When a Jewish couple marries in the U.S., they are often creating not one, but two legal unions: a secular marriage recognized by the state and a religious marriage governed by Jewish law. While many are aware of the beautiful rituals of a traditional Jewish wedding, few grasp the profound implications—especially concerning divorce—where gender inequality can emerge, creating opportunities for coercive control. In this thought-provoking deep dive, retired Judge Julie Field and Consilium Institute co-founder Heidi Webb sit down with Dr. Lisa Fishbayn Joffe, a leading expert on women’s rights under Jewish Family Law and the Shalom Reinhart Director of the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute (HBI).

Join us as Dr. Lisa Fishbayn Joffe illuminates the complex history and modern reality of the get (religious divorce document), explaining why a husband’s capacity to withhold it can become a powerful tool for extortion and domestic abuse, leaving women “chained” to a dead marriage (agunah). From the unique legal landscape in Israel, where religious courts are state-supported, to the emerging use of U.S. and U.K. domestic violence laws to address get refusal, this essential conversation offers secular law professionals and community members critical insights into this complex area of law and human rights.