Every divorce is painful - for spouses, their children, their families, and their communities. The Gemara says that when a couple divorces, even the mizbeach sheds tears. But, as an orthodox matrimonial attorney, Martin Friedlander witnesses, day in and day out, the unnecessary pain caused by the failure to properly prepare couples for marriage, and by the manipulation of the divorce process. Martin could not stand by and watch this unnecessary pain continue to tear apart families and communities. He had to do something.

With the advice and guidance of Rabbonim, Martin set out to develop a widely-accepted halachic Heskem Agreement that provides a clear, agreed-upon structure when divorce is necessary. But knowing that the primary goal is to avoid divorce whenever possible, Martin understood the need to establish a framework for proper marriage preparation and the resolution of marital conflict. He joined forces with community leaders - who understand the profound trauma divorce afflicts on families and communities - and experienced therapists - whose days are often spent treating the long-term psychological impacts of divorce. Together they formed Yashar Initiative to provide couples with the tools for healthy marital conflict resolution so that divorce always remains the last option, and to implement a Heskem Agreement that clarifies and expedites the divorce process.

On these two fronts, Yashar is laying the groundwork to build stronger Jewish families and communities, and diminish the unnecessary pain of divorce so that those experiencing it can move forward with the healing process.