“My Voice” was born outside a courthouse, at a moment when an attempt to silence someone became a decision to give voice.

Paz and Esther had never met before. Their first encounter took place when they both came to stand beside a beloved friend during a court hearing in which the person who had harmed her was suing her in an attempt to silence her. There, outside the courthouse, a question emerged from their conversation- a question that would lead to the creation of “My Voice”:

Can we create a space for women who have experienced sexual violence that does not begin with what was harmed, but with the part of them that remains healthy and free? A place where they can sing, breathe, experiment, discover their strengths, and become part of something shared?

Through her own life experience, Esther knew the unique power that emerges when women sing and create together. Paz, a musician and educator who has been supporting people through music for more than twenty years, had seen time and again how rhythm and playing music can open a door to self-expression, connection, and a sense of capability—even for those who have never sung or held a musical instrument.

The initiative grew out of this connection. Later, Marva Shadmi- a music therapist, voice psychotherapist, and musician, joined the team, bringing a strong therapeutic and professional foundation in working with trauma and sexual violence.

Together, we developed a model that brings together music, group connection, and carefully structured professional support- offering a foundation of safety and protection alongside freedom, play, enjoyment, and creativity.

The “My Voice” model will begin operating in the coming year

In January, a group of 12 women will begin meeting in Tel Aviv–Jaffa once a week for 16 weeks. This will mark the first implementation of the model, allowing us to learn through practice, refine it, and expand the program to additional groups.

During the sessions, participants will explore singing, rhythm, instrumental music, and writing within a safe, supportive environment with professional guidance. No musical experience is required, and no one is expected to disclose or share her personal story. Each participant chooses the level of involvement, pace, and form of expression that feel right for her.

To ensure that the space is both safe and professionally grounded, the project’s facilitation team receives ongoing professional supervision from Dr. Anat Gur, one of Israel’s leading experts in the treatment of sexual trauma and in working with women.

Alongside the in-person “My Voice” sessions, we are developing a simple, secure, and personal digital tool that will allow each participant to continue her process between meetings. Through the tool, participants will be able to receive short invitations from the facilitators, record their voices, create with sound and rhythm, save meaningful songs, and express what is happening within them—even when words are difficult to find.

All content will remain private by default. Each participant will be able to choose whether to revisit it on her own or bring something to the next meeting. In this way, technology will not replace human connection; it will strengthen the continuity, freedom of choice, and sense of capability developed within the group.

To begin implementing the “My Voice” model in the coming year, we need partners—people who will join us on this journey.

Your support will enable us to build the initiative’s foundations and fund the professional facilitation, activity space, musical equipment, and supportive framework needed to make participation safe and accessible for women.

Our vision is ambitious, but clear: to create a space where every woman has the opportunity to be heard, reconnect with her strengths and creativity, and know that her voice is present, valuable, and meaningful.