Thread by @SCynic1

@PNahamu seminar on forced marriage. Hearing from the authors of the paper, @YehudisFletcher & @EveSacks - acknowledging the issues in what seems to me to be a notably balanced way.

Proper qs about the extent to which external publicity & pressure can delay quiet resolution.
"We can't timetable people's freedom' (Fletcher).
If I thought quiet chats would help, albeit at the risk of sacrificing individuals, I'd find the q more difficult than I actually do.

Sacks makes interesting point that when confronted by the issue, the mainstream community says "oh, the shtetl, how lovely", rather than "wtf" (I paraphrase).

Forced marriage in Jewish communities is often accompanied by a betrothal, possibly enforceable in halacha, but absolutely not in civil law. Sacks making the point that legal status isn't the issue - the law has created social pressure and belief (damage to soul if broken).

Fletcher now clear that current Charedi lifestyle not sustainable. People should not have to choose between staying and staying safe. Putting words to experience is important. Individuals needs to reflect - talking is better than silence. Sacks - this is a long-term conversation.

Fletcher - mistake to assume that everyone accepts that informed consent is a Jewish value.
Sacks - this isn't about communal values. It's about the individuals which make up communities.
I agree - you can't help a community by ignoring any individual.

Fletcher - expand the safeguarding conversations to include forced marriage & what it means in the Jewish community.
Change is already happening - the Charedi whatsapp groups are buzzing. We need the conversation - they're difficult but no change will happen without.