Jewish Family Service of San Diego: Project SARAH

Programs & Services

Learn More About...
Abuse Checklist
What is Abuse?
What About the Children?
Program Services
Project SARAH Support Group
Safety Planning
Abuse in the Jewish Community?
Community Outreach & Education
Request Educational Materials
Additional Information & Resources
Upcoming Events

Abuse Checklist
Does your partner…

Try to control who you see and what you do?
Call you names or yell at you?
Blame you for their violent actions?
Put you down?
Act very jealous and/or possessive?
Control your finances?
Destroy your belongings or hurt your pets?
Physically hurt you?
Criticize what you wear, what you say, and how you act?
Force you to cross your own sexual boundaries?

If you answered yes to any of the above, you may be experiencing abuse. Project SARAH can help.

SARAH Listens • SARAH Cares • SARAH Helps
Call SARAH • (858) 637-3200

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What Is Abuse?
Domestic abuse is about power. It’s about control. It’s one person trying to gain power and control over another, by using violence or coercion. It’s not because you encouraged it, it’s not because you asked for it. It’s not about you. It is about controlling you.

And it’s not only physical. Domestic abuse can include emotional coercion, verbal threats and insults, isolation from friends and family, financial control, sexual force, even mockery of your spiritual beliefs. These are all ways to establish power over you. These are all forms of abuse. No one deserves to be abused. You don’t have to take it. We can help.

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What About The Children? Project SARAH Mother and Daughter
If you’re not safe—are your children? Domestic abuse affects the entire family. Even if they didn’t see it, children know. They can feel it. They see the aftermath. They remember the terror, the fear. Abuse is learned. Children raised in abusive homes are much more likely to be abused or perpetrators of abuse when they grow up. And they’re at higher risk of drug use, teenage pregnancies, low self-esteem, aggression, and more.

Our counselors and clinicians are specially trained to work with children and teens and provide a thorough intake assessment, individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy when appropriate. Don’t hesitate to get for your children.

No one deserves to be abused. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, SARAH can help. Call SARAH. (858) 637-3200.

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Program Services
Project SARAH offers a safe, confidential setting for individuals and teens experiencing abuse, and for children growing up in abusive homes. You can talk to us.

Our professional staff and specially trained counselors offer:

Emergency help
Counseling & support
Child & adolescent therapy
Support groups
Financial assistance
Advocacy
Assistance for individuals in shelters with observance/dietary needs.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, don’t be silent. Project SARAH is safe. And just a phone call away.

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Project SARAH Support Group
Project SARAH offers a therapeutic support group for survivors of abuse. The group addresses safety planning, assertiveness, boundary setting, communication, parenting, self-esteem, and identifies abusive patterns. The group provides a chance to explore challenges related to domestic abuse in a supportive and thought-provoking setting. Time and location are kept confidential. Please call (858) 637-3200 for information.

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Safety Planning
Whether you are intending to stay in an abusive relationship, preparing to leave, have already left, or are deciding to return—plan for your safety. It just may save your life one day. Or your children’s lives.

If you are planning to stay:

Develop an escape plan in case of violence
Keep a packed bag with clothes, extra keys, important documents, and money in a safe place
Identify safe people for support
Learn about your legal rights
Identify local domestic violence resources
Consider attending a support group

If you are planning to leave:

Have a plan of where to go
Inform a “safe” person of your plan
Identify local domestic violence shelters
Have emotional and financial support in place
Consider obtaining a restraining order
Have a plan of action for unexpected contact
Pack all important documents and extra keys

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Abuse in the Jewish Community?
Project SARAH Woman Yes. Abuse crosses all gender lines, all economic lines, all religious lines. The Jewish community is not immune to it.

One in four Jewish women experience domestic abuse. Jewish women tend to stay in abusive relationships 5-7 years longer than non-Jewish women. Abuse exists in the Jewish community despite the denial, despite the skepticism, and despite the beautiful Jewish value of shalom bayit - peace in the home. If you are being abused, you may be jeopardizing your health and safety by being silent.

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Community Outreach & Education
We recognize that awareness is the first step to prevention. Through community education, we have a chance to finally put an end to abuse. We offer educational presentations to the Jewish community including youth groups, clergy, schools, sisterhoods, men's clubs, congregations, Jewish communal employees, and more.

We also offer special presentations geared towards teens and dating abuse. One in three teens reports knowing a friend or peer who has been physically abused by a partner, and 45% of girls know someone who has been pressured into sexual activity. We offer special educational presentations for middle school, high school, and college-age students.

Presentations focus on:

Understanding abuse
Recognizing abusive behavior
How to help someone experiencing abuse
Abuse and Judaism
Dating violence
Healthy relationships
Community resources and where to get help
Teen education

You can help us spread the word about abuse in the Jewish community and prevent future cases of abuse by scheduling a presentation for your Jewish agency or organization. We’ll tailor our presentations to meet your group’s needs and interests. Presentations are appropriate for all age groups.

Schedule a presentation today by calling (858) 637-3322.

"I think what you guys are doing is amazing, helpful, and inspiring. I believe it is so important for people to be aware of the types of relationships we have."

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Request Educational Materials
You can be a part of the education and prevention process by displaying our brochures and bathroom posters inside women's restrooms at your congregation or business. You can help us reach someone who needs our help. To request materials, call (858) 637-3322 or send us an email.