JWI’s 2004 national and community Needs Assessments confirmed that clergy play an invaluable role in the mission to end relationship and domestic violence. With proper training and resources, religious leaders can send a strong message to their communities that abuse has no place in our homes and relationships.

The Sh’ma Kolenu Project (in English, “Hear Our Voice”) is a joint initiative of the New York Board of Rabbis (NYBR) and JWI. The project aims to educate clergy about the issue of domestic violence, train them to recognize the symptoms, and engage everyone in the work to break the cycle of abuse.

Sh’ma Kolenu’s two-hour introductory curriculum and six-hour training module offer extensive training to clergy of all faiths. Trainings -- partially funded by the Council of Churches of the City of New York through the Care for the Caregivers Grant of the American Red Cross —have been given to area rabbis, national professional Conferences and New York City institutions.

Sh’ma Kolenu also works closely with members of the UJA/Federation of New York Taskforce on Family Violence to develop new educational materials and outreach to Jewish clergy throughout the tri-state area.

Through its growing advisory, generous friends, rabbis and their congregations Sh'ma Kolenu is sending a clear message, in a unified voice, about the importance of this work and the communal effort required to efffect societal change.