492. No Rabbi's Permission Needed: Inside the Fight for Jewish Abuse Survivors Ariella Goldberg Kay

What happens when personal trauma intersects with a mission to advocate for justice?

In this powerful episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Ariella Goldberg-Kay, a survivor liaison for Zaakah, an organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence within the Jewish community.

Ariella Kay opens up about her deeply personal connection to this work, rooted in her aunt's tragic story of sexual assault and suicide a loss that has profoundly shaped her life and advocacy.

Reena and Ariella explore the complexities of trauma recovery, the stigma surrounding mental health in religious communities, and the fight for justice for survivors of sexual abuse.

Ariella shares how her own experiences fueled her passion for advocacy, helping other survivors find their voice and pursue legal action against their abusers.

The conversation also unpacks the unique challenges Jewish survivors face from barriers to reporting abuse to inadequate institutional responses. Ariella explains how Zaakah is changing the landscape for survivors by empowering them to seek justice without needing rabbinical approval, and why a trauma-informed approach is essential to real healing.

If you or someone you know needs support, Zaakah's confidential hotline is available at 1-888-492-2524, or visit www.zaakah.org.

🎙️ What's in This Episode:

• Ariella's personal connection to sexual violence advocacy
• The impact of silence and stigma on mental health
• Navigating the justice system as a sexual abuse survivor
• Why community support is critical for healing
• How Zaakah is transforming survivor support in the Jewish community
• The power of sharing personal stories to build connection and understanding

💭 Memorable Quotes from Ariella:

"I don't want people to have to live with the aftermath of suicide or sexual abuse."

"Your relationship with God is between you and God, and no one else should dictate that."

"If an institution can't afford to pay restitution for the abuse that happened there, it doesn't deserve to exist anymore."

⏱️ Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction to Ariella K. and Zaakah (05:15) The personal story behind Ariella's advocacy (15:30) Challenges faced by survivors in the Jewish community (25:00) The role of Zaakah in supporting legal justice (35:45) Navigating trauma and mental health stigma (45:00) Ariella's insights on community and healing

🔗 Connect with Zaakah:

Website: www.zaakah.org | Instagram 📞 Hotline: 1-888-492-2524

Outcry Podcast

https://www.facebook.com/zaakah

🔗 Connect with Reena Friedman Watts:

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

If you've ever wondered how trauma shapes our lives — and why advocacy and community support matter for survivors of sexual abuse — this episode of Better Call Daddy is a must-listen.

Need support? Zaakah's hotline: 1-888-492-2524 | www.zaakah.org