One Billion Rising is an international, mass-action movement to end violence against women. First suggested to me by a co-worker 6 years ago, I have spearheaded bringing the program to Kehillah every year since. It started as just a dance, the same one performed on Valentines day by thousands of men and women, world-wide. This dance was choreographed specifically for this cause—to rise up in solidarity and end violence against women. Each year since, the program has slowly expanded. It is presented by students who devote a lot of time and effort to making sure the program is powerful and informative for their peers. I feel inspired and moved every year by the students who give so much of themselves to make this program happen.

Two years ago, I was joined in leadership by Lauren McElhatton. With her help and vast knowledge, we have dramatically improved the quality and focus of the education on this topic at Kehillah. This year, however, One Billion Rising decided to expand its focus to many other kinds of violence and injustices in the world. Though Lauren and I thought these efforts are also important, we did not want to water down our message, or efforts, by widening the scope as they did. Instead we narrowed our focus, looking closely at the signs and underpinnings that create and perpetuate the cycle of abuse. We rebranded our initiative Opt Up and in it we seek to educate ourselves and community on the facts, warning signs and pervasiveness of abuse to empower us to transition to a society that will ultimately find any violence or discrimination against women to be unacceptable. Programing from the last few years are featured below.