TORONTO — When Israeli-American actress and activist Naomi Ackerman, left, was asked to write a 20-minute monologue 10 years ago, she never anticipated the journey she’d be taking.

“While working as an actress in Israel – my family made aliyah when I was nine – the Ministry of Welfare in Jerusalem approached me to write this piece, a one-time gig on domestic violence,” Ackerman said over the phone from New York, where she was giving a performance.

Interviewing women at a government shelter heightened her awareness of abuse victims.

“I went into the women’s shelter thinking this could never happen to me. I knew there was domestic violence in the Jewish world, but I was shocked that I identified with them, even though no one ever raised a hand to me in my life,” she said.

Weaving together the stories of four women, Ackerman wrote Flowers Aren’t Enough, a poignant portrayal of Michal, a young woman from an upper-middle-class family who is in an abusive relationship.

After her performance, one of the four came up and said, “‘You’ve got it Naomi! Now go and tell the world.’”

From then on the monologue became a work in progress.

“The first 20 minutes are based on the initial four women, but so many women wrote and spoke to me that the monologue got longer, deeper and wider – from 20 minutes it became one hour,” said Ackerman, a mediator and conflict resolution specialist who promotes tolerance and dialogue through art direction, theatre programming and workshops.

Ackerman took advice from an acquaintance on a Hadassah mission and translated the play from Hebrew into English.

Audience reactions were amazing.

“The minute I performed in English, I started getting invites to the United States, India, Australia – I’ve travelled all over the world and performed it close to a thousand times. I always laugh that I was chosen to do this. Never in my wildest dreams did I intend this to become what it has become. The places I’ve been – it’s incredible.”

There’s one response the acclaimed actress said she gets from every audience. “They don’t want to talk about the cycle of violence in their community. They find excuses and reasons why it’s there.”

Ackerman brings her one-woman show to Toronto to benefit Miklat Bat Melech (“miklat” is Hebrew for shelter), a network of shelters for abused haredi women in Israel, on Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. at the Terraces of Baycrest, 55 Ameer Ave.

After the performance, the actress will answer questions. A kosher dessert reception follows.

Ackerman learned of Miklat, which was founded in 1996, when she was invited to perform at a benefit for the organization in New Rochelle, N. Y., last year.

“I wasn’t aware of Miklat’s phenomenal work. It’s extremely needed. Some people ask why religious women need a different shelter, but others have beds for women with maybe two or three children. These women come with eight or nine kids. The government shelters are kosher, but not what these women require,” she said.

“Miklat helps women go back to their community or gets them legal help from someone who understands where they’re coming from. They help and don’t ask questions,” Ackerman added. “In Israel, if an abused woman needs legal aid, the government won’t assist if she has assets in her name. One of the biggest issues is their husbands cut off financial aid. Although women may have money, they don’t have access to it.”

What makes Miklat special for Ackerman is that it also has Nigunim, a shelter for teenage girls.

“There’s really nowhere for [haredi] girls to go when they’re in trouble, being abused or sexually assaulted. Having a house gives them a future,” says Ackerman, who works extensively with Israeli girls at risk. “It’s such a joy to do a show that raises awareness and money for an organization in Israel that I truly believe in. It’s a double mitzvah for me.”

Flowers Aren’t Enough will also be performed at Beth Tzedec Congregation on March 26.

For more information, visit www.naomiackerman.com or www.miklat.org.

The Feb. 9 Miklat event is $36. A tax receipt will be issued. For tickets, contact the Toronto Miklat Committee at  [email protected].