Ohr Torah Stone, a Modern Orthodox network that consists of 27 groups, praised the Jerusalem Rabbinical Court’s decision late last week that ordered the Egged Bus Cooperative to fire one of its employees because of his constant refusal to properly divorce his wife with a Get.
The couple who has been married for 15 years, whose names were not disclosed, came to Israel from India with their child a few years ago. The husband reportedly has had a violent history with his wife, physically attacking her and their child resulting in police intervention on more than one occasion.
Ten months ago, the Rabbinical court ordered the husband to grant his wife a Get but he refused. As a result, the court imposed various sanctions, but the man continued to refuse to give a Get.
Though Egged can’t terminate him without giving him a hearing they told him they are giving 30-days’ notice and will then fire him unless he gives the get.
“Like everyone else, my client deserves to lead a peaceful and happy life,” said Attorney and Rabbinical Court Advocate Tehila Cohen who will be representing the wife. “We will not rest until she receives her freedom and can embark upon a new and secure life together with her son.”
Cohen works with Yad La’isha: the Monica Dennis Goldberg Legal Aid Center which is one of the Ohr Torah Stone organizations that assists agunot – women who are “chained” to marriage because their husbands deny them a Jewish divorce.
“Ohr Torah Stone applauds Tehila Cohen’s ingenuity and untiring efforts on behalf of the wife in this unfortunate case,” said Ohr Torah Stone President and Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Kenneth Brander in a statement. “All women deserve the chance to begin anew without being held hostage; all the more so when they are victims of violence and abuse, as in this case.”
