Imagine a universe where all Jewish girls and women have equal opportunities for achievement. Now imagine girls at Brooklyn, N.Y., yeshivas learning about imperative issues like rape, racism, drugs, eating disorders, stress management, social peer pressure and other issues that are thrust upon them.

These girls are empowered by the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York, a “Jew-girl,” power-based organization specializing in providing educational workshops to fulfill the needs of the Jewish community everywhere from New York’s Upper East Side to Israel and beyond.

The Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York Executive Director Sherri Greenbach explains: “My advice to young girls on how to become strong Jewish women is to be true to themselves and listen to their guts. Our organization was started by a patient group of volunteers who wanted to help other women and girls in the Jewish community.”

But this Jewish organization is unique, in that it focuses on helping Jewish women who are abused by their husbands or are victims of violence. Surprisingly, Jewish abuse is a real problem. Usually Jews feel that the Jewish community is immune to domestic violence. “We don’t believe that Jewish abuse happens, so when it does happen, we define it as something else,” says Hedvah Campeas-Cohen, executive director of SHALVA (meaning “tranquility”), an organization in Chicago that helps abused Jewish women and their families. “A Jewish woman will define it as ‘My husband has a temper,’ or ‘My husband is controlling,’ and she won’t recognize abuse even when it’s happening.”

Jewish women often feel responsible for peace in their homes, leading to a sense of failure when abuse occurs. Stereotypes of overbearing “Jewish American princesses” and that Jewish men make “good husbands” create difficulty in recognizing Jewish abuse inside and outside the community. These stereotypes give the illusion that Jewish men cater to their spoiled wives’ every whim and treat them with the utmost respect. Obviously, this is not always the case.

The first step to combating Jewish domestic abuse—documented as far back as the ninth century—is recognizing that it exists. “Because Jewish abuse is little known, it takes Jewish women longer to seek help and escape abuse. Often, they finally call out for help only when they see their children hurt by abuse, either by witnessing it or undergoing abuse themselves,” according to SHALVA statistics.

For more information on the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York support services, outreach prevention and education opportunities, call (212) 836-1478 or visit jwfny.org. For SHALVA, call (773) 583-HOPE or visit shalvaonline.org.

Michele Pinczuk is a teen journalist who freelances for several publications, including The New York Times. She lives in the Washington, D.C., area. Michele loves New York and Saturday Night Live. Her role models are Gilda Radner, Golda Meir, her grandmom, mom and Aunt Sylvia.