SEPTEMBER 1 • 2022 | 23
T
he Orthodox Union
(OU) Women’s
Initiative hosted a
conference in Stamford,
Conn., at the end of July with
a goal of creating the first-
of-its-kind fellowship to help
rebbetzins (rabbis’ wives) assist
women in the communities
they serve to deal with mental
health issues.
Jenna Beltser of Southfield,
who’s actively involved with
the Orthodox community
in Michigan, attended the
conference and expressed the
importance of this program.
“I felt like the conference
gave those who participated
strength just knowing that
they’re not alone. A lot of the
people in a leadership position
sometimes feel like the world
is on their shoulders. Having
this fellowship can give them
a sense of support,” Beltser
explained.
During the conference,
Beltser says there were a
variety of topics talked about
in regard to mental health
and more, where participants
were able to learn new tools,
language and resources to
share with their community.
“What was amazing about
this conference and this
women’s initiative is that it’s
really becoming this central
hub of resources, education,
networking and support
for women in leadership
positions,” she said.
The OU Women’s Initiative’s
mission has been providing
support for women to deal
with difficult scenarios ever
since it was launched by the
Orthodox Union in 2017.
Sarah F., a rebbetzin
in a Midwestern Jewish
community, says she had faced
a woman in her community
caught in the grip of severe
depression and was hesitant
when encouraging her to get
professional help. When Sarah
saw an ad for the OU Women’s
Initiative’s Fellowship she says
she applied right away.
“During the course of the
fellowship, I learned helpful
ways to phrase advice so that
people could be more receptive
to it,” Sarah explained.
“I learned to say, ‘I know a
number of people struggling
with similar issues as you who
have found therapy really
helpful,’ and ‘what do you
think?’ By phrasing things in
this way to the wife who was
struggling with depression,
the woman felt empowered to
seek therapy. I would not have
worded my advice that way
before I participated in the
fellowship, and I wouldn’t have
been effective.”
Experts presented on
topics such as contemporary
communal challenges, many
of which are exacerbated in
the wake of the pandemic
and the current social and
economic uncertainty.
More than 100 participants
from different communities
came out to the two-day in-
person inaugural conference
where they got to participate
in an exclusive afternoon of
programming.
“There is no greater
investment we can make
than in the women who
act as the first responders
to critical issues facing
individuals and families in our
communities,” noted Dr. Adina
Shmidman, Women’s Initiative
director. “The OU sees it as
our responsibility to help
women fill their toolbox with
the resources and relationships
that will help them help
others with confidence and
sensitivity.”
For more information, visit: ou.org/
departments/womens-initiative.
OUR COMMUNITY
Orthodox Union’s
Women’s Initiative
offers program
to empower women
by teaching them
critical skills.
OU Launches
Empowerment
Program
RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Jenna Beltser
of Southfield at
the Women’s
Conference
Women were able to network with each other
at the Orthodox Union Women’s Initiative.