Submitted by Adath Israel Congregation
Naomi Ackerman, an Israeli actress who was commissioned by the Israeli Ministry of Welfare to write a play about domestic violence, is coming to Cincinnati from November 10–12. The pandemic exacerbated the existing crisis of domestic violence. The JWI’s (Jewish Women International) report, “Domestic Violence in the Jewish Community,” stated, “The pandemic has created heightened risks for women and families as stay-at-home orders, unemployment, financial hardship, and trauma correlate with an increase of gender-based violence.” According to Women Helping Women, one in three women and one in four men have been victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Naomi’s play, “Flowers Aren’t Enough,” was written to address domestic violence, and help Israeli citizens talk about an issue that can be taboo to discuss. The play has been performed over 2,000 times in several languages around the globe. Her Cincinnati performance will take place at Adath Israel Congregation on Saturday, November 11, at 7 PM, followed by a panel discussion. The panel includes Ackerman along with a representative from Women Helping Women, and Rabbi Moshe Smolkin, the Senior Rabbi at Adath Israel. It is free of charge and sponsored by the Youngerman-Fogel Kallah. Over the course of the weekend, Ackerman will meet with Jewish teens from the Shelanu Jewish High School and discuss healthy relationships. She will also visit JFS (Jewish Family Service).
The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati helped facilitate the formation of a committee to bring awareness of domestic violence in the Jewish Community. Ellen Feld, an OB/GYN on the committee, said, “Domestic abuse is a taboo subject. Domestic abuse can occur very insidiously. And I don’t just mean physical abuse. Abuse can take many forms; emotional, physical, and psychological. The people who do this are great manipulators. Abusers can manipulate a survivor, and make escaping seem impossible. And the children of our community are in these homes. The real tragedy is what the kids see. They see the abuse, and they are not only traumatized by it, but it is normalized for them.”
Rabbi Smolkin helped work with lay leaders to bring Naomi Ackerman to Cincinnati. He said, “Shalom Bayit (peace in the home) is a vital Jewish value. It is critical to make our homes places filled with respect and compassion. This applies not only when life is smooth, but especially during difficult times. Shalom Bayit should stay at the forefront of our minds and actions so that our homes can continue to be safe spaces and places where the Divine may dwell.”
Naomi Ackerman is the founder and Executive Director of The Advot Project. She said, “Advot means ripples in Hebrew. We initiate ripples of change, creating a world of equality and justice by teaching communication skills and relationship building through the arts.”
People who wish to attend the performance of “Flowers Aren’t Enough” can RSVP through Adath Israel Congregation’s website.
