Leah

Leah* is 30 years old, gentle and soft-spoken. Three years ago she was pressured into marriage with a man who was already showing signs of obsessive behaviour. After three years she left the marriage as she did not want to bring children into such an unhappy family situation. She hoped that the divorce could be arranged simply as there were no children and no shared money or property. Instead, Leah's husband has refused to give her a get. He has been following and harassing her and her family to such an extent that she has successfully obtained a court restraining order.

Further, he has been having relationships with other women and even though Leah has provided evidence of these, the Bet Din has not ruled that it can force her husband to give her a get. In September Leah turned to Mavoi Satum for help as neither she nor her parents could afford to hire a lawyer . We are trying to force the Bet Din to rule that her husband must give her a get but the process is likely to be lengthy and frustrating as months go by between hearings. Nervertheless, Mavoi Satum is determined to help Leah receive her get as soon as possible to enable her to build her own family.

Tamar

Tamar* is lively and warm mother of two young children aged 3 and 1. Five years ago, when she was only 21, she married a man 12 years older than her with a criminal record for manslaughter.

Their marriage collapsed after three years - he had accumulated heavy debts and become physically violent to her during her second pregnancy. Tamar filed for divorce but her husband immediately fled the country and refused to give her a get.

The Bet Din issued a ruling for child support but needless to say it has not been paid. Mavoi Satums' legal team is representing Tamar in court and she also meets regularly with our social worker. In addition, a trained volunteer ("melava") has been provided to accompany and support Tamar through this draining and arduous process.

* Names have been changed

Comics:The story of Ariela Dadon