It was a beautiful day in September, 1970. I was a young intern at Bryn Mawr Hospital in the exclusive Main Line suburb of Philadelphia, having recently graduated from medical school. I was called to the emergency room to admit to the hospital a 16 year-old girl from a rich Main Line family. Her problem was intractable nausea and vomiting. Even though during my work-up she told me that she had never had sexual intercourse, for sake of completeness I ordered a pregnancy test that was reported positive. When I confronted her with the result, she confessed having had unprotected sex and that having the baby was totally out of the question, since she was getting ready to become a “debutante.”

Abortion could only be performed at that time if the life of the woman were in danger, an exception which (rightfully) included high risk of suicide if confirmed by a psychiatrist. I called for a consult with a psychiatrist, who questioned the girl if she was depressed and would commit suicide without an abortion. She picked up on the clue and answered in the affirmative. Armed with the result of the consult, she had an uneventful abortion performed by an OB/GYN surgeon in the hospital’s operating room. She was discharged within a day without any complication.

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This December, as I reflect on the successes and challenges of 2011, I cannot help but think about the millions of families who are facing the new year with apprehension. Instead of approaching January 1 with hopes for a fresh start, as many of us do, jobless workers who desperately want work but can’t find employment are standing at the edge of a cliff. Congressional inaction could be what sends these families and their children over the edge, plunging them into poverty. 

Last year, unemployment insurance helped keep 3 million people from falling into poverty. However, if Congress doesn’t act before December 31, millions of unemployed workers will lose this critical lifeline. In January alone, 2 million workers will lose their federal unemployment benefits — more than 6 million will see their benefits disappear by the end of 2012.

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When I was first deciding whether or not to use prescription birth control, my initial question was not, “What will my boss think about this?” Rather, my first thoughts were about how I would have an honest conversation with my doctor; how we would determine the best method to fit my life; and how to determine what services were covered by my insurance plan to figure out what I could afford.

I had a lot of decisions to make. I was lucky enough to be working at an institution that covered the pills on which I ultimately settled. The last thing I needed to think about was whether my office even allowed me the option to access this kind of basic preventive health care.

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by Carole Levine, NCJW vice president

As I reflect on our recent NCJW Israel mission, the feelings that surface most often are those of sisterhood. I have always felt at home in Israel and have shared many experiences with friends and family. 

But this mission was different. 

I experienced Israel through the stories, dreams, and visions of the women who make Israel their home: through the lens of women who ride gender segregated buses; through the struggles of gay Palestinian women; and through the joy of Tali Friedman, a renowned chef based in Machaneh Yehuda (an outdoor marketplace in Jerusalem) who shared the delights of her cooking skills with us.

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by Ina Davis, Promote the Vote, Protect the Vote 2012 Co-Chair

Imagine the scene: a big TV — in front of it, several college freshmen, lounging, laughing, and playing video games. Typical, right? You may have witnessed this scenario in your own home. My desk sits adjacent to the family room. Oftentimes, I’ll be working when a mass of teens walk in, plunk down, and tune in (to the television that is).

I may hurry to wrap up my work, or I might ignore the group and attempt to get more work done. Making oneself invisible in front of a group like this is a skill that has taken years to cultivate and was fine-tuned from the carpooling experience. But you know, as well as I do, that keeping half an ear open is the right of a Mom.

So when I heard one of the boys ask, “What are you doing this weekend?” and another answered, “I have no plans.” — I felt it my civic duty to jump in and ask, “Who’s voting on Saturday?” I couldn’t believe that not one of these young people answered! “Who’s registered?” I asked. Still, I got no response. Even my own son turned to me and said, “Ma, let me finish the game level.”

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I am writing from Jerusalem where I am on a study tour with 23 women from the National Council of Jewish Women. We are here visiting some of the organizations we fund through our Israel Granting Program and also are meeting with a variety of people to get updates on the social, political, and economic issues facing the modern State of Israel. One issue I never quite thought I would experience in 2011 is bus segregation. No, I am not referring to blacks and whites because, after all, this is not 1960 in Mississippi. I am referring to gender segregation of men and women on buses with routes originating from the predominately Orthodox neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo in Jerusalem. Today, we rode the buses to experience firsthand what it is like to be a woman and assume you must “go to the back of the bus” when you board bus #56 or #40.

This now illegal activity started in 1997 when public transport companies began to operate special bus lines for the Haredi public, starting with two lines in Jerusalem and Bnei Barak. Called “Mehadrin” (extra kosher) lines, women would board the bus through the rear door and men would board through the front door. Women who objected to these rules would be subjected to harassment and intimidation and, in some cases, physical violence. The Israel Reform Action Center (IRAC) began to take action on this subject in 2001 and NCJW followed soon after. During a hearing on the case in January 2008, the Israeli Supreme Court criticized the manner in which gender segregation was being carried out on the buses and instructed the Ministry of Transportation to appoint a committee to study the matter. The Committee submitted its conclusions in October 2009 and found that bus routes applying gender segregation were unlawful given existing laws of the State of Israel; however, “segregation” was not defined and no enforcement mechanisms were put in place. The court has since ruled that signs must be placed in buses stating: “Due to Supreme Court ruling 47607 people can sit anywhere they want on the bus.”

So on November 3, 2011, we decided to accompany Anat Hoffman of IRAC and take a “freedom ride.” It made perfect sense for us to do this on our first day in Israel, for as Anat pointed out, “NCJW has been next to the cradle of every failed or successful feminist effort in Israel.” And here we were again, riding the buses in the front and taking action.

So, what did we find? Well, on the bus that I was on there was no sign and the women who boarded walked to the back even though we had left lots of seats for them in front. The men who boarded had no idea what to do and gave us very dirty looks. Most chose to stand or occupy a seat where none of us were sitting. One woman commented to one of our Hebrew-speaking members: “You should be ashamed of yourselves. Why don’t you take care of your own prostitutes and drugs and do not worry about us.” Others seemed to feel empowered by our presence and took seats in the front of the bus and asked why were we there!

I, for one, was proud to ride the bus (in the front seat) and to feel like I was helping Israeli women take their rightful place at the front of the bus or anywhere they choose to sit!

Visit our expanding gallery of photos from NCJW Women’s Mission to Israel!

by Janet Chaikin, NCJW SE Atlantic Section

Recently, my daughter and I had the pleasure of attending a Rosh Chodesh service with a group of women who have been praying together at the Western Wall since 1988 (Women of the Wall). One would think that the simple act of wearing talitot and praying together in celebration of the new moon (an ancient women’s celebration) would be nothing more than a lovely expression of communal prayer. One would also think that in Israel — of all places — there would be religious tolerance and freedom. Sadly, this is not the case. We met at the entrance to the women’s section of the wall and assembled at the rear, far away from where women were praying. It was a beautiful and joyous service. Several women looked at us incredulously, some shaking their heads in disgust. One woman begged that we not desecrate this holy place with our voices and implored the guard to silence us. Especially poignant for me was the presence of a few young girls in our group, the eldest of whom was celebrating a bat mitzvah. I couldn’t help wondering what they must be thinking, but fortunately, they seemed unfazed. My sense is that they were well prepared for these events.

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Gilad Shalit is home. After 5 years and 4 months in captivity in a dungeon in Gaza, he is home. His first words: “I missed my family.” And so it is done, 1027 terrorists were exchanged for one boy. That is the strength of the State of Israel, as a nation and as a people. Gilad is everyone’s son. One might ask was it worth it? 1027 terrorists, some of them serving over 40 life sentences for murder – for one boy, now a man? Make no mistake; this was a horrific deal for Israel. Israel will be releasing hundreds of murderers, some of whom  were serving multiple terms of life in prison (Israel does not have the death penalty) as well as hundreds of terrorists serving prison sentences for terror and murder – all for one Israeli soldier. That is just the way it is done. Hamas will claim a great victory, and the people of Israel are thrilled to see Gilad home after five and a half years in solitary confinement in Gaza.

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A couple of weeks ago, a dear friend of mine gave birth to a beautiful baby girl I’ll call Rachel. Looking at the very first pictures of that sweet little girl, it’s impossible not to wonder at her tremendous potential. Rachel can be anything she wants to be — and I know her parents, so I know she has a great head start. Rachel will live in a house filled with love, she’ll be well fed and well read, wanting for nothing.

And, thanks to the new health care law, Rachel will always have access to high quality health care that she and her parents can afford.

Rachel was born via Caesarean section. Thanks to the new health care law, insurance companies can’t use that information to discriminate against Rachel’s mom. And that’s important, because Rachel will learn a lot from her mother — but only if mom can stay healthy.

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