The Jewish Domestic Violence Task Force of Central Mass was established in March 2004 following the publication of Sins of Omissions: The Jewish Community’s Reaction to Domestic Violence (Westview Press, 2003). Written by local psychologist Carol Goodman Kaufman and based on research she conducted while a post-doctoral fellow in criminology at Northeastern University, the book described the ignorance, denial and consequent lack of response to the problem of domestic violence within the Jewish community.

The Task Force is composed of representatives of a wide range of area synagogues, agencies and volunteer organizations who meet monthly to address issues confronting victims of abuse in our community.

Our Mission

• To educate the Jewish community about the extent and scope of domestic violence in the Jewish community and its effects on children and the family, the community, and society.

• To encourage rabbis, cantors and other Jewish professionals and lay leaders to take on the issue as a topic for discussion in their own organizations.

• To collaborate with other regional Jewish communities to develop cost-effective means of making available the resources and services necessary to address the problems faced by domestic violence victims in the Jewish community.

• To collaborate with local service providers, faith communities and law enforcement in bringing the topic of domestic violence to the forefront of the general community agenda.

• To educate local service providers and law enforcement officials about the unique issues and needs of victims of domestic violence in the Jewish community.

If you are in immediate danger call 911

Additional Resources

Shalom Task Force: 888-883-2323, a confidential and anonymous Jewish Domestic Violence hotline in New York City, will refer you to appropriate local resources. The call will not appear on your telephone records. Affiliation is made possible by a grant from the Jewish Federation of Central Mass.

Training on Domestic Violence in Jewish Families with Lisa Twerski of Shalom Task Force and Rabbi Benjamin Samuels, January 11, 2006

Jewish Women’s International “A Portrait of Domestic Violence in the Jewish Community”

Looking for Legal Assistance

National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges, Guide for Battered Women

Useful Weblinks

Court Guidelines for Domestic Violence

Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence

Massachusetts Batterers Intervention Programs

Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General

Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, information on licensed adoption agencies and adoption regulations

Jewish Women’s International Domestic Violence Needs Assessment, key findings