Jewish Scene
Sexual abuse: Report to police or rabbi?
Sammy Hudes
Published: 01.08.11, 14:05
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27 Talkbacks for this article
1. Once again Kaminetsky making a stupid remark
Simon ,   NY   (08.01.11)
Unfortunately, stupid religious people need a rabbi to tell them that someone else raping their own kid is not ok. Once again the Kaminetskys have allowed Judaism to become an enlightened religion of idiots.
2. Wake Up
Simon ,   NY   (08.01.11)
Wake up you Jews to the fact that the rabbis have told you to check in your brains at the door. wake up to the fact that the rabbis don't even trust you as a parent or as a human who's part of society to decide the welfare of a child. Wake up you rabbis as this is an indictment of the lack of leadership you have perpetuated through out Judaism. You have allowed us, and we have allowed you, to make us IDIOTS - who can't make simple decisions about our families. How many cover ups will we tolerate as people before we realize the devastation you the rabbis have brought upon us.
3. report to rabbi & get rabbi's "justice"
(08.01.11)
no thanks!
4. Freaks !!! ,...
split ,   US   (08.01.11)
5. Always immediately report abuse to the police first
Dick Tracy   (08.01.11)
It is important to let the police know immediately so they can gather proper evidence that may be lost if one delays even an hour and prevent attacks upon others. Any delay could result dire consequences for the victim or allow the perpetrator to abuse/harm others which then would be on your own conscious.. . So please, consult your Rabbi if you feel the need to only AFTER you have reported the incident to the police.
6. Child molesting
Helene ,   Merkaz   (08.02.11)
I am SO sick and SO tired with these people....... poor children born to these primitive idiots... and child molesters. I am sure that not even 10% of the rapes taking place among some haredim is being reported not to the police and certainly not to the rabbi.
7. Reoirt the rabbies to the police for covering up
Haim ,   TA   (08.02.11)
8. Never, never, never...
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (08.02.11)
Report sexual abuse to a Rabbi??? Are you serious? Are you dum? How many sexual abuse cases involving Rabbis have been reported by Ynet this year alone? As a successful lawyer, I rest my case...
9. dont call rabbi
larry ,   los angeles   (08.02.11)
As a very orthodox person, I am aware of the tragedies in the orthodox communities. Hiding a sexual pervert only increases his victims. He should be reported to the police IMMEDIATELY. Any one who reports a crime to a rabbi, is causing the victim unnecessary suffering and gives the criminal time to do more. It is great to believe that the rabbis can do everything, but they can't. Until there is an orthodox police and an orthodox jail system, give the criminal to the state and, as it says in Pirchei Avot, "Pray for the welfare of the state, for if it were not for that fear, one person would swallow alive another"
10. Qualifications and authority.
Ehud ,   Jerusalem   (08.02.11)
Who in their right mind would turn to a Rabbi for anything outside religious advice. They have no special qualifications outside religion, and for sure no authority.Take your blinders off folks and welcome in the real world.
11. 8 , a successful lawyer ?
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (08.02.11)
No "successful" lawyer can waste his/her time as you do . A big liar can .
12. no.2 - Well said.
Jew1 ,   Ashdod   (08.02.11)
13. 11Charles Eagles don t hunt flies.
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (08.02.11)
With what are you busy, foreign media Israeli defense Star?
14. misunderstood
Moshe ,   No   (08.02.11)
I think they were trying to say if you have evidence go to the police. If you only suspect, that is you lack any clear evidence consult professionals like a lawyer or social worker and yes even a rabbi. We have the image of some ancient rabbi slumped over a talmud issuing directives that are out of touch with reality. In much of the world the rabbi of a community or congregation is also active in community issues be it licensed marital counseling or a judge in the bet din. Many have degrees in psychology education or counseling and other related professions at least in America where this statement was intended for. Of course if one feels that there is intention to cover up such acts on the part of a rabbi, community leader or institution or they have knowledge or proof of such crimes they should only go straight to the police.
15. Hey Moshe-the police ARE the professionals!
Simon ,   NY   (08.02.11)
16. I understand where these Rabbis are coming from
American Sabrah ,   Israel   (08.02.11)
But I don't agree with their approach. Technically, you are not suppose to turn a Jew over to a non Jewish authority.Since we live in a Jewish state, that halachic ruling does not apply. . On the other hand, we are commanded not to idly stand by while our brethren suffer.In a case of sexual abuse and molestation, the Rabbis have proven that their judgment cannot be trusted since they fail to take the appropriate action in protecting the victim and prosecuting the molester.They mostly tend to defend the deviant who perpetrated this vile act which is no different than harboring a criminal who is wanted on multiple charges of felony.Aiding a crime makes you complicit in a crime. In those circumstances, you may contact the police rather than consulting with a Rabbi first.The safety of the child should take precedent over the Rabbi's honor and respect.
17. Abuse
Wendy ,   Los Angeles USA   (08.02.11)
Report all abuse to the police. There is a "code of silence" in the Orthodox community that needs to come to an end. The Bais Din won't help and you need to go to someone who will.
18. Ora , again THANKS
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (08.02.11)
You , with your knowledge of this tongue , can understand my writings . There , at this foreign site , not all appreciate the truth i'm telling . I can't resist to oppose their lies and distortions . Also thanks for comparing me , the Eagle , to a fly . I appreciate this very much .
19. 18 Charles I am thrilled by..
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (08.02.11)
the civilised way you liquidate their parrots jabbering.
20. r u guyz asleep?
oferdesade ,   israel   (08.02.11)
the catholic church is going bankrupt tnx to abuse cases. the vatican is cancelling relations with ireland coz they're scared the vatican will be blamed for the coverup. no!!! the only way to save those poor rabbis and judaism itself is to simply silence the accusers. burn them, smother them. erase any memory of them or your shul will be the next to close. people were created by god to serve god and his representative on earth - the rabbis, not the other way around. beware: religion before people! (in truth, tho, thank god rabbis are not priests. thank god for the distinction, and thank god nobody listens to ultra orthodox rabbids)
21. Ora , What can i say ?
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (08.02.11)
Only again thanks a lot for your appreciation . You begin to know me now , to know who i am , and how i behave with our "friends" .
22. Go to the police
Tel Aviv ,   Canada   (08.03.11)
In North America if you go to a Rabbi they will cover it up. I was a victim and I know this first hand. This is something that needs to be dealt with outside of the community. Who gives the right to a Rabbi to decide a victims fate, especially when it was another Rabbi guilty of the crime. No Rabbi is going allow his community to be exposed in the real world showing the types of crimes that go on. Call the police always.
23. Police IMMEDIATELY!!!!
Talula ,   Israel   (08.03.11)
Stupid Rabbis - how dare they presume to decide the severity on abuse. STRAIGHT to the police.
24. Evidence
ZICHRON   (08.03.11)
If the evidence is clearly there bash the perpertrator heavily . Even during the doctors strike.
25. 21 Charles What can you do?
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (08.05.11)
I don t trust your defeated "friends" They got mean.I am a bit worried.
26. To Simon #1. Spiritually Advanced.
Maansingh ,   The Netherlands   (08.05.11)
You say :” Once again the Kaminetskys have allowed Judaism to become an enlightened religion of idiots.” Moses the Lawgiver is the Founder of Judaism. This means that Judaism is NOT dependent on the activities of present-day Rabbis or previous Rabbis or future Rabbis. Judaism is based ONLY on the original texts given by Moses the Lawgiver. Present-day Rabbis may be helpful or may not be helpful, but ANYONE can practice Judaism as given by Moses the Lawgiver -- with or without the help of present-day Rabbis. MEANING : Moses the Lawgiver is perfectly able, he is powerful enough to guide those who want to practice Judaism. The practitioner doesn’t need present-day Rabbis. The practitioner needs to be sincere, needs to be serious, needs to be honest while practicing Judaism -- and then (s)he will get help from Moses the Lawgiver. Don’t think that Moses the Lawgiver is dead and gone -- a serious practitioner doesn’t think like that. Those who are not serious, those who are atheists, those who are not spiritually advanced, they think like that -- that Moses the Lawgiver is dead and gone. Sexual abuse of a child (and sexual abuse in general) should be reported to the Police first, and then afterwards to the Rabbi. BTW even sexual abuse committed by a Rabbi should be reported to the Police first, and then afterwards to the Supreme Council of Rabbinic Sages. CONCLUSION So, Simon, Judaism is not a religion of idiots. Judaism is beyond the reach of idiots.
27. Excommunication
Zivron   (12.13.11)
They are not jews any more and after thorough trials are to be put in safe prisons for the criminal sick
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