Baltimore, MD - Battle Between One Couple is Drawing Attention from the Jewish Community

Baltimore, MD - Cynthia Ohana recently got a divorce from her ex-husband Ephraim but in orthodox Jewish law, Ohana cannot get a Jewish divorce from her husband unless he agrees. But Ephraim Ohana has refused to grant his ex-wife a Jewish divorce, and now Cynthia Ohana is reaching out for help.

Demonstrators gathered outside the University of Baltimore School of Law to voice concerns about the bitter divorce.
Dr. Joshua Karlip of Baltimore Hebrew University says Jewish law clearly states a man must be the one to grant the woman a divorce. She cannot date, re-marry, or have children until the divorce is granted. "In the majority of cases the man gives the woman a divorce however in rare cases the man is recalcitrant," says Karlip, adding "he uses this technicality in the law, that he has to initiate the divorce, as a way to punish the woman."

This means wives like Cynthia who want a divorce are only left with the power of public persuasion, hoping she can embarass him into granting her a Jewish divorce.