Honorable Mentschen
JWI's work to end violence against women and girls is not done alone. This is our tribute to some of the wonderful men we are proud to call allies.
Laurence Bolotin
is executive director of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity
"Our work with Jewish Women International is critical to helping our men, and students on campuses where we operate, understand how they can play a big part in ending sexual violence on campus. The team at JWI are not only true experts in this area, but also willing to experiment with new and creative programming that can catch the attention of college students. I intend to continue growing my support of JWI for many years to come."
Rabbi Ari S. Lorge
is co-chair of JWI’s Clergy Task Force to End Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community and associate rabbi at Central Synagogue of Manhattan.
"The Jewish community and its institutions forged my identity. Yet, as I matured, I came to witness subtle and overt instances of unhealthy and even abusive relationships in the very institutions that should have been safe spaces. We need to engage in a more open and honest conversation about healthy relationships, violence against women, modern day masculinity and bystander intervention. Our synagogues, our summer camps, our youth movements ought to be shelters of peace for all. For me, that means taking on the work of prevention."
Nick Carr
is deputy campaign manager of Francis Rooney for U.S. Congress (District 19). He is a 2016 graduate of George Washington University, where he was president of the school's ZBT fraternity chapter and was instrumental in creating the joint JWI-ZBT project, Green Light: Go!
"Sexual assault is an issue that affects students on every single campus. If it affects students and you are a student leader in whatever capacity, you should stand up for what’s right. If you can change the culture with young people, those who are actually living these issues, and affect how they think and the culture behind those ideas, you can change the world. Why shouldn’t we have a voice in our future?"
Rabbi Ovadiah Bander, LGPC
is a therapist at NorthStar Academy in Rockville, Maryland, and worked closely with the JWI team to develop and facilitate the Boy to Mentsch project curriculum.
"I want to be part of the solution. I want to make a difference. Boy to Mentsch is a way to help combat domestic violence in our community in a positive way. Fusing Judaism with therapeutic skills is what my life is about, and Boy to Mentsch was the perfect setting to join those passions."
Rabbi Richard Hirsh
is a member – and former co-chair – of JWI’s Clergy Task Force to End Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community, and serves as a part-time associate rabbi at two Reform congregations in the Philadelphia area.
"For many years I taught at a rabbinical seminary and would invite JWI’s Deborah Rosenbloom to speak to future rabbis about both their ability and responsibility to be involved with issues of domestic violence, as well as the promotion of healthy relationships. Deborah remains an important colleague, resource and inspiration to me in making these concerns an ongoing part of my rabbinic work."