Need to feel better? About almost anything? Consider giving Tamar Israel a call. The prevention education coordinator for Bakhita Empowerment Initiative said she “always keeps a smile on my face” and believes in nurturing her naturally “high spirit and positive attitude.”
She also finds a daily dose of Judge Judy to be good for the soul. “If she’s on, I watch her,” Tamar said with a laugh. “Most nights, I cook dinner and watch both episodes.” Tamar said she likes Judge Judy because she’s “a simple person” who is “only interested in the truth.” She said friends and family know all about her obsession and call her if Judge Judy so much as changes her hair style. “Oh, they all let me know,” she chuckled. “If Judge Judy does anything, I hear all about it.”
Tamar came to Catholic Charities from Center Stone in 2019, looking for a change. When she learned about the position with Bakhita, she knew “this will fit me.”
She works with adolescents around the state to help them recognize and avoid behaviors that could make them more susceptible to human trafficking. She uses two curricula, My Life My Choice for female identifying youth and I AM Building A Healthy Identity for male identifying youth. The program is very thorough, discussing healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, grooming, standing up for oneself, identifying “safe” and trustworthy people in our lives, what it means to be commercially sexually exploited, and so much more.
Some of the most meaningful moments of her work come when students who came into their groups saying, “I hate these groups. They’re stupid,” leave saying, “How can we stay in touch? I’m grateful. I learned so much.”
Tamar has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is several hours away from a master’s degree in social work from Spalding University. She moved to Louisville from Lexington in 2011 and said she “enjoys the simple things in life.” Those include traveling, spending time with family—especially her two nephews—and balancing that with some time to herself. Oh. And Judge Judy.