We are all aware of the prevalence of sexual abuse and such issues in the Jewish community, and know how important it is to protect our children by being proactive and focusing on prevention.

Amudim has always been at the forefront of protecting our children by providing crisis management, community education and professional liaisons, and now they are coming together with Project S.A.R.A.H to shed some light on these important issues.

Project S.A.R.A.H. (Stop Abusive Relationships At Home) is a program that works to overcome cultural, legal and religious barriers confronting victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. It. serves as a bridge between victims of abuse in the Orthodox community and the support systems and resources available to them in an attempt to keep our community safe.

No person should remain a victim because he or she does not know what resources are available.

The community is so much stronger when educated against these dangers. There are always professionals and community leaders who can help in times of need, and Dr. Pelcovitz and Rabbi Zwickler are shining examples of what working together can achieve.

Dr. David Pelcovitz holds the Gwendolyn and Joseph Straus Chair in Psychology and Jewish Education at the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. He is also an instructor in pastoral counseling at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS). He has published and lectured extensively on a variety of topics related to education, parenting and child mental health including family violence, the impact of domestic violence and coping with trauma and loss. His most recent publication was “Balanced Parenting,” a book he wrote in collaboration with his father, Rabbi Raphael Pelcovitz, on parenting from a Jewish perspective.

Rabbi Zwickler received rabbinic ordination from RIETS and holds a master’s degree in social work from the YU Wurzweiler School of Social Work as well as a master’s degree in secondary Jewish education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Yeshiva University. Rabbi Zwickler taught special education at the PTACH program at Yeshiva University High School while serving as assistant rabbi of Congregation AABJ&D in West Orange, and currently serves on the executive committee of the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy and Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in Livingston. He was also a member of the executive committee of the RCA and is a licensed social worker in New Jersey.

We believe an evening of prevention is worth a lifetime of cure. Don’t miss these critical chinuch lessons that every parent must know.

The lecture will be held on Monday, July 18, at Congregation Israel of Springfield, beginning with Mincha at 7:45 p.m. The program will follow at 8 p.m. and the evening will conclude with Maariv.

Congregation Israel of Springfield is located at 339 Mountain Avenue, Springfield Township, NJ 07081.