L'Maan B'nos Yisrael International (LBYI), an organization dedicated to helping Agunot and their children, has announced two new services to Jewish families. The organization seeks to ease the difficulties of "chained women" (Agunot), whose estranged husbands are withholding a Jewish divorce and thus preventing them from re-marrying.
Rabbis of LBYI have issued standards for rabbinical courts that deal with matrimonial problems, with the aim of eliminating abuses that have resulted from the current practices. LBYI asks rabbis all over the world to publicize the standards - which can be seen at "www.geocities.com/lbyi2002/" - and educate their communities and Rabbinical courts regarding their importance.
In addition, LBYI has arranged for women who have received a "ptur" - proof of receipt of a Jewish divorce - to register the document on the computers of the Rabbinical Courts of the State of Israel. The arrangement "could prove to be invaluable," the organization states, "in case of loss or damage of the document in the future. It will serve as an undisputed record that your [divorce] has been accepted by Israel, and will benefit your children and grandchildren forever by serving as proof of their legitimate status in the Jewish community."
To facilitate the above process, as well as to help in matters having to do with difficulties in receiving a divorce, Rabbi Eliyahu Ben-Dahan, director of Israel's Rabbinical Courts, is currently in New York. LBYI will also be sponsoring an evening dedicated to "Agunot and their Abandoned Children: The Responsibility of Every Jew" in Kew Gardens Hills, NY, this coming Tuesday, July 29. Speakers will include Rabbi Ben-Dahan and LBYI founder and president Marilyn Mattie Klein. For information on the above gathering and on how to participate in the above new arrangements, see "www.geocities.com/lbyi2002/".
Rabbis of LBYI have issued standards for rabbinical courts that deal with matrimonial problems, with the aim of eliminating abuses that have resulted from the current practices. LBYI asks rabbis all over the world to publicize the standards - which can be seen at "www.geocities.com/lbyi2002/" - and educate their communities and Rabbinical courts regarding their importance.
In addition, LBYI has arranged for women who have received a "ptur" - proof of receipt of a Jewish divorce - to register the document on the computers of the Rabbinical Courts of the State of Israel. The arrangement "could prove to be invaluable," the organization states, "in case of loss or damage of the document in the future. It will serve as an undisputed record that your [divorce] has been accepted by Israel, and will benefit your children and grandchildren forever by serving as proof of their legitimate status in the Jewish community."
To facilitate the above process, as well as to help in matters having to do with difficulties in receiving a divorce, Rabbi Eliyahu Ben-Dahan, director of Israel's Rabbinical Courts, is currently in New York. LBYI will also be sponsoring an evening dedicated to "Agunot and their Abandoned Children: The Responsibility of Every Jew" in Kew Gardens Hills, NY, this coming Tuesday, July 29. Speakers will include Rabbi Ben-Dahan and LBYI founder and president Marilyn Mattie Klein. For information on the above gathering and on how to participate in the above new arrangements, see "www.geocities.com/lbyi2002/".