Episoder
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Akiva Roth, son of Conservative bigwig Joel Roth, was accused in 1996 of sexually abusing a number of boys at one of their homes during a Bar Mitzvah lesson. He later pleaded to a lesser charge and managed to avoid jail time or sex offender registry. According to a report by the Forward, Rabbi Chaim Rogoff, a friend of Akiva's father and rabbi of the East Brunswick Jewish Center where Roth worked, made sure that the community knew as little as possible about Roth's arrest and conviction. The article describes Rogoff threatening a child, who himself alleges that Roth was sexually inappropriate with him, into silence about Roth. No doubt Rogoff expended much effort ensuring the rest of the community followed suit.
Following his departure from EBJC and Solomon Schechter after his conviction, Roth taught at JTS for a number of years, worked at Hillel, and a few other places before securing a job at Yeshiva University. After the Forward published an article about his arrest and conviction, however, he was fired. This led to an uproar in the community which played out in the pages of the Jewish Standard. Roth was initially banned from a number of shuls in Englewood where he was living, but after a letter by the community in the Standard, and a program instituted by Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, Roth was allowed back.
Goldin himself wrote a letter in the Standard, as did Akiva Roth himself, decrying the way the community was treating him. Roth, EBJC, and Rogoff are now defendants in a lawsuit filed by another alleged victim who filed suit in 2021 under the NJ Child Victims Act. What's notable about this case are the lengths to which non-Charedi rabbis went in public to protect Roth and guilt and shame anyone who tried holding him accountable or protect children in the community from him. Just goes to show, no community is immune from this.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
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SHOW NOTES:
https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/12/nyregion/teacher-leaves-yeshiva-amid-abuse-scandal.html
https://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/character-assassination/
https://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/repentance-and-reintegration-a-communitys-response/
https://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/reintegration-and-repentance-a-personal-perspective/ -
in 2021, Judah Karkowsky was accused of sexually abusing a child at the Young Israel of Woodmere, and despite the case being dismissed for procedural reasons, Karkowsky was nonetheless suspended from the shul.
Following the dismissal of that case, Karkowsky, in an effort to regain his position in shul, forged a transcript of the dismissal hearing to make it look like the judge had dismissed the case on merit grounds. He then used that transcript to try and trick the shul into allowing him back in, in addition to filing a notice of claim against his employer, the Woodmere Fire Department, to demand $15M from them for having fired him when he was initially accused. His obvious fraud was caught and following his conviction at a jury trial, he was sentenced to a year in jail.
RCA Executive Vice President, and Kesher Families founder, Rabbi Menachem Penner, and his wife Adeena Penner, wrote letters of support for Karkowsky praising his character and good deeds and pleading for leniency from the judge. They also made themselves available as character witnesses on his behalf, and showed up in support of the Karkowsky family at his sentencing.
In this episode we discuss this scandal, how the Penners responded, and why it's such a problem when rabbis - especially influential public figures like the Penners - engage in such public support of alleged abusers.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
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SHOW NOTES:
https://www.firelawblog.com/2024/06/23/ny-emt-and-commissioner-sentenced/ -
Manglende episoder?
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As pride month comes to a close, we tackle the issue of conversion therapy, sometimes referred to as reparative therapy. Conversion therapy is a phony, bigoted process by which a "therapist" (many of whom are not actually licensed mental health professionals) attempts to "convert" their client from some kind of LGBTQ+ identity to cis/straight. There is absolutely no research that shows that such therapy is effective, let alone possible.
Aside from just being quackery, conversion therapy is often deeply abusive, involving practices that amount to sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, especially when minors are subjected to it. Despite how harmful conversion therapy is, many rabbonim and therapists continue to refer LGBTQ+ community members to these harmful charlatans.
Joining us to discuss the particulars of these abuses and his own experiences with conversion therapy is Shlomo Rozenek. Shlomo is the director of development and communications for NECHAMA, a Jewish natural disaster relief organization. Shlomo grew up Yeshivish in Far Rockaway, Queens, and now lives on the Upper West Side with his husband, Mattan, and dog, Jax. His favorite thing in the world is Shabbos, and he recommends it to everyone!
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakah
Twitter: @zaakahny
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SHOW NOTES:
https://twitter.com/shloze
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferguson_v._JONAH
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/21/nyregion/conversion-therapy-ban.html
https://forward.com/news/421966/gay-conversion-therapist-yeshiva-university-high-school/
https://www.aacap.org/aacap/policy_statements/2018/Conversion_Therapy.aspx -
In our last episode covering the Gender Motivated Violence Act case against Belz and Avigdor Kupferstein, we left off with the allegations about Victor having sexually abused his and Dr. Henny Kupferstein's children. In this episode we finish discussing the complaint against him, including his call to ACS against Dr. Kupferstein for the "crime" of going to a postpartum convalescent home, Belz's role in forcing her back into her marriage with Avigdor despite knowing that he was allegedly raping her, and her disturbing experience with the Brooklyn DA's office and Henna and Asher White in particular.
We are once again joined by Yehudis Fletcher, founder of Nahamu, a UK based research organization focused on the issues of forced and arranged marriage, and sexual and domestic violence. Yehudis leads Nahamu’s analysis of the harms arising from extremism in the Jewish community and shapes our advocacy and policy response.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakah
Twitter: @zaakahny
Instagram: @zaakahig
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SHOW NOTES:
While it is our general practice not to identify plaintiffs when discussing lawsuits, Dr Kupferstein expressly requested that her name be used in this episode.
https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=bL0ME7UsL7tGCFyGWVCMhg==
https://nahamu.org/what-is-nahamu/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/mar/29/brooklyn-da-orthodox-jews-cover-up
https://forward.com/news/470033/for-orthodox-brooklyns-private-police-a-code-of-silence-hides-domestic/
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/11/nyregion/for-ultra-orthodox-in-child-sex-abuse-cases-prosecutor-has-different-rules.html -
In November of 2023, Dr Henny Kupferstein filed a lawsuit against her ex-husband, Avigdor Kupferstein, and Kehillas Belz in Boro Park, for rape, physical, and sexual assault she allegedly experienced in her marriage at the hands of her husband, condoned and encouraged, she alleges, by Dayan Cheskel Akiva Gross. What's unique about this lawsuit is how it describes, in great detail, not only the abuse allegedly experienced by Dr Kupferstein, but also the particulars of the chassidish shidduch system and how it directly contributed to the circumstances of this lawsuit.
We are joined this episode by Yehudis Fletcher, founder of Nahamu, a UK based research organization focused on the issues of forced and arranged marriage, and sexual and domestic violence. Yehudis leads Nahamu’s analysis of the harms arising from extremism in the Jewish community and shapes our advocacy and policy response.Yehudis has a background in project management and development. She is a independant sexual violence adviser, and has been battling violence against women and girls for the past decade. Yehudis began writing as a child and is now a regular contributor to community papers. In 2018, her poem ‘Kinah: from a survivor of child sexual abuse’ won the Simon Rockower award.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakah
Twitter: @zaakahny
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SHOW NOTES:
While it is our general practice not to identify plaintiffs when discussing lawsuits, Dr Kupferstein expressly requested that her name be used in this episode.
https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/in-bad-faith-inside-a-secret-ultra-orthodox-sect-and-the-betrayal-it-tried-to-hide/51960107/#edition=70705824&idiq=62996986
https://nahamu.org/what-is-nahamu/
https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=bL0ME7UsL7tGCFyGWVCMhg== -
Malka Leifer is perhaps the most notorious child sexual abusers in the Jewish world. After abusing three sisters, Nicole Meyer, Elly Sapper, and Dassi Erlich, Malka Leifer fled Australia to Israel to escape justice. While Israel has an extradition treaty with Australia, they also have an accepted policy of protecting Jews from prosecution in other countries. While living as a free woman in Emmanuel, Leifer evaded extradition for nearly a decade by pretending to be mentally incompetent to stand trial. Aided by government officials in the Knesset, including health minister Yaakov Litzman, she was allowed to remain free while her victims spent years, and 74 court hearings trying desperately to have her extradited to face justice.
While Leifer was ultimately extradited and convicted in Australia and sentenced to 15 years in prison, Nicole Meyer was ultimately robbed of the justice she deserved. The jury in the case found that Leifer was guilty on the charges related to the sexual abuse of her sisters, but not guilty on the charges of Nicole's sexual abuse.
In this episode Ariella sits down with Nicole to discuss the case, her feelings about the verdict, her life as a survivor before and after the case, and what she's been up to following the verdict. They also discuss what parenting is like as a survivor.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
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SHOW NOTES:
https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/a-haven-for-paedophiles-the-ultra-orthodox-settlement-where-malka-leifer-hides-20180612-p4zkx4.html
https://www.timesofisrael.com/malka-leifers-accuser-takes-solace-in-collective-win-after-partial-guilty-verdict/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/litzman-gets-minor-fine-no-jail-for-shielding-alleged-pedophile-leifer-from-justice/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/malka-leifer-sentenced-to-15-years-for-sexual-abuse-of-two-students/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/31/malka-leifer-how-a-long-running-child-sexual-abuse-case-tested-australias-relationship-with-israel
https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Faith-Inside-ultra-Orthodox-betrayal-ebook/dp/B0CH33KW8F
https://www.instagram.com/breakingthesilencenow
https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleymeyer -
In this episode Ariella and Sara Rosenberg (of Jewish Survivors United) discuss the history of the infamous Jewish sex-trafficking organization, Zwi Migdal, which operated globally from the mid 1800s to the mid 1900s, trafficking women and girls from eastern European Shtetls to brothels they maintained around the world. Women and girls abducted by these traffickers would be sent around the world, cut off from their families, and forced into prostitution by the men in Zwi Migdal.
This episode discusses the beginnings of Zwi Migdal, the methods they used to get their victims, and the response of the Jewish community to the threat they posed. Over the course of this discussion, parts of the response of the Jewish community today to modern issues of sexual violence may seem similar to the way the community responded then, and in some ways the community then acted more responsibly than the community does today. It's important to know this history so we can recognize and combat the modern threats of sexual violence in our community.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakah
Twitter: @zaakahny
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SHOW NOTES:
https://www.abebooks.com/9780679311638/Bodies-Souls-Tragic-Plight-Three-0679311637/plp
https://www.abebooks.com/9780805238662/Prostitution-Prejudice-Jewish-Fight-Against-0805238662/plp
The following two books were not used in making this episode but are nonetheless excellent resources on this subject:
https://www.amazon.com/Tmeiin-jud%C3%ADos-impuros-Historia-Spanish-ebook/dp/B07CYZMXDD
https://www.abebooks.com/9789500727105/Infierno-Prometido-Promise-Prostituta-Zwi-9500727102/plp -
In this next installment of our series on sleepaway camp and its inherent risks, we are joined by the incredible Stephen Mills, author of Chosen: A Memoir of Stolen Boyhood to discuss his experiences at Camp Ella Fohs. Stephen is a survivor of sexual abuse by the former director of Camp Ella Fohs, Dan Farinella, a social worker. In Chosen Stephen describes in vivid detail the process of how Farinella groomed him, abused him, and the devastating fallout that followed.
Stephen and Ariella discuss the specific risks at Camp Ella Fohs that led to Stephen's abuse, the subsequent coverup by the camp, the decades of trauma caused by the abuse, and the process of finally beginning to heal. They also discuss the nature of trauma in general, how it forms in the body, and what it takes to heal from such a fundamental violation.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
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Twitter: @zaakahny
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SHOW NOTES:
https://stephenmillsauthor.comhttps://ejewishphilanthropy.com/a-survivors-disclosure/
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/26/books/review/chosen-stephen-mills.html
https://bookshop.org/p/books/chosen-a-memoir-of-stolen-boyhood-stephen-mills/18391685?ean=9781250871152 -
In our previous episode we began to discuss the unique conditions at sleepaway camps that make them particular risks to children, In particular the sexualized atmosphere of co-ed Jewish sleepaway camps in the Conservative movement. Between the overemphasis on Jewish continuity through sex, and the isolation imposed on children as part of the experience, we discussed how Eddie Ward was able to abuse so many for so long and get away with it.
This week we are joined by survivor/advocate David Cheifetz to continue our series on sleepaway camp with a deep dive on Camp Dora Golding. David discusses his own experiences at Camp Dora Golding, and we discuss two cases in particular, including the case of Chisdai Ben-Porat, a former CDG counselor who was convicted of sexually abusing children in 2014. We discuss the camp's response in the immediate aftermath, how the parents of the survivors reacted (and what we all can learn from them), and what considerations parents should make when/if selecting a summer camp for their own children.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakah
Twitter: @zaakahny
Instagram: @zaakahig
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SHOW NOTES:
https://www.jta.org/2013/03/28/ny/sharing-the-secret-thats-haunted-my-soul
https://frumfollies.wordpress.com/2013/09/21/text-of-rca-speech-by-david-cheifetz-on-sex-abuse/
https://www.wfmz.com/news/camp-counselor-accused-of-inappropriately-touching-boy/article_4d4700ac-ef91-5186-b033-ba2d12fe8ecd.html
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/2014/02/25/former-camp-counselor-sentenced-in/38646322007/
https://failedmessiah.typepad.com/failed_messiahcom/2013/09/camp-dora-golding-molestation-case-continues-as-camp-backs-alleged-molester-not-his-victims-567.html -
Unfortunately there is no shortage of sexual abuse allegations at sleepaway camps: Camp Agudah, Dora Golding, Sternberg, Oorah Girl Zone, Magen Av, Romimu, and so many more. Whether we like to admit it or not, sleepaway camp often creates an environment where abusers can more easily prey on children and get away with it.
In this episode we do a deep dive on the case against Eddie Ward at Surprise Lake Camp. Established over a century ago by the Conservative movement, and associated with USY, Surprise Lake currently faces three Child Victims Act lawsuits involving children who were allegedly abused at the camp by Eddie Ward while the camp took no actions to stop or prevent it. A significant part of the issue at this camp and many others is the hypersexualization of the camp experience by the organizers of the camp and leaders at USY.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakah
Twitter: @zaakahny
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SHOW NOTES:
https://www.jta.org/2023/03/09/united-states/investigation-into-conservative-movements-youth-programs-identifies-hypersexualized-culture
https://www.timesofisrael.com/more-victims-lawsuits-and-mounting-anger-at-usy-after-toi-report-alleging-abuse/
https://jewishjournal.org/2021/08/26/sharon-rabbi-hundreds-may-have-been-abused-by-usy-adviser/ -
This week we are honored to be joined by Shulim Leifer. Shulim is a community activist on behalf of survivors, who has helped numerous survivors seek justice against their abusers. He joins us this week to discuss the sentencing of former Shomrim head, Yanky Daskal.
In 2017, Daskal was arrested on charges connected to his rape of a 15 year old girl placed in his care. Originally brought up on state charges, the case was soon taken over by the feds when it became known that he transported his survivor over state lines to rape her. The case dragged on for 5 years, eventually culminating in his pleading guilty to one charge of transporting a minor for the purpose of sexual abuse.
In this episode, Shulim and Asher discuss their experience attending Daskal's sentencing, and do a deep dive on what led up to it, a play by play of what happened in court, and what the community's response was to Daskal's plea and sentencing.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakah
Twitter: @zaakahny
Instagram: @zaakahig
TikTok: @zaakahny -
While Shlomo Carlebach was considered by many to be a beloved if unconventional saint for mid to late 20th century Jewery, he had, as was described by Lilith Magazine in 1998, a Shadow Side to him. Many prefer to ignore this part of his life, minimizing it or pretending it never happened, but Shlomo Carlebach sexually abused and harassed an innumerable amount of women over the 30 years he was active.
Accounts of his abuse were only rumor during his life, whispered especially feverishly among the women in his following, but 4 years after his death, the allegations were made publicly and on the record: Shlomo Carlebach was accused of sexually assaulting a number of women, including young teenagers, during the height of his fame. Since the publication of those initial accusations, many, many more women have told their own stories, and a debate has raged over the future of Carlebach's legacy.
In this episode we dive deep on these allegations and discuss how we feel about how the community should respond to them, and what effect it should have on his legacy.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakah
Twitter: @zaakahny
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SHOW NOTES:
https://lilith.org/articles/rabbi-shlomo-carlebachs-shadow-side/
https://lilith.org/2018/01/youve-come-a-long-way-sister-20-years-after-carlebach-allegations-his-daughter-hears-metoo/
https://hareiani.com/2014/12/07/carlebach-cosby-and-separating-art-from-its-artist/
https://hareiani.com/2016/11/20/a-follow-up-on-carlebach-and-the-abuse-he-committed/
https://www.scribd.com/document/671178204/Lilith-Allegations-about-Rabbi-Shlomo-Carlebach-Analyzed
https://www.timesofisrael.com/watch-neshama-carlebach-on-thriving-in-the-shadow-of-her-fathers-mixed-legacy/
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/my-sisters-i-hear-you/ -
Mendy Pellin's interview with registered sex offender, Gershon Selinger, took the internet by a storm. Was it just the thing the community needed to shake it out of its denial? Was it a harmful platforming of a manipulative abuser? Is there anything to be learned from what Gershon said? As with most things, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle.
Asher Lovy, director of ZA'AKAH, is joined by noted anti-abuse advocate, Chaim Levin, director of Magen-Israel, Shana Aaronson, and founder of The Bayar Group, Rahel Bayar to discuss the interview, its impact, pros and cons, and what our takeaways should be.
Please note: The interview was followed by interviews with Dr Michael Salamon and Patty Fitzgerald, two experts in the field, to provide important context and framing to Gershon Selinger interview. If you haven't yet had a chance to watch those follow-up interviews, please do. Links are below in the show notes.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
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SHOW NOTES:
Interview with Gershon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26ZXF3IKdPw
Interview with Dr. Michael Salamon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJckBy2R3D8
Interview with Patty Fitzgerald:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHwpNGBOc-Q
https://crownheights.info/crime/475197/crown-heights-teacher-arrested-charged-with-child-molestation/
https://www.homefacts.com/offender-detail/NY49372/Gershon-Y-Selinger.html -
The Weberman trial ended 10 years ago with a conviction and sentence to over 100 years in prison, but within the Satmar community, Nechemya Weberman is still considered not only innocent, but a sainted martyr. He has had articles published in local Satmar newspaper, the community still fundraises for him, and the Satmar Rebbe himself even visited him last year in Riker's Island.
Recently the husband of the survivor who put Weberman in prison, Boorey Deutsch, went on a tweet storm about the community's attitudes toward Weberman, the lengths to which they've been going to free him and convince people of his innocence, and the pain and suffering they've been inflicting upon his survivors and their families. We discuss Boorey's tweets, and revisit the case through the lens of the modern day crusade within Satmar to clear his name and make the people who put him in prison pay for putting him there.
We also discuss the Yanky Daskal case, and the former Shomrim head's recent guilty plea. Daskal plead guilty to transporting a teenage girl who lived in his home across state lines for sexual purposes. The case has many similarities to the Weberman case, including a community fundraiser which was thankfully thwarted.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakah
Twitter: @zaakahny
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SHOW NOTES:
https://twitter.com/booreydeutsch
https://www.csis.org/blogs/new-perspectives-asia/social-media-misinformation-and-2022-philippine-elections
https://www.jta.org/2023/07/16/ny/former-head-of-jewish-security-patrol-in-brooklyn-pleads-guilty-to-sex-crime-involving-a-teenager
https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/former-head-boro-park-shomrim-society-pleads-guilty-transporting-15-year-old-girl -
In our last episode we covered how Camp Shoresh, Beth Tfiloh, and Suburban Orthodox responded to the allegations of sexual abuse against Rabbi Shmuel Krawatsky. Rabbi Krawatsky was allegedly strongly supported by the leadership at all 3 institutions, including by alleged financial contributions and fundraising toward his legal fees.
In this episode we wrap up our coverage of this case. Obviously this is an ongoing case, and as there's more news we'll revisit it in future episodes. In this episode we cover some of the details we missed in previous episodes, as well as details of how Rabbi Krawatsky's defamation cases were filed and against whom, and we get into the summary judgment ruling issued in favor of Hannah Dreyfus and the Jewish Week.
Banter ends at 4:30.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
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SHOW NOTES:
https://www.jta.org/2018/09/27/ny/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-filed-by-baltimore-rabbi
https://www.jta.org/2018/01/19/ny/update-rabbi-accused-of-sexual-abuse-at-camp-terminated-from-baltimore-day-school
https://www.jta.org/2018/01/17/ny/did-baltimores-orthodox-community-turn-a-blind-eye-to-child-sexual-abuse
https://www.washingtonjewishweek.com/rabbi-fired-from-baltimore-school-after-sex-abuse-allegations/ -
In our last episode we discussed the allegations of sexual abuse against Rabbi Shmuel Krawatsky, a former director at Camp Shoresh in Baltimore. We discussed the three children who came forward with allegations and the particulars of their claims.
This week we get into the Child Protective Services investigations, the appeals of those decisions, and what Shoresh, Beth Tfiloh, and Suburban Orthodox did in response to these allegations, from allegedly telling Krawatsky that they supported him essentially unconditionally, to even allegedly helping him fundraise for his CPS appeals and defamation case against the alleged victims' parents through a nonprofit that was supposed to be providing charity to families in Israel.
Banter ends at 3:14.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
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Twitter: @zaakahny
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SHOW NOTES:
https://www.jta.org/2018/09/27/ny/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-filed-by-baltimore-rabbi
https://www.jta.org/2018/01/19/ny/update-rabbi-accused-of-sexual-abuse-at-camp-terminated-from-baltimore-day-school
https://www.jta.org/2018/01/17/ny/did-baltimores-orthodox-community-turn-a-blind-eye-to-child-sexual-abuse
https://www.washingtonjewishweek.com/rabbi-fired-from-baltimore-school-after-sex-abuse-allegations/ -
We've discussed the Orthodox community in Baltimore many times on this podcast. We've detailed the various ways in which that community is uniquely dangerous to survivors of sexual abuse and children in general. From the numerous coverups that have happened over the years, to the numerous accused and convicted pedophiles who are allowed to attend community shuls, to general attitudes toward sexual abuse, Baltimore is a less than ideal place for child safety.
In this episode we get into one of the most contentious cases the community has faced in recent years: the case against Rabbi Shmuel Krawatsky. Krawatsky was accused by three families of sexually abusing their children in Camp Shoresh, where Krawatsky was a division head. We discuss the allegations themselves, the alleged coverup by the camp director Rabbi David Finkelstein, and the community's response to the allegations.
Banter ends at 4:30
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakah
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SHOW NOTES:
https://www.jta.org/2018/01/17/ny/did-baltimores-orthodox-community-turn-a-blind-eye-to-child-sexual-abuse
https://digitaledition.baltimoresun.com/tribune/article_popover.aspx?guid=38d68a71-5c91-4867-a9b5-b4c2da7528b8
https://www.jewishtimes.com/parents-of-boys-allegedly-abused-by-rabbi-krawatsky-file-countersuit/ -
In our previous episodes about the Child Victims Act case against Yeshiva University for decades of sexual abuse allegedly committed during the 1960s 70s and 80s by Macy Gordon, Richard Andron, George Finkelstein, Elan Adler, Richard Ehrlich, and Marc Gafni, we discussed the history of the case, how the cases evolved over the years, the passage of the Child Victims Act, and the filing of the latest case.
In this episode we complete this series by detailing the mechanics of the coverup of the abuse allegedly committed by George Finkelstein, not only at Yeshiva University, but also at his next job as principal at Scheck Hillel Community School in Miami, as well as his following job at The Great Synagogue in Jerusalem. Over and over this notorious alleged abuser was given positions of respect and authority over children, aided directly by the very administration at YU that had known about his many alleged abuses.
Banter ends at 9:52.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakah
Twitter: @zaakahny
Instagram: @zaakahig
TikTok: @zaakahny
SHOW NOTES:
https://forward.com/news/171993/yeshiva-u-rabbi-george-finkelstein-acted-inappropr/
https://forward.com/opinion/172204/no-limitations-on-pain/
https://forward.com/news/169470/yeshiva-claims-abuse-probe-has-wide-mandate/
https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2013-03-01/ty-article/yeshiva-u-s-rabbi-george-finkelstein-acted-inappropriately-even-after-ouster/0000017f-f581-d044-adff-f7f9474a0000
https://yucommentator.org/2022/01/yu-wins-appeal-challenging-anonymity-of-32-plaintiffs-in-sex-abuse-lawsuit/ -
In our previous episode we covered the case against Richard Andron, the martial arts teacher at YUHS who allegedly molested a number of his students and was covered up for by the administration and his alleged child molester colleague George Finkelstein.
In this episode of Outcry we cover the case against Macy Gordon, described by some as the most sadistic of the child sexual abusers at YUHS during this period, and the sexual abuse he committed against his students, including one alleged incident which took place in front of a class full of children. Macy Gordon died without ever facing any consequences for his alleged abuses. He was allowed to quietly resign from YUHS and relocate to Israel where he was rehired by the Yeshiva University Israel Center. We also discuss the scholarship endowed in his name at Yeshiva University in 2002, and the honors he received at B'nei Yeshurun in Teaneck.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakah
Twitter: @zaakahny
Instagram: @zaakahig
TikTok: @zaakahny
SHOW NOTES:
https://forward.com/opinion/168094/yeshiva-victim-overcomes-shame-to-speak-out/
https://images.shulcloud.com/1268/uploads/Bulletin/2021/5-November.pdf
https://www.yeshiva.co/rabbi/102 -
In our last episode about the child sexual abuse allegations against Yeshiva University, we covered the filing of the 2019 Child Victims Act lawsuit against Yeshiva University outlining allegations against all the named defendants, and the people involved in covering it up.
In this episode we start our series of deep dives into the individual alleged abusers starting with Richard Andron. Andron was a martial arts teacher at Yeshiva University who was friends with George Finkelstein and allegedly sexually abused multiple children during his time there. We follow the course of the allegations against him, his eventual departure from YU, his time in Boca Raton, and eventually his move to Efrat in Israel. Along the way we uncover some surprising connections between Andron's case and a number of other alleged abusers, enablers, and key figures in Modern Orthodox leadership.
Banter ends at 3:32.
To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.org
To get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on our socials to stay informed:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakah
Twitter: @zaakahny
Instagram: @zaakahig
TikTok: @zaakahny
SHOW NOTES:
https://forward.com/news/180727/boca-raton-synagogue-demands-answers-on-accused-yu/
https://blogs.yu.edu/news/paying-tribute-to-a-karate-king-and-torah-legend/ - Vis mere
