Friday, January 12, 2007
Sweeping Jewish sex abuse under the carpet?
Within Jewish circles, much of the focus on sexual predators has centered on the Orthodox community, particularly its more fervently religious precincts, where some contend that clergy sex abuse is more hidden — and possibly more widespread — than elsewhere.
Whether or not those contentions are true, the problem in that community was spotlighted by two recent episodes. They are among several incidents, emanating from across the denominational spectrum, that JTA examined in its investigation of the Jewish community’s response to clergy sex abuse.
The first of two episodes that JTA tracked in the fervently Orthodox, or haredi, community involved a fierce debate over remarks by a haredi rabbi who reportedly suggested that his community sweeps the issue "under the carpet." The second involved the arrest of a haredi rabbi and teacher, who was charged with sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a minor.
On Thanksgiving, at the annual national convention of Agudath Israel of America, a haredi advocacy organization, Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon, a featured speaker, ignited a controversy with his discussion of the haredi response to clergy sex abuse.
Salomon, a dean of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, one of the world’s largest yeshivas, said, according to an Agudath Israel spokesman, that haredim are indeed guilty of "sweeping things under the carpet." What he meant was open to interpretation. Salomon declined comment, but according to the Agudath Israel spokesman, Rabbi Avi Shafran, Salomon meant that rather than ignoring or covering up sexual misconduct, as detractors maintain, haredi officials deal with it discreetly to protect the dignity of the families of perpetrators and victims.
The response to Salomon’s remarks was swift and often heated, with several Website and blog contributors arguing that the rabbi’s comments should be taken literally — that is, haredi officials often look the other way when clergy sex abuse takes place in their midst.
Shafran, who accused the online detractors of making glib and sweeping generalizations without corroborating evidence, termed the comments "abhorrent."
http://www.jstandard.com/articles/2119/1/Sweeping-things-under-the-carpet%3F
Within Jewish circles, much of the focus on sexual predators has centered on the Orthodox community, particularly its more fervently religious precincts, where some contend that clergy sex abuse is more hidden — and possibly more widespread — than elsewhere.
Whether or not those contentions are true, the problem in that community was spotlighted by two recent episodes. They are among several incidents, emanating from across the denominational spectrum, that JTA examined in its investigation of the Jewish community’s response to clergy sex abuse.
The first of two episodes that JTA tracked in the fervently Orthodox, or haredi, community involved a fierce debate over remarks by a haredi rabbi who reportedly suggested that his community sweeps the issue "under the carpet." The second involved the arrest of a haredi rabbi and teacher, who was charged with sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a minor.
On Thanksgiving, at the annual national convention of Agudath Israel of America, a haredi advocacy organization, Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon, a featured speaker, ignited a controversy with his discussion of the haredi response to clergy sex abuse.
Salomon, a dean of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, one of the world’s largest yeshivas, said, according to an Agudath Israel spokesman, that haredim are indeed guilty of "sweeping things under the carpet." What he meant was open to interpretation. Salomon declined comment, but according to the Agudath Israel spokesman, Rabbi Avi Shafran, Salomon meant that rather than ignoring or covering up sexual misconduct, as detractors maintain, haredi officials deal with it discreetly to protect the dignity of the families of perpetrators and victims.
The response to Salomon’s remarks was swift and often heated, with several Website and blog contributors arguing that the rabbi’s comments should be taken literally — that is, haredi officials often look the other way when clergy sex abuse takes place in their midst.
Shafran, who accused the online detractors of making glib and sweeping generalizations without corroborating evidence, termed the comments "abhorrent."
http://www.jstandard.com/articles/2119/1/Sweeping-things-under-the-carpet%3F
Comments:
salamon meant what he said but its the agudah SHAFRAN that is trying to shut him up and misinterpreting his words.
Bottom line Shafran must resign or he will be forced to leave and it will not be a nice sight and will be a tremendous embaressment to agauda.
MR Shafran, do the right thing and resign.
Bottom line Shafran must resign or he will be forced to leave and it will not be a nice sight and will be a tremendous embaressment to agauda.
MR Shafran, do the right thing and resign.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by 
: January 13, 2007 7:13 PM
: January 13, 2007 7:13 PM
This past Shabbos R' Dovid Cohen of Khal Gvul Yaavetz publicly stated that he was the author of the "Open Letter To Rav Matisyahu Salomon" regarding the blogs. Rav Cohen stated that he has all his information from his position as the clergyman for Ohel Children's Home. What is strange to me is that in 1998 Ohel too was written up in the NY Post as having been involved with a major coverup over the rapes of young boys by their male counselors. Shame on you Dovid Cohen. Not too long ago you were written up in the media (NY Times etc.) as the rabbi that gave advice to a woman to bribe Gerald Garson, the convicted matrimonial judge who presided in Kings County. It was that bribery case that brought down Judge Garson. You are no rav, you are a phoney. You are no Cohen either, you are the child of a Gerusha and a Cohen. You are a Challal at best, that is if your really Jewish. Your disgraceful arrogance is not found among true Jews. Your shul building was purchased with laundered funds from a convicted felon (Green)hiding today from the law in Switzerland. The public should be aware of who you really are. Rav Belsky too has stated on numerous occassions that you, Dovid Cohen, are the antecedent of a new tribe of challal meyuchsan as well as the puke of the Jewish community. Once again Shame on you!
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : January 14, 2007 9:44 PM
: January 14, 2007 9:44 PM
Are you not ashamed to refer to yourself as a talmid muvhak of a perverted sick minded individual?
I spit on the face of both Dovid Cohen of Gvul Yavetz and on the face of Yisroel Belsky known as the mamzer ben nidah of Torah Vodas, and I spit again on Belsky just to make sure I did not miss his ugly face.
I spit on the face of both Dovid Cohen of Gvul Yavetz and on the face of Yisroel Belsky known as the mamzer ben nidah of Torah Vodas, and I spit again on Belsky just to make sure I did not miss his ugly face.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : January 21, 2007 3:21 AM
: January 21, 2007 3:21 AM
We r Jews. The non Jewish media says a lot of junk. Don't believe every piece of junk u hear. Nuuuuuu loshon hora. Prove rabbi Cohen is a chalal
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : June 09, 2014 10:59 AM
: June 09, 2014 10:59 AM
Anyone blogging after midnight is generally up to no good!
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Comment Credit ---This article posted by : June 09, 2014 11:00 AM
: June 09, 2014 11:00 AM
