Working towards change: Media Training Seminar for Agunot and Mesoravot Get

Sponsored by Tikkun Olam Women’s Foundation of Greater Washington, DC

“I am tired of seeing injustice,” said ‘S’, a mesorevet get, speaking in front of a camera. She was one of ten participants in a media-training course designed to turn mesoravot get into advocates for change in Israel. The course, which was held last week, facilitated by former Channel 1 executives Shesh Productions and sponsored by the Tikkun Olam Women’s Foundation of Greater Washington, taught women the skills of speaking in front of a camera and giving interviews to members of the press. The goal of the course was to enable women to effectively share their stories as part of Mavoi Satum’s broader campaign for systemic change, in particular the campaign to create an alternative Beit Din in Israel.

“I’m ready to tell the world,” said another participant. “Everyone should know about the pain I’ve been through.”

Media exposure is often accompanied by anxieties similar to those felt standing before an unknown enemy. This kind of exposure involves a lack of control, social stigmas, fear of ethical boundaries being broken, interviewers delving into one’s privacy, negative publicity, and damage to one’s children.

“By giving women real tools,” says Mavoi Satum Director Batya Kahana-Dror, “we are enabling them to face their fears and use the media as a tool to advance their own needs. The exposure helps spur on a public debate, and creates a means through which we can influence decision makers.”