The Get Smart project educates young people and communities about get abuse - when a husband refuses to give his wife a religious divorce - and promotes halachic prenuptial agreements as an integral ritual in Jewish marriage.

About the Project

WHAT IS THE GET SMART PROJECT?

The goal of the Get Smart Project is to normalize use of the halachic prenuptial agreement, prevent get abuse, and encourage healthy relationships. This unique national initiative educates Orthodox young adults and raises community awareness about healthy relationships and the halachic prenuptial agreement.  

In Jewish law when a couple divorces the husband must willingly grant his wife a get (divorce document) and she must willingly receive it. In some cases, a man may refuse to grant the get, trapping a woman in a defunct marriage and preventing her from moving on with her life. Such a woman is called an agunah, a “chained woman.” 

Get refusal is increasingly recognized as a form of abuse which is antithetical to Jewish law and tradition.  The halachic prenuptial agreement is a legal agreement which goes into effect in the event of a contested Jewish divorce, and is an effective tool for preventing get abuse.

Signing a halachic prenup supports a healthy relationship. It allows a couple to affirm their commitment to treating each other with respect and compassion, no matter what happens to the relationship. Signing a halachic prenup helps the couple start their marriage as equals - they are partners, building a healthy Jewish home together.

The Get Smart Project includes:

  • 60-minute interactive workshop

  • Video

  • Public Awareness Materials

  • Original song by the Maccabeats encouraging halachic prenups

The project was funded with generous support from The Aviv Foundation. To bring the Get Smart Project to your community, please contact Deborah Rosenbloom.