Mavoi Satum believes that the problem of aginut should not exist. The word "agunah" does not exist in other languages because the problem does is unique to the Jewish culture. As such, the problem of agunot needs to be addressed systemically. You can read more about this issue in Batya Kahana Dror's recent article in Eretz Aheret , "Violence is not grounds for Divorce" (click here for an English translation).

Mavoi Satum promotes a range of legislative, halakhic and social solutions to the problem and works in strong collaborations with many other organizations and rabbinical figures on reforming the Beit Din and the marriage and divorce system in Israel. The following is a sampling of the work: 

Drafting  Legislation for Beit Din Reform
Mavoi Satum works regularly with Knesset members (MKs) on drafting legislation for reform of the Beit Din. MK Otniel Shneller, MS Zevulun Orlev, MK Orit Zuartz, and MK Uri Orbach are among those collaborating on new legislation on three main issues: (1) improving the law of sanctions; (2) repealing the competition over divorce authority between rabbinic and secular courts; and (3) changing the process of appointing judges. MK Orlev recently submitted the bill for changing the composition of the Committee for Appointing Judges in order to ensure that there is one public representative from the Israel Bar Association.

Creating an Independent Beit Din
Ultimately, Mavoi Satum believes that Israel needs an independent Beit Din, a system that lays outside the state rabbinic structures. Mavoi Satum, with the support of the New Israel Fund, is engaged in a multi-year strategically-developed plan for establishing such an independent body. The program is currently in its incubator stages of building an initial Arbitration Body, supported by leading rabbis and jurists in Israel. The process is sensitive and demands tremendous coalition-building efforts, but Mavoi Satum believes that this is a key strategy for long-term systemic reform.

Garnering Public Awareness and Support
Mavoi Satum makes regular media and public appearances in print, television and journalism, including Batya Kahana-Dror's columns in Ynet. Mavoi Satum also participates in legal conferences, gender conferences, public demonstrations, Knesset committees, and several organizational coalitions.

"Is violence grounds for divorce?" is the subject of a Mock Trial presented by Mavoi Satum during the annual Sukkot Festival of She'arayich, the organization for Jewish learning and culture. Rabbi Yair ben Menachem, Rabbi Dr. David Ben Zazan, Adv. Yifat Frankenberg, and Rabbi Eliashiv Knohl along with Batya Kahana-Dror and Gittit Nachlieli of Mavoi Satum, will be participating in the Mock Ttrial, scheduled to take place on Thursday October 8 at 6PM at the International Cultural Center for Youth on Emek Refaim Street in Jerusalem.

For more information on any of these programs, contact Batya at Mavoi Satum.