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	Stamford raRabbi Launches Institute to Address Issues of Abuse in Jewish Community By Judie Jacobson The Jewish Ledger [Stamford CT] April 30, 2005 STAMFORD —- Rabbi Mark Dratch, who has served for the past eight years as spiritual leader of Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, will leave that post in June to head up The Jewish Institute Supporting an Abuse-Free Environment (JSafe), a new non-profit educational institution that aims to address the issue of domestic and sexual abuse within the Jewish community. Headquartered in New York, JSafe's mission is to create an environment in which every institution and organization across the entire spectrum of the Jewish community conducts itself responsibly and effectively in addressing the wrongs of domestic violence, child abuse and professional improprieties, whenever and by whomever they are perpetrated. "The purpose is create a systemic change in the Jewish community n to hold everyone and every institution and organization responsible in these areas. To make sure they have the proper training, the proper policies and can never sweep a problem under the rug," explains Dratch, who is a member of the Jewish Advisory Board of Faith Trust Institute, and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Religion and Abuse, and as chair of the Task Force on Rabbinic Improprieties for the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA). A congregational rabbi for 22 years, Dratch first became aware of the issue of child and domestic abuse within the Jewish community about 15 year ago, when he met a pediatrician from Brooklyn, New York who dealt exclusively with an Orthodox clientele. "She told me some horror stories about instances of child abuse that she observed in her practice and the horrific guidance and advice given to her by leading rabbis. The advice, in my estimation, was both dangerous and against Jewish law." Motivated to take action, Dratch published a paper for the RCA Roundtable magazine on halachic (Jewish legal) issues relating to child and abuse. Since then he has written extensively on the subject, and has lectured, consulted and advocated in the areas of child abuse and domestic violence in the Jewish community. Now, Dratch is poised to launch JSafe because, he notes, "There is a general sense in the community that something significant needs to be done." According to Dratch, problems of domestic violence and child abuse in the Jewish community are difficult to address for many reasons. "Foremost among them Primarily, he says, t amonth them aare the absence of standards and organization. Too many rabbis, principals and teachers n despite their good intentions and desire to help n are simply uneducated and unaware of how to recognize problems that exist, or how to respond to, and assist, alleged victims." JSafe meets that need by offering a Jewish institutions a certification program, publications, and educational initiatives that promote what Dratch calls "universal gold standards for training and policies that prevent abuse, that ensure that victims are treated supportively and appropriately, and make perpetrators accountable, thereby promoting a safe environment for all children and adults." In addition to the certification program, Jewish institutions will be able to take advantage of JSafe seminars and conferences, and speakers. The organization also plans to publish a monthly newsletter, books and journals. While Dratch is looking forward to the next phase of his career with "excitement and anticipation," he also notes "mixed feelings" and "sadness" at leaving Ahavath Agudath Sholom, where he lays claim to "lots of fond memories and experiences with many wonderful people." Noting Dratch's outstanding service to the Orthodox congregation, Agudhavath Sholom president Howard Rothman says, "His exceptional level of scholarship and passion for important contemporary and difficult Jewish issues has left a positive mark not only on our congregants, butr for the entire greater Stamford Jewish community. We are all saddened by his decision to leave both the shul and the community, and Wwe wish him and his family all of the best as he so nobly embarks on this new and exciting journey on behalf of the Jewish people." For more information on JSafe log on to www.jsafe.org.
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