Guila Benchimol, at The Blogs

Guila Benchimol

Jun 11, 2024, 7:35 AM

A different kind of counting: The Omer, SAAM, and Oct. 7

Content warning: This op-ed discusses sexual violence and other forms of violence. I have been counting these days like never before. Since October 7, I've been counting the days since 252 hostages were abducted from Israel to Gaza. Since Passover,...

Jun 27, 2017, 5:36 AM

What We Talk about When We Talk about Crime

It will soon be Leiby Kletzky’s sixth yahrzeit (anniversary of death). Six years since he failed to return home, sparking a desperate search which ended in the discovery of his harrowing murder. After following Levi Aron, an Orthodox Jewish man...

Mar 9, 2017, 9:58 PM

Restoring Sanctity to Our Sanctuaries: An Open Letter to the Muslim and Jewish Communities

Dear Communities, The month following President Trump’s inauguration has seen Muslim and Jewish groups come together like never before. In addition to existing collaborative efforts between our faith communities, this moment demands a renewed commitment to partnering together. It has...

Feb 26, 2017, 7:28 AM

Featured Post

What I learned from a convicted sex offender

Milo Yiannopoulos speaks at the California Polytechnic State University as part of his "The Dangerous Faggot Tour" of college campuses, Jan. 31, 2017, in San Luis Obispo, California. (David Middlecamp/The Tribune (of San Luis Obispo) via AP)

A public figure's remarks on pedophilia are one reminder why Jewish communities must foster awareness and take action

About Me

Dr. Guila Benchimol is a consultant, researcher, educator, and victim advocate whose work focuses on gender, abuse, and power. She holds a PhD in Sociological Criminology from the University of Guelph and is also a trained restorative and transformative justice facilitator. Guila was one of the key advisors who guided the launch of the SRE Network in 2018, where she continues to serve as the Senior Advisor on Research and Learning. She is also the Director of Faith-Based and Community Accountability at Ampersands Restorative Justice and sits on the board of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP). Her first 10+ year career as a Jewish educator in and outside of Orthodox communities informed her understanding of the need to address victimization of all kinds. Guila lives in Toronto and was raised in its Spanish Moroccan Jewish community, which was built by the families who fled Tangier.