A reader writes: You can't win with these kvetchers. You can't talk about Shapiro because he's dead. Pinny Shitlips at the Yated says you can't talk about Kolko because he's living and it's hamalbin. Avi Shafran says you can't talk about the victims because then the Agudah gets sued. Shea Fishman claims not to remember anything about anything except the weather report. Heinemann says you can't mention the newspapers & Perlow says topics outside Boro Park are off limits and it's verboten anyway because it's on the internet. David Mandel says you can't mention the acts that took place even without any names because they're too salacious. Margulies says there's no need to discuss anything because he has the situation under control. Applegrad says that no one was aware of anything even before Fishman was clubbed in the head by Pasik and suffered amnesia. Dovid Cohen says you must be biased against YTT.......
The Facts About Child Sexual Abuse
Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault-2006
Kindly e-mail this article to every parent you know & or print it out and pass it around your neighborhood... UOJ
Child sexual abuse occurs when someone exploits a child sexually. It can take many forms, including exposure of the genitals, obscene internet solicitation, voyeurism, exposing children to pornographic materials, creating pornographic materials of children, fondling, masturbation, and oral, vaginal, or anal intercourse.
Most studies have focused only on incidents that involve physical touching of or penetration of genitals. Even using this narrow definition, study after study has illustrated that sexual abuse is alarmingly common:
Researchers have established that between 30 and 40 percent of all girls—and between 10 and 20 percent of all boys—are sexually victimized at least once before they reach age 18.1
In one national study, 67% of all reported sexual assaults were perpetrated against children under the age of 18. In over half of those cases, the perpetrator had abused a child under the age of 12.2
The same study concluded that one in every seven reported sexual assaults was perpetrated against a victim aged six or younger.3
The vast majority of perpetrators are teenage or adult males. They come from all socio-economic levels, religions, and ethnic backgrounds. Most identify as exclusively or predominantly heterosexual.
In 2001, 96.5% of reported sexual assaults in Wisconsin were perpetrated by males.4
In one study of over 10,000 non-incarcerated, male child molesters, the men closely matched the demographics of the general male population in marriage status, education, employment, religiosity, and ethnicity.5
98% of all child sexual abuse is perpetrated by heterosexual males.6
70% of men who molest boys identify as exclusively or predominantly heterosexual in their adult sexual preferences.7
1 Bolen, R.,& Scannapieco, M. (1999).Prevalence of child sexual abuse: A corrective meta-analysis. Social Service Review, 73, 281-313
2 Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement: Victim, Incident, and Offender
Characteristics. U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2000
3 Ibid.
4 Sexual Asaults in Wisconsin 1999-2001, Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance Statistical Analysis Center
5 Abel, G. M.D., Nora Harlow (2001) The Abel and Harlow Child Molestation Prevention Study
6 Jenny, C., Roesley, T., and Poyer, K. (1994) “Are Children at risk for Sex Abuse by
Homosexuals?,”Pediatrics Vol. 94
7 Abel, G. M.D., Nora Harlow (2001) The Abel and Harlow Child Molestation Prevention Study
Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault 2006
Perpetrators are rarely strangers to their victims; most abuse children with whom they have ongoing, regular contact. Many perpetrators will abuse the same child repeatedly over a period of months or even years and it is also common for perpetrators to abuse more than one child.
In Wisconsin in 2001, 90% of perpetrators of reported child sexual abuse knew their victims. 22% were related to the victim. Only 10% were strangers.8
In one study of incest offenders, men who molested their daughters averaged 62 different sexually abusive acts. Men who molested their sons, averaged 81 such acts.9
Another study found the average duration of incest to be more than 8 years.10
54% of convicted sex offenders reported having at least two victims.11
In a study of convicted, extra-familial child molesters, those who abused girls had an average of 52 victims each. Those who abused boys, while less common, averaged 150 victims each.12
In order to avoid detection, many molesters deliberately engage in behavior designed to manipulate a child into silence. This process, called “grooming,” often includes paying special attention to a child or giving gifts to gain the child’s loyalty and trust. It may also involve testing and blurring the boundaries between appropriate and inappropriate behaviors with the child. Due to powerful feelings of confusion, fear, shame, and sometimes even conflicted loyalty towards the abuser, children seldom tell anyone about sexual abuse.
An estimated 88% of child sexual abuse incidents are never reported.13
In a study of 116 confirmed cases of child sexual abuse, 79% of the children initially denied the abuse or were tentative in disclosing. Of those who did disclose, 75% disclosed accidentally.
Additionally, of those who did disclose, 22% eventually recanted their statements.14
Child sexual abuse has been linked with a wide range of negative consequences for victims. Compared to their non-abused peers, children who have been victims of sexual abuse are more likely to experience a variety of emotional and behavioral problems—many with the potential for serious and life-threatening consequences. The effects of child sexual abuse do not have to be devastating, however. There is significant evidence that being believed and supported by family members and other caring adults can minimize the intensity of the trauma to children and help them to heal from the abuse.
Long term effects of child abuse include fear, anxiety, depression, anger, hostility, inappropriate sexual behavior, poor self esteem, tendency toward substance abuse and difficulty with close relationships.15
8 Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2000
9 Abel et al. (1987) as cited in Transforming Trauma, Anna Salter pp 37-38
10 Donaldson and Gardner (1985) as cited in Transforming Trauma, Anna Salter p 37
11 Managing Adult Sex Offenders in the Community: A Containment Approach. English, Pullen and Jones,
U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, January, 1997
12 Abel, G. M.D., Nora Harlow (2001) The Abel and Harlow Child Molestation Prevention Study
13 Kilpatrick, 1999
14 Sorensen & Snow, 1991
15 Browne & Finkelhor, 1986
Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault 2006
Sexually abused children are 4 to 5 times more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 4 to 5 times more likely to develop an alcohol or drug dependency, and 3 to 5 times more likely to engage in delinquent behaviors. 16
A history of sexual abuse is a significant risk factor for the development of disordered eating behaviors such as anorexia, bulimia, and the use of laxatives and diuretics to lose weight.17
A history of child sexual abuse increases the likelihood of suicide attempts. 18
Sexually abused youths are more likely to become sexually active at an earlier age19, report inconsistent condom use, and engage in behaviors that put them at risk for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV infection.20 Girls who have been sexually abused also have higher rates of adolescent pregnancy.21
Individuals who were sexually abused as children are 4 times more likely than their peers to engage in prostitution.22 Approximately 95% of teenage prostitutes were sexually abused as children.23
Many of the behavior patterns precipitated by childhood sexual abuse, such as the use of alcohol and other drugs, sexual promiscuity, low self-esteem and a low sense of personal power can in turn increase a person’s vulnerability to sexual assaults. It is not surprising, therefore, that having been sexually assaulted in the past is a significant risk factor for future sexual assaults. This does not mean that victims cause the sexual assaults, but rather that perpetrators look for and exploit these vulnerabilities.
Children who are sexually abused are 5 times more likely to be subsequently sexually abused or assaulted.24
55.4% of women who reported childhood sexual abuse also reported being subsequently raped. 25
16 Youth Victimization: Prevalence and Implications, US Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, 2003
17 Stephen A. Wonderlich, M.D., et al, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health
Sciences, Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 200: 391277-1283
18 Blumenthal SJ. Suicide: a guide to risk factors, assessment, and treatment of suicidal patients. Medical Clinics of North America, 1988; 72(4): 937-71.
19 Kenneth S. Kendler, M.D., et al, Medical College of Virginia Commonwealth University, Archives of General Psychiatry, 2000, 57:953-959
20 Larry K. Brown, M.D., et al, American Journal of Psychiatry, 2000;157:1413-1415
21 Boyer, Debra and Fine, David. “Sexual Abuse as a Factor in Adolescent Pregnancy and Child Maltreatment.” Family Planning Perspective, Jan., 1992.
22 Population Reports: Ending Violence Against Women, 2000
23 CCPCA, 1992
24 Merrill, L.L., Newell, C.E., Gold, S.R., and Millen, J.S. Childhood Abuse and Sexual Revictimization in a Female Navy Recruit Sample. Naval Health Research Center, Pub. 97-5, 1997
25 Ibid.
Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault 2006
How Can I Protect My Child?
Minimize opportunities for molesters
Ensure that safety precautions are in place to protect your child at school, church, clubs or other activities— especially those involving special trips and overnight outings. Have the adults in these organizations undergone background checks? Are adults ever alone with a child? If yes, when and why? How can these activities be restructured to avoid isolation?
Stay involved in your child’s activities—attend little league practices and piano recitals, volunteer to chaperone for trips or dances. Meet your child’s teachers, coaches, and activity leaders. Keep track of where, and with whom, your child is if s/he is not with you.
Be alert for adults or adolescents, particularly males, who display an unusual interest in children. While the following behaviors are not conclusive proof that a person is a child molester (nor is the lack of these behaviors proof that a person does not molest children), they are nonetheless cause for serious concern.
Do not allow someone to have unsupervised access to children if he or she exhibits the following:
seems more interested in spending time with children than with his own peers
seems focused on children of a particular age or gender (especially if the person does not have children of that age)
singles out a child for special attention, gifts, or favors
wants to take a child on special outings without others present, or seems eager to spend alone-time with a child
invites children into his home unsupervised
allows or encourages children to do “grown up” things—or things they are not allowed to do at home
Talk to your child
Give your child the clear message that her body is her own and that she does not have to submit to unwanted touches by anyone—including family members and authority figures. Allow her to decide whether she wants to give Grandma a kiss, be tickled by Brother, or sit on Uncle’s lap--and back her up in those decisions.
Regularly reinforce through words and actions that you want to know about what is going on in your child’s life and that you will listen and help in any way you can if he has a problem.
Specifically discuss the topic of sexual abuse with your child so she knows what it is--and that it’s okay to talk to you about it. (For age-appropriate ways to discuss sexual abuse with children, refer to resource list below)
Help your child identify other people he might be able to go to with a problem if he didn’t feel comfortable coming to you.
Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault 2006
Be Aware of Signs of Child Sexual Abuse
Behavioral
Children who experience sexual abuse are often too frightened or confused to tell anyone—but they may indicate that something is wrong by their behavior. The behaviors listed here are general indicators that a child may be experiencing problems—although not necessarily sexual abuse. Use this list as a tool for
identifying areas of potential concern. Then calmly talk to your child to find out more about what is going on in her or his life. Take note of:
Abrupt changes in your child’s behavior
Regression to previously outgrown behaviors (thumb-sucking, bedwetting)
Nightmares, fearfulness or clinginess
Sudden shyness around adults or reluctance around a particular adult
Anger problems, fighting, cruelty towards others, delinquency
Withdrawal, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
Unusual level of modesty or body-shame; wearing loose-fitting clothing, or
multiple layers of clothing even in the summer; extreme reluctance to change or shower around others (ie: for gym class)
Running away
Use of alcohol or drugs
Self-mutilation (cutting, burning, hair-pulling)
Eating disorders
Sexual
Some sexually abused children exhibit sexual behavior problems. Not all sexual behavior in children is abnormal--children are naturally curious about their bodies and those of other people. It is relatively common for children to play “doctor” or other games involving looking at and touching genitals. Children also discover that their genitals feel good, and even very young children may rub their genitals. Therapists can be a good resource for clarifying whether a particular behavior is of concern—and treating children with sexual behavior problems. Generally, a behavior may be of concern if:
The child seems unable to stop the behavior when redirected by adults—or is interested in the activity to the exclusion of other age-appropriate interests
There is a significant disparity in age or size of the children involved
The children involved do not know each other or do not have a prior history of playing together
One or more of the children use force, coercion, or manipulation to get the others to cooperate.
The behavior mimics or illustrates knowledge of explicit adult sexual behavior (imitating sexual intercourse, oral sex, penetration of vagina or anus with objects)
Children seem overly secretive or ashamed about the behavior
Children behave seductively towards adults
Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault 2006
Physical
In the majority of sexual abuse cases, no physical signs are apparent. When physical evidence does exist in may take the form of the symptoms listed below. Consider taking your child to a doctor for evaluation and treatment if you observe:
Redness, swelling, irritation of the genitals
Bleeding or tearing around the anus or vagina
Discomfort sitting or using the bathroom
Frequent yeast or urinary-tract infections
Unusual discharge from the anus or vagina
Soreness, redness in the mouth and throat
Sexually transmitted diseases
Pregnancy
Statements
When children do try to tell adults about sexual abuse, they may not have the language to accurately describe what is happening. If the child’s meaning is unclear, calmly ask for clarification without putting words in the child’s mouth (ie: “Tell me more about that,” instead of “Do you mean Danny touched you on
your private parts?”). Children may also use language that is indirect or ask for help without telling you why as a way to test your reaction. Pay attention to statements like the following:
I don’t like it when he comes over.
He made me touch his thingie.
She plays with my noodle and I don’t like it.
He fooled around with me.
I don’t like it when he wants to play the “mommy-daddy game.”
Please don’t make me go to their house tonight.
What can I do if I learn my child has been sexually abused?
Stay calm. Your child will be relieved to know that you are concerned, but a display of strong negative emotions may frighten her and cause her to feel that she is in trouble or that she has caused you to become upset.
Let your child know that you believe him, that you’re glad he told you, and you will do your best to protect and support him.
Write down the specific statements your child makes (in his own words) and make note of any other behaviors you observe.
Avoid interrogating your child for details. If you have reason to believe that she has been sexually abused, contact a child protection center immediately and have an investigator conduct an interview. They are trained to gather information in ways which avoid unnecessary trauma to the child—and which enhance the integrity (and potential legal admissibility) of the child’s statements.
Do not confront someone you believe to be an abuser. Instead, notify people who can help you and your child, such as a child protection center, the police or child protective services.
Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault 2006
How can I help my child heal from sexual abuse?
With good support from parents and other adults, children who have been abused can heal and move beyond the experience of abuse. Being believed and supported by family after a disclosure is one of the most important factors in a positive healing process.
Therapists and/or support groups can be valuable allies in providing ongoing support for your child through the healing process. Contact your local sexual assault service provider to get referrals for therapists and agencies that work with young survivors.
Return to a normal daily routine as quickly as is practical. This doesn’t mean acting as if the abuse never happened, but rather openly acknowledging and dealing with the abuse, while also working to minimize the disruption to daily life. This avoids sending the unintentional message that your child is “damaged” or “different” from other children.
Educate yourself about sexual violence, safety precautions you can implement to help protect your child, and ways you can support your child’s healing and growth. The resources listed below are a great start.
Consider getting help and support for yourself. Parents often experience grief, rage, guilt, and other reactions to a child’s victimization. Counselors and/or support groups can help you express and work through these feelings—and help you to in turn provide support to your child.
Learn More
Continue to educate yourself and look for opportunities to educate others in the community about perpetrator tactics and ways adults can protect children. Some great resources available from the WCASA Library include:
Predators--Pedophiles, Rapists and Other Sex Offenders; Who They Are, How
They Operate, and How We Can Protect Ourselves and Our Children
by Anna C. Salter, Ph.D, Basic Books, 2003
Children Can’t Protect Themselves—It’s Your Job; Protecting Children from Sexual
Abuse, A Guide for Adults
The Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center, Inc., 2002
He Told Me Not To Tell; A Parents’ Guide For Talking to Children
About Sexual Assault
By Jennifer Fay, King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, 1991
Kids Helping Kids {Break the Silence of Sexual Abuse}
By Linda Lee Foltz, Lighthouse Point Press, 2003
172 comments:
Most yeshiva boys who were abused also have their confidences betrayed. Like Agent Mulder says: Trust NO ONE!
Seems like the climate is changing.
Don't you love my hypocrisy? This is for unborn children. I still don't give a damn about molesters who are killing live children in yeshivos.
http://www.nysun.com/pf.php?id=53034&v=6136637711
BY AVI SHAFRAN
Lipshitz what you should really be screaming about is not Bencraft's Customer Service; after all that is just smart business practice.
Instead you should focus on the ridiculous amounts of time (hours!) these yeshiva Bochurim spend primping like Peacocks in front of the Bencraft mirrors measuring the widths and angles of the brims and the size of the pinches. They take more time to pick a hat than anybody's wife takes to put on makeup and get dressed to go to a Simcha! This is normal?
Lipshitz, This is Yiddishkeit? This is the heilige Mesorah you write about K'mat every week, Takeh?
What's in the Lakewood water?
It's not a stretch to consider that this "styling" Yeshivah Bochur self-centered Borsalino fetish is a symptomatic precursor to the Shidduch Crisis morass we find ourselves in today as well as the entire pervasive "Es Kumt Mir" attitude that reeks from many of these Yeshiva "All-Stars".
Lipshitz; write on relevancy that is "Nogeiya", not cotton candy. If you can't, then don't write.
Ok, I admit it. The Horace Mann school in Riverdale hired me to do the dirty work. Belsky told them I was their mann.
http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/newscontent.php3?artid=13947
Hard Line At Horace Mann
The issue of online behavior exploded last year at Horace Mann, home to a sizeable number of Jewish students. It began when several students posted items on Facebook that were disparaging of students and faculty members. While Barbara Tischler, the head of the school’s Upper Division, refused to comment on the issue, the school’s newspaper, The Record, covered the affair extensively.
According to The Record, the Horace Mann administration compiled a list of names of approximately 70 students who posted on the site, taking unspecified disciplinary measures against those deemed to be the worst offenders. To gain access to the information, members of the faculty created accounts under assumed names and successfully penetrated the invitation-only online community in order to gather information about students’ postings
Borsalino fetish?
No kidding. I wonder if any of them know anything about hat quality, in terms of %rabbit fur in the felt etc. While it's true that the Italians have a way with clothing, the fact is that you can get a Stetson Temple for about $118..
If the Temple doesn't have a broad enough brim for your crowd, you might want to check out Miller Hats. They have some Stetsons exclusive to them that have wider brims and different styles.
Also, Stetson is very big on one of the Asseret HaDibrot
http://spider.mc.yu.edu/news/articles/article.cfm?id=101329
How much credit have Flatbush Hungarians been extending to Margo to pay his legal bills?
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1176152849130&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
If, as the police suspect, the bomb that lightly wounded one man near Beit Shemesh on Friday was the work of haredi activists protesting the upcoming Gay Pride Parade, then it is a new development taking the relationship between religion and state back over 50 years.
In the early Fifties, a group of yeshiva students joined together in a clandestine group called "Brit Hakanaim" (Brotherhood of the Zealots) to try to force the new state to adopt a more religious nature. Their methods were threats, arson and primitive bombs. They acted against butchers who sold non-kosher meat and drivers and taxi stands that operated on Shabbat. The members were arrested in May 1951 before they managed to carry out their plan to plant a bomb in the Knesset. One of them was the young Mordechai Eliahu, who 32 years later was elected chief rabbi.
What does UOJ think about the way Ohel Family Services deals with abuse.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003675519_iraqsplit21.html
American commanders cite al-Qaida's severe brand of Islam, which is so extreme that in Baqouba, al-Qaida has warned street vendors not to place tomatoes beside cucumbers because the vegetables are different genders, Col. David Sutherland said.
http://jewishsurvivors.blogspot.com/2007/04/rabbi-harlig-convicted-sex-offender.html
Does Aron Twerski do his "honorable man" gig for Chabadniks too?
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55216
Where's the accountability at the Jewish National Fund? Does Singer work there too?
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=582245&category=&BCCode=&newsdate=4/19/2007
ALBANY - A mid-level appeals court has rejected the appeal of a Clifton Park obstetrician whose license to practice medicine was revoked in 2005 after it was determined he'd had sex with a patient in his office and a St. Peter's Hospital waiting room.
Akiva Abraham was also accused of falsifying medical records for several patients, failing to maintain accurate records and misrepresenting his professional memberships on his Web site.
In a 3-page decision released today, the Appellate Division of state Supreme Court said they found nothing to warrant returning Abraham's credentials, including his claim that the testimony of two expert witnesses violated federal confidentiality laws and the physician-patient relationship.
"In short, that which petitioner does not contest alone supports the finding of license revocation," the court said.
That included the fact Abraham initiated sexual contact with a 25-year-old woman suffering from anxiety and depression on the same day that he was treating her for an abortion, documents said.
Abraham maintained the sexual relationship for five months and, on one occasion, forced the woman to have intercourse, the decision said. He also lied to a Department of Health investigator by denying the existence of the relationship and engaged in numerous acts of fraud, according to the decision.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/oddities/192183/doc_who_had_sex_in_waiting_room_punished/index.html
Among the evidence considered was testimony by a psychiatrist who called Abraham "the most amoral person she had evaluated who was not behind bars."
http://www.wnyt.com/x4514.xml?ag=x156&sb=x183
induced another woman's labor early so he would not have to change his vacation plans.
http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzkobia5184003apr24,0,6163715.story?coll=ny-business-print
I may have escaped, but the Feds nabbed my modern orthodox associates in Teaneck. Life as a fugitive in Namibia is great for a frey Israeli like me.
http://www.bakersfield.com/102/story/124590.html
Appraiser: local fraud rampant
Authorities alerted about suspicious mortgage cases
BY RYAN SCHUSTER | CALIFORNIAN STAFF WRITER
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/04/20/ap3633660.html
How did UOJ know what I was up to?
The President should let UOJ make judicial appointments.
http://www.middletownjournal.com/hp/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/04/18/mj041807utin.html
Judge: Child molester 'belongs in prison for life'
http://www.kuam.com/news/22111.aspx
Is UOJ starting a bounty hunter division?
http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/editorials/article/0,,TCP_24460_5495597,00.html
THUMBS UP:
TARGETING ABUSE: In the wake of reports that sex offenders continue to teach in schools across the country, a Florida congressman wants to establish national guidelines for investigating and reporting such abusers.
Rep. Adam Putnam's bill would:
• Require educators to report suspected sexual misconduct to state officials within 48 hours.
• Create a toll-free hotline to anonymously report abuse.
• Establish an office of trained investigators to review sexual misconduct claims.
• Withhold federal funding for noncompliance.
Though the measure sounds commonsensical enough, it is sure to encounter stiff opposition because states, not the federal government, run schools and make the rules.
But a two-year investigation of 14,000 school sex-abuse cases by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune revealed the magnitude of the problem in Florida, as well as slipshod enforcement that allows offenders to continue to work in classrooms. By all accounts, other states aren't any better.
Kansas State University professor and sex abuse researcher Robert Shoop called Putnam's bill a necessary first step to stop the exploitation of schoolchildren.
"This legislation would make it less likely that a suspected molester could move from state to state and district to district," Shoop said. "It will also make it more likely that every school district will have the tools necessary to respond promptly to every allegation of sexual abuse."
It's time someone took a stand.
"It takes a village to raise a sexual predator" -- Vicki Polin
Vicki Polin has said it a million times: "It takes a village to raise a sexual predator"
"I think the rabbonim of New York, Baltimore, Chicago and Los Angeles need to be aware that the problem we have with sexual predators is on them. The warnings signs were there, yet they choose to lead our communities to ignore them. It's been much easier for them to blame survivors of sex crimes.
It's vitally important that all survivors and parents of survivors to make police reports on those who offend. It's not up to our rabbis to conduct investigations. It is also important that survivors of sex crimes file civil suits against those who offend and also those who enable them to continue to rape our men, women and children.
It is time for all Jewish survivors of sexual abuse, sexual assault, clergy sexual abuse, sexual manipulation to unite. There is power in numbers. Don't allow those who ignored our cries to divide and conquer us anymore. Start self-help groups in your community and start networking with others. We do not need to be alone anymore. Use the law of the land and not the politics of our religious leaders."
I'm sending my resume to UOJ for the Chief Justice position.
http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/pa/index.ssf?/base/news-11/117739030652180.xml&coll=2
A Northampton County judge told a convicted sex offender he was sickened by his acts and that castration would be the most appropriate form of punishment.
"If I were really going to sentence you to protect the public, castration would be the most appropriate sentence but unfortunately the law does not permit that," Judge Anthony S. Beltrami said Monday at a hearing for Robert W. McCullough.
Nu Reb Boog,
Vus zogstu tzoo dem pictures?
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/?p=6306
Honestly, I have no clue why the hell he's going forward with it. Who's going there? Maybe, he's gambling that when YTT closes down, they'll come to him.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04222007/news/regionalnews/mcgs_gay_poster_boy_regionalnews_elizabeth_wolff.htm
Don't blame me for showing gay porn to my 5 year old daughter. I got it from some Israeli putz named Yossi Milo.
It's a chutzpah that UOJ is helping my ex take away custody.
Shea Fishman and I move very slowly. When we get scared we hide in our shell. What's the hurry?
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/848017.html
Can anyone recommend a good dry cleaner?
Do I hear any disagreements with my take on what the chassidim have morphed into?
Stone-throwing, break-ins and cries of goy
By Yair Ettinger
The main outward difference between members of the Vishnitz Hasidic sect and other Hasids are their hats: the knot on the bow faces right instead of left. On Passover, many Vishnitz Hasids in Bnei Brak's Kiryat Vishnitz quarter displayed another outward sign: their holiday clothing was stained with eggs, coffee or juice. Stones were also hurled at them. At least one boy, the great grandson of the Vishnitz grand rabbi, was hurt during one of the stormiest succession battles in the ultra-Orthodox world in recent memory..............
It is time for a federal investigation of how Ohel Family Services uses the money it gets. Are the people they provide services realy eligable or are they fudging it to make more money. Are they getting kickbacks or taking part of the therapsts money. Are the victims they claim to be helping realy victims or are they using them to exhort mony from the goverment.
We have to make Sheldon Silver aware that they have to be accountable. It will also help when the Attorney General gets involved in an investigation. Ohel is getting funding for many services after 9/11. Are the people getting them realy eligable??? We need an investigation. What are they doing to the famalies in Boro Park that they claim to be helping??? Are they destroying them or helping them. There must be oversight and not just by their paid Rabbis. We need an independent investigation of Ohel Family Services practices.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/122124
Yankel & Shea need a new diet plan.
http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=18&id=12440
How come Hungarians are quick to rip off home contractors and whoever else but always dilligently pay their tuition bills to Margo?
That's no joke about Pinter on the West Coast. California was one of the states whose regulators came crashing down on Olympia Mortgage.
By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer
WASHINGTON - For the first time astronomers have discovered a planet outside our solar system that is potentially habitable, with Earth-like temperatures, a find researchers described Tuesday as a big step in the search for "life in the universe."
The planet is just the right size, might have water in liquid form, and in galactic terms is relatively nearby at 120 trillion miles away. But the star it closely orbits, known as a "red dwarf," is much smaller, dimmer and cooler than our sun.
There's still a lot that is unknown about the new planet, which could be deemed inhospitable to life once more is known about it. And it's worth noting that scientists' requirements for habitability count Mars in that category: a size relatively similar to Earth's with temperatures that would permit liquid water. However, this is the first outside our solar system that meets those standards.
"It's a significant step on the way to finding possible life in the universe," said University of Geneva astronomer Michel Mayor, one of 11 European scientists on the team that found the planet. "It's a nice discovery. We still have a lot of questions."
The results of the discovery have not been published but have been submitted to the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Alan Boss, who works at the Carnegie Institution of Washington where a U.S. team of astronomers competed in the hunt for an Earth-like planet, called it "a major milestone in this business."
The planet was discovered by the European Southern Observatory's telescope in La Silla, Chile, which has a special instrument that splits light to find wobbles in different wave lengths. Those wobbles can reveal the existence of other worlds.
What they revealed is a planet circling the red dwarf star, Gliese 581. Red dwarfs are low-energy, tiny stars that give off dim red light and last longer than stars like our sun. Until a few years ago, astronomers didn't consider these stars as possible hosts of planets that might sustain life.
The discovery of the new planet, named 581 c, is sure to fuel studies of planets circling similar dim stars. About 80 percent of the stars near Earth are red dwarfs.
The new planet is about five times heavier than Earth. Its discoverers aren't certain if it is rocky like Earth or if its a frozen ice ball with liquid water on the surface. If it is rocky like Earth, which is what the prevailing theory proposes, it has a diameter about 1 1/2 times bigger than our planet. If it is an iceball, as Mayor suggests, it would be even bigger.
Based on theory, 581 c should have an atmosphere, but what's in that atmosphere is still a mystery and if it's too thick that could make the planet's surface temperature too hot, Mayor said.
However, the research team believes the average temperature to be somewhere between 32 and 104 degrees and that set off celebrations among astronomers.
Until now, all 220 planets astronomers have found outside our solar system have had the "Goldilocks problem." They've been too hot, too cold or just plain too big and gaseous, like uninhabitable Jupiter.
The new planet seems just right — or at least that's what scientists think.
"This could be very important," said NASA astrobiology expert Chris McKay, who was not part of the discovery team. "It doesn't mean there is life, but it means it's an Earth-like planet in terms of potential habitability."
Eventually astronomers will rack up discoveries of dozens, maybe even hundreds of planets considered habitable, the astronomers said. But this one — simply called "c" by its discoverers when they talk among themselves — will go down in cosmic history as No. 1.
Besides having the right temperature, the new planet is probably full of liquid water, hypothesizes Stephane Udry, the discovery team's lead author and another Geneva astronomer. But that is based on theory about how planets form, not on any evidence, he said.
"Liquid water is critical to life as we know it," co-author Xavier Delfosse of Grenoble University in France, said in a statement. "Because of its temperature and relative proximity, this planet will most probably be a very important target of the future space missions dedicated to the search for extraterrestrial life. On the treasure map of the Universe, one would be tempted to mark this planet with an X."
Other astronomers cautioned it's too early to tell whether there is water.
"You need more work to say it's got water or it doesn't have water," said retired NASA astronomer Steve Maran, press officer for the American Astronomical Society. "You wouldn't send a crew there assuming that when you get there, they'll have enough water to get back."
The new planet's star system is a mere 20.5 light years away, making Gliese 581 one of the 100 closest stars to Earth. It's so dim, you can't see it without a telescope, but it's somewhere in the constellation Libra, which is low in the southeastern sky during the midevening in the Northern Hemisphere.
"I expect there will be planets like Earth, but whether they have life is another question," said renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking in an interview with The Associated Press in Orlando. "We haven't been visited by little green men yet."
Before you book your extrastellar flight to 581 c, a few caveats about how alien that world probably is: Anyone sitting on the planet would get heavier quickly, and birthdays would add up fast since it orbits its star every 13 days.
Gravity is 1.6 times as strong as Earth's so a 150-pound person would feel like 240 pounds.
But oh, the view. The planet is 14 times closer to the star it orbits. Udry figures the red dwarf star would hang in the sky at a size 20 times larger than our moon. And it's likely, but still not known, that the planet doesn't rotate, so one side would always be sunlit and the other dark.
Distance is another problem. "We don't know how to get to those places in a human lifetime," Maran said.
Two teams of astronomers, one in Europe and one in the United States, have been racing to be the first to find a planet like 581 c outside the solar system.
Donald Keegan, the Mastic man who attempted to burn down a neighborhood home housing four registered sex offenders and told an undercover officer, "I want them dead," was sentenced to 7 years for attempted arson in the second degree and 3 to 9 years for second degree conspiracy Tuesday in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead.
Keegan appeared calm as he was sentenced by Justice Barbara Kahn. In a black suit with his hands cuffed behind his back, he spoke softly and only thanked his family for their support. His mother and 2-year old daughter were in attendance.
Keegan, 37, a former Suffolk County highway worker, tried to burn down the house on Eleanor Avenue last September after residents discovered it housed four Level 3 sex offenders, those considered most likely to reoffend.
Their controversial presence in the neighborhood spurred community leaders and residents to protest the placement of what they charged was "an inordinate number" of sex offenders in their community.
Keegan was caught on videotape by an undercover police officer plotting to burn down the home with a road flare and paint thinner, shortly before Suffolk Police ordered the offenders out of the home for living too close to a school on the nearby Poospatuck Indian Reservation. On the tape, Keegan admitted he wanted the offenders dead.
"He was a very hard-working man at the time of his arrest," said his attorney, Daniel Driscoll, of Bay Shore. "He was outraged at the fact that there were four level 3 sex offenders in a house, put there by the county in a residential community, and as a result of that he ultimately committed some acts that were unlawful."
Prosecutor Peter Timmons said Keegan set practice fires in his own yard and went to the sex offenders' home one night to carry out his plan, but backed out when he thought he saw police.
Keegan originally pleaded not guilty to nine counts, including second-degree attempted arson and second-degree attempted murder, both felonies with maximum prison terms of 25 years.
On Haaretz.com they have a pic of
Chareidim
burning Israeli flag on Indep
day. I think that really sums up
the screwed up mindset of these guys so don't be surprised of
their perverted attitude on molestation.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110009975
Why am I getting a bum rap for Jack Abramoff payments? I didn't know he was in bed with bad guys like the Pinters. I would have run far, far away. No one on Capitol Hill wants to repeat the same mistake as Dan Flood who was jailed 30 years ago for Pinter payoffs.
Who funds Herzl Kranz & Moishie Pinter now that Abramoff is in jail?
http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110009978
Just like Yudi Kolko, Cho Seung-hui may have done teshuva and was not an imminent threat.
gerer rebbi planning trip to canada,
shabbos parshas emor he will be at the aguda building in tronto, more details to come.
does anyone know why since the 7-11 f**k fest fiasco that was cancelled a year ago in boro park the rebbi does not want to come to america it seems, and if he does come it is only for a mincha marriv, and he is off to israel, is he afraid of legal action against him especcially after the civil suit that was filed against leizerowitz ?.
http://www.vosizneias.com/2007/04/brooklyn-ny-maimonides-hospital-heart.html
A Brooklyn heart surgeon who got paid $1.2 million while racking up the state's second-worst death rate has been found guilty of medical malpractice in the 2001 death of a 70-year-old patient.
A jury found that Dr. Israel Jacobowitz, the former SUNY Downstate Hospital chief of cardiothoracic surgery and the subject of a 2003 Post investigation, departed from "good and accepted standards of medical practice" when he tried a technique he wasn't credentialed to use, causing the death of patient Evangeline Johnson.
But the March 21 Brooklyn Supreme Court verdict awarded Johnson's family just $56,000 after the judge ruled that jurors could not award damages for pain and suffering though Johnson suffered a brain injury during the surgery and lingered a week before expiring.
The money was granted for funeral expenses and "loss of parental guidance."
"The jury wanted to award pain and suffering, but the judge wouldn't allow it," said lawyer Marvin Fuhrman, who represented the family and who said he'd appeal.
Jacobowitz continues to work a heavy caseload at Maimonides Hospital, which has even touted him in recent newspaper ads.
He did not return a message seeking comment. [NYPost]
Maimonides Hospital Touts on their web site Dr Jacobowitz As a Top Doctor.
Jacobowitz is nothing more than a butcher with the worst bedside manners. A number of years after my father in laws death one of the doctors who was present while Jacobowitz operated on my shver admitted that he did experimental surgery to ty out a new procedure that unfortunately went bad.Everyone present was scared of the man and never came forward to admit what he had done. the doctor who told us wanted the truth to be known but told us he would deny anything in court lest Jacobowitz would ruin his career forever
Maimonides also is home to Ahmed Rashed, M.D., who has the makings of the next Dr. Mengele. As detailed on my own blog of 4 March 2007, and on Debbie Schlussel's blog of 2 March 2007, and on courttv.com/people/2007/0302/hand_ap.html, Rashed severed the hand from a cadaver and gave the hand to a strip dancer.
At April 11, 2007 12:24 PM , Anonymous said...
As a worker at Maimonides, I have to tell you, Dr Jacobavitz should be thrown out together with Pam Brier, the President of Maimo. They both are bad news to this hospital. Dr J is as arrogant as they come. Pam Brier is a jew-hater. She comes across as the most lovable person and as soon as she turns her back, you can see her true colors.
At April 12, 2007 12:58 PM , camp driver said...
By the way....This Dr. Jacobowitz was honored by Yeshiva Chaim Berlin about five years ago!!
I will never forget how Mr. Abraham Fruchthandler was praising him to no end!!!
At April 21, 2007 9:57 PM , Anonymous said...
1) FACT - Maimonides declined Jacobowitz's request to the procedure there (he didn't ask permission, he tried to do it & was stopped b/c he wasn't trained on the equipt.) so he did it at Downstate & killed the patient.
2) FACT - Maimo is controlled by anti-semites who kiss up to Arabs & discriminate against Jews in hiring; the board is a bunch of Jewish Uncle Toms!
The Gerrer chevra davened for years at the Agudah North next to Bobov. I hear Rabbi Barfeld from Aish Hatorah recently opened up a Gerrer shtiebel further south on Bathurst St. Are there any real Gerrers who daven there or did they stay at the Agudah?
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04252007/news/regionalnews/kosher_clash_rabbi_okd_regionalnews_bill_sanderson.htm
April 25, 2007 -- The "rockin' rabbi" is free to speak his mind about a Manhattan steakhouse, a judge said yesterday.
Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Mark Portnow lifted his gag order against Isaac Bitton, a former kosher supervisor at Le Marais in Midtown, who in his youth was the drummer for a chart-topping French rock band.
Bitton, 59, quit his job at Le Marais in March and posted a blog accusing its chef of violating various laws of "kashrut." A kosher-certifying agency found the violations were inadvertent.
The owners of Le Marais plan to drop their lawsuit against Bitton, a restaurant spokesman said.
http://www.amashgiachspeaksout.com/action.htm
Below is a list of all the people involved in this scandal, in the order of (lowest to highest) the OU Hierarchy.
OU
Rabbi Dov Schreier - Rav Hamachshir - schreier@ou.org
Rabbi Yaacov Luban - Supervisor - lubany@ou.org
Rabbi Elefant - Supervisor - elefantm@ou.org
Rabbi Menachem Genack - Executive - genackm@ou.org
Rabbi Tzvi H. Weinreb - Executive - execthw@ou.org
RESTAURANT
"Jose" - Owner - Le Marais - 212 869 0900
Mark Hennessy - Chef - 212 869 0900
BROOKLYN HAS NATION'S BLOGGIEST NEIGHBORHOODS
By HEIDI SINGER
April 25, 2007 -- Brownstone Brooklyn, and especially up-and-coming Clinton Hill, is the busiest blog zone in the country, according to a new study that tracks the most blogged-about neighborhoods.
Steven Johnson, founder of the Web site outside.in, looked at the location and subject matter of more than 100,000 posts involving blogs in more than 3,000 neighborhoods to come up with a top 10 "bloggiest" hot spots during the past six months.
Brooklyn's Clinton Hill, home to two colleges, and bursting with artsy young people, took first place.
Park Slope and other brownstone Brooklyn neighborhoods were almost as bloggy, Johnson said, although the official second place went to Shaw, D.C., followed by downtown L.A.
Another rapidly developing nabe, Harlem, ranked No. 8, after areas of Newton, Mass., Chicago and Portland, Ore. "There are far more active bloggers writing about Harlem than the Upper East Side," Johnson said. "There are a lot of people interested in what's happening to Harlem."
"Brooklyn in general lends itself to blogging because it's a borough of neighborhoods," said Jonathan Butler, 37, founder of the Brownstoner blog, which boasts a readership of 100,000. "Unlike Manhattan, people feel connected and empowered to do something about the changes happening in their neighborhoods."
-----------------------------------
we at the ny post would like to apologise to uoj for the mistake of not mentioning his blog.
uoj.. how can we fix that for you?
Councilman Yassky is the latest political whore on board with the Agudah.
http://www.nysun.com/article/53196
Several religious groups are fighting a health department proposal that for the first time would require permits for some faith-based nursery schools.
Representatives of the Catholic Archdiocese of New York and Agudath Israel of America, among others, voiced their concerns at a public hearing April 19 on the health department's proposed amendments to article 47 of the city's health code, which regulates child care services.
The measures, which officials said were *** designed to improve child safety ***, would require about 500 nursery programs to obtain city permits, meet certain education standards among teachers, and *** conduct criminal background checks on their employees for the first time ***. Currently, religious preschool programs that are attached to elementary schools are exempt from permit requirements, thanks to their longstanding "No Permit Required" status.
Advocates have said the proposals are in line with efforts the past few years to improve safety at child care centers. Opponents have said the changes would place undue financial burden on them and possibly force some of them to close.
"The concept of permitting is offensive to us because the permit process encompasses many things that relate to what actually takes place in the religious classroom," an executive vice president of Agudath Israel, David Zweibel, said. "Who is fit to be a teacher? How many students can there be in the classroom? Things that go to the autonomy of the educational experience, which to us in the religious community is a matter of religious freedom."
Acknowledging the opposition, the health department a day before the public hearing announced an extension of the public comment period through July 30 in an effort to work with the community, officials said. "We are considering all comments very carefully and think important points have been made. This is precisely what the comment period is for," a spokesman for the department, Andrew Tucker, said.
At last week's hearing, City Council Member David Yassky, who represents parts of Brooklyn, joined religious advocates in voicing concern over the proposed changes. "The First Amendment protects religious institutions against overregulation by the government. The Department of Health simply should not be regulating religious education," he said.
http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:0mkoZwiHm3UJ:www.123notary.com/notary-info.asp%3Fid%3D65350%26area%3DKings%2520County%26state%3DNY%26pn%3D10+%22naftali+solomon%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us
Does anyone know how this guy is able to run a notary public business when he has a criminal record? Boro Park molester Jerry Brauner was recently sent back to prison for registering as a notary which is illegal for criminals.
How is it that UOJ never picked up on Swiss media reports that my husband Sruly had monies transferred to an account in my name in Switzerland?
Hey sister Evelynn, Switzerland was probably the best bet. The old havens of Grand Cayman and Isle of Man have been reporting activity to the IRS lately.
Israel Singer is in serious trouble; i have intentionally decided at this point to not continue with my legitimate and accurate attacks. I have absolutely no satisfaction whatsover that he will suffer and is suffering the consequences of his malicious and what appears to be abnormal behavior.
I have no "personal" gripes with Singer. All public officials must be held to an extremely high threshold of ethics...he has failed miserably.
As I said some 18 months ago...the only thing between him and a jail sentence was Edgar Bronfman.
Bronfman has declared war on Singer. I don't believe that God, (or the Agudah) at this point can save him from what's coming!
Why is Eckstein / Yeshiva World giving a plug to Simcha Klor?
http://spider.mc.yu.edu/news/articles/article.cfm?id=101329
Some joker posted this link making fun of Margulies while impersonating Henry Kaufman. The last paragraph in the article mentions that the YU trustees held a dinner meeting at Le Marais. Evidently, they fell for the OU cover up and must have egg on their face now that the lawsuit against the mashgiach was thrown out.
Shucks. UOJ will probably cease using his Mac now.
http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/52272.html
The Securities and Exchange Commission filed civil charges yesterday against two former Apple Inc. officers over their alleged roles in backdating stock options. Former Chief Financial Officer Fred Anderson, 62, has agreed to pay about $3.5 million in fines and penalties to settle, the SEC said. The case against former general counsel Nancy Heinen, 50, will proceed.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article1705551.ece
Israel's anti-sleaze watchdog today recommended that Ehud Olmert, the Prime Minister, face a criminal investigation for corruption in a further blow to his crisis-hit leadership.
Micha Lindenstrauss demanded that police investigate allegations that the Prime Minister illegally used state funds to help advance the interests of his former business partner, Uriel Messer, when he was Minister for Commerce and Industry in 2003.
The state comptroller's recommendation was submitted in a letter to the Attorney-General, Menachem Mazuz, who is responsible for ordering high-level investigations and prosecutions.
According to the letter, Silicat Industries Inc - run by Mr Messer, who was also Mr Olmert's personal lawyer - was given $10million of public money within six months of its application first being considered.
It is alleged that Mr Olmert went out of his way to promote his colleague's application, which included holding a private meeting with its representatives in his office.
"Olmert should not have participated in the meeting or intervened in the discussion because of the conflict of interests he was involved in," Mr Lindenstrauss wrote.
"This conflict of interests stemmed from the fact that between the company's representative, who asked for benefits from the Investment Centre which the minister was in charge of, and Olmert, there had previously been economic ties and there continued to be ties of friendship and a lawyer-client relationship."
The state comptroller is Israel's Parliamentary standards watchdog, whose job it is to check on the legality, efficiency and ethics of public institutions and public figures, and make recommendations if it finds any irregularities.
His recommendations are considered to carry weight within Israeli politics, and analysts believe they could present a further threat to the position of the Israeli leader, who is considered the weakest in history in terms of public popularity.
Mr Olmert, who leads the centrist Kadima party, has an approval level of two per cent among the Jewish State's electorate - the worst in Israeli political history - following what was perceived as a disastrous war in southern Lebanon last summer.
In a matter of days, he is expected to face the results of a commission into the war's conduct, which is expected to be highly critical and had been tipped to bring down both him and Amir Peretz, his Defence Minister.
Nearly 160 Israelis, including 119 soldiers, died in the conflict, while many hundreds of southern Lebanese civilians also died. The Islamist Hezbollah militia, however, were not prevented from firing 4,000 rockets into Israel, and were not destroyed by the end of the conflict.
Mr Olmert, who has had run-ins with Mr Lindenstrauss in the past, issued a strong statement denying any involvement in the case.
"The Prime Minister has lost faith in the state comptroller," his office said in a statement.
I bet that Filipina is an undercover mole for UOJ.
Times of London:
"As the investigation has widened, police have been examining a web of American and Israeli charitable foundations controlled by Hirchson, 66. Some are linked to the March of the Living, an annual event in Poland that he founded in 1987, long before he joined the government.
The March of the Living sees several thousand young Jews and dignitaries from America, Europe and Israel walk a mile from the Auschwitz concentration camp to the Birkenau gas chambers in memory of the estimated 1m Jews killed there by the Germans during the second world war.
Officers are now preparing to ask Hirchson about revelations in Israel’s media that he was caught boarding a plane from Poland in 1997 with $250,000 in cash stuffed into suitcases that he planned to bring into Israel.
A police spokesman confirmed Hirchson “had been questioned on suspicion of charges of aggravated fraudulent gain, theft, fraud, breach of trust and forging documents” by the national financial crimes unit in connection with the Nili allegations. Sarah Amrani, the head of his private office, is also under investigation.
Hirchson, who sports a trimmed grey and white beard and is a close ally of Ehud Olmert, the prime minister, faces further accusations of embezzlement and fraud in several unconnected cases.
Hirchson has been a member of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, since 1981. He is also a member of the Board of the Special Swiss Committee for Needy Holocaust Survivors.
A Filipino nurse who once tended Hirchson’s late wife told police she had seen envelopes filled with cash being delivered to him at home."
I spoke to bitton and he made me hear the "tapes" over the phone. It also proves that this R Keller, who admitted on "tape", and is now denying this, is part of the bigger OU effort to cover this up. This is all the proof that is necessary to believe bittons whole story. He told me he will put up the "tapes" in the near future. He is consulting with lawyers and rabbis, and then will post them. Once he does, the case is sealed.
________________________
Bitton is certainly smart to have TAPED the phone conversations! My type of smarts.
Unless both parties knew they were taped, it could be illegal in New York. Having said that, it is permitted in bais din...and certainly could FORCE Keller to tell the truth in court knowing that bais din would have the authority to punish Keller financially as to the financial damages Bitton incurred in a potential lawsuit against the OU and the restaraunt.
To R' Bitton - be careful how you proceed with the tapes...use them by all means...but check with your attorneys. Slam the heck out of the OU in bais din...teach them the lesson that they deserve!
UOJ
How To Eradicate Abuse In Our Communities -The Jewish Press
By: Elliot B. Pasik
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Amid all the recent bad news about our child sex abuse problem in New York, Baltimore, and elsewhere, permit me to be so bold as to suggest there is a glimmer of good news and hope.
The latest situation in Baltimore is, once again, a textbook example of our communal failure to protect children from predators who have insidiously invaded our yeshivas, synagogues, and even our homes where they tutor children. Earlier this month, Phil Jacobs, executive editor of the Baltimore Jewish Times, reported that a yeshiva principal essentially lived a double-life as a sexual abuser of hundreds of children.
The principal, who died in 1989, was also a synagogue rabbi, guidance counselor, and yeshiva dorm counselor. His victims, some now in their 60s, regularly meet in support groups where they wonder how their lives would have been different had they not been abused.
Three victims went public, identified themselves by name, and spoke to Mr. Jacobs. One victim, now a yoga instructor in Florida, began to explore various Eastern faiths, was briefly married to a non-Jewish woman, and raised his child non-Jewish. ”I am basically anti-Semitic,” he says. ”I like Jews, but I just need to stay away from them.... There’s always been a lot of fear and anger in my life that comes as a result of [the rabbi’s] actions. There’s never a time that passes that I don’t think about him. There’s anger and there’s fear.”
This devastating article has, at long last, inspired a communal Jewish response. The Rabbinical Council of Greater Baltimore issued a public letter the day the article appeared. The rabbis’ letter is a remarkable mea culpa, and I will quote one key passage at length:
The damage that abuse can cause is devastating and potentially life altering; it commonly ruins an individual’s sense of self, their ability to trust others, and their ability to engage in a healthy intimate relationship. Furthermore, there is a growing consensus amongst mental health professionals serving the observant community that many of our “teens-at-risk” issues were generated by incidents of abuse. The risks of suicide, alcohol and drug abuse and other self-destructive behaviors are all increased dramatically by abuse.
As such it is already well established by our own poskim that an abuser is to be considered a rodef (literally, a “pursuer”), effectively poised to destroy innocent lives and, therefore, virtually all means may be used to stop him and bring him to justice. Communities and day schools – with the blessing of Gedolei Yisroel – have encouraged and facilitated the reporting of these crimes to the local authorities, who are most equipped to investigate and prosecute these complex claims.
In the past, many mistakes were made in handling these situations. Abusers were often not recognized for what they were, as it was too difficult to believe that otherwise good people could do such things, nor was it sufficiently appreciated what damage such acts could cause. It was often thought that if the abuser was spoken to or warned, and perhaps moved to a different environment, he would never do these things again. In responding this way many terrible mistakes were made and tragic consequences resulted. We have seen too often the immediate or eventual failure of these “behind-the-scenes agreements” to keep the perpetrators away from others. Naïveté and a lack of understanding of the insidious nature of these perpetrators have allowed the toll of victims to rise. These failures haunt us – but they also motivate us to respond more effectively and wisely in the future.
Could the latest case in Baltimore have been avoided? And the cases in Brooklyn, Lakewood, Chicago, Los Angeles, and other locales where abusers, masquerading as rabbis, teachers, and camp counselors, have been known to prey?
The remarkable answer is yes – through the rule of American law, which is consistent with our own cherished Jewish values of exercising extraordinary efforts to preserve human life. Lo ta’amod al dam ra’echa – Do not stand upon the blood of your brother (Leviticus 19:16). This Torah verse requires that we not close our eyes to a drowning boy or girl but jump in with a life preserver.
Where the masses are affected, there is a principle in halacha that great precautions are taken to preserve health and safety. The Rambam rules that dangerous businesses be placed outside a city. Perhaps we can learn, kal v’chamor, how much more so is this true for protecting children from danger in our schools, synagogues, and homes.
Child protection laws in the U.S. vary from state to state, particularly as they relate to yeshivas and nonpublic schools, but in the main they include the following:
● Corporal punishment and sexual touching are illegal.
● Fingerprinting and criminal background checks are required of all employees.
● Mandatory reporting to government authorities of sex abuse and violent incidents.
● State registries of all school employees found guilty of sex abuse or violence.
I am a lawyer who for the past few years has been advocating that our yeshivas comply with all existing child protection laws and, where needed, that our states enact new laws. Sadly, my efforts have been met with apathy, indifference, negativity and cynicism. I call this the “m’raglim” attitude.
The m’raglim were the spies who returned to Moshe and the Jews with a negative report about the Land of Canaan. The people there are giants, they said, and we are like grasshoppers. With the exception of Yehoshua Bin Nun and Kalev Ben Yefuneh, the spies had given up the fight before it even began, and for this we Jews received great punishment. Rashi calls the spies r’shaim, evil ones. A negative attitude can be the cause of a great downfall.
The legal scene in New York is, quite frankly, not a strong one for nonpublic-school children. Last year, however, it was made a little bit stronger when our State Legislature passed a new law that – for the first time in 70 years – “authorizes” our nonpublic schools to fingerprint and background-check their employees. (A state labor law, in effect since 1937, bars private employers from fingerprinting employees unless another law allows or requires it.)
The key word is “authorizes.” The new law, unlike laws in other states, does not require fingerprinting – that’s something left to the discretion of individual yeshivas and other nonpublic schools.
This year, my new group-in-formation, the New York State Yeshiva Parents Association, is asking for more new laws. In February, we sent letters to selected legislative leaders and Governor Spitzer asking for mandatory fingerprinting so that our schools will no longer employ convicted sex offenders and other dangerous criminals. (The legislative leaders include Assembly Speaker Silver, and, in the Senate, Majority Leader Bruno, Deputy Majority Leader Skelos, and Education Committee Chairman Saland.)
We also asked for a mandatory reporting law. In 25 states – New York is not one of them – all clergy are mandated reporters, required to report evidence of sex abuse or violence to child welfare authorities. In 18 states – and this is remarkable – all persons who reasonably suspect child abuse are mandated reporters. But again, not in New York.
In New York, public school officials are mandated reporters, but not nonpublic school employees. Thus, New York is among the small minority of states whose laws do not require nonpublic, religious schools to report sex abuse to state child welfare authorities.
My February 2007 letter to the State Legislature makes a modest proposal. We are asking for neither an “all person” nor an “all clergy” mandatory reporting law – just one for nonpublic-school employees. In this manner, we hope to create a consensus and avoid an inevitable confrontation with ultra-conservative elements who would object to a broad mandatory reporting law.
Who, after all, could reasonably object to a law that essentially establishes every school, public and nonpublic, in our state as a safe oasis for children? Such a law would be entirely consistent with the ancient common-law doctrine of in loco parentis (Latin for “in place of the parent”). When a school assumes physical custody of a child, it is in loco parentis, and owes the same high duty of care that a parent ordinarily owes a child.
Finally, my letter asks for a nonpublic-school disciplinary system that is comparable to the public school system. All nonpublic schools should be required to have child safety and abuse prevention plans. All nonpublic-school employees should be registered with the State Education Department, and when credible complaints of abuse or violence are filed, disciplinary hearings should be held. Our yeshivas have no such apparatus, and it is thus no surprise that sexual predators have been known to move from one yeshiva to another.
I have asked our major frum organizations – the Rabbinical Council of America, the Orthodox Union, and Agudath Israel – for their support of these latest proposals. So far, there has been silence.
The RCA is holding its annual convention from April 29 through May 1 at the Jewish Heritage Museum in Manhattan. I have submitted a proposed resolution – as I did at the RCA’s 2005 convention for the then-yet to-be-passed background check law – in support of the new laws proposed in my February letter to the Legislature and in this article.
You can make a difference by e-mailing RCA officials your thoughts (see the “Contact Us” section on the RCA website at www.rabbis.org). You can also make a difference by e-mailing New York’s legislative leaders from the websites of the State Assembly and Senate.
Let your voice be heard, so that when God asks Ayeka? – when He asks where you stand in the battle to protect our children’s bodies and souls – you can answer without guilt or self-doubt.
Elliot Pasik is an attorney in private practice in Manhattan. He may be reached at: efpasik@aol.com.
Dear OUJ
I beleive your 15 min of fame has fizzled and placed you on the dung heap of history where you belong.
I have not read your blog in over three months.
you have become most pathetic.
Perhaps it is time Rabbi Solomon gets his cleaning lady to sweep you back under the rug or rock you crawled out from
Dear qbert:
There are several misspellings in your comment.
"OUJ" should be "UOJ".
"beleive" should be "believe".
"min" should be "mins."
"Solomon" should be "Salomon".
There are also these errors:
First sentence: Minutes do not fizzle. This is awkward phrasing. You're probably not aware of this, but it was Andy Warhol who said that in the future, everybody will be famous for 15 minutes. You should probably rewrite: Your fifteen minutes of fame have expired. You now belong on the dung heap of history.
Third sentence: "you" should be "You".
Final sentence: Why bother with the wishy-washy "perhaps". Delete it.
Final sentence: Don't end a sentence in a preposition.
Chareidi men burn the Israeli Flag
while their wives work and get financial assistance from the Gov't.
News Story is here:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1177251163568&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Chutzpah Yazgeh!
Not all chareidim take money from the medina. The Briskers don't as well as some Yerushalmi who don't even register as citizens.
R' Aron Kotler held very strongly that whatever misgivings he had about the Tzionim, no one should publicly demonstrate against them unless they do something particularly egregious. A chassidishe yungerman in Lakewood once joined a Satmar machoah outside the Israeli consulate in Manhattan. When he mouthed off to a TV reporter on camera, the word got back to R' Malkiel who stopped issuing his kollel check.
http://www.religionnews.com/press02/PR042407.html
April 24, 2007 (New York, NY) – Leadership and the Rabbinate is the theme of 2007 Annual Convention of the Rabbinical Assembly, the international fellowship of Conservative and Masorti rabbis, scheduled to take place April 29-May 3, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, MA.
Several hot-button resolutions will also be introduced at the convention. (See below) These include a strongly-worded resolution on the War in Iraq which is openly critical of the Bush Administration, which notes that "the military effort, to date, has failed to yield success in stabilizing the country," and that the "proposed troop surge runs counter to the recommendations of responsible military analysts and the desires of the majority of the American people;" and calls on President Bush to "order a timely draw down in troop levels as soon as safely possible."
Reporters cannot attend the resolution sessions but are invited to be present to hear the outcomes of the votes.
http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/101393.html
Agudath Israel of America, an Orthodox group, responded by calling Iraq "part of this larger battle" to defend the United States and Israel from terrorism. Agudah called for "great deference" to Bush's efforts to stabilize Iraq.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1177514484131&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter
A group of Israeli and US Conservative Rabbis will try to pass a resolution next week at the Annual Convention of the Rabbinical Assembly (RA) in Cambridge, Massachusetts that would force Israel's rabbinic seminary to admit homosexuals.
Rabbi Abraham Skorka, rector of Latin America's Conservative seminary, the Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano in Buenos Aires, Argentina has publicly announced that his institution would not admit homosexuals, claiming that Latin America's strong Catholic influence makes the move unrealistic.
Elliot Pasik
what do you think of Ohel Family Services for Abuse treatment?
I hope UOJ doesn't dig up any dirt about me and the gangsters at United Federation of Teachers. We run a mafia cartel that won't even let yeshiva parents get a $70 break on taxes.
http://www.nysun.com/article/51735
Still, from where we sit, what is stunning is how formidable is the power wielded by the president of the United Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten.
The union and its allies managed to defeat Mr. Spitzer's proposal for a $1000 tax deduction for private school tuition, a deduction that would have meant a measly $70 or $80 in the pockets of parents who don't use the public schools that they pay for in their taxes. A coalition of religious leaders including Edward Cardinal Egan, the rabbis who head the Orthodox Union and the National Council of Young Israel, and the Reverends Floyd Flake and Johnny Ray Youngblood sent a last minute appeal on behalf of "the families of half a million school children," framing their battle as one against "special interests and entrenched powers," in particular, "the public school teachers' lobbyists and the legislators beholden to them." The religious leaders and the private and religious school parents lost this round to the special interests, though Mr. Spitzer, through his spokeswoman, is vowing to press onward. The teachers have every right to advocate in Albany, but the religious leaders and the parents on the waiting lists for charters sure could use some advocates up there as formidable as Ms. Weingarten.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aN2DPRuRs93M&refer=home
Don't look at me. I got away with this because UOJ was busy with Kolko and Margo.
Agudah is schizo.
Supports Bush's Iraq war to protect our freedom here at home (Good move)but will not support legislation to protect our children from sex predators and low-lives!(Bad, very bad).
How sick is this?
Zwiebel, have you no shame?
Open Letter TO:
The Honorable Shelly (I don't go to Cops Funerals)Silver:
NYS Trooper shot and killed in the line duty of yesterday in Margaretville, NY.
When you gonna stop stone-walling and allow passage of the Death Penalty?
You're a disgrace.
This is called UOJ induced insomnia. Rav Heinemann says everything will be all right as long as you keep away from the Baltimore Jewish Times and pop sleeping pills certified by the Star-K.
http://jewishsurvivors.blogspot.com/2007/04/baltimore-time-of-mourning-and-healing.html
Individuals, parents and families are now faced with the fact that there have been several community leaders they trusted who molested children. Many community members are also shocked to learn that many of their friends are survivors of criminal sex offenses.
The community is forced to be aware that many community leaders they loved and trusted helped to cover up these serious crimes. The community is also being forced to deal with the fact that some of the criminals may end up in prison, and could also end up on the national sex offender registry.
Several individuals in the Baltimore Jewish community have told me they are having difficulties sleeping at night or waking up from nightmares. Some are saying they are having difficulties concentrating, having difficulties making decisions, not being able to eat, etc.
http://www.13wmaz.com/news/local_story.aspx?storyid=38056
If a six year old molests another child, is the molester old enough to know it's wrong?
The Margaretville shootout in the Catskills was geferlich. The house burned down and they don't know if the killer was burned alive or somehow escaped.
http://www.wrex.com/News/index.php?ID=17474
Wisconsin sex offenders could be easier to spot on the road.
A measure just passed through the committee level that would make the worst offenders drive with bright green license plates. Its Republican sponsor says that would help kids avoid them.
The bill could hit a couple roadblocks, though. It has to clear the assembly and Democratic Senate, Sand get the green light from Democratic Governor Jim Doyle.
I don't know about Randi Weingarten, but the UFT Vice-President, a black woman named Michelle Bodden is a real mamzeress. She lived in a Queens building with many frum neighbors who say she's an anti-social anti-Semite. Whenever they walked down the hall with their kids, she would run to the management office to get them written up for creating a disturbance. In a managed building that means they can raise your rent more than other tenants when the lease gets renewed.
She finally moved out and a frum family moved in. The new tenants found all kinds of strange things in the apt. For instance, there were 100s of red flower petals all over the apt. The heating / air condition units were full of them.
On her book author website, she states that she is a Voodoo priestess. They saw this and figured out that red petals are used in Voodoo ceremonies. A rov told them they are mechuyav to remove them all which was a huge hassle.
A rov who is pretty liberal told me to stay away from any pesach hotels under the Star-K. When I asked him how the Baltimorons let Heinemann get away with it, he said they just have tremendous faith in him.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.passover06apr06,1,5304226,print.story
This week, about 150 people are relaxing at the Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center in Reisterstown, the third time conference staff have offered a Passover program. There, they are enjoying food prepared under rabbinical supervision and workshops about Judaism in a scrubbed facility with family and friends.
All Kosher consumers should stay away from products bearing the Star-K emblem. The primary concern is regarding the business ethics and poor judgement of the certifying rabbi, Rabbi Heineman of Baltimore.
Galil Chicken > Star-K supervision
Yudel Shain challenged Rabbi Heineman that the Galil shechita method is highly problematic. Rabbi Heineman categorically denied these assertions. Yudel called up Rabbi Avrohom Rubin from Yerushalayim to analyze the Galil method and comment on its Kosher percentage rate. Rabbi Rubin wrote a scathing report about the Galil/Heineman method.
Rabbi Heineman faxed Rabbi Rubin a FORGED, DOCTORED report. Rabbi Rubin told Rabbi Heineman that the report is not the report he wrote, but a forged document. Rabbi Rubin contacted Rabbi Genack (OU) and expressed concern about Rabbi Heineman’s ethical business practices.
Glatthouse Meats > NK supervision
Glatthouse owner was Moish Finkel (the same owner as Shevach Meat). Yudel investigated Glatthouse after the products arrived at the Shoprite Kosher Experience in Lakewood. He told everyone that Mr. Finkel and Glatthouse could not be trusted. Rabbi Lipshutz (NK) and Rabbi Gavriel Finkel a Posek in Lakewood attempted to smear Yudel’s name, as well as vouch for the ethical integrity of Mr. Finkel.
Glatthouse tried to expand into the Baltimore market as well. Based on Yudel’s investigation, Rabbi Heineman refused entry of any Glatthouse product into his store. After hearing Yudel’s report he was so horrified, he called up Ner Yisroel and told them not to allow the product into the Yeshiva, they asked why, and he said Mr. Finkel is not ehrlich and cannot be trusted. Glatthouse closed down, and opened as Shevach under Rabbi Breslauer.
Rabbi Heineman’s nephew is Naphtoli Heineman, president of Rabbi Breslauer’s shul. At no time did Rabbi Heineman attempt to alert his nephew or Rabbi Breslauer that they are giving a hechsher to a fraudulent product. All Kosher observing people should fault Rabbi Heineman. He knew the information, hid the information, and watched thousands of people suffer because of his poor judgment.
His behaviors in regard to the Baltimore abuse scandal again indicate poor judgement, as well as unethical behavior.
The bigger scandal regarding Heinee-man is that all of the Rabbonim involved in Hechsherim have known for many years that Heinne cuts corners on his supervision and that as far as meat is concerned, good chance you're eating Glatt Treif.
But they shveig and look the other way, much the same way that they have shveiged and turned their cheeks to sex predation and molestation of Yiddeshe kinderlich.
It's a Good Old Boys Network, with the attitude of 'you don't step on my turf and I won't step on yours'.
Keep them big bucks rolling in.
Just consider this: Pious Finkel would still be plying his trade and you would still be eating Glatt Treif if not for a fortuitous accidental questioning of the Shevach Store owner.
And from the "Can't Make This Up Department": These fraud Rabbonim HaMachshirim sit on the floor on Tisha B'Av and lament the destruction of our Beis Hamikdash.
It's Classic Jackie Mason:
"Hey Miste, I'm talking to you"!
Can anyone explain how after Leib Pinter sold Jews meat & cheese sandwiches, the yeshivos and Artscroll are still mechabed him?
http://www.aei.org/publications/filter.all,pubID.25870/pub_detail.asp
The Role of a Rabbi
By David Gelernter
The Jew who publicly proclaims his love for ham sandwiches might be a wonderful person; might be a much better man than I. But he is the wrong man to be the rabbi at any kind of synagogue
"Rabbi Lipshutz (NK) and Rabbi Gavriel Finkel a Posek in Lakewood attempted to smear Yudel’s name, as well as vouch for the ethical integrity of Mr. Finkel."
Vos far a scandal. Gavriel Finkel is of course the uncle of the treif trickster and son of the famous Jackie Finkel.
The NK is another joke hashgocho. Woe on the soul of those who eat in their Pesach hotels.
http://www.thejewishstar.com/JewishStar.pdf
This week's Long Island Jewish Star says they made a terrible mistake and mixed up the names of the owners at Bagel Island. Elbaz is not frum and brought the cholov stam. Perez is shomer shabbos. Not the other way around.
http://yudelstake.blogspot.com/2007/04/mezonos-maven-uncovered-finaly.html#4490476152911846642
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Five Towns Vaad closes down Bagel Island for 1 day for Kashrus Violation
From the Jewish Star:
S T A F F R E P O R T
The sign in the window apologized for the inconvenience and said the Bagel Island store on Rockaway Turnpike in Cedarhurst was closed on the Thursday after Pesach due to “a plumbing problem.”
In actuality, the Vaad Hakashrus of the Five Towns and the Rockaways ordered the store to shut down for one dayas a penalty after one of the owners of the store, David Perez, was discovered substitutingcream cheese with an OU-D for the Cholov Yisroel cheese the store is required to use. The Vaad’s rabbinic administrator,
Rabbi Yosef Eisen, confirmed that he personally made the discovery.
A spokesman for the Vaad,Rabbi Dovid Weinberger, said there was no cause for concern about the store’s kashrus. “Whatever needed to be corrected was corrected and the hashgacha continues with out any concern,” he said. Rabbi Weinberger, the rav of Shaaray Tefila in Lawrence, also heads the Rabbinic Liaison Committee of
the Vaad Hakashrus of the Five Towns and the Rockaways.
Rabbi Eisen “was spot checking, and saw something that made him suspicious,” according to Rabbi Weinberger. “He saw a knife” on the seat of Perez’s car “and he found the cartons in the dumpster” outside the store. The cartons had contained three-pound containers of Kosher, but not Cholov Yisroel, cream cheese. “When you take them out of the box they look identical to anything else and you would never know the difference.”
Questioned by Rabbi Eisen, Perez first claimed the cheese came from Ahava Dairy, a Cholov Yisroel producer. “What are you doing with a knife in the car and these cartons in the trash?” Rabbi Eisen asked, according to Rabbi Weinberger. “When he confronted him, he caught him red-handed.”
Another partner in the store, Joe Elbaz, confirmed that Rabbi Eisen immediately ordered the store closed for one day. Elbaz said that he felt that the incident had been handled in a “fair” manner. “It was a situation where we were without cream cheese,” he explained, and the delivery from Mehadrin, the usual supplier,
wasn’t scheduled to take place until the afternoon.
“In a second of thought - the wrong thought — it was a stupid mistake.” He added that no customers were served the non-Cholov Yisroel cream cheese. “I presume that no one was served it,” said Rabbi Weinberger, but “I cannot ascertain that for sure.”
Elbaz confirmed that Perez purchased two cases of cream cheese with an OU-D which were not Cholov Yisroel, despite signage in the store which tells customers that Cholov Yisroel is what they should expect. “It was not an attempt to defraud,” he said, and admitted that he was “upset” with Perez.
The Vaad has seen receipts which, Elbaz said, confirm thatthe store receives regular deliveries of Cholov Yisroel products from Olam and Mehadrin, two major dairy suppliers. Elbaz brought receipts with him to an afternoon meeting at Shaaray Tefila, Rabbi Weinberger said.
Perez, who is not observant, “is no longer permitted to be inside the store,” effective immediately, said Rabbi Weinberger.
Can customers trust Bagel Island in the future? “Honestly, yes,” said Elbaz. “Olam and Mehadrin are my suppliers. Period. What else can I say?”
Rabbi Weinberger confirmed that the Vaad considers Elbaz to be trustworthy. “We are not looking to hurt a man who owns the store and whose partner took him for a ride, who is himself ethical and honest, because of somebody’s stupid mistake and idiocy.” That’s why, Rabbi Weinberger said, the sign in the window referred to a plumbing problem and did not detail the true reason behind the closure.
“I can attest to it that any time something like this happens customers are lost and it takes a very long time to win them back. That’s why we prefer to say that it is closed for some other reason. It absolutely justifies it.
At least one community rabbi chose to discuss this incident with his congregants, and call for stricter standards than the Vaad presently requires. At the Agudas Yisroel of Long Island this past Shabbat, people who were present confirmed that Rabbi Yaakov Reisman reiterated his oft-repeated preference that his own congregants
confine their patronage to kosher establishments with Sabbath- observant owners. For use by members of his shul, Rabbi Reisman updates a list which he prepared long ago of stores which he deems acceptable.
Rabbi Weinberger, the spokesman for the Vaad Hakashrus, was asked to respond. “So close down 70 percent of the kosher stores in the country,” he said. The result, he predicted, would be more Jewish people eating “traif rather than kosher food.” “Most stores are owned by non-Shomer Shabbos proprietors,” he said. “You get a mashgiach temidi and the Shulchan Oruch is fine with it. If the Shulchan Oruch is fine with it, you can’t negate it. “
Yehuda Shain said...
If RaBBI yAAKOV rEISMAN IS CONCERNED ABOUT KASHRUS WHY IS HE STILL GIVING AN ark hASHGOCHA TO pIER 39 & THE TAKEOUT CATERER IN FLATBUSH?
BASED ON HIS PAST PERFORMANCE HE SHOULD CLOSE UP ARK HASHGOCHA.
I still believe sexual predators can do teshuva. What "IS" a sexual predator?
Tze da a mochlokes achronim!
Moreinu R' Lipa halt...es vent zich oif der gavra. Oib der gavra arbit far meer "Is"... es ken nit zine...vile ich hub der Harvard fun der yeshivas.
Moreinu R' Bill Clnton halt,
Es vent zich oif der mastzav....
Ven meer chapz zech in der mitten of oisa hamaisa...dus heist "is".
Moreinu Rav Pinky Scheinberg halt,
Der ganzer zoch is gornisht,
Ven meer gefint a shmeckel in tuches arine...un es blebt durten far a pur yur biz yovel, braing der erva un der tuches tzu meer...es vent zach vee teef der erva iz arine der tuchis.
So we see the issue has very many different svaros...We will take up this matter by the next siyum hashas.
Please UOJ don't call me and pretend to be one of my big gvirim...it's unethical to do that!
Is Rabbi Shain mistaken? I never heard of a Flatbush outfit called Pier 39. Epess ligt in kop that there's a Monsey caterer by that name who uses a hall in the upper Hudson Valley.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/851877.html
Thousands of yeshiva students lose their shirts in LifeWave's crash
By Tal Levy
"I bought the share back when it was first issued, at the beginning of December 2006, when it cost NIS 9, and sold it last week for NIS 90 per share," related H., a religious man who has close ties to the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community. "In four months, NIS 10,000 became NIS 100,000 - a return of 900 percent."
Not everyone, however, has similar stories of high profits. Over the last few days, thousands of married yeshiva students who similarly decided to invest in LifeWave saw their savings disappear at an alarming rate, as the share plummeted 66 percent in just two days, closing last Thursday at NIS 29.38. It lost another 27 percent on Sunday, the next trading day, and closed at NIS 21.41 - a drop of 77 percent in three days of trading.
The share's high reached over NIS 90 after rising 900 percent in four months, and giving LifeWave a company value of over a billion shekels.
Why married yeshiva students in particular? Because this is the public that was largely responsible for the share's dizzying climb, and also suffered the most from its tumble, after the Israel Securities Authority (ISA) decided to put a stop to the circus.
LifeWave's meteoric rise and its 77 percent nosedive in the last three days of trading again raises a question that has been troubling the ISA, among others: Who is responsible for the massive turnover in the company's share? This question has no simple answer, but it is connected to the identities of LifeWave's owners. An examination of bourse records shows that Life Wave's controlling shareholder is R.L.V., a company owned by Reuven Shulman (46.9 percent) and Tager Afikim Investments (25.6 percent), which is owned outright by Yitzhak Kaufman. Shulman, Kaufman and other shareholders come from the ultra-Orthodox sector, where the story essentially begins.
"LifeWave is considered a 'Haredi' share, thanks to the identities of the controlling shareholders, who garnered the trust of the Haredi community," said an ultra-Orthodox source. "This is a close-knit community, and news of the share spread by word of mouth."
Ultra-Orthodox journalist Yossi Elituv claims that what happened with LifeWave is "normal" herd behavior, which is not unique to the Haredi community and was unrelated to the fact that the controlling shareholders are ultra-Orthodox.
"There was not even one notice [about LifeWave] in the Haredi press," said Elituv, who followed the share's performance and the reactions of the ultra-Orthodox community. "In Haredi society, it is accepted practice to appoint a committee of rabbis that advises the community to buy certain products (insurance funds, apartments in a specific project) via newspaper announcements, but in this case, there were no such notices."
Elituv added that most of the young ultra-Orthodox investors did not know who the controlling shareholders were.
"Thousands of people invested what little they had, in the hope of gaining enough to buy an apartment or finance their children's weddings," said one source in the Haredi community. "The main problem is that most of these people lack any experience with the capital market. This ultimately led to a tremendous surge in the share's price and its subsequent crash."
"Everyone dreams about getting rich," explained Elituv, "but this is strongest among poor people like those in the ultra-Orthodox sector. The problem is that when a yeshiva student spends money based on a neighbor's recommendation, he can get hurt twice: first, when the share crashes, and again when he has to repay the money he borrowed to invest. This is a very painful lesson that should be remembered: Anyone who has no money should not invest in the stock market."
The phenomenon of a share attracting great interest and shooting upward is not unique to the ultra-Orthodox community. The capital market has plenty of stories about shares (usually in companies "about to become the next big thing") or popular funds that grew based on rumors. "Word of mouth," however, spreads even faster in the Haredi community.
"The ultra-Orthodox speak with more people than the secular," explained one person. "They pray three times a day at the same or different synagogues and are close with their neighbors, such that rumors spread much faster than in secular society. The blame here lies with those people who were enticed to play with money they did not have and acted without any basic knowledge."
"This was a classic instance of people getting carried away," said Elituv. "Some young people went to their banks and asked to invest money without even knowing how to spell the company's name. Perhaps even worse, the banks frequented by the ultra-Orthodox picked up the rumor and advised people to buy the share. A classic bubble."
Elituv stressed that potential investors must differentiate between a company's performance and the share price's performance. "The company has a product that looks good. The problem is the rapid and disproportional rise in the value of the share. What we saw was people looking for a quick return, and they were the ones who sold out."
Mandel, a 'mental health professional,' told the crowd:
However, when an audience member asked whether sex education could help to strengthen children’s knowledge of inappropriate behaviors and empower them to come forward if someone violated them, Mandel responded that sex education was “not something realistic” in a community that stresses modesty.
He told parents that the overwhelming majority of children who have experienced “unwanted touch” would go on to live happy, healthy lives, while only a “small percentage” of individuals would be permanently harmed by the abuse
Mandel also said that abusers could be treated for their perversions.
“An individual who abuses children and who participates in treatment can lead a successful life and be believed that they would no longer hurt children,” Mandel said.
When asked, in an interview the following day, whether such people could work with children again, Mandel evaded the question.
R' Mendel Feldman is the av beis din in Baltimore. Is that R' Aron's son? What has his role been in cover ups / investigations?
I had nothing to do with that pumper dumper stock. I swear!
"This is a very painful lesson that should be remembered: Anyone who has no money should not invest in the stock market."
Get ready for an Israeli shnorrer to ring your doorbell in the coming months.
EVERY SINGLE RABBI....WHO LOOKED LIKE A RABBI....SMELLED LIKE A RABBI.....PRETENDED TO BE A RABBI......DRESSED LIKE A RABBI......WAS INVOLVED IN THE MASSIVE COVERUP AND HARBORING OF SEXUAL PREDATORS, NOT GIVING ANY THOUGHT ABOUT THE WELFARE OF YOUR CHILDREN! NOT ONE!
GO LIVE WITH THAT...BALTIMORE COMMUNITY!
Has Bodner also been banned from corporate involvement by the Israeli Securities Authority?
We're reexamining how to deal with him since he started putting everything under his wife's name.
IF SOMEBODY "ACCUSED" A BOOKEEPER OF STEALING $100 FROM THE NIRC PETTY CASH DRAW....WOULD HE/SHE STILL BE ALLOWED IN THE OFFICE???????
SHEFTEL NEUBERGER...I"M TALKIN' TO YOU!
What about if it looks, smells & quacks like a rebbe in YTT? Why haven't they resigned? Klohr lost his rebbeim faster than fat Margo did.
HOW ABOUT YOU MOSHE THE MENTAL MIDGET HEINEMANN?
YANKEL HOPFER------YOU CONFIRMED EISMANN AS A VERY SICK MAN LAST JULY......WHAT HAVE YOU DONE ABOUT IT????????
"IF SOMEBODY "ACCUSED" A BOOKEEPER OF STEALING $100 FROM THE NIRC PETTY CASH DRAW....WOULD HE/SHE STILL BE ALLOWED IN THE OFFICE???????"
How does Sheftel know Sruly?
I DON'T BUY YOUR CRAP...."WE DIDN'T KNOW" OK.... YOU MAMZEIRIM GOT CAUGHT!!!!!!!
WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE FOOLING???????
IS THERE AN HONEST RABBI IN THE ENTIRE WORLD?????????
UOJ is on a roll.
Don't stop!
YOU ALL BELONG IN PRISON....EVERY ONE OF YOU!!!!!!!
EVERY ONE SHOULD BE FIRED FROM THEIR POASITIONS IMMEDIATELY! FORCE THEIR RESIGNATIONS! THEY ARE FILTHY FRAUDS!
CALL THE POLICE ON HOPFER!!!! HE BELONGS IN PRISON!
THEY ARE CRIMINALS OF THE WORST ORDER!!!!!!!!!!
UOJ - Rabbi Gottlieb has only been in Baltimore for three years; I'd say he's come up to speed pretty quickly!
Shmekelhead, Rabbi Mendel Feldman is not the Rosh B"D in Baltimore. He retired and left a long time ago to Australia to be with his daughter as he's not well. Locate the Verezzano Bridge and drive over it one day, the world does not end at the toll plaza.
UOJ, I respect your work here but I have the following bone: Everyone was waiting for Juravel to drop the Eisgrau name. He didn't. Nor has anyone else. I've also spoken to several people who spent considerable time in that home, no red flags. If you have information other than the ravings of his daughter and shmiki Polen diatribes, please specify them at this time.
Leave Gottleib out of this, he's only been here 4 years.
New York - Executive Vice President Weinreb to Stay at O.U.
New York - The Orthodox Union reversed course and extended the contract of Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, its executive vice president, for two more years.
Weinreb's contract was to expire this summer and a search committee had been established to find a replacement. The committee has since disbanded.
O.U. President Stephen Savitsky said that the change was prompted solely by the need to undertake a strategic planning effort before hiring new leadership.
But sources at the group said a groundswell of support for Weinreb, which began after it became clear that his departure wasn't entirely voluntary, led to the extension until summer 2009.
Weinreb was brought on in 2002 to help the Orthodox Union, the largest Orthodox umbrella group in the United States, recover from allegations of sexual misconduct by a youth group leader. Weinreb, a rabbi and psychotherapist, is widely admired within the organization, but some feel he lacks the business acumen to lead the Orthodox Union, which runs the largest kosher certification business in the world.
Opposition to Weinreb's departure is said to have formed after a January article revealed that he did not want to step down. [JTA]
“We were outraged by the way they dealt with the molestation case,” said Rabbi Abba Cohen, a prominent rabbi living in Baltimore who heads up the Washington office of the ultra-Orthodox Agudath Israel of America.
“The person who is accused is dead,” Cohen added. “We need to ask what good does publishing his name do and what harm does it cause his family.”
boog said...
Open Letter TO:
The Honorable Shelly (I don't go to Cops Funerals)Silver:
NYS Trooper shot and killed in the line duty of yesterday in Margaretville, NY.
When you gonna stop stone-walling and allow passage of the Death Penalty?
Sorry Boog, but they shouldn't have the death penalty just for cop killers. There is something very wrong with giving special protections to those who already have the power to take away our freedom. A large fraction of cops are thugs with badges.
Just now on the radio they announced that 4 Detroit cops were indicted on felony charges including a sergeant who forced two couples in a parked car to entertain him with sex acts, while he held his gone in one hand...
“What are they going to do next? Have a molester of the week feature?” Agudath Israel’s Cohen asked.
What are they going to do next? Have a molester of the week feature? Agudath Israel's Cohen asked.
_________________________________
YOU GOT THAT RIGHT BUBBA!
PIMF
Should have read:
"while he held his gun in one hand..."
auto report;
There are bad apples in every industry and in every profession.
Do we have crooked cops?
Yes.
Point I was trying to make is that Shelly Silver and Joe (Boo-Boo)Bruno run the NYS legislature with an iron-fist and deep six vital legislation that most want passed, one of them being the death penalty not only for offing a cop but other cases as well.
The expectation was that our new Gov. The Honorable Elliot (I'll Roll You Over with a BullDozer) Spitzer would get this and other important legislation passed.
Sad to say that it looks like Mad Elliot got on his Bulldozer at a bad angle and got his Balls sheared off.
Shelly and Boo-Boo are still in the Driver's seat, riding high and mighty.
The OU is confused about safeguards for Sruly at the Claims Conference, so Julie Berman urged them to come on over and discuss our watchdog role.
http://oukosher.org/index.php/articles/single/ou_rabbis_go_to_wall_street_to_explain_why_bulls_are_kosher_bears_are_not/
In the weeks to come, starting Wednesday, May 9, rabbis from the Orthodox Union Kosher Division will visit the headquarters of Credit Suisse, American Express, Ernst & Young, Goldman Sachs and Citigroup
http://oukosher.org/index.php/articles/single/5553/
I think the OU is taking a swipe at my easy going kashrus standards with this article. I even heard that one big mouth over there is calling me the Heine Minny Mouse of kashrus.
http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/newscontent.php3?artid=13962
Bubba only comes up in one article. This one on abortion. Where do you get his comments on Shapiro?
Baltimore Roiled by Abuse Charge Against Late Rabbi
Nathan Guttman -The Forward| Fri. Apr 27, 2007
Baltimore - A series of exposés on sexual abuse at a well-known yeshiva is roiling the Baltimore Jewish community and inflaming the already strained relations between the local Jewish newspaper and the city’s sizable Orthodox population.
Does anyone know the real reason why Steve Savitsky & co wanted Weinreb out of the OU? Is he too frum for them or are they really looking for an MBA / CEO type? Savitsky seems to be a decent guy which is why he didn't push it when he saw Weinreb had supporters.
The expectation was that our new Gov. The Honorable Elliot (I'll Roll You Over with a BullDozer) Spitzer would get this and other important legislation passed.
There is probably nobody in the US who has more ambition than Spitzer. Most of his high profile cases on Wall Street were BS, intended to benefit Elliot Spitzer more than any stockholders.
Another silver spooner telling the little people how to live.
http://www.forward.com/articles/baltimore-roiled-by-abuse-charge-against-late-rabb/
You can't win with these kvetchers. You can't talk about Shapiro because he's dead. Pinny Shitlips at the Yated says you can't talk about Kolko because he's living and it's hamalbin. Avi Shafran says you can't talk about the victims because then the Agudah gets sued. Shea Fishman claims not to remember anything about anything except the weather report. Heinemann says you can't mention the newspapers & Perlow says topics outside Boro Park are off limits and it's verboten anyway because it's on the internet. David Mandel says you can't mention the acts that took place even without any names because they're too salacious. Margulies says there's no need to discuss anything because he has the situation under control. Applegrad says that no one was aware of anything even before Fishman was clubbed in the head by Pasik and suffered amnesia. Dovid Cohen says you must be biased against YTT.
I have my thugs on loan to take care of the little problem in Baltimore. Belsky is also dispatching the Bungalow Putz.
"Jacobs met with Shapiro’s sons and with several Orthodox rabbis. No understanding was reached ... When shopping at the local grocery store, a woman came up to Jacobs and attacked him verbally. He also received an e-mail suggesting that he and his family leave town."
The Jewish Survivor blogger is suggesting that the OU all of a sudden is holding on to Weinreb for appearances now that the Baltimore dreck hit the fan. It says there that while Weinreb was very helpful to battered women, he dropped the ball on child molestation.
Shea Fishman must have advised the OU that the climate isn't quite right.
Abba Cohen really is making a fool out of himself. At least Shafran either won't comment or knows how to spin the story to fool uninformed outsiders.
And Cohen is the guy who's the face of the Agudah in D.C. ? I almost pity the organization.
qsman said...
UOJ, I respect your work here but I have the following bone: Everyone was waiting for Juravel to drop the Eisgrau name. He didn't. Nor has anyone else. I've also spoken to several people who spent considerable time in that home, no red flags. If you have information other than the ravings of his daughter and shmiki Polen diatribes, please specify them at this time.
5:37 PM, April 26, 2007
-----------------------------------
it seems as if you have one big pimple on your shoulders, for which girl would want to bring such an accusation on her father? think about it, the shame to her, to her family! did you lose your brains when they made "metzitza b'peh on you!
Yasher koyach to UOJ for helping apprehend Yosef Adjmi who has been on the run from the law for 40 years.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2007/apr/83811.htm
Fugitive of 40 Years Returned From Cuba To U.S. By Diplomatic Security
Special Agents from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) today escorted the fugitive Joseph Adjmi to the United States from Cuba, where he had been detained by Cuban authorities.
In 1963 Adjmi was sentenced to 10 years in prison for mail fraud. He failed to appear on the court-ordered reporting date to begin serving his prison sentence. Authorities issued a warrant for his arrest in 1965, and he remained a fugitive for over 40 years.
http://cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_115132108.html
"You can run, but you can't hide," DSS agent Ed Moreno told CBS4's Brian Andrews as Adjmi arrived at the airport.
The extradition of Adjmi is a highly unusual event. The US State Department notes Cuba is known for harboring US fugitives. After UOJ put Fidel Castro on notice, the regime in Havana has been much more cooperative.
http://www.miamiherald.com/569/story/88267.html
... the frail and distraught man argued spiritedly with Magistrate Judge Peter Palermo in Miami federal court over who should represent him.
Adjmi pointed to private attorney Richard Moore, who was wearing a yarmulke and sitting in the courtroom.
''I want him,'' Adjmi said.
Instead Palermo appointed public defender Hector Dopico and set arraignment for May 1.
''I refuse,'' Adjmi shot back after arguing with the judge about his need to get out of jail.
''If I can't get out in one or two days, I know I'll have trouble,'' said a shackled and handcuffed Adjmi. ``I am not well. . . . I want to be safe.''
Appearing disoriented, Adjmi kept looking around the courtroom as if expecting to see a familiar face.
Hours earlier, attorney Mordechai Tzivin contacted The Miami Herald from Tel Aviv to say he represented Adjmi. He said Adjmi had spent most of his time hiding in Europe, that he had been in Cuba only two years and that the Cubans deported his client to the United States in violation of a promise to expel him to Israel.
''Unfortunately they didn't keep their word, and he was not expelled to Israel,'' Tzivin said.
Tzivin has represented controversial figures outside Israel or Israeli and Jewish prisoners in other countries who seek to resettle in Israel. One of his most recent clients is a man indicted in Romania who allegedly fled to Syria.
Adjmi, Tzivin said, arrived in Cuba as a visitor two years ago allegedly carrying a false Israeli passport and almost $100,000. About six months later, Tzivin said, Adjmi was detained by Cuban authorities and charged in connection with the passport and carrying the money.
During that time, the Israeli lawyer said, he obtained a travel document for Adjmi, who is Jewish, from Israeli officials and a promise from Cuban officials that his client would be expelled to Israel.
When Adjmi fled Tampa, his attorneys at the time -- Frank Ragano, Jacob Kossman and Alvin Malnik -- were prominent defenders of organized crime figures, such as Jimmy Hoffa and Santo Trafficante. Ragano and Kossman are now dead, and Malnik could not be found.
http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBYAT1301F.html
It was big news in 1963 when the "Crying Adjmis" went on trial in U.S. District Court.
The father and two sons, Miami bric-a-brac merchants known for their weepy sales pitches, were accused of bilking an insurance company by filing claims for cheap goods they claimed were expensive items destroyed in a fire, according to accounts in the Tribune and The Tampa Times.
The father, Leon Adjmi, and his son Joseph were convicted of mail fraud. Then, after they were sentenced to 10 years in prison, the two men vanished.
The insurance company that posted their bail tried to have them declared legally dead. In 1965, the father and son were indicted on a charge of failure to appear in court.
Attorneys said relatives and friends had no idea where the Adjmis were, and all assumed they had died.
Now, 70-year-old Joseph Adjmi has been deported to the United States from Cuba, authorities said.
In 1963, the Adjmis also faced charges of trading with the enemy for importing embroidered goods from "Communist China." Those charges were dismissed.
The Adjmis had a previous conviction of fleecing a 72-year-old Miami widow of more than $1 million.
The father and son were convicted of using the mail to file fraudulent claims totaling $208,000.
Officials had no idea what happened to Leon Adjmi.
I had no choice because UOJ was about to expose me.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/27/us/27mit.html
April 27, 2007
Dean at M.I.T. Resigns, Ending a 28-Year Lie
By TAMAR LEWIN
Marilee Jones, the dean of admissions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ... Yesterday she admitted that she had fabricated her own educational credentials, and resigned after nearly three decades at M.I.T. Officials of the institute said she did not have even an undergraduate degree.
http://jewishsurvivors.blogspot.com/2007/04/looking-for-survivors-of-bob-weisman.html
Phil Jacobs of the Baltimore Times is looking for survivors of an alleged sexual predator by the name of "Big Bob" (AKA: Bob Weisman). Bob had an ice cream truck business in Baltimore, he was also an advisor for Kellam AZA and King AZA (A part of BBYO).
If you or anyone you know was molested by Bob Weisman contact Phil Jacobs immediately. 410-468-2711.
UOJ, why didn't you post the entry about the OU taking over the scandal plagued Mezonos Maven that no hashgocho will touch?
The best thing about the Agudah is the calender they send out every year.
It's one thing if an MBA type has a flair for the culinary and opens an upscale bistro. It's something else entirely to become some shmucky peddler of Good Humor ice cream bars. Offhand, I would suspect that Big Bob was trying to get to kids through their stomachs.
Hey Auto;
Looks like Spitzer gave all New Yorkers Un Louima Grande sin Vaselina.
Big story in this mornings papers on Spitzer setting up a Millionaires Fat Cat Fund to solicit donations for his 2010 Campaign. Big donations get you personal access to the Guv. Shades of sleaze Clinton. Maybe you can get to sleep in his bedroom in the Guv Mansion?
Look for Spitzy to be the "Man of the Year" at next years Agudah Convention". Gertzulin can smell opportunity.
http://blogs.jewishtimes.com/index.php/jewishtimes/philjacobs/
Is This “Orthodox Bashing?”
If another person approaches me and asks me when am I going to write a story about sexual molestation in the Reform and Conservative communities, I think I’m going to scream.
Instead of fixing what is broken, facing up to the transgressions breeding in this current system, there’s always someone else to blame.
For the record, do some research and read what this reporter wrote about a leader in the community several years ago. Oh, by the way, the perp was a member of a Reform temple. I know that doesn’t count now for some.
But here’s my favorite story of life’s hypocrisy.
I chair a once-a-year shul function. I am directed each year by my rabbi to call an individual of his choosing. That individual receives an $800-$1,000 honoraria from the Pearlstone Foundation through the Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore. The scholar-in-residence comes to shul, usually speaks on a Friday night and a Shabbat afternoon.
Years ago when this program was in its infancy I invited a respected yeshiva rabbi to be our speaker.
When he got up to speak, instead of first addressing the issue of the day, he went off on a tangent, attacking me by name and my rabbi by name. Why? Because on the Associated’s Pearlstone brochure publicizing the various scholar-in-residence programs, his name was listed along side a noted lesbian feminist, who was performing at a nearby synagogue.
The rabbi absolutely attacked us, insisting that had known he would be on the same list as the woman, he never would have accepted the gig at our shul.
About a year ago, that rabbi’s career came took an interesting turn when molestation victims outed him as a sexual predator.
The lesbian feminist singer, by the way, never molested anyone.
So please, something is broken in this system. It needs to be turned inside out, dissected and examined.
We are having little difficulty finding more and more victims of sexual molestation. We aren’t looking for them, they are searching for us.
So are we “Orthodox Bashing?”
No, but are we sexual predator bashing?
Stay tuned.
Posted by Phil Jacobs on 03/15/07 at 12:19 PM
http://blogs.jewishtimes.com/index.php/jewishtimes/philjacobs_comments/3626/
Why don’t you consider the cowardice of the sites that many of these allegation originate from? The sites are also anonymous, or run by people who are virtual “nobody"s who have nothing to lose. From what you’ve written you seem to be believing what these anonymous bloggers say about public figures. The alleged predators who are not actually guilty, but part of this Salem Witch trial are no less victims than victims of sexual abuse. Their lives are also a living hell. I heard (or read, not sure) Rabbi Mark Dratch made a point that victims will often have a bone to pick with public individuals, like Rabbinic leadership. Doesn’t that put any of their supposed allegations against Rabbis under severe question? Ever wonder why the bulk of these allegations are against Rabbis? Does it make sense that Rabbinic Ordination and leadership leads a person to abuse others?
Posted by Steve on 04/12/07 at 02:49 PM
Anybody going to this years Agudah Convention?
Sol ("The Schnozz") Werdiger and Dr. Doody are the Chairmen.
Awardees are benign. No apparent Red Flags.
Reb 'Novo' will Keynote speak on issues only affecting Buru Pahk.
http://blogs.jewishtimes.com/index.php/jewishtimes/philjacobs/
Finally, there was a piece to the February 23 article that was omitted, to not distract the readers from the sexual abuse theme. It was a portion of the story covering a common factor of many sexual abuse victims, substance abusers and people in recovery. Of several people interviewed, all told a story of how a rebbe slapped or punched them or a son while in yeshiva.
One mother told of how her son, an ADHD child, had a piece of duct tape placed over his mouth and ripped off.
Another told of how her child was told to pick up garbage in the classroom while the other students learned. His offense, he couldn’t sit still.
Yet another told of coming home from school some days with black and blue marks all over his body. This was from his “teacher.” And that victim is having nothing of religious Judaism anymore.
The excuse: “oh, that’s the old European style of teaching.”
Beating, humiliation, that’s the style?
Maybe we should ask more of our sexual molestation survivors, more of our friends in substance abuse recover if they were hit by their rabbis in yeshiva?
Or is that a question that will once again result in well-thought, “courageous” anonymity on the blogosphere or the weak voicemails left at two in the morning.
Come on community, be stronger. Be Jewish. Face this issue. Admit that we have survivors of sexual abuse. Let’s find them and help them begin a journey of true healing.
But never forget – it’s about the victim now.
Predators, you’ve had your demented way.
It’s over. We will find you out. And your relatives who share a similar last name won’t be happy with us, with me. But it’s the predators you should be angry about, whether they molested, humiliated, hit or abused in some other way.
Enough.
Posted by Phil Jacobs on 03/06/07 at 05:38 PM
There are so many who wish to offer counsel from their “expert” perches inside the organizational cage of societal structure.
We don’t hear enough, however from the real experts in the field of sexual abuse…the victims, the survivors.
We don’t hear enough, because so many are so afraid to be stigmatized. So many are so afraid of the results of their courage.
And this is a huge, huge mistake.
Sexual molestation, abuse whatever we call it is like the smoke from a fire. Even though the flames are long ago doused, the stench of the smoke still lingers on in the place of the fire. That’s what abuse does. It haunts its victims. It is there when they make their decisions about friendships, about jobs, about education, about child rearing, about religion.
Posted by Phil Jacobs on 02/19/07 at 03:11 PM
UOJ just has to inspire a few more brave souls out there like Phil Jacobs and the corrupt establishment is finito.
LVF,
I guess you've never heard of family feuds, they're not limited to Vishnitz and Satmar y'know. Check your local court dockets, there are children suing their parents for a lot worse. Listen to Dr. Laura Schlesinger sometimes too.
I cited my independent sources. You cited your knowledge of bris mila and re-iterating Polen.
Good shabbos.
qsman
Over the years I've had numerous encounters with journalists when I've been interviewed for community activism and business enterprises. I also happen to be a credentialled automotive journalist, so I've spent a fair amount of time around reporters.
I have met few journalists who are as responsible and caring as Phil Jacobs.
LVF is rite! Y would a teen bring upon themselves so much shame? qsman's proof from Vishnits Satmar or more relevant the rumblings in ger is irrelevant and is very unlike the point lvk made. Those dynasties wrap and market the often times violent family feuds as some holy business where those involved in inheriting billion dollar cult empires claim that they are in effect selfless moral leaders who only have the general publics interests in mind.
And one day they will convince us that they like pharoh never urinate and defecate (and we would buy into it). Then a leader like Moses (perhaps rabbis blau or shechter - disclaimer, I am a litvak in lakewood kollel still waiting for our leaders to step in and show some balls), who gave everything of himself for the general good even denying himself the worldly pleasures of marital relations or leaving his children to inherit his position, will catch these holy asses defecating predawn at the east river.
VICKI POLEN is great news for orthodoxy, christian or jewish whether qsman likes it or not
Ever wonder why the bulk of these allegations are against Rabbis?
Ummmm, Steven, ever wonder why the bulk of the allegations of molestation in the Roman Catholic Church are against priests?
The vast majority of yeshiva teachers are rabbis (whether they have s'micha or not - many schools call all their 'rebbeim' "rabbis" to promote respect from the students). It stands to reason that the bulk of allegations of teacher molestation in yeshivas would be directed at rabbis.
Ronnie, don't confuse Steven I Weiss with the facts.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/06/AR2007040601189.html
"defecating predawn at the east river."
What about Asher Yatzar gedolim who don't leave Boro Park / Flatbush? Maybe that's why they're building a new kaylim mikve at the back of The Buzz.
http://www.thebuzzelectronics.com/
I was wondering why Margo & the Novominsker were snooping around my store. It's not like they were interested in buying a Braun shaver.
I spoke last night to a choshuve talmid chochom who is close to Rav Salomon. I told him all about the circus with Heinemann and the Baltimore Vaad. He knew nothing about it. I told him that the Agudah is making a shoyteh out of the mashgiach by sending him up to the podium with a baloney story that everyone knows is falsh - except for the mashgiach who hasn't lived here most of his life. The rov agreed with R' Yosef Blau's assessment that suffocating a chilul Hashem only leads to bigger chilul Hashem. I am machshiv Rav Blau very highly, but come on rabboysay, do we have to turn to YU to find someone using his sechel?
Avi Shafran, I know you read this page. I also know that moshiach vet kummen before you admit to a mistake. You'd better implore the Moetzess & pull at Zweibel's sleeve at the next closed door meeting to stop stonewalling background checks and other safeguards. I believe it's too late to salvage the Agudah's credibility, but you also have a cheshbon klapei Shmaya.
http://exposemolesters.blogspot.com/2007/04/now-dead-rabbi-ephraim-shapiro-and-his.html#c3246041854112419580
Rabbi Eliezer Eisgrau, the principal of the Torah Institute, is one such individual. Rabbi Eisgrau has, on at least two known occasions, been accused of child sexual molestation and on at least one occasion of physical abuse. (He allegedly hit a child in the face and broke his glasses.) One of the accusations of sexual abuse was made by a former student, and the other by one of rabbi Eisgrau's own daughters. (Both of his alleged victims are now adults.)
The charges brought against Rabbi Eisgrau by his student were formally investigated and later dropped because of insufficient evidence. In the words of the investigator, Detective Richard Hardick, he was "stonewalled" by the community. Concerned and aware members of our community (including myself) who have tried to speak out about the potential danger to our children have been threatened with loss of their job, membership to shul, and even personal safety.
My good friend Leib Pinter warned me it's just a matter of time before UOJ wakes up to this:
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4921
Charity Navigator shows us how much money ArtScroll-Mesorah's top two rabbis made in 2004. Please sit down before reading this:
Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz $63,600
$380,794
$444, 394
Rabbi Nosson Scherman $159,000
$132,273
$291,273
The first column is money paid by the Mesorah Heritage Foundation, the second is money paid by ArtScroll and other affiliated companies. The third column is the total amount paid to each.
The Mesorah Heritage Foundation has quite a bankroll, as well – it has net assets of $6,181,266.
http://jewishsurvivors.blogspot.com/2007/04/is-rabbi-aron-boruch-tendler-moving-to.html
A Los Angeles molester is reportedly moving to town.
Hey outraged musmach;
What's wrong with YU?
In the meantime it has a Rosh Kollel that has spoken up against the global falafel-rei that is going on with these sex predators, even though he lives in Washington Heights.
Can the Novo rebbe (ONLY Buru Pahk)
say the same?
Nope.
http://chaptzem.blogspot.com/2007/04/fairmont-funding-loses-bank-status.html#comments
Fairmont Funding loses bank status - Exclusive inside information
Over the past few days rumors have been circulating that Fairmont Funding has declared bankruptcy and has closed for business. There has been a large amount of hysteria and turmoil about this with news spreading about people losing their job. According to a Fairmont Funding employee, Fairmont Funding has not declared bankruptcy and is not closing down at this time. According to the inside source, Fairmont Funding has currently lost their bank status and can no longer close loans as a bank. They are however still able to close loans as a broker.
Sources tell me that they've made many layoffs of paid positions.
This is because the banks are cracking down on shady loans because homes were getting foreclosed left and right.
http://chaptzem.blogspot.com/2007/04/mezonos-maven-reopens-with-new-hechsher.html#comments
Sounds like they will cover up anything for money.
http://yudelstake.blogspot.com/2007/04/mezonos-maven-uncovered-finaly.html
Also see this post.
Boog, who is Dr. Doody? And which Werdiger is "the Schnozz" ? The one from Frankel's shul?
I'm going to be mazmin Hisachdus & the OK for being motzee shem ra on Mezonos Maven. If they want a second opinion they can go to Mendel Epstein. And where's the Bungalow Putz when I need him? Blog away!
Yeshivishe Musmach,
Ich nem zich un far der kavod fun Rav Yosef Blau Shlita. (I take umbrage on the comment regarding R' Yosef Blau). I know you said you're machshiv him, then you deliver a below the belt reference to YU.
NOT ONE HAREDI RAV OR RAV LOOK-ALIKE STANDS UP AND SCREAMS TO THE HEAVENS! HE IS A TZADDIK GAMUR...PERHAPS IN HIS ZECHUS ALONE ARE WE ALL ABLE TO PERHAPS BE ZOCHEH TO GET A CHANCE TO FIX THE ILLNESS OF ABUSE AND CORRUPTION THAT HAS TAKEN OVER OUR LIVES!!!!
Anon@2:24
That's a rehash of a Polen post - BUT - the detective issue is important, and I had forgotten that point. I'd like to find out if this guy is still in the BPD.
http://www.flatbushlife.com/site/tab4.cfm?newsid=18243738&BRD=2384&PAG=461&dept_id=552850&rfi=6
A handful of Brooklyn-based charities are concerned more about their own bottom line than they are about those who may have hit rock bottom, according to an independent charity evaluating organization.
The group, Charity Navigator, recently released ratings for some 5,000 large charities nationwide.
Thirty-eight Brooklyn charities made the list, which assigns efficiency ratings from four stars, awarded to the most efficient, to zero stars, to those performing far below industry standards.
Four Brooklyn charities received zero stars, including: Heritage for the Blind; National Children’s Leukemia Foundation; Yad L’Achim Peyle Israel; and Zichron Shlome Refuah Fund.… [I'm told all but the National Children's Lukemia Foundation are haredi organizations.]
The stated goal of Zichron Shlome Refuah Fund, located at 1319 51st Street, is to help children and adults stricken with cancer.
According to Charity Navigator, which uses publicly available information to make its determinations, Zichron Shlome had a total revenue of $976,600 in fiscal year ending December 2005. Meanwhile, it spent $338,667 on program services, and nearly equal that on its own administrative expenses, $311,979. The group’s fundraising expenses totaled $359,003.
That same year, Heritage for the Blind, 2071 Flatbush Avenue, had a total revenue of $2,400,386 and spent $495,133 on program expenses, close to $1 million on administrative costs and $1.8 million on fundraising, according to Charity Navigator.
“Heritage for the Blind spent 15 percent of its budget on its programs. Most [charities] spend 75 percent or more,” Miniutti noted.
Of its $1,506,879 in total revenue for the fiscal year ending March 2006, the National Children’s Leukemia Foundation, 7316 Avenue U, spent $153,166 on program expenses, $153,320 on administration, and close to $1.2 million on fundraising, according to the website.
Yad L’Achim Peyle Israel, 172 1/2 Lee Avenue, whose mission is to promote Orthodox Jewish observances, listed a total revenue of $985,181 for the fiscal year ending October 2005. Of that, it used $539,243 on programs, $126,764 on expenses and $271,846 on fundraising.
At press time, calls to all four zero star charities were not returned.…
Just six Brooklyn charities received four stars. Those charities included: American Friends of Yad Eliezer; Ezer Mizion...
http://www.jewishpress.com/page.do/21389/'Things_Once_Taken_For_Granted_Are_Now_Considered_Unacceptable'.html
…Rabbi Weinberg [author of the Seridei Eish] wrote, “For the members of Agudah, every unimportant rabbi who joins them is considered a great gaon.” Can you elaborate?
Rabbi Weinberg wrote in his private letters that politics in Agudah circles is what makes you a gadol; it’s not how much Torah you have. They determine that Rav Soloveitchik is not a gadol because he’s not in their circle. Rav Elyashiv was never considered a gadol when he was with the [Israeli government] rabbanut.…
Kugel Fresser;
Raise up thine Procine Partzuf from thine plate, inhale the sweet aromatic fragrant air of Spring, and cast thine eyes upon this weeks Gazette for an Announce of this year's Agudah Dinner Co-Chairmen.
Shabbat Shalom.
Marc Shapiro may be an academic frum Jew & Chair of Jewish studies, but he's a little peon as far as I'm concerned. Who gave him permission to say over from the Sridei Aish, a gadol from a previous generation?
Heritage for the Blind is David Toiv who's shul is on Scheinerman's block. That's where Zilber, that guy who was nailed by Spitzer for 300 grand davens, along with nephew Country Yossi Toiv and a bunch of lowlives.
What I'd like to know is how / if these charity dreck-tors are really disguising money in their pockets as "expenses", besides the huge official largesse that they take home from your donations.
http://cbs2chicago.com/seenon/local_story_353214505.html
Did someone ask about shady tzedoka organizations? I am a convicted felon who is the Chicago representative for a front of Lakewood's Oorah. Or at least until special agents came in to shut down the scam.
http://www.forward.com/articles/push-to-repeal-cold-war-measure-splits-chabad/
The Forward's Nathaniel Popper has an important story in this week's issue – a new split in the Chabad movement between Chabad's "chief rabbi" of Russia Berel Lazar and the American-led movement. Lazar wants the Jackson-Vanik amendment repealed. Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin and Chabad representatives in America do not. Lazar got Congressman Tom Lantos to work for Jackson-Vanik's repeal, infuriating Krinsky, Cunin and Chabad of America. Krinsky went to Washington last week to lobby Lantos, urging him to work to keep, not annul, Jackson-Vanick.
Why? Chabad of America wants the Chabad library – held illegally by the Kremlin since the end of WW2 – released before repeal. Lazar wants to do a favor for Russia's authoritarian leader, Vladimir Putin. hoping in return Putin will release the books.
The backstory here is Lazar's poodlekeit. He has served as Putin's lap dog for almost seven years, defending Putin from charges of anti-democratic action and human rights violations as Putin crushed democracy – and Lazar's Jewish and pro-democracy opponents, as well.
Lazar is a street thug elevated to the role of a mafia captain by order of Vladimir Putin, and he serves at Putin's pleasure, not Chabad's.
Whether Jackson-Vanik stays or goes, one thing is clear – Berel Lazar has no place in Jewish leadership of any kind. He should be immediately removed from office.
http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/27/lazar_land_3.jpeg
Leave me & Vladimir alone.
http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/failed_messiahcom/2005/12/oorah_gives_les.html
William, why would you say Oorah is a scam? I still give a gantze 30-odd percent of the donations to where they're supposed to go.
http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/failed_messiahcom/2005/12/lakewoodbased_h.html
What's all this monkey business with Oorah?
I see more shmutz on this blog today than I've seen in ages. I hope the Agudah hacks don't have a heart attack.
http://www.slate.com/id/2165134
Good news for convicted felons. Has someone notified Pinter?
http://www.likelihoodofconfusion.com/?p=946
Here's the latest on the Bobover machlokes.
Another demented idiot reacting to an anti-molester blog.
http://jewishsurvivors.blogspot.com/2007/04/is-rabbi-aron-boruch-tendler-moving-to.html#1922231109357280418
Anonymous said...
This week is parshat Kedoshim, and I want to do my best to live up to the name. I'm not certain how I could be better off having been involved by reading this, much more so for having replied. Perhaps I can help by praying for Hashem to help those that speak out again a fellow Jew as well as any possible victims of abuse (…if there really are any). Remember that beyond the grave, *everyone* gets what they deserve. *NOTHING* is overlooked!
the rabbonim are petrified..
this week thursday in ateres chaya there will be an assifa for women regarding the new technoligies of our time, all rabbonim and menahlim of the chadurim have sent home letters about this.
uoj.. keep it up, they are pissing their pants wet,they are on the verge of nervous breakdown.
don't ever quit, for our childrens sake.
A couple months ago I went to the Oorah site and left an email message asking them what percentage of their budget goes to services and how much is used for administration and fundraising.
They did respond via email. Though they didn't give me the information I asked for, they did ask me "are you planning on making a substantial donation?"
http://yudelstake.blogspot.com/2007/04/new-rav-hamachshir-on-block.html
New kashrus fiasco in Monsey.
Gosh. Looks like UOJ will leave no stone unturned.
http://lukeford.net/blog/?p=253
As Luke Ford notes, the Simon Wiesenthal Center has a horrible rating from Charity Navigator. Rabbi Marvin Hier also employs his sons and daughters-in-law in senior positions, allegedly using the maiden names of the daughts-in-law to reduce public scutiny.
Oh crap. First UOJ puts the spotlight on super-ganav Leib Pinter, now allegations come that another Artscroll author has been plagiarizing a Mormon author.
Eva writes:
I write this after looking through a book by Rabbi Dov Brezak titled Chinuch in Turbulent Times. As I was reading through it, I noticed countless stories and analogies that looked very familiar. Then I realized why. Stephen Covey, in his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People brings them down. The Seven Habit of Highly Effective People series is undeniably based on a strong Mormon ethic value system. But Mormons are still probably most similar to Orthodox Jews from a cultural and even religious perspective. They usually have large families. Stephen Covey has nine children. That in itself is an enormous difference in the challenges that will arise from the families. Big families have more in common with other big families- even from different religions- than they do with small families from their own religions.
A lot of Orthodox rabbis won’t cite their Gentile sources.
Reb Yudel posts:
An interesting case here.
It certainly would have been more honorable to simply give Covey a haskamah, wouldn’t it?
But would that work in Brezak’s community? Would his audience buy a secular book? And would they be smart enough to make the analogies from the world of business — I confess that while I remember the principles, I forget the anecdotes — to the world of their shtetl?
Should Rabbi Brezak be paying royalties to Covey? Does Brezak receive royalties or, like Covey, is his primary parnassah the lecture circuit?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042702497.html
Does UOJ have to stick his nose into everything?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042702228.html
The UPI newswire adds that I've been cooperating with the Feds to rat everyone else out. Time will tell if I tell them anything about the Pinter clan that I was bankrolling.
http://www.adn.com/news/politics/story/8838801p-8739449c.html
There are now 11 Abramoff related convictions & counting.
Stay tuned.
Tzvei dinim - Kolko & Scheinberg's nephew.
http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070428/NEWS01/704280362
Eric Hickey, the director of forensic studies at Alliant International University in Fresno, said there is no obvious profile of someone who uses the Internet for child pornography.
"I don't think we can say they're poor or rich because we find them in all walks of life, economically, socially, educationally, religions,"
"A child molester can be sexually aroused by a woman and may be married and have his own kids, but his other preference, his real preference, is children," Hickey said. "He can do both, whereas a pedophile is truly sexually aroused by children only. Their preference is children, socially, emotionally, sexually, physically. If they could have their way, they'd live in a world of children, like Peter Pan."
Those who are sexually connected to child pornography are more likely to offend again and are more difficult to rehabilitate, Hickey said. The computer is just too much of a temptation.
Hickey said that while many people don't realize they leave electronic footprints on their computers, footprints that forensics experts can use to reconstruct information, others know that capture is inevitable.
"And yet they still do it," Hickey said. "It shows how damaged they are and how much damage they do to children. People need to be aware, people need to protect their kids."
I have many ways of making the jail stay more comfortable for Kolko & Margo, but there's one thing I can't control and they'd better prepare themselves. Child molesters are despised by the rest of the inmate population. The lucky ones get off with only beatings & taunts of "Chomo", the prison nickname for a child molester.
As far as OORAH is concerned-
ich meint as dos shmekt like drek.
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