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Free empowerment day for women will be educational, recreational
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Rabbi Daria Jacobs-Velde, left, of Congregation Ohev Tzedek in Boardman, and Deana Tareshawty of Bella Nitesh spiritual arts and education center in Hitchcock Park in Boardman, are coordinators of a women’s empowerment day set Sunday. The rabbi holds a form of a pelvis that she’ll use in a workshop to help women better understand their bodies.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
BOARDMAN
The One Billion Rising for Justice project casts a spotlight on the worldwide problem of violence and abuse aimed at women and girls.
The women’s empowerment event planned Sunday in the Mahoning Valley focuses on awareness about one’s body and the global issue.
Deana Tareshawty, owner of Bella Nitesh spiritual arts and education center, and Rabbi Daria Jacobs-Velde of Congregation Ohev Tzedek have collaborated to arrange a day of education and recreation geared to women and girls.
The free event starts at 10 a.m. with an opening ceremony at Bella Nitesh, located in Hitchcock Park off U.S. Route 224. Participants may stay the whole time or come and go as they wish.
Rabbi Daria said she hosted a small event at her home last year in support of One Billion Rising, but she wanted to expand the scope this year. A mutual friend brought the rabbi and Tareshawty, a Spiritualist minister, together.
“It morphed into a day of events,” Tareshawty said.
“We take our bodies for granted in many ways,” Rabbi Daria said, referring to freedom of choice.
Some women and girls, she said, have no choice and are victims of sexual and physical abuse.
“As a religious person, the atrocities and horrific things that happen to women must be addressed,” she said.
Sex trafficking, the rabbi continued, occurs in the United States. “How can I sit by when I know that’s happening?” she said. But, she admitted, “It’s hard to know exactly what to do.”
She and Tareshawty want the empowerment day to heighten participants’ awareness. “Education helps women make better choices,” Tareshawty said.
The two women said various One Billion Rising events have taken place this month around the world. They decided to arrange an event to bring awareness to the fact that 1 in 3 women will face abuse in her lifetime while providing a positive experience for participants.
A drum circle will open the day activities followed by a session on mindfulness exploration.
“It will focus on being mindful about the meaning of the day,” Tareshawty said.
A goal-planning and motivation segment will offer tips on “effective techniques” that will help women be successful in attaining goals.
Robert Young, a self-defense expert, will demonstrate “real-life self-defense tips,” Tareshawty said.
The yoga session will focus on simple moves and serve as an introduction to the exercise segment.
Rabbi Daria will present the pelvic-floor workshop to enlighten women about how the health and condition of their pelvis influences their overall health. “We’ll do stretches to strengthen ... it’s key to overall health,” she said.
The day will end with belly dancing and a free-style dance party.
The women said monetary donations will be accepted and will go to Valley women’s shelters and One Billion Rising.
Last year, they said, 1 billion people supported the cause.
“Be a part of it and commit to support the larger issue,” Rabbi Daria said.
“It all starts with awareness.”