Shalom Task Force, established in 1992, was born as a response of a pediatrician disturbed by the bruises present on his patients’- and their parents’- bodies. Together with a small band of dedicated visionaries, they founded Shalom Task Force as a haven and support system for distressed members of the Jewish community. Almost 25 years later, Shalom Task Force is a dynamic international organizati
on - an agency whose aims are to help individuals and families form and maintain healthy relationships; to sensitize our communities so that anyone can feel less ashamed to ask for help; and to bolster our community's leadership to support the constantly evolving needs of today’s relationships. Shalom Task Force anchors a multitude of departments:
Confidential Hotline: Shalom Task Force’s confidential national domestic abuse toll-free Hotline is the backbone of all our efforts. It was established to provide a listening ear and to offer a wide range of referrals to our callers. The Hotline is staffed by intensively trained volunteer advocates, many of whom are professional women who work in law, social work, education, or psychology. Besides English, we have advocates who speak Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian, Spanish and Hungarian. If you are in distress, or know someone who is, please call our Hotline today. Education Department: Our renowned, international education branch provides hundreds of workshops in both the US and Israel for men and women from adolescence through adulthood on fostering healthy relationships and abuse prevention. This trajectory model provides research-informed, Rabbinically-endorsed education workshops to high-schools, seminaries, Yeshivas, colleges, Batei Midrash, and to young professionals. This department also provides vital community outreach and professional training; raising awareness and providing critical training to leaders and key participants in our communities including Rabbis, Rebbitzins, Dayanim, mental-health professionals, Chosson and Kallah instructors, Mikvah attendants, and educators. Sarah’s Voice - Legal Department: Shalom Task Force’s legal arm, is run by dedicated lawyers and advocates who work together to ease the process for survivors and provide a multidisciplinary approach in addressing domestic violence issues in the Orthodox community. Sarah's Voice staff also provides assistance and/or referrals related to housing, benefits, education, healthcare, employment and consumer finance issues. Workshop (Starting Healthy And Long-lasting Marriages) is a highly successful premarital education program that aims to prepare engaged couples for a healthy and successful marriage. Many hundreds of engaged and newly married couples have attended this innovative workshop that teaches them how to increase understanding and sensitivity to each other’s feelings, communicate effectively, and build a sense of mutual respect. These skills enable participants to promote self-confidence in each other, utilize valuable tips for conflict resolution, gain better financial awareness, and sharpen tools critical to a healthy, thriving marriage.
