Why SHALVA?
As a Jewish person in the 18-36 age range, I would never think to reach out to SHALVA. I would think that I wasn’t religious enough, or that because I…
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SHALVA: A Culturally-Sensitive Resource
This year, the start of Chanukah is shared with Christmas – December 25th. Christmas and Chanukah have long been lumped together in the secular world. It might seem that the…
Five Red Flags
Here at SHALVA, we know that abusive dynamics are not always easy to see. That is why it is important to be proactive when you notice red flags early on…
Healing From Abuse Through Writing
I’m a therapist here at SHALVA and a poet. I am passionate about creative expression and the potential of writing as a tool for healing. Here are a few exercises…
Calling All Fathers
Domestic violence is a community issue and our whole community needs to be involved to make lasting change – men and women. Father’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to engage…
We’re Angry: Our Takeaways
If you haven’t caught up, 2016 hotel surveillance video was released of Sean “P. Diddy” Combs horrifically beating his then girlfriend, Cassie Ventura (both musicians). In November, Cassie filed a…
Unlocking the Lessons of Passover: How The Four Children Guide Us in Addressing Domestic Abuse
A well-known part of the Passover Seder is the description of The Four Sons/Children. This section reminds us of the Jewish obligation to teach the next generation about this powerful…
The Plagues of Domestic Abuse: 10 Barriers to Leaving an Abusive Relationship
As Jews around the world prepare for their Passover Seder, we are reminded that the Israelites had to choose between living in fear by staying in Egypt OR risking everything…
Walking Alongside Clients on Their Healing Journey
Emma Furman, MSW, recently joined SHALVA as a therapist, and has already become a valuable member of the team. We asked her a few questions so you could get to…
Trailblazing Women: Honoring SHALVA’s Founding Mothers During Women’s History Month
by Naomi Senser, SHALVA President Almost four decades ago, a small group of women made history when they recognized that women in the Jewish community of Chicago were suffering in…