Building Shalom Bayit into Your Daily Life

By Courtney Pories

“Shalom bayit” can mean something different to everyone, which is why after writing my first piece for JW magazine, I became curious about how other people create peace in their homes. Monica Edelman, the well-travelled coordinator of JWI’s Los Angeles Young Women’s Leadership Network, shared her story, revealing insights on global Jewry, identity, mutual respect, and expressing your values within your relationships.

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Entrepreneur Journeys: A Night with JWI’s LA Women’s Leadership Network

By Jackie Kossoff 

The previous JWI events I have attended could not prepare me for the evening of inspiration and connection I experienced at the LA Women’s Leadership Network’s recent event, “Passion for Fashion.” I knew that we were gathered to hear Esther Brozin Feder, philanthropist and JWI supporter, talk of her journey in the fashion industry. What I didn’t expect was to share a powerful evening with other young, Jewish, female entrepreneurs.

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How We're Working to #ChangeTheCulture - and you can join us.

Last week, we asked men why it's important to be leaders in their communities to support survivors and fight sexual assault. This week, we asked: How are you working to #ChangetheCulture to prevent sexual assault? The individuals you'll hear from below reaffirm that there are so many ways to advocate - creating cultural changes in the workplace, teaching children that they have control over their bodies, modeling healthy relationships, simply having a conversation about #MeToo - and more. 

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Men Respond to #MeToo

Men and boys have a critical role to play in responding to the #MeToo movement. For Sexual Assault Awareness Month, JWI asked men how they can be leaders in supporting survivors and the fight against sexual assault.

JWI believes engaging men and boys is a key component to ending gender-based violence. Our programs Boy to Mentsch, Green Light Go, Safe Smart Dating, #ChangeTheCulture, Ladies and Gentlemen, and Good Guys provide tools to promote healthy masculinity and facilitate discussions around sexual assault and harassment. 

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Building Shalom Bayit as a DC Twenty-Something

By Courtney Pories

As a young adult who has lived in her first apartment for just a year now, it’s interesting to reflect on how I’ve made my home Jewish. Living with a few other twenty-something Jewish girls, we’re always running between working and socializing, trying to figure out how this whole “adulting” thing works - how do we take the time to build a home?

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How My First Seder Reinvigorated My Work

By Erin McMullen

I was reminded during these Seders how community building is a key component of repairing our world. I observed how a group of strangers and friends can collectively share a deep commitment to making this world a more socially just and equitable place. [The Seder was] a chance to pause, brainstorm, and envision ways that we can create a better and safer world for everyone with the guidance of Jewish texts and each other.

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Getting Past Gaslighting

by Sue Tomchin

Psychologist Robin Stern is committed to empowering us to break free from the spell of manipulative relationships—whether in the public sphere or in personal lives. Her advice is something we all need to listen to.

On March 15, Stern spoke to an audience of over 200 shelter professionals taking part in one of JWI’s monthly webinars, educating them about the signs of gaslighting and how they can help clients recover from its effects.

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Ta’anit

by Sarah Barasch-Hagans

After Esther 4:16

“Go, assemble all the Jews who live in Shushan, and fast in my behalf; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens will observe the same fast. Then I shall go to the king, even though it is against the law; and if I am to perish, I shall perish!”

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