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Breaking Free:
Dinah Provides Legal Services for
Domestic Abuse Survivors
C haya couldn’t pinpoint what was
wrong in her marriage until a
friend took her aside and raised
red flags. It became clear that she was in a
verbally abusive relationship.

Soon after, the abuse turned physical.

Chaya knew her children couldn’t stay in
an environment with abuse. She had to
leave, but how?
She tried women’s and domestic abuse
organizations but couldn’t find the legal
advice that would be helpful for her sit-
uation. That was until she found Dinah,
the only legal representation agency for
Jewish domestic partner violence in
Philadelphia. Supported by the Jewish
Federation of Greater Philadelphia,
Dinah’s mission since 2015 is to combat
intimate partner violence in the Jewish
community in Greater Philadelphia
through advocacy, education and volun-
teer legal representation.

While domestic violence in the Ultra-
Orthodox and the Jewish community as
a whole is comparable to that of other
Dinah is the only legal representation agency for Jewish
communities in the United States, the
domestic partner violence in Philadelphia.
Getty Images
difficulty of uncovering and addressing
domestic violence continues to be an
obstacle. Those across Jewish denomina-
tions often decline to seek help due to secrecy, feelings of shame and isolation.

vices and answering critical calls from those who are ready, undecided or recently
“I knew something was wrong, but I didn’t have anyone to talk to,” said Chaya,
left their abusive relationships.

last name withheld for anonymity. “The only abuse [I ever heard] talked about was
“We don’t try to duplicate other services, our expertise is legal,” said Shana Weiner,
physical abuse. Once mine became physical, I knew I didn’t want to be stuck in a
founder and executive director of Dinah. “We field crisis calls and triage situations as
bad relationship.”
they come to help the client figure out what is the most urgent need.”
When she came to Dinah, Chaya received legal advice, support, such as custody
In addition to its current Women of Vision grant, Dinah was awarded a three-
papers, and guidance to devise a strategic plan to leave.

year grant from the Jewish Federation. Dinah used these dollars for increased staff
“Dinah was always available for a phone conversation and not only provided legal
support and an expansion of vital programs for community outreach.

advice but also helped with the emotional aspects of the situation while explaining
“The Jewish Federation cares for, enriches and creates a bright future for
my rights,” she said.

Jewish people everywhere, which is why we’re proud to support programs
Since its inception, Dinah has received support from Women of Vision, an affinity
like Dinah that work toward providing a safe space for women in the com-
group of the Jewish Federation that advances the lives of self-identifying women and
munity,” the Jewish Federation’s Chief Strategy and Impact Officer Kelly
girls. Romirowsky said.

When Dinah received its first Women of Vision grant, it used the funding to
As a result of Dinah’s services, Chaya safely left her abusive relationship and is
launch community education workshops that discuss domestic abuse, Jewish myths
protected legally. She uses her newfound freedom to educate others about domestic
about domestic abuse, and a broad overview of the Protection From Abuse (PFA)
abuse and has, on occasion, dropped off books about domestic abuse to rabbis within
Act in Pennsylvania.

the community, hoping that it will spark conversations.

Through unique cases like Chaya’s, Dinah has carved a niche, providing legal ser-
“I speak out to tell my story,” Chaya reflected. “Because someone spoke out to me.”
12 MAY 12, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM