Talks have started over the establishment of a Manchester support service for Jewish women who have suffered domestic violence.

The initiative stems from a panel discussion held by London-based Jewish Women’s Aid in Manchester last Thursday. As well as JWA vice-chair Elaine Grazin and campaigns manager Gay Waldman, the discussion featured Dawn Redshaw from Salford Women’s Aid, Judge Lindsey Kushner and Prestwich rabbi Yehoshua Landes.

What is proposed is a partnership of organisations, including the local Jewish representative council and Salford’s Agudah Community Services, under the JWA umbrella. The hope is to attract government funding through Agudah centre manager Michelle Ciffer, who plans a women’s welfare counselling service early in 2009.