Tzedek-Tzedek

By Guest Writer,  Dr Nachum Klafter,  Cincinnati, OH (Note from David: Many thanks to Dr Klafter for this helpful and detailed article explaining the different approaches of the RCA and Agudah to reporting child abuse to the authorities, and follows my previous article on this topic. Please note that, for Israelis, ALL citizens are mandatory reporters in Israel, ie it is a criminal offense to fail to report a suspicion of child abuse; whereas in some states in the USA solely some professionals are mandatory reporters - for a full listing of mandatory reporters in USA, state by state see:  http://www.childwelfare.gov/ systemwide/laws_policies/ statutes/manda.cfm  ) I have received several requests from clinicians and Rabbis asking me to respond to the last round of articles and posts, by explaining what exactly the differences are for therapists according to the rulings by the R.C.A. and Agudah. The intent of some recent articles has been to defend the position of the Agudah a

                                                                (Illustrative photo) Following the tragic and gruesome murder of 8 year old Leiby Kletzky in Borough Park, New York, the two largest orthodox rabbinical organizations, the Rabbinical Council of American (RCA) and the Agudath Yisrael, have both put out statements (see RCA and Agudah ). The RCA is Modern Orthodox whereas the Agudath Yisrael is Chareidi. Both organizations address the question of what someone should do, if they suspect or know of abuse against children. The RCA's bottom line is: "if one becomes aware of an instance of child abuse or endangerment, one is obligated to refer the matter to the secular authorities immediately,"   and then adds, "As always where the facts are uncertain one should use common sense and consultations with experts, both lay and rabbinic, to determine how and when to report such matters to the authorities." On the related topic of those who are &qu

by Bracha Goetz  republished on Tzedek-Tzedek by kind permission of Bracha and the Jewish Press; I posted this last summer, and the time has come to repost it! Here are signs to protect our children from danger: In 95% of cases, the molester's not a stranger. He's someone you know and respect.    He's disarming. He is drawn to children.    And he's awfully charming. This is a handy little jingle for parents to keep in mind, but even though it's short, my rhyme is not for little children.  In order to adequately prepare our children, however, first we need to be aware of the red flags ourselves.  Then we simply need to schedule an "annual check-up" time to clearly and calmly bring up the subject of personal safety with our children.  What would be a good day each year on the Jewish calendar for us to easily remember to discuss this safety topic with our children?  It's useful to pick a particular day that comes once a year, so we'll be more a

This important statement has been published on the Rabbinical Council of America website on 25th July, 2011. The Rabbinical Council of America has today reaffirmed its position that   those with reasonable suspicion or first hand knowledge of abuse or endangerment have a religious obligation to report that abuse to the secular legal authorities without delay . One of the unique features of Jewish law is that it imposes upon every member of the community an obligation to help others avoid danger. The biblical verse “do not stand by while your neighbor’s blood is shed" is understood by Jewish Law to mandate that one must do all in one’s power to prevent harm to others - even if monetary harm, but certainly physical harm. Consistent with that Torah obligation, if one becomes aware of an instance of child abuse or endangerment, one is obligated to refer the matter to the secular authorities immediately, as the prohibition of mesirah (i.e., referring an allegation against a fe

Guest Writer: Dr Gerald Weinberger,  MD,  Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem       It is rare that a victim of sexual abuse is given a hero’s welcome when seeking help concerning   an abuser.   All too often , rather than being comforted and   recognized   as courageous, the victim is turned a cold shoulder and treated   as if he/she is   the   troublemaker, while the perpetrator, teacher, Rabbi, care-giver or family member, etc…. is protected by the small or larger community. The community response is usually   “ how can a man’s livelihood, reputation and family be defamed and undermined because of an aberrant sexual act” without a clue as to the life damage abuse causes.         Drs. Mandel and Pelcovitz,   and the courageous and   expert group of principled authors, who have contributed to “Breaking the Silence”, shine the light of Jewish Law (Halacha),and     fearless integrity into the dark denial and confusion that cloud this area of life.          Drs. Mandel and Pelcovitz   rem

“It is only a matter of time before a child gets killed”, a member of the Bet Shemesh police force told me recently. He was specifically referring to the spate of reports of systemic violence by rebbeim (teachers) against their pupils. It is still accepted practice, even encouraged, in some religious circles, to “potch” (spank) a child for disciplining purposes. Unfortunately, this can result in behaviour by teachers which breaks all boundaries of ‘reasonable’ corporal disciplining (if you’ll excuse the expression), and becomes downright thuggery. The horrific story today of Leiby Kletzky, aged 9, murdered in Borough Park , NY ., allegedly by Levi Aron, re-affirms the Bet Shemesh policeman’s worries. Of course, know-one yet knows what drove the murderer of Leiby to kill. But, here in Bet Shemesh, we have been served with a sobering warning. No more excuses. No more cover-ups. No more harassment of victims. No more protection of perpetrators. Children must be better protected

I was particularly troubled by an event two nights ago. It was late at night, and I was putting flyers around the scene of an alleged vicious attack upon a child, asking for residents to come forward with information (in conjunction with the police). A man came up to me, waving the flyer…. He challenged me: “Which rabbi told you to put these up?!”. I find this most peculiar.... I would expect someone to say, perhaps “Oh my goodness, a child was attacked right here on my street?! How is the child doing? What is known about the perpetrator? How can we better protect our children? How can I help?”   It is rather like a man who is drowning at sea, along comes a rescue boat, throws him a rope, and the man won’t grab the rope, saying  "which rabbi said you could throw me the rope?” Of course rabbinical politics is interesting and often an important issue in a frum community. But that his first and apparently only interest, on learning that a violent child abuser has been atta

This is a 10 minute information & warning video (from ABC News) about "stranger danger". Please watch it, and then watch it again with your spouse (because there's a serious message for adults too) and with your kids.

The special forum on child abuse at the recent Agudath Israel of America Convention in New York , has sparked a storm of controversy. Bloggers such as UOJ , Failed Messiah , Daas Torah, as well as some mainstream press , have reported the bottom line of the forum to be that, in the case of a suspicion of child abuse, one must ask a rabbi for direction, including whether or not to report this to the non-Jewish authorities. These writers have universally scorned and decried this, as breaking the law (where it conflicts with mandatory reporting) and endangering children (when the rabbi decides not to report, and the alleged offended goes on to harm more children). There is exactly the same issue in Israel ; even here in Ramat Bet Shemesh.     However, I believe it is helpful to divide this minefield topic in two. Is this an appropriate shailat rav? What should the rav respond to such a shaila? Is it an appropriate shailat rav? In many frum circles, a rabbi is a central charac

(Photo for illustrative purposes only) This is a 'reprint' of an article that Rabbi Blau kindly wrote for Tzedek-Tzedek in September 2009. Rabbi Yosef Blau is the mashgiach ruchani at Yeshiva University and its affiliated rabbinical school Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yitzchal Elchanan. Rav Blau has been active in trying help survivors of abuse in the Orthodox community. Rav Blau has kindly agreed to offer his insights on Tzedek-Tzedek into the question of Rabbinical involvement in child abuse cases in the orthodox community. ----------- By Rabbi Yosef Blau  My experience is with the Orthodox community in America but from what I have heard the situation in Israel is similar. As in many other personal areas, Orthodox Jews, when they are informed about abuse, instinctively turn to their rabbis. Unfortunately the rabbis (with the exception of young rabbis recently trained in modern Orthodox rabbinical schools) have no training and are not equipped to evaluate the accusations. When the

A Channel Two investigative report ("360") claims that the dramatic split a year ago in the Emmanuel community,  between mainly balei teshuva (newly orthodox) Sephardim, and the Slonim Chasidic group, and which spread nationwide, was not solely about racism - but also about a child abuse case.

By Asher Lipner PhD Rabbi Yakov Horowitz Rabbi Adlerstien's article written in support of Rabbi Horowitz's call to action for the community to support the victims of child molestation against their alleged perpetrators is a refreshing and welcome change of attitude coming from the Haredi Cross Currents Internet blog. Survivors of abuse and children's advocates look forward to welcoming Rabbi Horowitz and his supporters on March 26th at the courthouse, so we can all come together to fulfill the mitzvah of "Lo Sa'amod Al Dam Reyecha," not standing idly by the blood of your neighbor. However, with success come further challenges.  Now that the community has achieved the accomplishment of getting two prominent Charedi rabbis affiliated with Agudas Yisroel openly supporting advocating for victims to prosecute their abusers, we now have an historic opportunity to make a real push to stop both the abuse of children and the intimidation of victims. Rabbi Yaakov