Gender-Based Violence

WRJ monitors and addresses sexual harassment and assault, domestic violence, date rape and campus violence, spousal and child abuse, trafficking, and the use of firearms when committing acts of domestic violence.

Since October 7, 2023, WRJ has taken particular focus on the sexual and gender-based violence caused by Hamas terrorists in Israel, and that continues as the war persists. WRJ has been particularly vocal on how sexual violence has been used as a weapon of war.

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In addition, WRJ marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month every October and raises awareness about the pervasive nature of domestic violence and intimate partner violence, provides resources to those currently experiencing abuse, and addresses the moral imperative to work to eradicate domestic violence.

In April of 2022, during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, WRJ announced a campaign called WRJ Says STOP: An Initiative to Stop Sexual Harassment and Assault. The campaign includes resources on accountability, educational backgrounders, and replicable programs to do in your community on on your own.

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Gender-based Violence

What's New

Reproductive Health and Rights

Social Justice Conference: Sign Up to Make a Difference

December 13, 2024

What defines a winner? In a democracy, is it who gets the most votes on Election Day, or something else? What do you do if the winning candidates are not supportive of the issues you hold near and dear? I am constantly tackling this question as a co-chair, along with Jane Taves, of the Rabbi Marla J

Gun Violence Prevention

Gun Violence Prevention: We Must Take Action

July 16, 2024

The issue of gun violence became personal for me on July 4, 2022. On that day, this national crisis seized upon the quiet suburb where I grew up—about eight miles from where I currently live. During the Independence Day Parade on Central Street in downtown Highland Park, Illinois, a sniper stood on

Gender-based Violence

Photo of Women of Reform Judaism Executive Director Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch poses with Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt

At the White House, A Call To Not Be Silent

June 18, 2024

This Monday, I was honored to attend a convening on conflict-related sexual violence to mark the annual International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Press Releases

Israel Peace and Security

One Year Since Attack, Reform Jewish Women Continue Support of Survivors, Victims of Sexual Violence in Hamas Attacks, Call For Return of Hostages

October 7, 2024

NEW YORK — As the world marks one year since the murder of 1,200 Israelis by Hamas terrorists, the largest attack on Jews since the Holocaust, Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch, CEO of Women of Reform Judaism, released the following statement: “Since the earliest days following Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel, Women of Reform Judaism has spoken out against the weaponization of violence against women

Gender-based Violence

Photo of capital building in Washington, DC with the words "Statement from the Reform Movement" and RAC and WRJ logos in white font

Reform Jewish Movement Commends Supreme Court Decision Restricting Guns from Domestic Abusers

June 21, 2024

In response to the Supreme Court decision in United States v. Rahimi upholding the prohibition on firearm possession for individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner and Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch released the following joint statement.

Gender-based Violence

WRJ Executive Committee: We Will Never Be Silent

March 1, 2024

For Immediate Release March 1, 2024 WRJ Executive Committee: We Will Never Be Silent in the Fight for Women’s Rights and Bodily Integrity, against Sexual Assault and Violence, and for a Democratic and Jewish State New York -- In line with its legacy of supporting Jews in the land known today as Israel, and in response to the violence against women on October 7, 2023, Women of Reform Judaism's