Benny Rogosnitzky: Divorcing in the Jewish Community

Although an unfortunate one, divorce is still a fact of life. While divorce is not looked at favorably in Judaism, it is by no means prohibited. Judaism generally maintains that it is better for a couple to divorce than to remain together in a state of constant bitterness and strife. But, those that have been down that road know just how emotional and financial struggle divorce can be. Benny Rogosnitzky is the founder of Frum Divorce, a community-support organization providing families and single parents with the support needed in order to overcome the trauma, emotional fallout, and loss of security often experienced during a divorce.

Nowadays, the divorce rates trend to continually increase. That means more men and women choose to divorce, regardless of their religion, upbringing, or age. However, that doesn’t change the simple fact that most people take their marriage vows seriously. People honestly believe that they’ll be married “till death does them part”, but then something changes. Divorce affects life on absolutely every level, from your confidence and sense of who you are to your financial situation and long-term future. In most cases, divorce is devastating, excoriating experience. Anyone who’s gone through a divorce is likely to say that time in their life was one of the worst things they’ve experienced.

Having gone through the process himself, Benny Rogosnitzky is well aware of the challenges that come with divorce. In fact, Rogosnitzky created Frum Divorce to heal the pain felt by parents and children of divorce in a strong community environment. Through support groups, community lectures and popular events, he tries to ensure no Jewish parent or child is alone at this most difficult time.

Although divorce has become more common, according to some members of the Jewish community, the social stigma related to divorce is still deeply felt by those who have gone through the process. According to Jewish law, a wife can refuse to accept a divorce initiated by her husband, but only a husband can initiate and finalize religious divorce proceedings. Even if a woman obtains a civil divorce, she is not considered divorced under Jewish law until her husband issues a get. Without it, she is deemed an agunah, a “chained wife”, and cannot date or remarry within the religious community.

Benny Rogosnitzky understands the emotional and logistical distress that is inherent to the process of divorce. But, the truth is that people are more than their divorce. Whether you are divorced or not, you are an amazing and wonderful human being. You are loved and you deserve to be loved, just because you are human.