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Eli Greenwald - Torah Temimah Parent said...
Please allow me to introduce myself to the readership of this blog. My name is Eli Greenwald, and I am a Torah Temimah parent with a keen interest in protecting the well being of my child as well as the health and safety of all of our children.



This comment can be printed as a comment or, if you choose as a lead post.



When the anonymous letters were distributed to a large segment of the Flatbush community, I was naturally very concerned that such a situation could exist at my child's Yeshiva. With my conscience torn between chas v'shalom falsely accusing an innocent man; yet, on the other hand, unable to rest, knowing that the lives of pure, innocent children may have been shattered in the past and could presently still be at risk, I decided that I must use every available resource to verify whether the charges as stated in the anonymous letter were accurate.



Sadly, after speaking to multiple sources, which included people intimately familiar with the Bais Din proceedings some 25 years ago, I was convinced that not only is there credible overwhelming evidence, but that Rabbi Margulies has known about the charges all these years. Though victims came forth to tell their stories of abuse, for reasons known only to G-D, proper and decisive action was not taken against Rabbi Kolko. In fact, steps were taken to besmirch the victims' reputations causing them much pain and devastation. By the way, it is my understanding that Bais Din never issued a P'sak on the matter. In addition, I have personally spoken to many victims. Their stories are very real and painful. Children should never have to live through what these and other victims have been through.



I believe that it is incumbent upon every parent to check into this matter thoroughly using his/her own resources and due diligence. I was able to verify the accuracy of the charges. I am just an individual with no special connections. If I was able to, anyone can and should. We do not have any excuses when it comes to the safety of our children!



Here is my personal story and the price that I have paid for getting involved. Believe me, it is a small price compared to what the victims have gone through and I do not mind for one second what has been done to me. Ultimately, Emes does prevail; if not on this world, then, in the next world. That is what should keep us all going and striving to do the right thing without ulterior motives.



Upon verifying the charges, I called YTT and spoke to Rabbis Applegrad and Margulies. After telling each of them during separate conversations that I found the evidence to be overwhelming, I was told that they would not be taking any action to address the situation. In fact, instead of addressing the strong concerns expressed by a long-time parent and graduate of Yeshiva Torah Temimah, a few hours later I received a Hazmana from Rabbi Kolko taking me to Bais Din (please see attached file) for being Motzei Shem Ra. Flabbergasted to say the least, I assumed that this was an intimidation tactic - something that was used very effectively during the prior Bais Din proceedings. I responded to the Hazmana by agreeing to go to a different Bais Din and have not heard back from the Torah Temimah team since.



I have deep empathy for the innocent members of Rabbi Kolko's family who will suffer as a result of what their dear loved one has wreaked upon them. I empathize with Rabbi Kolko as well and wish that he would seek the help that he so desperately needs. I do not wish to see Rabbi Kolko suffer any embarrassment and do not have any enmity towards him. My only wish is for him to be removed from his current position and that he not is allowed to regain employment around children again. Bearing this in mind, I believe that the comments on this blog should be restricted to mature, well thought out comments that contribute to the public dialogue and purpose of this blog and not childish, boorish remarks that are personal in nature and decrease the blog's effectiveness.



I have known Rabbi Kolko for quite some time and this conflict of interest has made it even more difficult for me to get involved. However, to ignore the reality would be a perversion of justice. The victims should be our ultimate consideration. Too many people at the highest levels in our leading organizations have known about this and chosen to ignore it. Trust me; I have spoken to some of those people. To those on the street who are spreading rumors about my "personal vendetta" against Rabbi Kolko, the truth is there for all that wish to see it. All you need to do is take the blinders off your eyes.



Most outrageous is how YTT handled the entire incident since the allegations were brought to their attention over 20 years ago. Instead of removing this Rebbi from the Yeshiva and giving him the help that he needed, they chose to keep him on staff and pretend that the problem didn't exist. This is truly unforgivable!



I encourage everyone to begin to sign their names to their comments and posts. I address this to UOJ as well. While I certainly understand your strategic reasons for remaining anonymous, I believe that, at some point, you should unmask your cloaks of anonymity. Yes, you have made many controversial statements in the past, many which I disagree with, and you may not want to reveal your identity, but you should do so anyway. The only REAL and EFFECTIVE way for the community to break through the wall of resistance is for concerned and involved members of the community to step forward without fear of being exposed. I am doing this today. Mr. Alster has done the same. Kudos to Attorney Elliot Pasik who has been at the forefront for quite some time. As we continue to remain ANONYMOUS, we encourage and enable those who are taking advantage of us to continue to do so. By remaining anonymous, we are recoiling in fear. This is not the proper solution to the issue.



We must begin to form parent groups for the purpose of educating ourselves and our children about this very important topic. Mr. Pasik has spoken about background checks and an internal registry, etc. These are topics and initiatives that need the grassroots support of the parent community at large. Then, and only then, will the organizations act to implement these important solutions. We need involved parents who are willing to step forward with courage despite the resistance that they are sure to encounter along the way.



Any volunteers?



Please feel free to contact me if you would like to verify the above information.



Eli Greenwald

 

I just have one question to you, Eli. Why dont you go to the appropiate authorities and report him there. The AG's office number is in the phone book. Report him if they dont do anything.

 

call the coast gaurd on him

 

What a funny joke.

 

I am commenting on the article about the Coast Guard. It is ironic that in WWII the C.G was known as the Jewish Man's Navt especially on the East Coast. Please comment on the posted article, like it says in Pirkei Avoth. "Answer on the issue", but to Lubavitch the only 3 issues are the Rebbe Tz'l, Moshiach and Lubavitch. There is a Jewish world beyong Crown Heights and Chassidim and Jews who are not Lubavitch

 

How does Lubavitch get in here?

 

Eli, I consider you brave enough to stand up for what many feel is a violation of our trust and well being of our children, however I feel- this will come to a peaceful end. I personally know of 6 famalies that have threatened to yank their kids from upcomming grade if Kolko is still there. This will end, unfourtunatly we all suffer.

 

I could not help but laugh at Anon 4, who quotes Pirkei Avos saying to comment on the post and not on other issues. S/He then goes on a tangent attacking (?) Lubavitch!
Quite funny actually!

 

put him in jail so he can get buttraped

 

rabbi yidi kolko
is a mench,
i have know him for 20+ years. I feel so bad for him that his life is being destroyed like this. he is a mench to the definition of the word. i like other are looking forward to our children being educated by him. i can not imagine that he would do any of the things mentioned.. he has always been a great caring rebbe, and a caring member of our community.

 

I dont understand why and how parents would leave their children in that school/area with the POSSIBILITY of this taking place?? Why have one teeny tiny iota of POSSIBILITY and NOT take the NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS to PROTECT our loved ones???????

 

It is difficult to remove a child in the middle of the year. Knowing Eli Greenwald, I wouldn't be surprised, if he pulls his son out after the year is over. He back his words up with action.

 

Well let's see if Eli removes his children.

 

I think the problem here is that many people are losing sight of what needs to be accomplished & what is going on here. It is actually very difficult for anyone to establish what exactly transpired between Rabbi K. & the students. Be that as it may, the goal should be to assure that he is not in a classroom with children anymore. The goal is NOT to ruin the life of his family, friends etc. We are frum jews & as such we behave & respond differently. This is not Oprah, Geraldo or Jenny. This fellow ranting & raving like a banana about Rabbi K. & Rabbi Margulies is way off base in my opinion & in my opinion this whole thing will look worse for him than anyone else. You are telling me that at 48 yrs. old with a whole life & family for himself he now decided that he can't go on anymore? That is ludicrous! Look at the venom in the quotes being attributed to this fellow. I don't know him at all but i am still shocked by his behavior. Though i do feel terrible about anything that may have happened to him. We must make sure that no one else ever has to go through that again. Remove him from dealing with children He is 60 yrs. old. We don't have to murder him & everyone around him. Secondly, people all over the world now are getting the impression that these fellows ranting about a bad experience they had in Torah Temimah ARE Torah Temimah. Let it be known that Torah Temimah sre the Marbitzei Torah, Kollel Yungeleit, Askonim & Ehrliche Yidden all over the world. Torah Temimah is the hundreds of people(including myself) who traveled to Lakewood one night to give Hakaros Hatov to an unbelievable mosod & the place that gave us everything to set us up for life! Sure, every place has its problems & some big problems too. There may be a big problem at the Yeshiva now. One that has to be dealt with like a FRUM jew deals with problems. But just know that these people running around with lawyers & the press are not Torah Temimah or spokespeople for the Yeshiva either. They are missing some very important middos. No matter what may have happened. Let's deal with this & get the results that we need. The well being of our precious innocent children. It can be done WITHOUT making the chillul Hashem of the century. Think about it.