A former British lawmaker diagnosed with severe dementia appeared briefly in court Friday after being threatened with arrest if he failed to attend a hearing on charges of sex crimes against children.

Greville Janner came to Westminster Magistrates’ Court after the failure of a last-minute attempt to appear via video link because of his ill health. He wore a soiled green cardigan and said, “Ooh this is wonderful,” as he entered the court.

The appearance will be seen as a victory to those who have campaigned to have him appear — regardless of his infirmities.

It comes at a time when Britain has seen a spate of investigations of historic sex abuse following the 2011 death of entertainer Jimmy Savile, when dozens came forward to say he had abused them. The shocking revelations touched off other investigations, and subsequent revelations have implicated other high-profile figures.

Prosecutors originally said they would not charge the 86-year-old Janner for alleged offenses against boys several decades ago because his Alzheimer’s meant he was not fit to stand trial. After those who claimed he abused them expressed outrage, the decision was reversed.

Janner was a Labour Party lawmaker from 1970-97 and later served in the House of Lords. He is accused of 22 offenses in 1960s, 70s and 80s, mostly in his central England constituency.

His family said he is innocent.

He faces a likely “trial of the facts” which determines whether a defendant committed the alleged offenses, but does not result in a verdict or a sentence. At most, the defendant could be placed under supervision or confined to a hospital.

Janner served as president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews from 1978 to 1984, and was a vice president of the World Jewish Congress until 2009.

The post Ex-leader of UK Jewry briefly in court over child molestation allegations appeared first on Jewish Community Watch.

On Sunday August 9, JCW held an evening of education and awareness surrounding child sexual abuse. This was the 10th such event of the year with each previous event drawing massive crowds (over 3300 people in total). For whatever reason, only a small handful of people showed up for the event in Monticello.

It was obviously discouraging to see this large Shul virtually empty after so much time and effort, but yesterday, we received this amazing poem from one of the people in attendance which put everything into prospective.

Maybe by Hashgacha Pratis (Divine Providence) the crowd had to be small for this brave survivor to have the experience she had…

There was a moment in time,
A place where I felt high.
It was up in the mountains,
On a summer weekend.
It was a miracle waiting to happen,
A blessing straight from heaven.
I’ve waited many years for this,
I hoped that one day my life will be full of bliss.
It could only happen like this:

My life changed forever at the JCW event in Monticello, NY two weeks ago.
We were a small crowd of people in a large synagogue hall.
Meyer spoke first, I cried through it all.
Then the officer got up to speak, after which he opened the floor for questions.

My soul was aflame,
My heart in a rage.
I had something to say.

The Rabbi got up to speak.
Then Mordy.
I was inspired.

The final speaker,
My heart skipped a beat.
He opened the floor for questions,
I leaped on my feet.
I had a voice,
I made a choice.
I broke my silence.

The after effects were:
I felt free,
I felt me.
I felt light,
I no longer carried around a dreadful plight.
I could dream,
My face could gleam.

I returned a lot.
I gave away shame,
I gave away blame.
I gave away hurt,
I gave away a curse.
I let go of anger,
I let go of rage.

I got back peace and brave.

Thank you JCW

The post Two weeks ago in Monticello, my life changed forever appeared first on Jewish Community Watch.

One-hundred-and-seven rabbanim and dayanim have contributed their signatures to a kol koreh (public pronouncement) affirming the halachic obligation of all Jews to immediately report and notify secular law enforcement when they know of an instance of child abuse. The kol koreh is a historic watershed, due to its unprecedented, broad-based support from a large number of haredi rabbanim.

Some of the signers include Rabbi Nota Greenblatt, dayan, posek, and rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedola in Memphis; Dovid Goldwasser, rav of Bnei Yitzchok in Brooklyn; Rabbi Dov Aharon Brisman, rosh beis din of B’datz Philadephia; Rabbi Peretz Steinberg, co-chairman of Bais Din Agudath Yisroel in Kew Garden Hills; Rabbi Yisroel Meir Kagan, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Toras Chaim; Rabbi Noach Isaac Oelbaum, rav of Nachlas Yitzchok in Kew Gardens Hills; Rabbi Kalman Epstein, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Shaar HaTorah in Queens; and Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst, dayan of Agudas Israel of Illinois, who was heavily involved in putting the kol koreh together.

The Kol Koreh Reads:

“We, the undersigned, affirm that any individual with firsthand knowledge or reasonable basis to suspect child abuse has a religious obligation to promptly notify the secular law enforcement of that information. These individuals have the experience, expertise and training to thoroughly and responsibly investigate the matter. Furthermore, those deemed “mandated reporters” under secular law must obey their State’s reporting requirements.

Lives can be ruined or ended by unreported child abuse, as we are too often tragically reminded. The Torah’s statement in Leviticus 19:16, “Do not stand by while your neighbor’s blood is shed,” obligates every member of the community to do all in one’s power to prevent harm to others. In conclusion, every individual with firsthand knowledge or reasonable cause for suspicion of child abuse has a Torah obligation to promptly notify the proper civil authorities.”

You can view the complete Kol Koreh with signatures here: http://issuu.com/jewishpress.com/docs/kol_koreh/1

JCW is working to add more rabbanim and dayanim to this important Kol Koreh, if you know of a rov who you feel should add his name, please email his name and contact information to JCW so that we can offer him the opportunity to do so.

JCW would like to congratulate organizers of this initiative.

The post 107 Haredi Rabbis Declare: Report Child Abuse to Police appeared first on Jewish Community Watch.

All I saw was depression, anxiety, fear, and nightmares.

I saw no way out.

I was raped and molested for 11 years by family members. The pain was unbearable. I felt so, so alone and never felt safe to share the horrors I had endured.

I reached rock bottom.

The only person I felt safe sharing my story was my therapist, but we hit a financial crisis. There was no end to the bleak blackness I was facing. It was to a point where I had to cancel therapy, which meant losing my only safe place.

A shimmer of light.

I messaged JCW. They called me. They encouraged me. They picked me up. They brought light back into my life. They gave me a reason to continue living. They gave me hope. JCW paid for my therapy so I could heal and become a stronger person. JCW literally pulled me out of the deep dark ditch where I thought I’d spend the rest of my life. JCW saved me, and my future generations.

JCW didn’t just help me financially, but also gave me a family. Brothers and sisters. A safe place to be ME! They are bringing awareness where no one had the strength to speak up. They also give survivors a safe place to rebuild and grow! Thank you JCW!

They are no words to express my immense gratitude from me personally and the whole community.

With much appreciation,

Malky!

The post Out of the darkness appeared first on Jewish Community Watch.

Officials confirmed today that supervisors at the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit day camp failed to alert senior management last summer after an employee expressed concerns about the same camp counselor who was accused by authorities earlier this month of abusing young children.

Michael Layne, a spokesman for the Jewish Community Center, said in a statement that they uncovered the disturbing information last Friday. Layne said the JCC is conducting its own internal investigation.

“In the summer of 2014, JCC camp supervisory personnel received a communication from a camp counselor which raised inappropriate conduct by the counselor who ultimately was charged with criminal wrongdoing,” Layne said. “The information reported was not passed on to senior JCC management.  Supervisory personnel who did not act on this communication have been terminated. We have shared this information with licensing officials in Lansing and with the West Bloomfield police department.”

West Bloomfield Police Chief Michael Patton said his department is looking into the allegations.

“We’re looking at a number or things over there,”  Patton said. “There were some allegations that something was reported to some of the staff last year. Whether that has something to do with the current investigation, we’re looking at everything. We’re not saying that there’s no substance to it. Someone raised a red flag…  Our concern is, is this something that has evidentiary evidence?”

Patton said investigators are still trying to determine if there are more potential victims.

The new details come shortly after two sources told the Free Press that the JCC fired three employees on Wednesday over their mishandling of allegations of sexual abuse by Matthew David Kuppe, who was a counselor at the JCC day camp.

The West Bloomfield-based organization fired the 21-year-old Kuppe earlier this month after administrators found out he was being investigated for suspected abuse.

“We are heartsick that this matter has occurred,” Layne said. “Consistent with our long history of delivering positive experiences in our camp and early development programs, the safety of children in our care will continue to be our highest priority. We pledge to continue all efforts to be transparent and proactive in communicating with our camper families and the community.”

Patton said JCC officials have been cooperative with the investigation and have been in daily communication with police. Patton said he was aware of the firings, but he could not say whether they were related to ongoing investigation into Kuppe.

“Our investigation is still continuing into the allegations of what has occurred over there,” Patton said. “We’re looking at many different things. Mostly, the government’s concern and our concern right now is if there are more victims.”

Patton said it’s possible Kuppe can face charges on a state or local level, but it’s unclear at this point.

Kuppe appeared in federal court today for a preliminary examination. Kuppe spoke briefly, only to answer the judge’s questions. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

A mother of a 7-year-old boy who participated in the camp and had direct contact with Kuppe, attended the hearing.

The mother, who asked not be named, said after the hearing that her special needs son cannot communicate well and it’s not yet known if he was abused..

“We don’t know,” the mother said. “It’s just very stressful. We’re living in the unknown.”

She said Kuppe taught her son “Minionese,” the fictional language used in the popular children’s movie, “The Minions.”

The woman said Kuppe was assigned to older children and was not supposed to be around small children.

“He was not supposed to be with my son,” she said. “He was granted permission when they were short-staffed… I am very concerned.”

She said she was informed recently that another counselor had reported “obscure, inappropriate behavior” by Kuppe last year but that he was hired back again this summer.

During today’s court hearing, the judge did not address a motion filed by Kruppe’s attorney, Walter Piszczatowski, asking that Kuppe be released on bond to the custody of his parents on specified conditions.

“Matthew Kuppe is a 21-year-old college student with no criminal history, strong family ties and a meritorious defense to the most serious charge, production of child pornography,” Piszczatowski wrote. “He remains incarcerated despite the fact there are numerous conditions that can be ordered as part of pretrial release to assure the safety of the community.”

Piszczatowski asked that the court schedule a hearing to address Kuppe’s detention.

Kuppe of West Bloomfield was charged this month with production, distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography and is in federal custody. Federal authorities say he abused several children and talked about them in graphic ways with others over the Internet, sharing photos he took of them while they were naked.

West Bloomfield Deputy Police Chief Curt Lawson said the department is in the process of interviewing additional victims.

“We’ve interviewed at least five different children,” Lawson said. “We’re going to interview more children down the road.”

Patton said police are continuing to interview parents, children and employees.

“The alleged victims here are small children and not always able to clearly articulate that they’re a victim of a crime,” he said. “…Some of the kids are aware of the allegations. They heard about this… they’re not totally isolated.”

Kuppe’s parents, Richard and Linda Kuppe, submitted sworn affidavits to the court, stating that they are willing to serve as third-party custodians of their son.

“We have lived in the same home since Matthew was four years old,” Richard Kuppe wrote. “Other than the three years he has lived in a dormitory at MSU, he has lived with us his entire life. My wife and I run our business out of our home. One of us can be physically present in the home at virtually all hours of the day and night.”

Richard Kuppe said he was willing to sign a bond and pledge their home as security for his son’s release.

“I am fully convinced that he will abide by any and all terms of his release and appear in court when and as required,” Richard Kuppe wrote.

Last week, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Woodward said investigators believe that some of the photos taken by Kuppe were of three 5-year-old boys earlier this month during an overnight camp stay. Woodward said Kuppe posted them on a image-sharing website based in Russia that is known to be “frequented by individuals with a sexual interest in children.”

Kuppe posted the boys’ photos in an online folder he titled “Jewish boys,” she said.

“These photos were taken and shared online and we can never get that back,” Woodward said. “… After he was arrested, there was an outcry in the community. This is every parent’s worst nightmare.”

From the Detroit Free Press

The post JCC camp supervisors warned last year about fired aide appeared first on Jewish Community Watch.

I have a wonderful 10 year old daughter now. I watch her grow and am amazed by what I see. Even with everything she’s been through, she is smart, confident, and innocent. She knows she’s beautiful because I tell her all of the time. She knows she is loved because I say it every time I speak to her. She knows how to give hugs and show affection because she receives it. She is able to trust people because I have never given her a reason not to. She is proud of her body, she has never had a reason to feel ashamed, less than, or undeserving. She knows she is safe and protected. She knows I would never hurt her.

I brought her to see you when she was 9 weeks old. I was so sure that she would be the glue that would hold this family together. This little miracle, this gift that I had been given, would fix us and make everything right. I couldn’t wait for mom to see her and tell me how perfect she was. This child was no accident. Nothing about her was a mistake. I got off the plane and mom took one look at her and said “Why did you dress her in THAT? She looks ridiculous! You should have put her in a dress!” The next day I put her in a dress and mom commented that it was not practical for small babies to wear dresses.

When we got home you reached out to take her from me. Do you know that I hesitated? I was torn between wanting to please you and wanting to protect my baby. I’m ashamed to admit that I chose you. I placed her in your arms but stayed right by your side. I never left you alone with her. As soon as you handed her back to me I gave her a bath. I felt your hands on me. I remembered how my skin would burn. I did not want that for her.

As a child I wanted you to be proud of me. I tried so hard to get you to notice me. If you said you were disappointed in me I would be so ashamed. I would punish myself. I wanted you hug me. To put me on your lap and tell me a story. I wanted you to swoop me up in a giant hug and swing me around. I wanted you to hold my hand and take me for a walk. I wished you would ask about my day and then listen to my answer. I wanted to be your baby girl. I don’t think you ever noticed.

When I was really little bedtime was my favorite time of day. I would wait for you to come in. You told me stories and sang silly songs. At those times I could pretend that you really loved me. I knew though, a part of me always knew.

Daddies don’t touch their children like you touched me. It didn’t feel right. I didn’t feel safe. I never told you because I didn’t want you to go away all together.

As I grew older I began to dread your bedtime visits. Did you know how scared I was? Would you have even cared if I had told you? Do you have any idea what you took from me? Couldn’t you see how tight I held my body? Did you notice how I trembled when you touched me? Could you feel my heart pounding? I held my breath, I bit my lip, I didn’t make a sound. I prayed for you to stop. Your fingers burned my skin. I wanted to shout in pain. But I stayed silent. You were already so tired, so broken, I could not add to your worries. So I stayed there. I let you place your hands on me and when I could not take it anymore, I went away inside my head. I found a place where you did not exist. A place that was warm and safe and welcoming. Did you know I had escaped? Could you tell?

I wonder if you even knew who I was. What did I mean to you? Did you think about me? Did you care about me? Did you even know that I was a real person?

You took so much from me. You took my childhood, my innocence, my ability to trust. You made me doubt myself. I never felt worthy of anything good. I was an accident, a mistake. I didn’t matter. Nobody loved me and I couldn’t love myself.

Recently I have realized that if my coming in to this world was a mistake, I’m not the one who made it. You and mom created me. It was your accident, your mistake. As hard as I tried there was no way I could have fixed it. I know now that some of the greatest inventions have come by way of mistakes that were made. It’s in all in how you look at it. You chose to never look at me at me at all.

I don’t know who or what I could have been. So much time has been wasted on wondering about that. I have been so worried about hurting you that I didn’t see the pain that I was in. I still see you by my bed. I still feel your hands on me. My skin still tingles and burns and remembers your touch. It’s time for me to speak up now. It’s time to let you go. I can’t worry about your feelings any more.

Chana asked what I want to say to you. It’s time to answer her.

Stop!

The post Dear Daddy, Did you know how scared I was? appeared first on Jewish Community Watch.

Rabbi YY Jacobson, dean of TheYeshiva.net, delivers a powerful Elul message to survivors of child sexual abuse and to the Jewish community.

He started of with the quote from Breishit; “אבל אשמים אנחנו על אחינו אשר ראינו צרת נפשו בהתחננו אלינו ולא שמענו” which translates to, “Indeed, we are guilty for our brother, that we witnessed the distress of his soul when he begged us, and we did not listen.” Rabbi Jacobson then asked survivors for forgiveness on behalf of all rabbis and wonderfully connected the month of Elul to the battle against abuse.

Please watch and share.

The post I Am Here to Ask Forgiveness – An Elul Message on Abuse from YY Jacobson appeared first on Jewish Community Watch.

Breaking the Silence is a one hour documentary which shines a light on the challenging journey faced by those affected by child sexual abuse, as well as offers useful information to prevent abuse.

The post Documentary – Breaking the Silence appeared first on Jewish Community Watch.

Republished from Click On Detroit

In a court document filed Thursday, federal investigators say a 21-year-old man who worked as a camp counselor at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield likely had sexual contact with children at the camp.

Federal investigators say it is “extremely likely” Matthew Kuppe “engaged in some form of sexual contact with campers at the JCC summer camp in 2014 and 2015.”

“It is also extremely likely that the victims of (Kuppe’s) sexual abuse may not come forward or be identified,” the document reads.

Earlier this month Kuppe pleaded not guilty to six counts of production, possession, receipt and distribution of child pornography. He remains behind bars where he has been since his arrest two weeks ago. Meanwhile, the Jewish Community Center, where federal investigators say Kuppe took pictures of campers and sent them to a Russia-based child porn website, started firing camp employees. The firings were not just for missing this incident. Overall, three camp staff members were terminated.

It turns out the center received warnings about Kuppe while he worked at the camp last summer. He was still rehired this summer despite the warnings.

His parents, through defense attorneys, promised to supervise their son 24/7 if he was was freed under house arrest and on a tether. Attorneys argued the former honor student has strong family support.

However, Judge Vivian Patrick ruled his release was not worth the risk to the community.

The post Feds: Ex-West Bloomfield camp counselor likely had sexual contact with children appeared first on Jewish Community Watch.

By Chanel Dubofsky for the Forward

When Brooklyn police went to convicted sex offender Yona Weinberg’s apartment this past January to arrest him for an alleged assault on an 11-year-old boy in August 2014, the New York Daily News reported, he had disappeared. In 2009, Weinberg served 13 months for sexually molesting two other boys, and is listed as a Level 3 (a high risk of repeat offending and considered a threat to public safety) sex offender on the United State sex offender registry

It turned out, though, that Weinberg had moved to the Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem where he still lives. Weinberg is not the only sex offender who has fled to Israel, away from the scrutiny of the Sex Offender Registration Act. In April 2013, (US-born) Australian David Kramer pleaded guilty to five charges of indecent assault and one charge of committing an indecent act with a minor. These charges stemmed back to the early 1990s, and to escape them, Kramer’s colleagues at Melbourne’s Yeshivah College, where the assaults took place, helped him flee to Israel. When Kramer returned to the United States, he offended again, this time in St. Louis, leading to his extradition back to Australia to be formally charged. Another example is Abraham Mondrowitz who left Brooklyn for Israel in 1985 after being charged with sodomizing four boys. He was arrested by Israeli police in 2007, but as of 2010, his extradition was still tied up in the Israel courts.

“It’s only because of activists that people even know about this,“ said M, a member of Israel’s Orthodox community who brought this issue to my attention and asked that his name not be used. There is a sex offender registry in Israel, but unlike in the United States, it’s not public. In the United States sex offenders must contact the sex offender registry when they move in and out of a new state, (so that the community they’re entering into can be notified) and not registering is a felony. The same is not true in Israel, where only the police have access to a list of offenders, according to Shana Aaronson, social services coordinator and Anglo community liaison at [Magen for Children and Families(http://magenprotects.org/), a child protection agency in Beit Shemesh. Magen connects those who have been abused, as well as those who know of or suspect abuse, with resources, as well as advocating for their safety.

“Those who leave the US and come to Israel (like Weinberg),” said M, “know all this. They know Israel isn’t quick to extradite Jews. They can exploit the system.” If you know that there’s a sex offender in your neighborhood, for example, you can’t just take their picture and email it to everyone. There are laws against harassment. If you haven’t been convicted of a sex crime in Israel, the police aren’t going to notify anyone about the existence of the accused.

In March 2014, Magen sponsored, with the Haruv Institute , the [First International Congress for Child Protection Organizations in the Jewish Community] (http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-first-congress-for-child-protection/) at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The conference convened representatives from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Belgium, South Africa, and Israel to discuss and strategize around the sexual abuse of minors, particularly in the Orthodox Jewish community. ( The second congress took place in April 2015.)

“Migrating perpetrators aren’t a new problem,” said Aaronson. “It’s a global issue, but being part of a Jewish community makes it more possible — we don’t question, we don’t ask why you made aliyah.”

If you’re an offender in Israel on a tourist visa, it’s unlikely that you’ll be asked to leave, unless you offend again and it’s reported, or unless you overstay your visa. It might get more complicated if your goal is to make aliyah and live in Israel permanently. Nefesh b’Nefesh, an organization that facilitates aliyah from North America and the UK, has the right to check the criminal records of those applying for aliyah, but it’s a question of whether or not they always do. According to the Jewish Agency’s website, “some” applications for aliyah do require a criminal background check. The Jewish Agency told the Jerusalem Post in 2009 that if one wants to make aliyah, they are asked whether or not they have a criminal record, but they aren’t obligated to produce evidence verifying or dispelling their claim. The Interior Ministry can then decide if they want to investigate the potential oleh further.

“To say there’s a crack in the system,” said Aaronson, “is an understatement.” Magen has reached out to the Ministry of the Interior and Aaronson reports, “The Ministry takes this seriously, they do want to improve the situation. They have told us that if we send them the documentation of the crimes of these offenders from the United States, they’ll do what they can.” Extradition, while not common, is possible.

Magen doesn’t condone harassment or barring of an offender who has served their time. But “if someone’s been released from prison and assessed at being very likely to offend again, and they’re living next to a school, we’re not comfortable with that,” said Aaronson. Employers in Israel, particularly those who work with children, may require that potential employees provide a “Letter of Good Standing” called a “Teudat Yosher” from the authorities in Israel, certifying that the applicant has no criminal background. However, if you haven’t been convicted of a crime in Israel, there’s nothing preventing the Teudah from being issued.

In the United States, grassroots organizations such as Jewish Community Watch are organizing to change policy, and in the case of JCW making Israel’s sex offender registry public.

The New York-based Jewish crisis intervention organization, Amudim often deals with the aftermath of sexual abuse in the Orthodox community. Zvi Gluck, Amudim’s director of community resources, explains that how damaging it is for the abused when the abuser escapes punishment “When the perpetrator is feeling the heat, and they miraculously make their way to Israel, it takes away the opportunity for closure from the victim.”

Gluck calls for a change in Israeli law-specifically a change in registry status—but also for a change in the Jewish community’s attitude towards perpetrators, in particular those who excuse behavior or help abusers flee the country. “When someone’s accused of abuse,” he said, “everyone wants to make-up stories about why that guy is good. Abuse occurs, we can’t hide behind cloaks, minimize it, or rationalize it with religion. Helping perpetrators escape is re-victimizing the victim.”

The post What Happens to Sex Offenders Who Flee to Israel? appeared first on Jewish Community Watch.

Veteran Non- for-profit executive David Shapiro to oversee day-to-day operations and development of JCW

Jewish Community Watch (JCW), an organization combating child sexual abuse in the Orthodox Jewish community, has announced that David Shapiro will assume the position of CEO and Executive Director of JCW. In that capacity, he will run the day-to-day operations of JCW and oversee the development of the organization. Meyer Seewald, who founded JCW four years ago, will remain chairman and focus his efforts towards victim support, advocacy, contriving new projects and investigating – together with private detectives and law enforcement – allegations of sexual abuse, .

David Shapiro comes to JCW with extensive background in non- for-profits, having previously served as the director of development at The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – the preeminent world leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis, with an annual budget in excess of $200 Million. Before that, he was the Senior Operations Director of the Humane Society of Greater Miami. David has also volunteered for the past 18 years as a child abduction prevention instructor, and a sexual assault prevention instructor for multiple organizations.

Over the past year, JCW has grown exponentially. Nine events, attended by over 3,300 people, were held across the United States and Israel, with the goal of spreading awareness and education about child sexual abuse. JCW’s comprehensive website lists predators in the orthodox community – promoting child safety, and presents invaluable educational material for parents and families, as well as offers resources for survivors to get the help they need. Since the websites 2014 launch, it has generated over 300,000 unique visitors who together have viewed well over a million total pages. The 31 educational videos that were created have been viewed over 300,000 times. Over 1,000 survivors reached out to JCW throughout the past year alone and JCW has offered them important assistance by referring them to therapy and granting subsidies, filing police reports, and by providing moral support.

JCW recently held a 24 hour crowdfunding campaign in which 1,000 individuals donated $512,003 to continue and increase JCWs work.

“I am honored to continue the crucial and passionate work that JCW has established”, said David Shapiro. “Together, we will continue to work tirelessly in the support of victims, and in creating new programs around the world, offering education and awareness aimed in preventing child sexual abuse in the Jewish community. I have a strong bond and a special affiliation with the Orthodox community, as my grandparents were ultra-orthodox and I was born and raised in an orthodox neighborhood in Queens New York. This is a unique opportunity for me to fuse my roots with my longtime passion of fighting sexual abuse”.

Rabbi Yosef Blau, senior Mashgiach ruchani at Yeshivah University and a member of JCW‘s board of directors said, “The hiring of a experienced executive director marks a major step in professionalizing and expanding the reach of JCW, it will enable many victims to get the support and help they need to go from victims to survivors”

“David joining our team is a milestone for JCW and our fight against child sexual abuse,” said Meyer Seewald, founder of JCW. “Just four years ago, JCW was operating out of a 10ft by 10ft bedroom. Today, with eight part and full time employees, we realized the need to hire a seasoned veteran to help us continue providing services to the thousands who need our assistance. Hundreds of applicants from around the United States applied for this role, and in total, close to fifty were interviewed. Our meetings with David Shapiro convinced us that he has the experience and passion to help us grow and expand, in order to cater to the needs of our community. With G-d’s help we will continue to protect our children and bring justice to survivors.”

The post JCW Appoints New Executive Director/CEO appeared first on Jewish Community Watch.

By Shannon Deery, republished from the Herald Sun

AN ultra-orthodox Jewish school has been ordered to pay more than $1 million to a former student who was sexually abused by a runaway principal.

The windfall is believed to be the single biggest payout to a Victorian victim of child sexual abuse in a landmark case that could open the floodgates for waves of similar litigation.

And in a damning Supreme Court judgment handed down today, the school has been slammed for actively trying to cover up the abuse.

The former Adass Israel School student sued the college over claims she was routinely molested by former principal Malka Leifer.

The woman said she had been abused in Ms Leifer’s office, at her home and on school camps, and she believed that other teachers had known about the abuse.

“She would tell me that she loved me and that she really cared for me. She would tell me it was her way of telling me she loved me,” she said.

After allegations about Ms Leifer’s abuse were made public in 2008, the college board helped her flee to Israel just hours later under the cover of night.

Ms Leifer is wanted by Victoria Police but is vigorously fighting extradition attempts and has vowed to never return to Melbourne.

Supreme Court judge Justice Jack Rush today described Ms Leifer’s breach of trust as “monstrous” and ordered she personally pay $150,000 in damages to the former student.

“The evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that the conduct of Leifer was committed in circumstances of contumelious disregard of the plaintiff,” he said.

“I have described Leifer’s conduct previously as a massive breach of trust, yet this description does not adequately set out the destructive and evil nature of her sexual abuse of the plaintiff.

“The evidence discloses the sole motivation of Leifer in her dealings with the plaintiff was her own sexual gratification.

“Leifer used her position of power and authority within the school to manipulate the plaintiff’s sense of vulnerability.”

Justice Rush also slammed the school’s board for its co-operation in helping Ms Leifer flee Australia and avoid facing justice.

Just hours after learning of allegations of misconduct, the school’s committee of management held crisis talks and arranged for Ms Leifer to board the next flight out of Australia.

“The conduct of the board is deserving of this court’s disapprobation and denunciation. I have no doubt that the conduct was deliberate,” he said.

“The speed in standing her down was matched by the speed of the arranged departure.”

Justice Rush said the decision to arrange urgent flights was “likely motivated by a desire to conceal her wrongdoing and confine and isolate the conduct and its consequences to within the Adass community”.

“The conduct amounts to disgraceful, contumelious behaviour demonstrating a complete disregard of Leifer’s victims of which the plaintiff was one.

“The conduct demonstrates a disdain for due process of criminal investigation in this state.”

Justice Rush awarded the former student $851,780 for economic loss and $172,648 in medical expenses.

He also ordered the school pay $100,000 as punishment for helping Ms Leifer flee.

In a judgment that could have wide-ranging ramifications for other institutions, Justice Rush did not accept submissions that Ms Leifer was in some way removed from the school.

Adass lawyers had argued she did not “teach” at the school and that her involvement was through a separate program of religious education, meaning Adass couldn’t be held liable.

“The evidence demonstrates in fact that Leifer was the most powerful figure within the school itself,” Justice Rush said.

“Her control and authority within the school was unrestrained and unrestricted. In that sense, her misconduct was the misconduct of the school and the school is directly liable for her.”

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A letter from Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz:

The post Convicted Child Molester Sues Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz For Defamation appeared first on Jewish Community Watch.

Please see this interview that R’ David Lichtenstein did last week Motsai Shabbos with Harav Dovid Cohen, shlita.

R’ Lichtenstein asked him regarding a recent letter Harav Fuerst in Chicago led and which over 100 Rabonim signed urging the reporting of child abuse to civil authorities. Harav Dovid Cohen gives his strong endorsement of the letter. He stated that he had been ruling for over 20 years to report allegations of child abuse to civil authorities and was not sure why this letter is even necessary. Harav Cohen says you should go “directly” to civil authorities and there is no need to ask Rov first. Harav Cohen further says child molesters should be locked in prison for life given the high rate of recidivism. Rav cohen also said that historically many Rabonim do not understand the devastating lifelong effects that CSA has on its victims.

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By Tamar Pileggi for Times of Israel

Te Israel National Council for the Child has urged government ministries to take steps to prevent convicted sex offenders from immigrating to Israel.

Following recent media reports revealing that a “high-risk” convicted pedophile has emigrated from the US to Israel, council director Yitzhak Kadman called on Interior Minister Silvan Shalom to stop Israel from becoming a “safe haven” for sex offenders, the daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Sunday.

Advocacy groups and local residents were outraged to find out that former bar mitzvah instructor and convicted pedophile Jonah (Jason) Weinberg, 36, had moved to Israel and was living with his wife and children in the Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem. Weinberg and his family have made aliyah and are in the process of becoming naturalized Israeli citizens.

In 2009, Weinberg was convicted of sexually abusing two 13-year-old children at his New York synagogue and served 13 months in prison.

The US sex offender registry lists Weinberg as a level-3 offender, meaning that he is considered to be at high risk of re-offending and remains a danger to the public. Israel does not have a public registry of sex offenders.

Weinberg was again accused of abusing a minor in 2014. However, when police came to his home to arrest him on charges that he had assaulted an 11-year-old boy in a Brooklyn synagogue, they discovered he had skipped the country for Israel.

US child welfare organizations alerted Israeli police of Weinberg’s history, but were told he could not be extradited for the 2014 offense as he was only charged with a misdemeanor. His 2009 offenses do not preclude him from making aliyah to Israel since he served his sentence.

“This incident again raises our concerns (which we have already brought to the attention of your predecessor) regarding the question of pre-screening before awarding citizenship or residency status,” Kadman wrote to Shalom.

He noted that the Law of Return, under which people of Jewish origin are granted Israeli citizenship, allows the Interior Ministry to deny visas to anyone who is considered a danger to the public.

“Israel cannot and must not be a safe haven for sex offenders,” he said

Weinberg declined to comment for the Yedioth report.

In response to Kadman’s letter, the Interior Ministry confirmed that Israel’s open-door immigration policy did not extend to dangerous individuals and that each case involving convicted criminals would be examined.

According to Yedioth, Weinberg last week filed a lawsuit against Jerusalem rabbi Yaakov Horowitz, who sent out notifications to Har Nof residents warning them of his prior convictions.

Weinberg isn’t the first American citizen convicted of sex crimes to set off alarm bells after seeking sanctuary in Israel under the Law of Return.

In 1984, Avrohom Mondrowitz, who was accused of molesting as many as 300 young boys in a Brooklyn youth center, fled to the Jewish state just before police broke in to his home and discovered a stash of child pornography and lists bearing the names of hundreds of local children.

Mondrowitz was indicted on 14 counts in absentia by a Brooklyn grand jury in 1985, including five counts of sodomy in the first degree and eight charges of first-degree sexual assault.

Extradition attempts failed that year because, according to the existing treaty between Israel and the United States, sodomy was not an extraditable offense. Efforts to extradite Mondrowitz were dropped in 1993.

In 1996, Mondrowitz was given Israeli citizenship, and has been seen in the Jerusalem area.

Lazar Berman contributed to this report.

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By: Rabbi Yakov Horowitz

Since we posted this email on Friday  regarding the defamation lawsuit filed against me by convicted, registered level-3 sex offender Yona Weinberg, I was contacted by more than a few people with first-hand information about him that is giving me a very, very bad feeling that there is far more to this case than is currently known.

I ask people who have information about other alleged incidents with Yona Weinberg – in particular, but not limited to, camping or vacation trips taken with him, possible incidents in summer camps or high school dormitories, and more recently, children/young teens who being invited to watch movies or play video games with him – to report them to Detective Maureen Sheehan of The Special Victims Unit of The NYC Police Department.

Detective Sheehan can be reached at 646-610-7272 or emailed to maureen.sheehan@nypd.org. I just spoke to Detective Sheehan who assured me that all communication with her will be treated in the strictest confidence.

It is and has always been our practice to encourage all victims to report abuse allegations directly to the proper authorities. Having said that, if you want information about how the process works, feel free to email me at yhprojectyes@gmail.com. I am the only one who has access to those emails and whatever you share will be treated as confidential.

Two Additional Points

1)      Detective Maureen Sheehan confirms that Yona Weinberg, is wanted by the NYC Special Victims Unit for an active complaint by a child unrelated to the original sex crimes for which Weinberg was convicted and served 13 months in jail. Mr. Weinberg will be immediately arrested upon return to the USA for that additional complaint.

2)      Detective Sheehan informed me that she has spoken to additional children allegedly abused by Weinberg unrelated to the original abused children for which he was prosecuted and unrelated to the alleged child for whom the current complaint was made.

One might make the case that we should avoid sordid matters like this as we prepare to stand before Hashem on Yom Kippur. I respectfully suggest that saving a single child from being victimized just might be the holiest thing we can do in these troubling times.

Best wishes for a G’mar  Chasima Tova,

Yakov Horowitz

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11 September 2013

Greetings and Blessings,

I am writing to you on the Eve of Yom Kippur with the intention that this letter be read and contemplated in the break between Musaph and Mincha on Yom Kippur. Our Sages teach that notwithstanding the extraordinary holiness of the day, the reading of the Torah at Mincha on Yom Kippur recounts the laws of sexual misconduct, because of their unfortunate prevalence and the need to seek atonement.

Furthermore we are instructed, that until we make amends with our fellow man, we cannot find atonement with Hashem.

In that spirit I wish to address the issue of child sexual abuse. Over the last few years it  has become clear that our community has been affected by this scourge no differently than any other community. It has also become clear that we have not handled this issue in an appropriate manner.

I wish to be frank. For whatever reason a culture of cover up, often couched in religious terms, pervaded our thinking and actions. It may even have been well intentioned, but it was simply wrong. An issue of child sexual abuse must be reported to the police immediately and perpetrators must be brought to justice. It makes no difference whether the crime took place ten years ago or ten days ago. There can be no exceptions and no excuses.

I turn to the victims. No one can know your pain and what you have been through. And the pain has only been magnified by our inaction. On this holiest of days I sincerely beg your forgiveness on behalf of all of us who did not hear your voice. I can only assure you on my behalf, and on behalf of the vast majority of the Rabbinate, that we hear you now loud and clear. We will do our utmost not to repeat the mistakes of the past. We hope that you can find it within yourselves to forgive us.

Another word to victims. I know it is difficult for you to come forward to the police, but one of the ways through which abuse will be stopped is by perpetrators being prosecuted, and a clear message of deterrence being sent to potential abusers. Please try and find it within yourselves to come forward. There are victims advocate groups such as Tzedek who can give moral support. I myself recently accompanied a victim to the police. Please help us , if you can, to combat this abuse. Very often after coming forward victims find it easier to find healing and closure.

To perpetrators I say you will be found. It may not be today, it may not even be tomorrow but it will happen. There will be justice if not in this world, most definitely in the next. You have done a most heinous crime and you will never find atonement with Hashem or peace within yourselves until you do the right thing. Turn yourselves in. Admit to the wrong you have done so that you may begin the path to atonement and allow your victims to find healing and peace.

I wish to all, that you be sealed in the books of life and happiness. I hope that we all find peace and conquer the demons that in one way or another plague each of us. I pray that Hashem rights all the wrongs in this world and we find ourselves speedily in Jerusalem dancing in the courtyard of the rebuilt Temple.

Rabbi Moshe D Gutnick
President
Organisation of Rabbis of Australasia

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By KATHERINE TOWERS for The Australian

• September 28, 2015 12:00AM AEDT

Members of the ultra-orthodox Adass Israel School board face a possible criminal investigation for helping secrete former headmistress and serial sex offender Malka Leifer out of Australia to avoid detection, after a major backflip by Victoria Police.

The Australian revealed last week that board members had potentially breached Victoria’s Crimes Act by arranging for Leifer to flee Australia in the dead of the night in 2008 when they were aware she was facing allegations of sexually abusing more than eight girls.

Despite last Thursday emphatically ruling out a criminal investigation into the actions of individual board members, Victoria Police yesterday changed their stand and revealed it was now under consideration.

“Police will be looking at this as a broader part of the investi­gation to determine whether an offence has been committed,’’ a police spokeswoman said.

Leifer is under house arrest in Israel facing extradition to Australia on dozens of child abuse charges relating to her time at the strictly devout Adass Israel School.

In awarding a former student and abuse victim of Leifer more than $1.2 million compensation earlier this month, Supreme Court judge Jack Rush was scathing of the behaviour of board members in helping the mother of eight flee Australia’s criminal jurisdiction by arranging for her to fly out after she had been sacked.

Justice Rush made it clear in his findings that board members had funded Leifer out of Australia country despite being aware she had allegedly committed a crime.

Under the Victorian Crimes Act, it is an offence of “accessory” where a person knows or believes that another person has committed an offence that carries a ­potential jail term of at least five years and “impedes the apprehension, conviction or punishment” of that person.

Justice Rush slammed then Adass Israel school board president Yitzhak Benedikt and board member Mark Ernst for arranging a flight for Leifer and several of her children to Israel via Hong Kong at 1.20am, only hours after she was sacked as headmistress over the allegations.

He said when arranging for Leifer to flee the country, representatives of the school board “appreciated” she had a case to answer over allegations of serious criminal conduct and Mr Benedikt specifically was aware she was a “serial sexual abuser”.

“It is apparent that either it was not a priority for Messrs Benedikt or Ernst that Leifer answered to the criminal law of this state or that this state’s jurisdiction was deliberately flouted,” Justice Rush found. “Upon consideration of the manner in which the school arranged for Leifer’s departure from the country, I find the deliberate flouting of jurisdiction the most likely motivation.”

Criminal law experts have told The Australian members of the Adass Israel School board could face charges of conspiracy and perverting the course of justice.

Authorities at the strictly devout school were made aware of allegations against Leifer on February 29, 2008. At a meeting on March 6, 2008, she was sacked. That night, the wife of Mr Ernst, Hadassa Ernst, told a travel agent she needed to arrange for people to leave the country “urgently”.

Flights were arranged for ­Leifer to leave Australia later that night with the tickets paid for by Adass community members.

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By Shlomi Diaz for Israel Hayom

A Jerusalem rabbi was arrested Thursday for allegedly molesting several of his students for a number of years. The rabbi denies the allegations against him.

Rabbi Moshe Avraham Steinharter, 43, was arrested by Modiin Police following a complaint by a former student, now 19, who claimed he was molested by the rabbi since he was 14 years old.

The youth claimed that Steinharter had sexually assaulted and sodomized him on several occasions. He further claimed he was not the only student abused by the rabbi.

Steinharter denied the allegations against him, saying that other than the “occasional hug” he had no physical contact with his accuser, or any of his other students.

Police are investigating the allegations. The rabbi was arraigned before the Rishon Lezion Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon, and remanded for one week.

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 SANTA MONICA MIRROR Reports:

Santa Monica Police Detectives are seeking information or additional victims in connection with the arrest of Rabbi Sholom Doyber Levitansky.

On Sept. 30, 2015 Levitansky was booked into the Santa Monica Police Department’s jail on a felony warrant for sexual abuse of a child. Levitansky is a resident of Sherman Oaks.

The allegations of abuse took place between the years of 1998 and 2002. Levitansky met his victims while working at the Living Torah Center in Santa Monica. The two victims were 15 and 16 years old at the time.

Levitansky who was in his mid-20s during the time of the alleged acts has been charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office with five counts of oral copulation of a person under 18 years of age, five counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object, and one count of lewd act upon a child.

The Santa Monica Police Department urges anyone with additional information to contact Detective Roy Brown at 310-458-8960, Sgt. William Heric at 310-458-8453, or the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.

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