Shofar Coalition in the Media
Federation of Jewish Women Meet at Ner Tamid
Bev Fine Serpick, Community Times, October 29, 2008
Federation of Jewish Women's Organizations of Maryland: The federation recently had its opening meeting at Ner Tamid Synagogue on Pimlico Road.
Program participants included Elissa Ness, president; Rabbi Chaim Landau, spiritual leader of this congregation; Esther Giller, first guest speaker, president, Sidrin Institute; Rae Shalowitz; Arlene Burman; Arlene Mazer; Lynda Weinstein; Debbie Shpritz; Eve Vogelstein, immediate past federation president and Sheila Derman. Linda Elman, vice president, introduced Leslie Pomerantz, executive director of the Center for Community Engagement & Leadership, the second guest speaker at this meeting.
Esther Giller spoke about the Sidran Institute, the Shofar Coalition, which is a collaborative response to childhood trauma in the Baltimore Jewish community. There are healing groups for women survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
The group wants Baltimore area Jewish community women ages 18 and older to participate in an anonymous online survey that will obtain data to assist community and religious leaders, plus service agencies in mapping the needs of children, adolescents and adults. This survey will examine how childhood experiences affect adult health.
The Shofar Coalition and Jewish Community Service are putting together in late October two separate healing groups for women survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Each group will meet weekly for 16 weeks in a confidential location in the Pikesville area.
The group is open to all women regardless of Jewish religious affiliation.
There is a recovery-through-art program. No art skills are needed! Art therapy offers nonverbal creative expression that promotes a safe environment to explore the challenging issues of sexual abuse. This group meets Tuesdays, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Peggy Kolodny, group facilitator, can be reached at 410-292-4848.
Another therapy group for women that experienced sexual abuse before the age of 18 is titled "From Survivor to Thriver." It meets Thursdays 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Participants will have an opportunity to expand their coping strategies and learn how to value and care for themselves.
For more info or to participate, call this group's facilitator, Chris Cronin, at 410-843-7440.