Sacred Spaces

What does Jewish tradition have to say about institutional abuses of power? Sacred Spaces is the brainchild of a group of Jewish professionals frustrated with the ongoing cycle of abuse, cover-ups, and superficial reforms in response to media exposure of individuals experiencing harassment and abuse in Jewish institutions. 

Motivated by the biblical call in Exodus 25:8 to construct a sanctuary -- “Let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them” -- Sacred Spaces guides professionals at Jewish organizations, regardless of size, geography, or denomination, to prevent and respond to sexual abuse and other abuses of power. In 2019, Sacred Spaces began working most intensively with a cohort of institutions in Chicago and a cohort in Washington, DC, as well as launching Aleinu: Safeguarding Our Children Campaign -- a web-based platform to bring child protection resources to hundreds of Jewish youth-serving organizations. 

Additionally, the organization has provided crisis consultations to 30 Jewish institutions across the country, two six-month intensive policy developments consultations, one year-long audit, and presented to professionals at 15 Jewish institutions and conferences reaching approximately 700 people. Sacred Spaces is transforming the landscape for organizational abuse-prevention, providing the knowledge and tools for institutions to take comprehensive safety measures that proactively protect their constituents from abuse - and to root it all in Jewish values and tradition.