Millennials take up the baton for Jewish Women’s Aid - The Jewish Chronicle

Jewish Women’s Aid (JWA) is getting its message out to millennials – via millennials – by launching its first ever young committee.

The leading charity supporting Jewish women and children aﬀected by domestic abuse and sexual violence is bringing together 11 young women and men from different industries and levels of religious observance, to raise funds both for the charity and awareness of its cause.

At the helm of Young JWA is Cambridge graduate, Lucy Summerfield, 25, who said: “Even if you don’t directly need JWA, it is such an important charity to have in our community. We need the awareness, infrastructure and right resources there to support anyone in the community who might one day need it.”

With one in four women – including in the Jewish population - aﬀected by domestic abuse, the group aims to promote education about healthy relationships and challenge the perception that abuse and sexual violence are taboo subjects.

Lucy, an analyst at Bloomberg LP and member of South Hampstead Synagogue, said that it was imperative that her generation was willing to talk about these issues. “There’s a perception that domestic abuse is an issue from the past, that misogyny is something our parents’ generation fought. But abuse hasn’t disappeared; it’s changed form.

“It’s gone online, with people leaking nude images or tracking their partners movements. Domestic abuse is still an issue that our community is facing and it’s incumbent upon us to try and improve the issue in any way we can.”

She welcomed the inclusion of four men on the committee, saying: “In the past, domestic abuse might have been seen as a women’s issue, but it affects everyone. There has been a cultural shift away from ‘locker room’ misogyny and a lot of men will call out language that might have previously been seen as banter.

“Having men on our committee reflects the reality that tackling abuse is a shared responsibility and shows just how much progress we’ve made, and how much further we still need to go.”

Young JWA’s first event is taking place this week and will help raise funds for JWA’s frontline services. Sam Clifford, JWA’s CEO, said: “We are incredibly proud to be launching our first ever young committee, something JWA has never had before. This marks a significant step forward in how we tackle domestic abuse and sexual violence within our community. Having a dedicated group of young people, including both men and women, leading this initiative shows the kind of cultural shift we need.”

JWA's CEO Sam Clifford (Photo: Lizanne)[Missing Credit]

Adding that education and early intervention were “critical”, Clifford said that the new committee’s “passion and commitment will help us challenge outdated attitudes, break the silence, and build a stronger, more supportive community for every Jewish woman and child. We wish them every success and thank them for their involvement and dedication.”

For tickets for the Young JWA launch event, click here or go to:

jwa.org.uk/event/summer-party/

To contact Jewish Women’s Aid, you can phone their helpline on 0808 801 0500 from Monday to Thursday 9.30am-9.30pm

They also have a webchat service at jwa.org.uk/webchat on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 to 5pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 12pm

If you are unable to reach JWA, you can phone the national Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

If you are in immediate danger, always dial 999

Topics:

Jewish Women's Aid

JWA

JWA Young Committee