I was married for 15 years to a man who used his power and privilege to control my life. According to him, I was never smart enough or pretty enough. I believed I was a lousy wife and mother because that’s what I heard every day. I felt worthless and broken. I did everything I could to keep the peace and safety in our home, but I failed.
When I realized that I could no longer live this way, I called SHALVA. So many questions whirled through me: What was wrong with me? Why was he acting this way?
As I prepared for Passover last year, I thought about my own “enslavement.” And just like the Israelites in the land of Egypt, I had to decide: Should I stay or should I go? I was so frightened and had even more questions. Did I have the courage to move forward, or should I go back to the familiarity of my abusive husband? I knew if I left, he would come find me and try to convince me to stay.
Thanks to you, I am on my journey to freedom. My therapist reassured me that I was not at fault and that I didn’t deserve to be treated this way. She was my rock and was by my side for months. The first thing we did was create a plan to keep the children and me safe. Then, over our next few sessions, we began discussing all my options. Was there a way to feel safe emotionally? Was there a way for me to leave with my children and have financial security?
SHALVA has been a source of spiritual strength for me. Just like our ancestors in Egypt, I went from oppression to freedom. I gave up my home and my car, but I was willing to pay that price for my liberty. Knowing that SHALVA and the Jewish community are here has empowered me. I can’t thank you enough. Challenges remain and freedom rings, too!
From a SHALVA client