By Deb Silverthorn

Hannah’s House, a transitional traditional Jewish home for female survivors of trauma and/or abuse and their families, marked its one-year anniversary in July.

The four-bedroom, two-bath home is a project co-sponsored by Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas and the National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Dallas Section.

Hannah’s House offers case management, counseling, community support and connections, an opportunity to establish a financial safety net and all the wraparound services that JFS provides.

“A transitional home has been a response to a growing need in the Jewish community and it has come to fruition. I am grateful for our amazing committee and the collaboration of JFS and NCJW, without whom we could not meet this need,” said Ariella Goldstein, JFS senior director of clinical services emerita. “I’m thrilled to share this with the community so that women in need know we are here. This service continues to need financial support and we hope anyone wishing to help will reach out to us.”

The home serves women who are on a path toward independence.

“Hannah’s House is not a shelter, not a hiding house but rather a place for women who are emotionally and financially unable to move forward,” Goldstein added. “We have residents who are working their way back from any number of situations and we’re here to help them in many ways.”

While the rent of Hannah’s House is significantly subsidized and the goal is for residents to save money toward their independence, adults living in the home must be able to work and contribute a minimal amount. Each situation is individually assessed; most residents will remain at Hannah’s House for six months to a year with JFS services continuing beyond their stay.

JFS reviews applications of prospective residents and interviews those women. Then, a committee of JFS and NCJW representatives meets to determine if residency is feasible. Joining Goldstein on the committee are Mona Allen, Stacy Barnett, Elaine Bernstein, Sarah Diamond, Caren Edelstein, Marcy Fried, Shani Gamliel, Shelly Glazer, Sharon Michaels, Carol Pinker, Bill Roth, Karen Topletz and Rabbi Howard Wolk. Cathy Barker, JFS’ president and CEO, and Shannon Morse, NCJW’s executive director, have been instrumental in making Hannah’s House a reality.

Located within one of Dallas’ eruvs, Hannah’s House is surrounded by community members, close to at least one synagogue and kosher grocers.

“The first letter in the Torah is a bet, for beresheet, the beginning. Jewish life begins at home,” said Wolk, JFS community chaplain. “Hannah’s House provides safety, a home and a new beginning. The cooperative effort between JFS and NCJW is a perfect example of what community members should do with and for one another.”

Gamliel, a JFS clinical case manager, visits the home each week and makes a monthly evaluation to ensure Hannah’s House residents’ needs are met. She builds relationships with each resident along the way.

“This is a beautiful and safe space for women struggling to get on their feet,” said Gamliel. “They may be recovering from a natural disaster, a divorce where she’s left without any or enough income or a job loss.

“It is a stepping stone, with its residents building relationships together and within the community,” she added. “We’ve thought through every detail and are proud to be able to provide this home.”

The name “Hannah’s House” was inspired by NCJW’s founder. In 1893, Hannah G. Solomon founded the organization, which is defined by its advocates’ commitment to and belief in education, advocacy and community service.

With a mission to strive for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms, the collaboration with JFS is ideal.

When residents of Hannah’s House move out, NCJW provides each with a gift from its Suitcase Project, receiving essential home items to live independently. Mosaic Family Services, the Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation and Transition Resource Action Center are beneficiaries of the Suitcase Project as well.

“Hannah’s House perfectly fits our mission to improve the lives of women, children and families,” said Caren Edelstein. She and Elaine Bernstein serve as NCJW co-chairs of Hannah’s House. “Our residents now are of three generations, each with their own story and each of whom will certainly impact their housemates,” Edelstein added.

She added that for committee members the project has been a labor of love with the mission of creating a warm atmosphere for the residents.

In addition to providing committee support and items for the house, NCJW Greater Dallas Section has assisted in attaining grant money for Hannah’s House from its SHARE Endowment Funds and the Sylvan T. Baer Foundation administered by Bank of America.

JFS and NCJW hosted a “non-shower” for Hannah’s House by which all the home’s needs were fulfilled. Bedding, furnishings, home décor, kitchen goods and more were donated. All bedding and towels were washed; necessary kitchen items were immersed for purification in Mikvah Israel Dallas. With residents in place, the house has indeed become a home.

“It’s been a long process, more than three years before we opened, but every day we know the value in everyone’s work to make this happen,” said Bernstein. “Everyone who has ‘touched the house’ has given so much.”

For more information, or to support Hannah’s House, call 972-437-9950, ext. 201.