We have a deeply moving conversation on the topic of red flags in relationships.
This episode is sponsored by Esther & Jerry Williams in honor of all those who support Shalom Task Force.
If you are in crisis please reach out to the Shalom Task Force Hotline at 888-883-2323.
On this episode of 18Forty, we have a deeply moving conversation on the topic of red flags in relationships. We speak with Esther Williams and Dr. Shoshannah Frydman from Shalom Task Force, and one person who extricated herself from an abusive relationship. The dynamics of relationships, whether healthy, unhealthy, or anywhere in between are complex, and we set out to better our understanding of the signs of relational abuse. Whether or not you have personally struggled with the issues we discuss here, we are all better off when we are more informed about the what and why of relational health, so tune in now.
In this interview, we discuss:
First interview begins at 10:35
The Shalom Task Force, Inc (STF) is a non-profit community organization that aims to combat and prevent domestic violence and foster safe and healthy relationships and families. The STF focuses on helping those in the Jewish community that may not have access to traditional services and that need culturally sensitive programming. The STF runs a free, anonymous hotline that helps individuals find the services they need, provides assistance through legal services, supportive counseling, and referral information, and offers prevention and psychoeducational workshops, trainings, and community programs to increase awareness of relationship abuse and promote healthy relationships.
Dr. Shoshannah Frydman, PhD, LCSW is the executive director of Shalom Task Force. Dr. Frydman is a trauma-informed therapist and advocate who has worked in the field of domestic abuse and family violence in the Jewish community for close to 20 years. Dr. Frydman co-chairs the UJA Taskforce on Family Violence, and was recently appointed to the New York City Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence COVID-19 Response Group. Dr. Frydman previously served as the managing director of Family Violence and Social Services at the Met Council. Dr. Frydman received her MSW from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and her PhD at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York/Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work.
Esther Williams is the President of the Shalom Task Force and a past board member and executive vice president of the Orthodox Union.
References:
“Dealbreakers Talk Show #0001” on 30 Rock
National Domestic Abuse Hotline
“The Quick Shift: Orthodox Jewish Women’s Early Marital Sexual Experience” by Shoshannah D. Frydman
“Tradition and Transition. Orthodox Women’s Experience with Kallah Classes and Early Marital Intimacy” by Shoshannah D. Frydman
The Greatest Average American by Nate Bargatze
Shalom Task Force Guides and Educational Materials
I’m so Confused, Am I Being Abused? Guidance for the Orthodox Jewish Spouse and Those Who Want to Help by Lisa G. Twersky
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men by Lundy Bancroft
Invisible Chains: Overcoming Coercive Control in Your Intimate Relationship by Lisa A. Fontes
No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us by Rachel Louise Snyder
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we discuss parental alienation.
We speak with Rabbis Eitan Webb and Ari Israel about Jewish life on college campuses today.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Menachem Penner—dean of RIETS at Yeshiva University—and his son Gedalia—a musician, cantor-in-training, and member of the LGBTQ community—about their experience in reconciling their family’s religious tradition with Gedalia’s sexual orientation.
Haviv answers 18 questions on Israel.
We speak with Mark Wildes, founder and director of Manhattan Jewish Experience, about Modern Orthodox outreach.
Rabbi Shais Taub discusses how mysticism can revive the Jewish People.
The true enemy in Israel’s current war, Einat Wilf says, is what she calls “Palestinianism.”
David Bashevkin discusses how to embrace holiness, the purpose of prayer, and the search for meaning in an age of distraction.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Yoni Rosensweig, rabbi of the Netzah Menashe community in Beit Shemesh, about the intersection between mental health and halacha.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Judah, Naomi, and Aharon Akiva Dardik—an olim family whose son went to military jail for refusing to follow to IDF orders and has since become a ceasefire activist at Columbia University—about sticking together as a family despite their fundamental differences.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin opens up about his mental health journey.
David Bashevkin answers questions from Diana Fersko about denominations and Jewish Peoplehood.
On this episode of 18Forty, we explore the world of Jewish dating.
In this special Purim episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we bring you a recording from our live event with the comedian Modi, for our annual discussion on humor.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down for a special podcast with our host, David Bashevkin, to discuss the podcast’s namesake, the year 1840.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David sits down with Leah Forster, a world-famous ex-Hasidic comedian, to talk about how her journey has affected her comedy.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Frieda Vizel—a formerly Satmar Jew who makes educational content about Hasidic life—about her work presenting Hasidic Williamsburg to the outside world, and vice-versa.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Eitan Hersh, a professor of political science at Tufts University, about teaching students of radically different political and religious views how to speak to one another.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Lizzy Savetsky, who went from a career in singing and fashion to being a Jewish activist and influencer, about her work advocating for Israel online.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to historian and professor Pawel Maciejko about the false messiah Sabbatai Zevi, Sabbateanism, and the roots of Jewish secularism.
Talking about the “Haredi community” is a misnomer, Jonathan Rosenblum says, and simplifies its diversity of thought and perspectives.
Leading Israeli historian Benny Morris answers 18 questions on Israel, including Gaza, Palestinian-Israeli peace prospects, morality, and so much more.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to author Bruce Feiler about family narratives.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rav Moshe Weinberger, Rebbe of Kehillas Aish Kodesh and his son Asher, CEO of Swimply.
Perhaps the most fundamental question any religious believer can ask is: “Does God exist?” It’s time we find good answers.
The “way” of myself and other formerly Reform Jews is unclear, but our desire for spiritual growth is sincere.
Parshat Yitro anchors Judaism in revelation. But what does Sinai mean in a world where proof is the highest authority?
From verses in Parshat Bo to desert caves, tefillin emerge as one of Judaism’s earliest embodied practices.
What if the deepest encounter with God is found not in texts, but in a people? Rav Kook and the Lubavitcher Rebbe…
Children cannot truly avoid the consequences of estrangement. Their parents’ shadow will always follow.
Christianity’s focus on the afterlife historically discouraged Jews from discussing it—but Jews very much believe in it.
David Eliezrie’s latest examines the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe’s radical faith that Torah could transform America.
A bedrock principle of Orthodox Judaism is that we received not only the Written Torah at Sinai but also the oral one—does…
In Parshat Beshalach, the Torah stages a radical experiment in trust, work, and provision.
To talk about the history of Jewish mysticism is in many ways to talk about the history of the mystical community.
Missing from Tanach—the Jewish People’s origin story—is one of the central aspects of Jewish life: the observance of halacha. Why?
Between early prayer books, kabbalistic additions, and the printing press, the siddur we have today is filled with prayers from across history.
Kosher phones make calls and send texts. No Instagram, no TikTok, and no distractions. Maybe it’s time the world embraces them.
Parshat Beshalach reminds us that redemption begins when we stop standing frozen at the sea and learn, once again, to walk forward…
Meet a traditional rabbi in an untraditional time, willing to deal with faith in all its beauty—and hardships.
My Judaism journeyed through Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox worlds—and it’s been the greatest adventure.
What are Jews to say when facing “atheism’s killer argument”?
Children don’t come with guarantees. Washing machines come with guarantees.
God promised the Land of Israel to the Jewish People, so why are some rabbis anti-Zionists?
A 94-year-old Holocaust survivor, a lone soldier, and more. Here are seven olim sharing their stories of aliyah.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe maintained that “labels are for shirts.” Does that make different Jewish theologies and practices a free-for-all?
Joy and meaning can be found not only despite the brokenness, but even because of the brokenness.
In Klara and the Sun, Kazuo Ishiguro asks us to reconsider what, if anything, separates humans from machines.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Diana Fersko, senior rabbi of the Village Temple Reform synagogue, about denominations…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin answers questions from Diana Fersko, senior rabbi of the Village Temple Reform synagogue,…
In this special Simchas Torah episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin—parents of murdered hostage Hersh…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Mark Wildes, founder and director of Manhattan Jewish Experience, about Modern Orthodox…
We speak with Joey Rosenfeld about how our generation can understand suffering.
Why did this Hasidic Rebbe move from Poland to Israel, only to change his name, leave religion, and disappear to Los Angeles?
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, recorded live at Stern College, we speak with Rabbi Moshe Benovitz, director of NCSY Kollel,…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Shais Taub, the rabbi behind the organization SoulWords, about shame, selfhood, and…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast—recorded at the 18Forty X ASFoundation AI Summit—we speak with Moshe Koppel, Malka Simkovich, and Tikvah…
In a disenchanted world, we can turn to mysticism to find enchantment, to remember that there is something more under the surface…
What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake?
We speak with Naftuli Moster about how and why he changed his understanding of the values imparted by Judaism.
We talk to Matisyahu, who has publicly re-embraced his Judaism and Zionism.
As a Chabad Hasid, Rabbi Zevi Slavin’s formative years were spent immersed in the rich traditions of Chassidut and Kabbala.
Talking about the “Haredi community” is a misnomer, Jonathan Rosenblum says, and simplifies its diversity of thought and perspectives. A Yale-trained lawyer…
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast—recorded at the 18Forty X ASFoundation AI Summit—we speak with Rabbi Eli Rubin and Rabbi Steven…
What is Jewish peoplehood? In a world that is increasingly international in its scope, our appreciation for the national or the tribal…
Support Jewish explorations today by supporting 18Forty. Your partnership makes our work possible.
Donate today.
