Brooklyn, NY – CEO of Hatzolah’s Teen In Gulag Camp, Embroil’s Siblings, And Community.

    116

    Pinned Topic Mar. 25 2008

    Brooklyn, NY – A battle has erupted in the Orthodox Jewish community over a Brooklyn teenager sent by his prominent family to a behavior boot camp accused of terrifying abuse.

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    Isaac Hersh, 16, has been trapped since last summer at Tranquility Bay, a reform school on the island of Jamaica with a soothing name – and harsh discipline, according to the lawyer hired to try to get him out.

    “It’s a modern-day concentration camp,” said Maryland lawyer Joshua Ambush.

    Isaac’s estranged parents sent him to the boot camp last year after luring him back to Brooklyn from his new home in Texas, court papers claim.

    Isaac’s twin brother, Sol, is panicked he’s next to go. “He’s very worried about his brother. He’s very worried about himself, too,” said a friend of the family who asked to remain anonymous.

    Tranquility Bay offers the promise of turning bad boys into focused achievers, but the walled-off camp with barred windows has been called a nightmare.

    Children have been beaten, forced to eat their vomit and made to stand in painful contortions for hours, according to a separate suit filed in Utah by former students against private boot camps, including Tranquility Bay.

    The case has so riled up members of the normally insular Orthodox community that several are taking the rare step of publicizing Isaac’s situation.

    On onee side is Isaac’s informal Texas foster family, who are also Orthodox, and their supporters, who prompted a nonprofit to file suit in Washington last week on Isaac’s behalf.

    They claim he was lured to Brooklyn with the promise of a job, handcuffed and thrown into a van that took him to the boot camp as he cried and begged to be released, the suit says.

    On the other side are the teen’s father, Michael Hersh – CEO of Brooklyn’s huge Orthodox volunteer ambulance service, Hatzalah – and his wife, Miriam.

    “Hatzalah will carefully monitor these proceedings, taking into account the seriousness of the allegations,” the organization said in a statement.

    The couple has a prominent supporter in Rabbi Aaron Schecter, head of Brooklyn’s tight-knit Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin, according to the suit.It is unclear what prompted the parents to send Isaac to another country.

    They had a troubled relationship for years, according to the suit.
    Isaac, one of eight children, was sent to schools in Virginia and Long Island before the family moved to Israel in 2002, where the parents were accused of abusing Isaac, the suit says.

    From there, the boys went to live with families in Texas, although the parents never lost custody.

    “They’re healthy, good, normal teenage boys,” said the family friend.

    A web site to save Isaac has been set up


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    116 Comments
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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    Very easy to say; very hard to to do.
    No one is a perfect parent, altho we all must strive to be one.
    I dont know how much experience you have with psychological or emotional illness, but unfortunately I have plenty. In your theory, you are talking about a child who’s rational and normal. In that case its obvious that a child will usually not try and cause his parents pain. I agree with you.
    But lets remember that children sometimes paint their own image of reality- and especially children with any mental illness- they can completey distort their own reality.
    Such is the case here. I know those boys personally. They’re adorable boys and they are way above average intelligence. They are also manipulative and charismatic, which is why they were able to fabricate such an incredible abuse story and have it spread around the whole Jewish oilam. Those boys are deeply disturbed and theyve been painting their own image of their reality for years already. When they were much younger they were being brainwashed by a certain family member to go against their father. The story is long and private, but it worked. Bravo.
    Michael Hersh never abused his kids.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    To those out there who think these parents are heroes, and plan on sending their kids to that camp one day:
    Any child who grows up in a warm and loving home will never abandon it. If a child is accepted for what he is (not for what his parents want him to be) – he will grow to believe in himself. If he knows his parents truly love him and are out to do what is best for HIM – he wouldn’t seek to pain them… he wouldn’t act up… he wouldn’t have to act up!!! If lo aleinu a child does slightly stray from the way that we’d like – dont throw him out of the house! A child must always be welcome at home. The street is very tempting and there is no reason for a distraught child who was thrown out of his house not to find comfort there.
    Love your child and don’t send him to Tranquility Bay

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    Michael and Miriam Hersh are absolutely wonderful people raising a terrific family. These two boys, whom I know very well are brilliant boys with incredible personalities, and I like them a lot, but they are DISTURBED. They are impossible to control and their parents have tried everything under the sun to help them.
    Please watch what you say and dont believe e/t you hear. I know the people spreading the abuse rumors… they are completely fabricated. Michael Hersh wouldnt hurt a fly. He’s honest, yashar, and sincere.
    The boys have been kicked out of 26 yeshivas because they are extremely difficult and dangerous.
    They did not leave EY because of abuse charges- thats sheker. They left bec a family member needed medical treatment.
    These boys stayed at my house, too. I like them a lot. But I also know that they have serious issues.
    Please have this in mind.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    copied from tb bulletin board
    1971 Experiment:
    That’s what happens when one human being is given complete control over another without any limits; They become intoxicated with the power they have and abuse it. The staff at Tranquility Bay are merely repeating history. I was at Tranquility Bay, and experienced this 1st- hand. With horror, I watched as normal, healthy teenagers regressed into needy children, who obeyed without question and did anything, even turn on each other, to get the validation or approval from the staff. I tried hard not to let that happen to me, but eventually the situation made it utterly impossible. I became almost inhuman, numbing my emotions and obeying mechanically… Walk in a line, stop, head- count, don’t smile, don’t look any1 in the eyes, don’t cry, don’t talk, no bodily function without permission, put your head down, obey, jump, eat, sleep, get on the ground…i had begun to identify with the staff instead of with my fellow peers, who were suffering as i was. When some1 else in my “family” (group), was being abused, i felt no compassion, i tuned out the screams coming from Observational Placement (O.P.), a small room where you go to get questioned about riot plans, or punished for a misdeed (which could be anything ranging from a more serious nature, like runaway or riot plans, to talking without permission or refusing to do unnecessary physical labor- which you had to do to get to higher levels). Now, I am coming to terms with what has happened to me. I keep in touch with some girls who were at TB with me, and they will refuse to come on this site or any other site like this, they don’t even want 2 talk to me about TB- They just want 2 forget it all happened. My hearts goes out to the girls and boys who are enduring that hellish existance right now..And my heart goes out to their parents as well, as they probably don’t have a clue about what is going on, and will have to deal with a child with many more problems than they entered TB with.
    [Date/Time=09-11-2007 – 1:57 AM] Name:ME

    Mark Levin is The Great One
    Mark Levin is The Great One
    16 years ago

    Something is really crazy here.

    Maybe people can speak to the bigwigs in hatzola to put pressure on the wacky father???

    NO ONE deserves to be dragged out of the house kicking and screaming like was described.

    I hope they get the kid out and into a FRUM loving family right away.

    I also hope they keep the other kids away from the nutty parents.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    What i dont get is, some of you aee trying to be dan lekaff zechus the father. but the boy is automaticaly assumed to be a drug dealer etc…???

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    am i having purim hangover?

    THIS CANT BE REAL HOW CAN A JEWISH MOTHER ABUSE A KID IUN THIS WAY

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    I think the parentas are right should they rather wait till he drops dead on drugs overose or alchool?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    Anonymous said…
    excuse me, everyone here is so quick to judge, but rabbosai we are dealing with daas torah here! i did not see any kol koireh against Rav Aaron, I did not see any kol koireh against the parents. obviously gedoilei torah have been involved in this case, and they have decided that this is what is best for the child. who are we to argue? i think everyone calling the parents and the rosh yeshiva ‘reshoim’ should take a long look in the mirror first! rabbosai, daas torah is not something to question!!

    March 25, 2008 11:50 AM
    ================================
    This is exactly how shabtai tzvi became famous by sayimg it is dass toirah and many followed him. untill he was killed.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    How on earth did the parents allow this to happen? Is this going to make the boy return? the parents are sickos if they let this happen!!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    To the poster at 6:19, you don’t know what you’re talking about. The organization mainly SUES state and corporate sponsors of terrorism.

    Funny how your post is the exact opposite of the truth…

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    Anonymous said…
    It’s about time. I am so sick and tired of dealing with these obnoxious teens and their parents who all think that life is so easy and they spoil those kids. Discipline is great, and I’m thrilled to hear that someone is doing something about it.

    March 25, 2008 6:01 PM

    I feel bad for your wife and children.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    the bottom line is a groiser rachmonus

    but the organization filing for the boy is a radical left wing pro palestinian anti nuclear anti war pro green etc. organization
    their web site has links to al jazzeera

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    It’s about time. I am so sick and tired of dealing with these obnoxious teens and their parents who all think that life is so easy and they spoil those kids. Discipline is great, and I’m thrilled to hear that someone is doing something about it.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    Interesting that it takes the Daily News and Voz Iz Neias to bring this to the forfront.

    Oh vey to us, if we leave this boy in such a place.

    I cant imagine any of the Rabbonim allowing this thing to continue.

    Who is this father’s Rabbi? Where doea he live? Is Hatzalah going to allow the boy to stay over there?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    Time for us to all to get together & get tis poor kid out of this filthy, horrible place.

    If we cant come together on this, will we ver get together ….

    Lets put politics aside and just get this poor kid out – its call Pidyon Shvuim. I cant figure out why this cant be done with so many ehrliche rabbonim, what have we come to?

    This poor kid could end up bringing up doros of good ehrliche yidden.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    This was posted on r horowitz’s site

    http://www.rabbihorowitz.com/PYes/ArticleDetails.cfm?Book_ID=951&ThisGroup_ID=272&Type=Article&SID=2

    15. Tranquility Bay 3/25/08 – 8:25 AM
    steve – brooklyn, ny

    Rabbi Horowitz,
    What is your opinion regarding Tranquility Bay in Jamaica? Do you think that a behavior modification institution such as Tranqulity Bay or WWASP should ever be considered as a last resort, by parents of extreme at risk cases?

    16. Boot Camps 3/25/08 – 9:08 AM
    Yakov Horowitz

    Steve:
    I have no time for a real response; but al regel achas….

    I cannot comment on that specific program, as I know nothing about it, but i have been telling parents for at least 5-6 years now to be very wary about ‘boot camps’ because i am concerned that they may be borderline or ‘past the border’ abusive.

    i have never given my ‘haskama’ to any of them, nor have a sent any child i was working with to a boot camp.

    keep in mind that there is a huge difference between a ‘boot camp’ and a ‘wilderness program’

    there are some excellent wilderness programs that are very nurturing and teach kids about life and living in remote settings. i personally know parents who have sent there with good results.

    if anyone needs a referral, please drop an email to [email protected], and i’d be glad to email info to you.

    but i am very, very wary of boot camps.

    hope that answers your question.

    YH

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    What I cant figure out that no-one with any real knowledge is posting? Is there no-one out there with knowledge on this issue?

    Someone explain how anyone of the great Gedolim allow a young boy to be put in such an awful institution whom on their website do not show any lisences etc?

    As someone else wrote: we all HAVE TO GET TOGETHER to bring this boy home and into a decent institution in the US, preferably a Jewish one. This is not the firsat 14 year old to be dragged into shmutz, and hopefully he is the last, and there are reputable institutions where he can be sent. He is young and still can become a mentch.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    if so-called “daas torah” mandates a place like this, then it isnt daas torah. perhaps a boot camp is what is needed for the idiot parents. why are there so many wayward “at risk” youths in our communities? ONE REASON: BAD PARENTING. Young jews are forced to get married when they are still kids and end up becoming bad parents … and the result is a community full of messed up kids.
    Some daas torah.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    Medicineman – You seem to be missing the point.
    This might very well be a “smear campaign”, but that is not the point. The point is, that there is a frum helpless child locked up in a horrible place. And that is an undisputable fact!

    we should be making a concerted, unified and strong campaign to get this boy back to the US.

    And if Daas Torah says he should be put in a goyishe institution then so be it (which I dont believe will ever happen that someone with daas torah will approve) but not in Jamaica, but in the US in a licensed and respected place.

    This is not a joke, many people will pay for this – its the biggest tzedaks.

    This is nothing political etc just plain pidyon shvuim and nobody can condone puting this boy in such a vile and despicable place.

    Lets take the politics out of this.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    To Anonymous 3:27 pm
    You are probably correct that no one really knows the true facts and should be carefull what conclusions they jump to.
    HOWEVER, to suggest that no one get involved and just worry about their own issues could be a terrible mistake. It is this kind of ‘head in the sand’ attitude that has caused serious problems in our community.
    We don’t need to know why he was sent there, and we don’t have to judge anyone, but if this child is indeed in TB, and it does not seem that anyone is denying this, then we must do what we can do have him brought back. It is clearly a case of Pikuach Nefesh and Neshama.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    WHATEVER POSITION HE HAS IN HATZOLOH HE SHOULD RESIGN FOR THE GOOD OF THE FINE WORK THAT THE ORGINIZATION DOES SO THEY ARE NOT DRAGGED UNNEEDED THROUGH THE MUD

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    These parents belong in jail they do not deserve to have children. Hashem gave them the brocha of having them even if the situation is terribly hard don’t do hatzala rather work with your children charity begins at home even though you dont get any kovod for it.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    THE PUBLIC DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON HERE. THE PEOPLE WORKING INSIDE THIS CASE DONT EITHER KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. SO I DONT WANT TO SEE ANY MORE COMMENTS ON THIS CASE. THIS IS PURE GOSSIP – BACK OFF EVERYONE AND WORRY ABOUT YOUR OWN PERSONAL ISSUES! PLEASE.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    Shia Shulem, I AM a Yekke, as you clearly are not by mere mention of your name and you clearly have no idea about anything Yekke, including the fact that proper Chinuch, and not torture is very important. For you to lump people into a category based on one really bad example, you stoop to a new low, which is totally uncalled for here.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    True, he knows computers and is involved in fixing the computer system.

    But, he IS the CEO. Paid who know how much & for what.

    And, he has nothing to do with the chesed Hatzolah does. He is not a member.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    Why is everyone so quick to believe that RAS has anything to do with this??

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    Medicineman,
    You seem to be missing the point.
    This might very well be a “smear campaign”, but that is not the point. The point is, that there is a frum helpless child locked up in a horrible place. And that is an undisputable fact! Wether Rav Aaron is right or wrong is not the issue you should be dealing with. That is a bunch of garbage and politics that will be gossiped about for the next few weeks by every bored soul. What you should be worried about is this poor child.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    With all due respect to all of the people that are backing R Aron, and rightfully so, he is still a Rosh Yeshiva of a major institution, please keep the following in mind.

    1) This facility admits to ONLY allowing the pactice on the Mormon religoun while there.

    2) There is proof that the facility forces residents to write letters to family, to show that they are doing well. (Just like the Nazi’s did in the late 30’s, by forcing people to write “all is well” letters to relatives in the USA.)

    Let’s assume that we agree that this is a “problem child”, which by the way doctors in Houston clearly documented is not the case, and the parents has no other choice, are there no facilities in the USA, facilities that have regulations and rules?

    I am not accusing anyone, not Michael Hersh, nor Rav Aron, of anything other then puting this boy in a makom sakanah.

    Bring him to the USA, allow doctors here to evalute him, and if need be, put him into a facility with laws.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    medicine man,
    you clearly know not of what you speak. The lawyer involved is the only one allowed to state his name and information- he could not lie or he would loose his license- no kid is worth that !
    noone else can give there info for legal and safety reasons. these facts have been filed in court- there are many relatives and eyewitnesses involved , trying to save this child- if you would do some research you could contact them … Hashem will bring justice. I pray that this child is released and than he can tell the truth ! Let the parents have him brought forward… clearly they have not !

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    The real question is : Is this child DANGER to himself or to OUR kids ??

    If he is – are you willing for him to roam the streets ?!!

    Please be honest with yourself.

    “Your life or your friends life” your life is FIRST”.

    I trust Rabbi Schechter Daas Torah to decide this matter correctly.

    I would like to hear from him that he is behide this and may be saving our kids.

    Fellow Jew

    Shia Shulem
    Shia Shulem
    16 years ago

    I know Hersch, not very well,though but for what it’s worth he is a very bright guy, very diligent serious in learning and his work ethic.To be honest I did not know he was involved with Hatzola I thought he had a type of software company.
    Now he is a Yekkeh and real Yekkis take life way to seriously.
    Before everyone starts jumping:The tuitions in these schools are very,very expensive, there has to be a very good reason for this, though I think it’s misguided.
    Look, just the other day a heimishe guy overdosed so you never know.
    I’m the furthest person from Lubavitch because of obvious reasons, but there is a place for them as a last resort.I think they even have a special program in Crown Heights for kids who are not succesful in their regular yeshivas, maybe the Lubavitcher guy who runs the place could comment here?They have much more experience than we in the heimisheh community have.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    their home. There are many other “facts” in this case that turn out not to be so factual!Anybody that knows Rav Ahron Schechter cannot believe that he would condone this, and after hearing the true facts from the actual protagonits involved, it turns out that most of what the NEWS reported is either inacurate. or slanted to create a sensational story! Most of the “facts” were supplied to the reporter by someone who shall for the moment remain nameless, but believe me he has a vested interest in this smear campaign.
    =================================
    Who gives a krap whether there is a shmearing hatzoloh campaign or whether this is a CB political issue or anything else.
    BOTTOM LINE.
    If Rabbi Shechter is aware of this, which he is, then he has a resposibilty to get this kid out NOW. NOT tomorrow..

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    medicine man,

    since you seem to have more info on this case, maybe you can share with us some info on the child abuse chargres againts the parents when they where living in israel.
    (read the lawsuit)

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    Michael Hersh is NOT the CEO of Hatzolah! Michael Hirsch works for the computer department in Hatzolah. He just finished helping update their computer system. Most of this story is a simple smear campaign. Hatzolah is an outstanding organization and should not be critisized. Rav Aaron Schachter shlit”a does not meed my haskama, and is one of the true gedolim of our times.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    To Anon   12:34pm

    I have helped update your FACT LIST below qith my comments in CAPS.

    QUOTE:
    You are correct. Much better to bury our heads in the sand and ignore a few facts.

    Fact – The boy is in the facility

    RESPONSE: WE DONT EVEN KNOW IF THAT IS TRUE AND FOR THAT MATTER IF THE PLACE IS AS BAD AS IT IS MADE OUT TO BE… I AM SURE THAT TOUGH KIDS GET SENT THERE AND TOUGH UNDERSTANDS TOUGH

    Fact – The place is no place for any human being

    RESPONSE: OHH YOU KNOW THIS AS A FACT. WOULD IT BE BETTER IF THESE YOUNG MENS WERE TO LIVE OUT THEIR LIVES IN A REAL PRISON FOR CRIMES AND BEHAVIOUR THAT BOOT CAMPS LIKE THIS TRY TO CORRECT?

    Fact – His parents can take him out

    RESPONSE: WHY IF IS THE MEDICINE HE NEEDS. WOULD A DENTIST PUT BACK A ROTTING TOOTH THAT NEEDS REMOVAL. SOMETIMES TOUGH LOVE IS EXACTLY THAT “TOUGH”!

    Fact – They haven’t taken him out

    RESPONSE: THEY WILL WHEN HE IS READY AND HE IS BETTER PREPAREDF TO TACKLE LIFE AND RESPECT AUTHORITY.

    But I agree we should be dan l’kaf z’chus whenever possible.

    RESPONSE: I DON THINK YOU REALLY MEAN THAT!

    Which is why I’ll assume you have some misplaced tzidkus.

    RESPONSE: IS IT MISPLACED TO SAY WE NEED TO KNOW ALL SIDES OF THIS SAD STORY BEFORE WE CAN FORM AND EXPRESS OUR WASTED OPINIONS? WE DONT HAVE THE FACTS, THIS IS THE ONLY REAL FACT WE HAVE THUS FAR!

    How can the mishna tell us to be marchik m’shochain rah, v’al tischaber i’m roshah???

    After all, by the way you look at things, we shouldn’t consider anyone a roshah!

    RESPONSE: AND CONSIDERING THE SITUATION AND THE MISGUIDED WAYS OF SO MANY OF HASHEM LOST CHILDREN, ARE THERE REALLY ANY REAL RESHAIM IN KLALL YISROEL (IF THEY ADHERE TO ATLEAST THE THREE MAIN INYONIM OF SHABBOS, KASHRUN AND TAHARAS HAMISHPACHAH)?

    IT DOES STRIKE ME THAT TALKING LOSHON HORAH AND RECHILUS QUALIFIES AS RISHUS TOO….. WOULDNT YOU AGREE?

    FACTS ARE A DANGEROUS THING – ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARENT!!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    Medicineman,
    When the Daily News said the parents are estranged, they mean they are estranged from their son. A little reading comprehension would help.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    APPEAL

    Rabbi A. Schechter: Please do what you can in your power to immediately rectify this horrific situation of Pikuach Nefesh and save a young vibrant life before it is too late. Please disregard any connection you may have with the parents (?) of this child and do what you can to release him from his bonds. Those of you (you know who you are) who are in the yeshiva, please forward the comments on this site immediately to your R”Y.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    So don’t believe a word of what was written in the Daily News. Instead, believe what an unknown blogger (who cannot identify his sources) writes (which is that he has information he can’t tell you).

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    Many of you bloggers make me cry or laugh, frankly I don’t know which. The fact is that a young Jewish neshama is in an extreme program a fact that would seem to us to be incomprehensible. But how did his parents arrive at such a difficult heartbreaking desicion?I assure you it wasn’t because he didn’t get into the right yeshiva. Do any of you know what the parents have already tried? You are all so fast in your judgements without any knowledge of this child’s life. Stop condemning the parents without the benefit of information. You don’t know the issues and yet you easily commit character assassination by just hitting enter. Read the story, thank Hashem for what you have,say some Tehillim for this kid and then keep your comments to yourself. Don’t delude yourself into thinking you are helping anyone by posting your outrage.

    medicineman
    medicineman
    16 years ago

    How Incredibally irresponsible can you be. Let’s Begin with the facts. Most of you are probably unaware that this story is a verbatim reprint from that great “paper of record” the Daily News(page 19), and if you can’t believe them, who can you belive? The fact is that the parents are not estrangedand but are in fact living together in their home. There are many other “facts” in this case that turn out not to be so factual!Anybody that knows Rav Ahron Schechter cannot believe that he would condone this, and after hearing the true facts from the actual protagonits involved, it turns out that most of what the NEWS reported is either inacurate. or slanted to create a sensational story! Most of the “facts” were supplied to the reporter by someone who shall for the moment remain nameless, but believe me he has a vested interest in this smear campaign.
    I am not at liberty at the moment to divulge any intimate details but stay tuned, as soon as I recieve the go ahead you will all know who is behind the smear campaign and why.
    Just some food for thought. Does any thinking person beleive that Rav Ahron, The people at Hatzoloh, and other Rabonim involved would endorse the kind of environment and tactics described in this article? I think not. STAY TUNED

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    As for the retort about judging RAS – it is simple. “Ein cholkin kavod lorav bemakom chilul Hashem”.
    Please translate this please. Without meforshim please!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    Even if this place would be a humane place and even if the boy is totally off the derech this is not the place for a jewish boy to be in and its inhumane for the parents to be sending him there. As someone wrote he will never come back a zieser yingele but enstrabged etc.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    Agreed this does not look good for Hatzalah and I hope people will continue to contribute to hatzalah but bear in mind Mr Hersh is the CEO for Central Hatzalah and does not operate any of the day to day great Hatzalah work of our great volenteers.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    I think we must get a representative and explain to R’ Ahron Shecter in a B’chovodig way that this boy cant be allowed to remain in this awful and bloody place….. anyone seeing this story and NOT crying does not have jewish, rachmonusdige blood. I personally would donate choimesh of my income to help get this boy of this place.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    read the quote from Hatzalah:

    “Hatzalah will carefully monitor these proceedings, taking into account the seriousness of the allegations,” the organization said in a statement.”

    This is not about smearing the good name of Hatzalah, just putting pressure for Hatzalah to do their job, SAVE LIVES!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    For the people that wrote about dan l’chf zchut, I think you are inhumane and the chillul Hashem is on you for not being deplored by such a maaseh …. It is the greatest chillul Hashem for any child and let alone a child of Orthordox jewish parents, I have worked with many children going off the derech and indeed drugs etc, but the deplorable, inhumane and terrible oinshim these kids is nothing else but to cry for all of them (the non-jewish ones also) and the triefus and inhumane treatment of a fellow jew in far away place is not for words … Yes, special treatment has to be given to these kids nebach, but this is not the way and there IS NO DAN L’CHAF ZCHUT for these parents to nplace the children in such gehinom, AND I have a feeling it wont help in the long run – someone treated with achzorius becomes an achzor!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    who’s michael hersh? ceo of hatzalah? I never heard of that name?

    can someone in hatzalah please post and verify before this turns into a hatzolo shmear campaign shees!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    regardless if they abuse the kids or not. This program i guarantee is not run with a Torah Hashkofah in mind i promise this kid did not put on teffillin once since he got there. or eats kosher or learns at all. true for even the proponents of this type of program is this the type of kid you want back, a kid with no Yidishkeit, frumkeit?????? Just he knows how to say Please, and Thank You??????? there are frum run programs in Yerushalyim. why not try one of those???????

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    16 years ago

    I am posting this as one of the askanim involved who knows many facts on the case that have not reached the media. Let it be known that there are many gedolei yisroel involved, and all are, thus far, unanimous that this child needs to be rescued from this place. They are appalled that RAS has remained steadfast to his position. There are clearly outside factors involved, since RAS is not known to be an achzor. The current campaign focuses on media and the exposure. There may need to be kol korieys, and there may well be bayei din involved with piskei halacha if it reaches that level. An earlier post was clear about pikuach nefesh, that even the chance of it is enough basis to establish that this child be removed from that facility immediately. A neshoma is crying to us for help. We must listen.

    As for the retort about judging RAS – it is simple. “Ein cholkin kavod lorav bemakom chilul Hashem”.