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Take Time to Focus on Healthy Loving Relationships

By Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick
Jewish Community Chaplain

We don’t speak enough about domestic violence in the Jewish community. This is true of all Jewish communities. Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twersky, one of the foremost experts and advocates in the Jewish community regarding mental health and the issues of domestic violence and substance abuse, saw mental health issues, and relationships in particular, through spiritual care lenses. 


In 1996, Twersky wrote a book “The Shame Borne in Silence: Spouse Abuse in the Jewish Community.” It brought to light the problem of spouse abuse in the Jewish community and offered advice and direction on how to end it. The book was a wake-up call and a challenge for change.  


Rabbi Dr. Twersky died earlier this month, but his work to end domestic violence lives on. In this month of love in our American culture, the Clergy Task Force on Domestic Violence of Jewish Women International, on which I am honored to serve, has a project called “Shamor L’Amour – A Healthy Relationship Shabbat” to focus on healthy loving relationships.   

This annual program is designed to spark conversations about healthy relationships among couples, families, and singles. These conversations can be held anywhere – the dinner table while taking a walk, or even over your favorite conferencing website. 

As Jewish Community Chaplain, based at JFS, I encourage you to check out a recent article in eJewishPhilanthrophy about the Shamor L’Amour and utilize the resources including free Shabbat conversation cards – one set for families, another for adults at www.jwi.org/shabbat. 

Please share these important discussions with your circle of friends and family. Every conversation about healthy loving relationships makes a difference.  ​

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Upcoming Events

Mar
3
Wed
11:30 am JFS Grief and Loss Group
JFS Grief and Loss Group
Mar 3 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Meets first and third Wednesday The ongoing support group is for individuals grieving from the death of a loved one. The group provides an opportunity to address issues of loss and grief within a Jewish[...]
7:00 pm JFS Grandparenting Virtual Event
JFS Grandparenting Virtual Event
Mar 3 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Grandparenting: Expectations vs Reality Join The J Kc on March 3, from 7 – 8:00 p.m. for a virtual workshop featuring Keynote Speaker: Barbara Unell Journalist, Author, Educator Cost: FREE Pre-registration required Presented by: Beth Torah, Beth[...]
Mar
8
Mon
3:00 pm JFS Virtual Happiness Habits
JFS Virtual Happiness Habits
Mar 8 @ 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
This Happiness Habits Wellness Series is a free and ongoing half-hour program in partnership between JFS, the Kansas City Public Library, and the Greater Kansas City Mental Health Coalition. The half-hour program is at 3[...]
Mar
11
Thu
4:00 pm JFS Community Food Drive @ JFS Brookside
JFS Community Food Drive @ JFS Brookside
Mar 11 @ 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
The Jewish Family Services Food Pantry needs your support to help those facing food insecurity. Monthly the Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City and area congregations host food drives to help stock the two locations[...]
Mar
15
Mon
3:00 pm JFS Virtual Happiness Habits
JFS Virtual Happiness Habits
Mar 15 @ 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
This Happiness Habits Wellness Series is a free and ongoing half-hour program in partnership between JFS, the Kansas City Public Library, and the Greater Kansas City Mental Health Coalition. The half-hour program is at 3[...]
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5801 W. 115th St., Suite 103 | Overland Park, KS 66211
913.327.8250 · info@jfskc.org

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