_{By Elizabeth Ury, Director of Jewish Community Engagement} 

Abuse does not discriminate. It can affect people of every age, marital status, economic and educational background—including people in the Jewish community. Abuse can occur across the full spectrum of Jewish life, from secular to ultra-Orthodox. Yet one of the greatest challenges to recognizing and addressing abuse in the Jewish community has been acknowledging that it exists within our own community. 

Survivors may hesitate to come forward because they fear they will not be believed, may feel some responsibility, or worry about shame and the impact of sharing their experiences publicly. Fortunately, greater awareness and openness are helping to change this. 

Here are some sobering statistics about abuse and interpersonal violence in the United States: 

Child Sexual Abuse: At least one in four girls and one in 20 boys in the United States experience sexual abuse during childhood. 

Intimate Partner Violence: More than one in three women and more than one in six men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. 

Sexual Violence: Nearly half of women in the United States have experienced some form of contact sexual violence during their lifetime. 

Elder Abuse: At least one in 10 adults age 60 and older experience some form of elder abuse each year, including physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse, as well as neglect or exploitation. 

Financial Abuse and Exploitation: Financial exploitation, particularly among older adults, can include theft, fraud, coercion, misuse of assets, or taking advantage of someone's money or property. 

Teen Dating Violence: About one in 12 U.S. high school students who date experience physical dating violence, and about one in 12 experience sexual dating violence. 

These statistics mean that people who have experienced abuse are already part of our Jewish communities. They may be our friends and neighbors, children in our religious schools, teens in youth groups, or adults participating in all aspects of congregational life.  

Abuse, therefore, is not only a concern for individual families or for social service and mental health professionals but also for Jewish communal life.  

Synagogues are places where people build relationships, seek spiritual support, celebrate milestones, raise children, care for one another, and turn to during times of crisis. Because of this, abuse can affect synagogue communities in many ways, even when it is not immediately visible. 

For synagogues to be truly safe and welcoming spaces, professional and lay leaders need to understand how abuse can occur throughout the lifespan. This includes recognizing different forms of abuse—including child abuse, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, teen dating violence, elder abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect—and developing sensitivity to the experiences and needs of people who have experienced abuse. 

To help address this need, JCFS Chicago offers Safer Synagogues, a yearlong program in partnership with SHALVA and CJE SeniorLife. Led by a diverse group of trainers, the program addresses abuse-related issues, as well as other important topics, including mental health, addiction, and recovery. The curriculum combines facts and myth-busting with practical guidance on policies and protocols, plus how to offer sensitive support and how to connect individuals with community resources. Participants also explore inclusive rituals and prayers, ways to integrate education about safe and healthy relationships into synagogue life, and recommendations for developing effective protocols and policies. 

Building safer synagogues is a shared responsibility. By increasing awareness, strengthening our skills, and creating supportive environments, we can help ensure that everyone in our community feels safe, respected, and heard. 

For more information, contact Elizabeth Ury.