The Unique Family Challenges Faced by the Rabbi’s Wife – in Pictures and Words

The city of Sderot works hard to strengthen the emotional resilience of its residents who grapple with the stress and anxiety of ongoing missile attacks from Gaza. Living in a cohesive community has a significant impact on the emotional resilience of the individual. In light of the central importance of communal cohesivity, the municipality of Sderot invited Amit Brown, Barkai Center’s director of training for the wives of rabbis, to present a workshop for the rabbis’ wives in Sderot about ‘The Challenges of the Rabbi and the Rabbi’s Wife’. The success of a communal rabbi and his wife within their community demands a lot and entails the support of the entire family. Functioning in a communal role also takes a toll on the relationship between the rabbi and his wife and their overall family dynamic. The workshop provided a platform for the rabbis’ wives to discuss the challenges that they face, share their experiences and successes, and create a supportive group of peers who share similar life experiences.