No sex for anyone until Malky gets her divorce: Jewish Orthodox women go on sex strike to force their friend's abusive husband 'Wolf' into signing papers to end marriage

An Orthodox Jewish woman has drummed up support across the country after her husband refused to sign papers granting her a divorce - considered his right by the laws governing marriage within their community.

For many Americans, the decision to end a marriage would be as simple as heading to divorce court, regardless of if their partner agrees.

The situation is markedly different for Malky Gold Berkowitz, 30, who attempted to split from her husband after three years of marriage, alleging that Wolf 'Volvy' Berkowitz was physically abusive.

The mother of two lives in Kiryas Joel, an ultra-Orthodox village in Orange County, New York, that is regarded as extremist even by other conservative sects.

Women within the community are not allowed to drive. They are expected to be married off at 18 to bear children, and must keep their heads shaved and covered.

A matchmaker connected her with Volvy when she was 21, already considered an old age to marry. She only spent 15 minutes with Volvy before their wedding.

Malky Gold Berkowitz, 30 (left), sought a divorce from her husband after three years, alleging abuse. Malky spent just 15 minutes with Wolf 'Volvy' Berkowitz (right) before they were married

As men get the final say in whether a divorce can proceed, Malky was trapped - but her predicament garnered the support of advocates nationwide

Protests have erupted worldwide, in Malky's hometown of Kiryas Joel, New York (pictured), as well as other cities like Los Angeles and Jerusalem

Shortly after the marriage Volvy began to act 'erratically,' Malky told New York Magazine.

He was diagnosed with schizophrenia and hospitalized several times, once for running around with a knife and again for allegedly exposing himself to a minor.

In a complaint filed in Rockland County, Malky asserted that Volvy had abused her and warned his three-year-old daughter that he would become sexually aroused if she sat on his lap.

'It got worse from year to year,' Malky told the publication.

When begging Volvy for a divorce decree didn't work, she asked his family for help - but they, unsurprisingly, sided against her.

In Orthodox Jewish marriage, a man has the absolute right to refuse a divorce decree, or gett. Malky's entrapment has rendered her an 'agunah,' or woman in chains.

If she were to remarry without obtaining her gett, Malky's future children would be deemed 'mamzers,' barred from marrying other Jews. This penalty does not apply to the children of men who remarry without obtaining a religious divorce.

The demonstrations were organized by Adina Sash, an activist and EMT based in Flatbush, Brooklyn

Sash called on Orthodox women to protest the mikvah, a religious bath that is seen as a ritual cleaning of a woman after her period - and a prerequisite for having sex

The 'sex strike' was intended to place pressure on men, who control every Orthodox institution

Sash (left) urged Orthodox Jewish women to protest the mikvah in solidarity with 'agunos,' or 'chained women' denied a divorce. A plane flew over Kiryas Joel in February, with a banner reading, 'Free Malky! Give a Gett! Free Agunos!

When all seemed lost, Adina Sash took up the cause. Sash is a Brooklyn-based activist and EMT with Ezras Nashim, a female-staffed ambulance corps that strictly services Orthodox women in her community.

In early February, Sash organized a protest in Malky's hometown. She was joined by dozens of other women who stood in the cold for hours, brandishing signs that read 'Free Malky' while chanting, 'Give a gett!'

They were met with counter-protestors, both men and women, who looked on disapprovingly and exchanged heated words with the activists.

But this did not deter them. Days later, a plane flew over Kiryas Joel with a banner proclaiming, 'Free Malky! Give a Gett! Free Agunos!'

One month later, Sash decided to organize a mikvah strike. Mikvah is a religious bath performed after a woman's period to make her ritually pure, and is required before a woman can have sex with her husband.

'Mitzvah Night is Cancelled,' Sash wrote in an Instagram post dated March 7.

'Withholding a Gett is ok but withholding relations is not? Men can’t go one night without intimacy but Agunos can wait for years? Will YOU join in solidarity with Agunos?'

She beseeched community members to meet with rabbis who could encourage the gett to be given to Malky.

The advocacy has come with its challenges, such as Sash being branded a 'terrorist' who was 'killing the future of Jewish children and breaking up more marriages' on social media

Malky begged Volvy for a divorce, to no avail, and asked his family for support, but they sided with him

Thanks to community support, Malky was able to get a date to proceed with a civil divorce. She and Volvy are due in court later this month

The movement has since spread to Orthodox communities in Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Los Angeles and even Jerusalem. 

At one demonstration, Sash hired an LED-screen-equipped truck flashing words of support: 'Free Malky,' 'Volvy Give a Gett,' and messages in Yiddish targeting the Berkowitz family.

But leading the charge has come with challenges, including harassment and hateful comments on social media.

One faceless netizen branded her a 'terrorist' who was 'killing the future of Jewish children and breaking up more marriages.' 

'You preach freedom, yet tell others what to do and how to live. Anything for content and money. That's all you do it for, admit it,' the user snarked.

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Beneath the post announcing the mikvah strike, a man responded, 'I will be doing (it) twice Friday night just in case a women out there thought she made a difference' 

So committed are the opponents that their hostility has crossed into violence. On May 5, Sash announced that the driver of the LED truck had been 'assaulted with a hammer and had his vehicle stolen.'

'Many individuals seem to prioritize causing widespread public dishonor over releasing Malky from four years of captivity,' she wrote while naming the man responsible for the attack.

But Sash refused to shy away from the cause. On Thursday, she encouraged people to donate to a fundraiser for Mesivta Tiferes Shmuel and leave messages in honor of Malky.

The 30-year-old has finally secured a date to proceed with a civil divorce. She and Volvy are due in Rockland County Family Court later this month.

While her fate remains uncertain, Malky has not relinquished hope. Sash shared a prayer last month where Malky reaffirmed her trust in God.

'I hold the belief that...freedom will come my way...I cherish the faith that...a radiant future awaits, for me and my cherished children,' Malky wrote. 'Prayer is our mightiest, most powerful weapon, a Jew's greatest possession!'