Jewish Women International (JWI)

In February, I told Members of Congress about the sexual violence perpetuated against Israeli women and girls by Hamas and other terrorists on and after Oct. 7, as well as action steps legislators and social media platforms can take to hold perpetrators accountable. I'm grateful that we've seen so much concrete action since then: A DOJ indictment against Hamas leaders cites their conflict-related sexual violence; several House and Senate resolutions condemn Hamas and call for accountability; and two comprehensive UN reports document what happened, in detail, as well as the impediments to justice. I am grateful that my colleagues and I at Jewish Women International (JWI), as well as our partners at Seed the Dream Foundation, are fighting the disinformation and denial that Israelis face every day. #IBelieveIsraeliWomen

Jewish Women International?is heartbroken over the tragic school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, during which a gunman killed at least four people and injured 30 others. In this time of profound sorrow, it is crucial that we come together as a community. We stand in solidarity with the victims and their families by reaffirming our commitment to creating safer schools and stronger gun violence prevention measures. JWI's Gun Violence Prevention Roundtable urges all community leaders and lawmakers to broaden access to school-based mental health services,?enact common-sense gun violence prevention measures, invest in early intervention and prevention programs to address the root causes of violence, and foster a culture of empathy, inclusion, and mutual respect within our schools and communities.

We are honored that?Ayelet Razin Bet Or, a leading expert advocating for victims of gender-based violence, will be joining us on Friday at the United Nations for an important conversation about sexual violence as a weapon of war. ? Ayelet, a co-founder of The Dinah Project and a key advisor to I Believe Israeli Women, is one of the most effective advocates working to hold the perpetrators of Oct. 7 accountable.?She was most recently Director of The Authority for Advancement of the Status of Women in the ministry of Social Equality, and has represented Israel on gender equality-related issues at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. She is a legal advisor to the Association of the Rape Crisis Centers of Israel.? ? You won't want to miss this important conversation with Ayelet and Meredith this?Friday, Sept. 6,?hosted by the United Nations committee to End Antisemitism and Promote Peace at the Bahá'í International Community United Nations Office in New York City. ? In-person tickets are sold out, but there is plenty of space on Zoom. Register here: https://buff.ly/3X1erGK

Register now for this important conversation: https://lnkd.in/eA4GcWfi

Farhan Al-Qadi, 52, was rescued by the IDF today after 10 months in captivity. Al-Qadi, from a Bedouin community in southern Israel, was found alone inside of a tunnel. On Oct. 7, he was working as a guard at a packing factory in Kibbutz Magen, and was abducted by Hamas terrorists. We are grateful for his rescue and urge all parties to work toward a deal to free the remaining hostages as soon as possible. #bringthemhomeNOW Read more here: https://buff.ly/4g5j0Zl

Today, our hearts ache over the news that the bodies of six hostages have been recovered by the IDF from Gaza. Clockwise from the top left, Yagev Buchshtab (35), Alexander Dancyg (75), Avraham Munder (79), Yoram Metzger (80), Nadav Popplewell (51), and Haim Peri (80). All were already known to have lost their lives in captivity, except Mr. Munder. More than 100 captives still remain in Gaza held by terrorists. Time is running out. We must #bringthemallhomeNOW?

"It Ends With Us depicts a whirlwind romance novel in movie form. The story, punctuated with sweeping gestures and intense emotions, has captivated readers —?including us —?since its 2016 release. But as individuals who work directly with domestic violence survivors, we also want to highlight some of the underlying dynamics in these kinds of stories that seem like romance, but actually reveal warning signs when present in real-life relationships. While 'It Ends With Us' may offer a gripping narrative that makes audiences root for the couple, it's crucial to recognize the warning signs of domestic violence that are subtly woven into the plot. The romanticization of such relationships in popular culture can obscure the red flags that, in reality, are indicative of a dangerous cycle of abuse." Read more the relationship red flags on display during 'It Ends with Us' in this new piece from Sierra Schnitzer, LMHC, and Anna Gerstein: https://lnkd.in/e8MtEMGy

JWI is thrilled to announce our partnership with Hineni, a woman-owned business committed to crafting jewelry that celebrates unity, compassion, and support. For us, "Hineni" — "Here I am" in Hebrew — embodies our commitment to supporting other Jewish women, and to working on behalf of women and girls. We're excited about working with Hineni because their founders, Brandy Mitnick and Julia Zuroff, share our passion for building community and Jewish pride. They believe in in the power of listening as a healing force, recognizing that truths often emerge through questions rather than answers, and that kindness in action is the essence of support. Proceeds from every jewelry purchase will support JWI's work to promote healing within the Jewish community. The collection is launching soon, and we can't wait to share more with you when it does! https://hineniforthem.com/

Jewish Women International mourns the passing of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a steadfast advocate for justice, equality, and the well-being of all communities. Her unwavering dedication to public service and her tireless efforts to champion the rights of women and marginalized groups have left an indelible mark on our nation. Representative Jackson Lee was a formidable force in the fight for social justice, and her legislative accomplishments reflect her deep commitment to creating a fairer and more equitable society. She was a vocal supporter of initiatives aimed at ending domestic violence, protecting reproductive rights, and promoting educational opportunities for all. JWI worked closely with Congresswoman Jackson Lee on the 2022 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act as well as other important legislation to support victims and survivors of gender-based violence. "Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, known almost universally in DC as “SJL,” was a true trailblazer and a passionate advocate for those who often go unheard," said Meredith Jacobs, CEO of Jewish Women International. "Her legacy of courage and her relentless pursuit of justice will continue to inspire us for years to come." We extend our deepest condolences to Congresswoman Jackson Lee’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. May her memory be a blessing. ###

Jewish Women International is grateful for President Biden’s decades of public service and work on behalf of women and girls, and for his steadfast support for Israel. We have a long history of working together with President Biden, most notably on the creation and passage of the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 when he was a senator. “Biden is a man who truly believes in service,” says JWI CEO Meredith Jacobs. “From VAWA to the creation of the White House Gender Policy Council to having the first woman to serve as his vice president, the world is forever changed for the better because of Joe Biden.” We look forward to continuing our work with the Biden Administration on behalf of women and girls everywhere until the end of his term.