Wikipedia:Sandbox

The **#FreeChava** campaign is a social media and community-driven movement advocating for Chava Herman Sharabani, an Orthodox Jewish woman from Brooklyn, New York, who has been seeking a **get** (Jewish divorce document) from her ex-husband, Naftali Sharabani, for over a decade. Despite being legally divorced under civil law, Naftali’s refusal to grant the religious divorce has left Chava in the status of an **agunah** ("chained woman"), unable to remarry under Jewish law. The campaign aims to pressure Naftali to release Chava from this status and to raise awareness about the broader issue of get refusal.

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1. 1. 1. Background

Chava Herman Sharabani married Naftali Sharabani in the Orthodox Jewish tradition. The couple later separated, and Chava sought both a civil divorce and a religious divorce. While the civil divorce was finalized, Naftali refused to provide a get, a critical requirement for dissolving a marriage according to **halacha** (Jewish law). Without the get, Chava cannot remarry within the Jewish community, and any children she might have with another man would be considered **mamzerim** (children with restricted marital rights under Jewish law).

Naftali’s refusal has drawn widespread condemnation from both rabbinic authorities and advocacy organizations. The agunah crisis, exemplified by cases like Chava’s, has become a significant concern in Orthodox and broader Jewish communities, sparking debates about halachic solutions and communal responses.

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1. 1. 1. Campaign Launch

The **#FreeChava** campaign began in early 2021, spearheaded by activists, community members, and public figures such as singer **Dalia Oziel**. Using platforms like Instagram, the campaign shared Chava’s story and called for communal and global support to pressure Naftali into granting the get.

1. 1. 1. 1. Key Actions:

1. **Social Media Advocacy:** Supporters shared posts with the hashtag #FreeChava, spreading awareness and encouraging others to join the cause. 2. **Public Demonstrations:** Rallies and protests were organized in Brooklyn and other locations associated with Naftali, demanding he grant the get. 3. **Community Pressure:** Rabbinic courts issued **seiruvim** (contempt orders), urging the Orthodox community to socially ostracize Naftali until he complies. 4. **Solidarity Events:** Participants wore coordinated colors on designated days to demonstrate support for Chava and other agunot (women in similar situations).

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1. 1. 1. Broader Implications

The **#FreeChava** campaign is part of a larger movement to address the issue of agunot within Jewish communities. While halacha requires that a get be given willingly, get refusal is often seen as a form of coercive control or abuse. Advocacy groups like the **Organization for the Resolution of Agunot (ORA)** and **Agunah and Her Get** work to resolve these cases through a combination of legal, social, and halachic pressure.

1. 1. 1. 1. Proposed Solutions:

1. **Halachic Prenuptial Agreements:** Many rabbis encourage couples to sign agreements obligating husbands to provide a get in the event of separation, mitigating the risk of refusal. 2. **Civil Legal Interventions:** In countries like Israel, rabbinic courts have legal authority to impose sanctions on refusing husbands, including fines and imprisonment. Activists are advocating for similar measures in other countries. 3. **Awareness Campaigns:** Efforts like **#FreeChava** aim to highlight the emotional and legal toll of get refusal and encourage community action.

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1. 1. 1. Reception and Impact

The **#FreeChava** campaign has drawn widespread attention, garnering support from both religious and secular circles. Many see the campaign as a turning point in addressing the agunah crisis, leveraging modern tools like social media to amplify the voices of affected women. However, the campaign has also highlighted the limitations of existing halachic mechanisms and the need for systemic reform.

As of the latest updates, Chava has not yet received her get, and efforts to resolve her case continue. The campaign remains active, with supporters urging communal leaders to prioritize agunah cases and advocating for broader changes to prevent future instances of get refusal.

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1. 1. 1. External Links

- [Organization for the Resolution of Agunot (ORA)](https://www.getora.org) - [Agunah and Her Get](https://agunahandherget.com) - [Instagram: #FreeChava](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/freechava)

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1. 1. 1. References

1. Vogue. "Agunah Crisis: The Fight to Free Chava." [Link](https://www.vogue.com/article/agunah-get-refusal-social-media-campaign-orthodox-women) 2. The Jewish Chronicle. "The Agunah Crisis and Modern Solutions." [Link](https://www.thejc.com/comment/opinion/here-s-my-plan-to-free-women-from-get-abuse-1.512351) 3. ORA. "Recalcitrant Parties List." [Link](https://www.getora.org/recalcitrant-parties)