5/18/2023

Dear Rabbi’s and Community Leaders,

    As members of the community, we are writing to bring to your attention the issue of gett refusal and to ask for your help in bringing about systematic change to this problem. We believe that it is important for our community leaders to take a firm stance against this issue and to impose sanctions on anyone who is a gett refuser.

    As you may know, gett refusal is a serious problem that affects many individuals and families in our community. It is a form of domestic abuse that can have devastating consequences, including financial ruin, emotional trauma, and even physical harm. Despite efforts to address this issue, there are still many cases of gett refusal that go unresolved, leaving victims trapped in painful and often dangerous situations.

    Our community leaders have an important role to play in addressing gett refusal and holding those who engage in it accountable. We urge you to take a stronger stance against gett refusal and to impose sanctions on anyone who is a gett refuser. This can include denying them access to community resources, such as synagogues and mikvahs, burial in our community cemeteries, and publicly shaming them for their actions. By taking these steps, we can send a clear message that gett refusal will not be tolerated in our community.

    We understand that addressing this issue requires sensitivity and care, and we are committed to working with you to find solutions that are both effective and respectful. We urge you to take action on this issue and to work with us to bring about meaningful change that our community needs.

   Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

                                                              Steven Ashkenazie

                                                                     President

                                                           The LEV Organization

                                                                 www.thelev.org