Brooklyn, NY – A debate over how to report sexual abuse crimes in the orthodox Jewish community was tense and at times violent as it spilled into the streets on Wednesday night.
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Police arrested at least two people from Jewish community after rushing the gate where protesters carried signs and voiced criticism for the fundraiser intended to raise money for a man accused of abusing a teenaged girl.
At the center of it all is Nechemya Weberman, a Jewish counselor charged with forcing a girl to have sex with him over a three year period.
His supporters don’t believe the charges are true.
Inside the event, a collection was set up. Some people dropped off checks.
But the protesters say the fundraiser is about more than a rally and represents the attitude to protect the accused and criticize the accuser.
A few stupid losers protesting… I don’t know if the story is true or not true, you are always allowed to help a yiddish neshuma that can sit for so many years chas veshulem!!! The whole protesting doesn’t make sense… There were a few thousand people by this event, its probably a huge success… Hopefully it will come out something good from this
The same losers who hung around “occupy wall street”. They will always find an agenda. They found a new cause and Nuchem Rosenberg got himself a following.
If you were there you could clearly see who the accusers are and who to defenders are.
Hopefully, justice will prevail and the falsely accusers will be held accountable.
Guilty or not, every man is entitled to a fair defense. I don’t know if this man is guilty, but helping to ensure he has a proper defense is 100% the right thing to do.
However, his “supporters” should keep their mouths shut. He very well may be guilty and your loud, vocal “support” is doing nothing for him and only torturing the accuser who very well may be a victim of heinous sexual abuse.
Why not quietly ask for contributions to a fund and leave the “rally” out of it.
Even I’ve contributed to these defense funds, but only when it is done quietly and respectfully.
The problem with the story of this so called victim is that for anyone knowing the circumstances, a personal vendetta.
I’m really not taking any sides but, what a big chilull hashem this will cause.
Before we make an internet asifah, let the rabonim clean their house first, ie not shelter those who are guilty of child molastation, get along with their brothers and brother in-laws, etc and the list goes on …………
nebech how many drop outs came out. I don’t blame them they are nebech deepressed and they try to put the blame on some one else next week they will blame that you need to be open minded and aloud the internet. . . . . .. .
Any community that blindly rallies around an accused rapist are actually just sodomites.
A pitty of Rabbi Weberman a well known counselur in the community who only tried to help a Jewish fellow to shlep out his daughter from “Shoil Tachtis” and fell a victim for the so called “victim”.
I don’t know anything about this case in particular, but his supporters are absolutely crazy for being so public about this, and the counter protester are mostly there out of pain not specifically about this case. This internet asifah has got to be one of the worst planned events that has ever happened in the frum community.
A defendant’s right to proper legal defense is correct, and I have no problem with his supporters raising money. Its the dirty backroom deals and chillul Hashem that bothers me.
I’m not here to judge Mr. Weberman I agree he is 100% innocent until proven guilty. However to entertain the idea, that just because he is a well respected person in the community we will not believe the victim. Is the most ridiculous argument, and that is exactly why we have had this going on in our communities for the longest time. Because unfortunately, most of the times this is exactly what has been happening, the people of authority are luring for those less fortunate kids who would have nowhere to turn to and the frumer you act the better ur chances are, that should the victim try to come forward, nobody will take the victims word over yours. Not only that. They will even arrange an event if needed, all because your Act Fumer than the victim (Does anybody remember the headlines last week, celebrating the release of a well known perpetrator ? and not because he was vindicated of this horrific crime, just due to technological errors). How about some out-poor of support for the victims who are and will be struggling for the rest of their lives trying to run and raise a normal family. cont…
cont.
I know not everybody will agree and understand me. However there is one way that everybody gets a better understanding in this subject. Dont wait until it hits you back at home.
No these are not Nuchem Rosenberg Stories. its reality.
Just because he decided t parade on the blood of the victims so he gets his desperately needed attention. Does not mean we should ignore the real subject
WHY ARE PEOPLE LYE-ING ABOUT THE TRUTH, MANY KNOW FIRSTHAND
THAT N. WEBERMAN IS NOT INNOCENT!! ( I KNOW HIS GUTS)
WHY WAS “HE”, A CHUSHAVA, CHASSIDISHE YUNGERMAN HELPING TROUBLED TEEN GIRLS, AREN’T THERE ENOUGH NOSHIM TZIDKONOS
IN WILLIAMSBURG?? AND HOW COME HIS NAME IS NEVER MENTIONED ON ANY POSTER CALLING FOR HIS SUPPORT?
ISN’T IT TIME TO LISTEN TO THE AFFLICTED & SAVE THEIR NESHOMOS.
ACHEINU BNEI YISROEL IT IS ABOUT TIME TO WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The reason why they dont believe the accuser is because she doesnt look or act like the chassidic people, even though she comes from a chassidic background. As soon as you go off the ‘derech’ no one will believe a word you say. I feel bad for her. In my humble opinion, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. The samething happened to Engleman. Only because he went off the derech, no one believes a word he says about him being molested when he was a child, therefore that molester is free to teach young children!!! It’s ok to raise money for Mr Weberman’s legal fees, but to antagonize the vicitm is wrong!
Guilty or not the story is a huge Chilul Ha-Shem and “black eye” for our community thanks to the Chassidim!!
Having read most of the comments above, I was wondering if anyone in Williamsburg can write speak English. So far I haven’t noticed any of Weberman’s supporters who can write it.
BTW, isn’t the internet asur in Willialmsburg? How are his mishpachah putting up so many comments?
Nebach, the low levels his family will sink to protect him.
Weberman’s lawyer claims he is innocent, and will take this case to trial. Weberman is accused of raping a 12 year old Chassidic girl over a span of 3 years. The community will continue to support the abuser, never the victim. Supporting the victim would mean recognizing that sexual abuse happens every day. Shame!!!!!
In educational circles, it has become known that predators “groom” their subjects. They select people who are already challenged and prey on them. I hope with all my heart that the accusations here are not true.
However, statistics indicate that it is very rare that an accusation of this type is brought and it is not valid. We have to take the side of the victim. To so publicly take the side of the accused and rally around the accused is indeed evil.
I have direct knowledge of his guilt, though it might not come out in trial. There is no argument that he should be given his fair trial, in court, not the street. The one comment that bothered me was the notion that he is known to be such a good guy that the accusation is simply impossible. That idea is unfortunately foolish. In our generation, we witness way too much of people looking righteous and very frum, and we assume that they are identical when in private. I personally know of talmidei chachomim who can produce impressive shiurim and divrei Torah who have secretly committed some of the most serious aveiros in the category of gilui arayos. The externals are sometimes inconsistent with the true self, and that is one place where our generation suffers.
I just hate to think the type of cheshbon hanefesh each of those donors will have to perform should they discover that they donated funds for a man who actually was raping a young girl for so many years…..while perhaps forcing people to have some sort of ex post facto perspective, I would’ve waited till I was a little more convinced of his guilt or innocence before I gave any of my money for that….
It is out responsibility to ensure that both possible victims are protected and supported, and that every man gets a proper opportunity to defend himself. Unfortunately we cannot know with certainty that anyone is innocent or guilty and making these claims can lead to a real chillul hashem.
This girl is a victim either way round. Either she was abused by this man or she has severe mental health issues that brought her to make up stories and thereby try and destroy a member of her own community.
He on the other hand is either a child molester or not. If not there will be no stain on him, he will be a hero.
Seems she is therefore more deserving of our sympathy while he may be deserving of contributions to prove his innocence.
It’s been proven statistically that people who preform sexual crimes against minors are usually well respected and well liked in the community (i.e. coaches) and not the “boogeyman” we all conjure in our minds.
There are a number of comments here that really made my blood boil. “Thousands are saying he is chashuv and would never do such a thing” i too was a victim, not sexually, but physical abuse by my own father, mmy mother suffered much more than us kids, and the whole community used to blame my mom saying how “chashuv” my father is. It’s time to face the truth and realize that not everyone who learns well or does chessed is chashuv. Molestation is a problem in our community, just like it is in every other community in the world. We cannot blame the victims for turning their life away from yiddishkeit, when those they trusted turned them into slaves and used them for their mental instabilities instead of teaching them TRUE torah values. My heart bleeds for those victims, they are so lost, and then these molesters point the blame on the internet! I frankly dont care if this particular story is true or not, it’s time the higher ups in the community acknowledge that the problems exists and stop protecting the molesters cause tomorrow it can be your child.
Sodomites don’t get olam haba, no matter how many tehillim they recited.
I think most people agree that if the Mr. Webberman is guilty he should be dealt with but its a lone accuser the masibah was for a defense fund may the chips fall in to there place. May I remind people who may remember that the Satmar Rebbe Rab Aron dealt with a abuser {wien…..}in Monroe where there was overwelming proof ,what heat he got for it ,its realy where his problems started & no one came to his defence,point being made many agenda’s in these situations, Hashem Yerachim
פדיון שבויים איז א מצוה אפילו מען איז באמת שולדיג
The “Occupy” crew will be protesting outside the Citifield Asifa, according to this message that one of them posted: “We at NYC Anonymous will be holding a counter-protest outside of this rally. We will be all be dressed as cavemen AND WOMEN, protesting the event for being too modern. We figure it will be a welcome taste of their own medicine. We have spoken with the Jewish led counter-protest organizers and will be set up in a distinctly different location, so that our groups do not muddy each other’s respective messages. We hope to see some of you there.”
I too know nothing of Weberman’s guilt or innocence. I do, however, know of a case where unfounded (and unbelievable) allegations were made that almost ruined an innocent family. We should not automatically assume that alleged molesters are guilty, but neither should we cover up information that we know. Those of you who claim to know whether Weberman is guilty or not should go to the DA or Weberman’s defense attorney and offer to testify.
For all the Weberman defenders out there, i will ask you one simple question:
Since Weberman obviously did not fully adhere to the laws of Yichud (for if he did, there would have been witnesses etc.) – isn’t he at least guilty of breaking hilchos Yichud?
& isn’t it true that AL PI TORAH & HALACHAH, anyone who transgresses hilchos Yichud & is alone in a room with a woman for the amount of time of “boiling an egg” is ipso facto considered chashud (suspect. i.e. considered guilty) to znus (illicit fornication)?
& doesn’t hilchos yichus certainly apply to any young female bas mitzvah age & older – the exact age of the victim?
What do you respond to this???
this event was not just to raise defense money for a person who is presumed innocent until proven guilty. if that was the case a fund raiser could have been done quietly and a rally not held. no, this was done to harrass the the girl and her family to show that the whole community is against them.
in addition history has shown even when the person gets convicted it makes no difference to the community (Kolco, moncrowits and many others). The convicted person it still to be pitted and pidyam shuvaim are arranged and so on. And in kolcos case the victims are treated much worse than Kolco is and Margolis who protected him
The victim and the family including siblings are still shunned and worse. Like maybe not finding a yeshiva that would accept them.
How come we never ever see a rally for victims of abuse or a general fund raiser for the victim and family. No, all efforts go to the abuser.
for those who claim it is only about innocent until proven guilty are fooling no one. not only are you not fooling Jews even the gentle case see right through this
The truth will come out when someone with a clear conscience looks at the facts of the case. Both parties deserve the dignity of presumptions of innocence. Unfortunately, the accused has already lost his good name, and even if exonerated cannot regain his reputation and standing in the community. Does anyone see the injustice in this?
It’s the blind leading the blind, this guy’s supporters have no clue what he does behind closed doors – they should let the court system prove him right or wrong. They are making a HUGE chillul hashem by having a very publicized fund raiser for an accused molester.
BTW – they say he’s a counselor, is he licensed? in a ultra frum community like Williamsburg, why do they allow a man to counsel a woman (or girl)? something doesn’t make sense here…
I think what is happening here, is simply appalling!! The overabundance of concern for the accused is very compelling evidence that many have lost any semblance of reason. Actions, may well speak as loudly as words. Given the terrible way victims are threatened, bullied, and destroyed by their own community, I would find the victims much more credible than the accused. As parents, it is our job to protect our children, even at the cost of our own lives. Children are not expendable. I am very troubled by the callousness of some, in particular those who would seek to hide the hideous truth for self preservation, or social standing. Those who protect and enable known molesters are as terrible as the molesters themselves. There is simply no justification for this.
I know him – it is hard for me to believe he could do such a thing.
Where there is SMOKE there is FIRE, something is rotten In WB!
Yes, every human should be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. His supporters however seem to believe almost that it is impossible that a Yidden who looks like them and is from their Kehilo could commit such an act. Such thinking blinds their judgement. Furthermore, it is sadly the odd man out who nobody would ever expect. He could NEVER do such a thing is what they all say. The fact is,IMO, the continued protection of predators and the shaming of victims is prevalent, and is despicable and shameful. Finally for there to be such fanfare to raise money for him, and to flaunt 500K dollars for his defense is disgusting. Is anyone raising money for therapy for the victims and their families. Gevalt!!
the truth will always prevail, and those who financially provide his cuase are in direct involvement its time to stop hiding crimes against your own people.
This is what happens when we cover up real abuse cases. The creep Dascalowitz was free for over 10 years doing what he did, and nobody called the police, only threw him out from one camp to the next. The DA knows that there are cover ups, so when an innocent person like Rabbi Weberman is falsely accused in a blood libel can become a hun l’kapores.
Why on earth do the Satmars ever, ever, under ANY circumstances allow a GROWN man to meet alone with a teenage girl? ES PAST NISHT!!!!!! This man is not a licensed therapist and has NO qualifications whatsover!!!!! Let this be a lesson for any parent to ever send their daughter for any “counseling” session with an unlicensed professional!!!!
This protest was not saying weberman is guilty, he might be guilty and he might be innocent. The protest was for the people supporting an accused molester without even knowing him only because a rabbi said to. The problem is the people are constantly supporting the accused (and convicted) molesters and shunning the victims, their families, and supporters because they don’t want their yeshiva or community to get a bad name from it.
This cannot go on anymore.
Everybody knows and believes that things like this can be true, but everybody also knows that to make up a story on a person you want to get him into trouble is so easy as anything. Knowing Mr. Weberman as a great nice guy always helping others extremely helpful and nice, and on the other side, a girl who rebelled against her family, community and so on. Although that it is impossible to say on any person that it can’t be true, I think that you got to be stupid to believe this rebellious bad girl against such a nice, fine, erliche person that Mr. Weberman is.
Let’s do some math.
An entire community who supports mol…., thousands of people came out to support mol…, and there is a small group of 20 people including the meshigener Nuchem Rosenberg. So how come that the percentage of mol….. cases are so small? If that’s the case that the whole community is so supportive for this, than this should be happening every day, everywhere.
Don’t all those boys have to be in Yeshiva?
2 things that i cant understand why do you victims keep on pointing to internet asifa what does winter have to do with summer this problem IS A and this is problem B sounds like you guys do have some guilt feeling about internet #2 since when does being abused by anyone excuse bad behavior i know people that were abused and are now regular shomre tora imtsves they keep shabbes and are normal frum fathers not on drugs and not protesting on the streets like koirach vadusoi and causing chilul hashem do you really believe that all of these guys were really abused they are just puppets using so called excuses that there friends are using to be mechalel shabbes and do other avieres lets hear u guys are using mamorei chaz”l lets see if you could find even 1 mamer chaz”l that gives a right for someone to do what u guys are doing because u were abused the chilul hashem that u guys caused last night is something that is unforgiable
So many in our community are ignorant on this issue.
Let me say that I have no idea if he is guilty or innocent, and I fully support contributing to his defense fund.
However, too many people say he is obviously innocent because “he is an ehrliche yid!” and “she is a troubled girl”.
Based on the minimal information we have, I am more inclined to believe HER for the very same reason. A sexually deviant rodef goes hunting for the weak. They look for the “troubled” kids. They know that their parents are likely not as involved in their lives. They know that the kids are desperate for ‘loving’ attention. They know that these kids will keep their mouths shut because they initially perceive the abuse as “love”.
Over time they also convince these kids that nobody would believe them anyway.
What is worse is that these kids begin to appear even MORE troubled because of the abuse. So many turn to drugs or alcohol or lashing out at H” as a means of coping. This only makes the ignorant among us trust them even less.
This girl is EXACTLY the kind of kid who sexual predators go for.
Those who have taken sides already and publicly rebuking them are doing NEITHER of them a favor.
respectfully most of the writers are shommer shabbos, There is a Yiddesha Beth Din, But Beth Din cannot dan zein dina nefosshes or kenooses until Masihach comes, so even its true (which is NOT the case) plus there has to be kaballas Eidis etc. So where’s da Heter to Basmitzza a whole chashevvah family which is totally inocent-plus see Parshes Pinchaus and meforshimim Heshen Yarachemm –
Lets just stop it and convict somebody who is not obeying the hallach, which has the din of a MOOSER………………………………….
The courts need to decide whether the accused is guilty..
Where are the rallies for the victims? Where was the massive rally for Chaim Aron Rottenberg (arson victim) in Kiryas Joel? Only the accused and convicted (Rubashkin) get these large rallies?
you can speculate till doomsday and you will never know the truth. However if you study the history of this girl you will note previous accusations that she made that were proven false. she is out to get rich and it is too bad that it is so easy today to just make up an ugly story that gets snached up in a wink…why is everyone so narrow minded and hungry for “FILTH” …? If everyone would look into their own pot, it would save a lot of trouble.Anyway, at least the lawyers are getting rich.while we struggle to make a decent living….or maybe we should pick a name that we can attack as the next rapist.