Leah was still chained to her ex-husband: two years after the civil court granted her a divorce. Her ex-husband Dovid, a devote orthodox Jew, still refused to give her a religious divorce called a "get." Without the religious divorce, Leah would not be able to remarry -- or even date -- in her community. Her life was on hold, tied to her ex -- at his whim. And she is not alone.

The number of Jewish women being denied a religious divorce is on the rise. The results are devastating: Younger women with children and little money are forced to forgo financial payments or even custody in exchange for a get. Out of desperation, people start taking matters into their own hands. Recently, several rabbis were arrested in a plot to beat reluctant husbands into giving gets. This so-called "Get Crisis," is the product of a myriad of factors, which may be avoided by using divorce mediation.

Here are five ways that divorce mediation can help resolve the get crisis:

1. Avoid Court Drama. Taking an Orthodox Jewish man to divorce court may only fuel the feeling that he is being wronged. After all, his religion and community have tasked him as the sole determinate in giving a divorce. Damaged pride and a sense of shame can turn into an angry hurt, making him more reluctant to give the get. Instead, divorce mediation avoids the courtroom drama. Mediation is aimed at reaching a low-conflict agreement and fostering a safe space for the couple to work out their issues.

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