NIF Professional Training Empowers Ultra-Orthodox Divorcees

June 15, 2009

Aliza —not her real name — is an ultra-Orthodox divorcee who is training to be a real estate agent. The 27 year-old Jerusalem mother of two young daughters is one of 60 divorced ultra-Orthodox women training in economic empowerment at Em Habanim in the city’s Har Nof neighborhood. The course is funded by the NIF Endowment Fund in Memory of Yaffa London-Ya'ari through the MATI Jerusalem Business Development Center.

Aliza is one of 600 divorced mothers who attend Em Habanim. “Coming here is a joy,” she said, “though until the economic empowerment course started, it did not solve my financial problems, or increase my child support payments.”

Divorce rates are rising significantly in ultra-Orthodox society, where it is considered a terrible stigma. One of the main tasks of Em Habanim, founded in 1995 by Malka Yarom who opened her home to several religious divorcees who had nowhere to go on Shabbat, is to persuade women that they are ‘single parents’ rather than ’broken homes.’

Em Habanim’s Executive Director Aharon Malach said, “We are spearheading change in ultra-Orthodox society regarding divorce. We are treated as though we are the organization of eczema sufferers. We’re told that if you recognize a problem exists then you encourage it.”

Some 60 new families join Em Habanim each year. The organization will soon be opening new branches in Betar Illit and Bet Shemesh to keep up with demand.

In addition to the NIF funded economic empowerment courses, the women receive therapy and a range of welfare and practical assistance as well as the opportunity to form a social network with people in a similar situation.

“Without friends, Shabbat is the hardest,” says Aliza. “Nothing can make you get used to the feeling of loneliness on Shabbat.”