New York – Assembly Speaker Silver To Dov Hikind: Whatever You Need To Fight Abuse, I Will Help.

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    New York City – VIN News has learned Influential New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, himself an Orthodox Jew, met this past Friday with outspoken Assemblyman and community activist Dov Hikind to discuss the severity of the ongoing problem of child abuse and molestation in the Orthodox Jewish community.

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    Speaker Silver was reportedly moved by the account put forward by Assemblyman Hikind, pledging that “whatever resource you need, I am opening [it] up to you.”

    Silver shared his disbelief with Hikind, saying that while he knew there was an issue, he didn’t expect that it would be so bad. “You have anything from my office to help immediately,” Silver said to Hikind. Silver then immediately approved more funding for Hikind’s district to hire professionals to combat and treat the problem.

    VIN News has also learned that with the upcoming new state legislative session, several politicians will be committing themselves to the implementation of new abuse-related laws, including extending the statute of limitations. Additionally, a bill requiring background checks for prospective yeshiva staff will be up again for a vote, a bill that is expected this time to be pushed heavily by many in the legislature, including Speaker Silver.


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    78 Comments
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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Finally some action, thank you Dov, (and Speaker Silver) may this be a tremendous zechus for you and yours in this New Year.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    B”H. The “rabbonim” better be shaking in their pants!!! Dov and Shelly are going to torch you into oblivion!!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Again Sinas Harabonim, sinas am ha’aretz letalmid chochom. The problem needs to be solved in tandem with the Rabbonim, otherwise seek another religion.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    You 2 antisemitic self hating Jews stop hanging our laundry in public

    ENOUGH is ENOUGH!

    There are ways to deal with issues

    והמבין יביו שאין הדרך רק להגיד שהרבנים הרבנים הרבנים…. אינם יודעים מה שהם עושים

    Joe
    Joe
    15 years ago

    Dov keep up the good work, these sick people should be brought to justice.

    mccain palin 08
    mccain palin 08
    15 years ago

    this is a great momment in the history for us

    Dissapointed Yid
    Dissapointed Yid
    15 years ago

    Sinas “harabbonim.” Wait, you mean the same HUMAN BEINGS who have been ignoring the child abuse that has taken place in our community?!?

    These so called “rabbonim” ought to be ashamed of themselves. They were charged with the responsibilty of leading and bettering the klal, but have failed miserably.

    Anyone who stands by idly screaming “sinas harrabonim” is culpapble, in addition to being a blithering and unsophisticated idiot.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Those comments made by two posters that we should leave it up to the rabonim are the same people who would laugh at their kids if it happened to them.

    what are you talking about cant be not him

    rather then doing something about it

    anonymous
    anonymous
    15 years ago

    this is a result of doing nothing ourselves. now the goverment will be involved. beleive me i dont mind but its a shame.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    thank you guys.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Yasher koach, NOW let’s get some Rabbonim who are so busy with takanos to take a stand thank you Dov Hikind.

    Mommy
    Mommy
    15 years ago

    If the vaad found the lie detector test POSSITIVE on that menahel, and the rabbonim found excuses for that menahel to keep him on as a melamed, you still say Dov Hikind should stop? Nobody else wants to help those innocent vicitims!

    Lock & Load
    Lock & Load
    15 years ago

    Dov,

    Do whatever it takes to get

    this Job Don!!!!!!

    Lock & Load

    Chofetz Chaim
    Chofetz Chaim
    15 years ago

    Another Talmud Chocim to the rescue what a shame.

    MARK
    MARK
    15 years ago

    good news horray to dov

    anonymous
    anonymous
    15 years ago

    FINALLLLLLLLLLY!!

    anonymous
    anonymous
    15 years ago

    WHAT A SHAME!!!! EIN YID ZUL MASERN A TZVATIN

    THERES JUSTICE UP THERE

    anonymous
    anonymous
    15 years ago

    There is plenty room to be jew haters – jews make fools of themselves and have fake concert ban rabbis who would rather destroy an innocent concert promoters livelihood then know the truth and deal with real issues. Shame on them and shame on all of you who follow them – it is a case of blind money hungry jews leading the blind.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    rabbonim are wellcome anytime to do something. Acknowledging the problem exists is a good babystep start.

    formely
    formely
    15 years ago

    They can help but only but only if people come forward

    anonymous
    anonymous
    15 years ago

    What a shame shame on you hikind shame on you silver! for a little money to do such a terrible thing

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    This is certainly a step in the right direction and perhaps will shed light on other equally troubling issues including teenage and young adult drug use and addiction in our community. Anyone who denies that there is a problem has not talked to medical doctors, Hatzoloh members and school administrators who serve our community.

    anonymous
    anonymous
    15 years ago

    EXCUSE ME ANONYMOUS 12:59!!

    WHEN IT AFFECTS YIDDISHE NASHAMALACH MIZ MEN MASSEREN WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?!?

    oy vey rabbosai
    oy vey rabbosai
    15 years ago

    Sadly, by their silence & gross inaction the Rabbonim have told their flock not to pay attention to this problem of Sh’fichas Domim. Apparently they have much bigger things to worry about. tell me … which rav in BP, Flatbush, Monsey, etc. will address this in a shabbos shuva d’rasha. none–exactly. Under teh guise of not speaking about “not nice topics” publicly, they have let the k’hillas know it is not a problem and/or not something to be discussed or concerned about. Therefore this killing [victims consider it a life sentence worse than just getting killed] of innocent yiddishe children continues.

    Shelly Silver has to stop supporting to’eivah

    Oy Gevald
    Oy Gevald
    15 years ago

    It’s about time!

    Rechel mechel
    Rechel mechel
    15 years ago

    can anybody name a molester from this year in willi bp monsey or kj? so far there is no name 4 us to watch from let’s leave d rabonnim out believe me if only we post 3-4 names from 2008 molesters (not 20 yrs ago)it will stop very fast we don’t need poloticians & state funding & rabonnim

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Rechel mechel Says:

    can anybody name a molester from this year in willi bp monsey or kj? so far there is no name 4 us to watch from let’s leave d rabonnim out believe me if only we post 3-4 names from 2008 molesters (not 20 yrs ago)it will stop very fast we don’t need poloticians & state funding & rabonnim

    ————————————————-

    Did we all forget Mondrowitz? Why hasn’t he been brought to justice?

    agd
    agd
    15 years ago

    this is blown way out of proportion they make it seem like it’s a big problem when it’s overrated

    Ban Takonahs
    Ban Takonahs
    15 years ago

    The inaction by the rabbonim is appalling. They should hang their heads in shame.

    A poshiter yid
    A poshiter yid
    15 years ago

    Rechel you bring up a good point, albeit it wasn’t your intention.

    The only thing the rabbonim have contributed to this situation is the suppression of names. The klal needs to be less apprehensive about discussing names, similar to the way we deal with a husband who refuses to give a get.

    Sometimes, being mevazeh someone is the proper mode of behavior.

    anonymous1
    anonymous1
    15 years ago

    It is time to publicly shame these so called rabbis who have shamed others by silly concert ban ads.. Let them be run out of town instead of the holy work that R. Twersky and others are doing. Shame on you people who support these sham schools under the guise of ‘yeshivas’ – you are helping bring up a corrupt nation.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    The rabonim unfortunatley do not understand the deep and lasting effects of sexual abuse on our youngsters, efforts are being made to meet with rabonim and provide them with the facts and the information the need to better understand the scope of the issue.

    Been there
    Been there
    15 years ago

    Rechel mechel Says:

    can anybody name a molester from this year in willi bp monsey or kj? so far there is no name 4 us to watch from let’s leave d rabonnim out believe me if only we post 3-4 names from 2008 molesters (not 20 yrs ago)it will stop very fast we don’t need poloticians & state funding & rabonnim

    Check out the Yeshiva of Spring Valley who fired a first grade 30+ years melamed for molestation. I know the name but do not want this post erased for naming him. A little research will yield your results. Last name starts with A.

    deepthinker
    deepthinker
    15 years ago

    Another disgusting example of the Fox guarding the henhouse.

    Speaker Silver is the key promoter of GayRights in Albany, which is causing the general moral decline all over the State, including our community.

    Now he and Dov are going the “Fix” the problem he himself caused.

    What a joke!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Rechel mechel Says:

    can anybody name a molester from this year in willi bp monsey or kj? so far there is no name 4 us to watch from let’s leave d rabonnim out believe me if only we post 3-4 names from 2008 molesters (not 20 yrs ago)it will stop very fast we don’t need poloticians & state funding & rabonnim

    Frankly there are THOUSANDS of cases in the frum community which are currently being documented to be presented to those that need to know in order to effect change, the reason there are so few names out there is because there is no support from the communities, and a major lack of education on the subject, many survivors themselves do not understand the symptoms or attribute those symptoms to the abuse they expirianced. A survivor that speaks up about being molested is then raped emotionally by the community. look what was done even R’ Twerski, nevermind the thousands of innocent kids.

    DR NO
    DR NO
    15 years ago

    WOW

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    To those that say leave it up to the Rabbonim. I am a victim of abuse and I have got to know others that where victims. Do we have any idea what the reprecusiion is from this abuse. Do you know what the spiral effect this is having. Lifes destroyed, Families torn apart. Thousands of dollars for theraputic help. Which Rabbis is helping theses victims??? There is always the answer that the person changed or will change. The issue is not only in Yeshivahs it is going on amongst families across the community. I WONDER WHY HUSH ABOUT IT how many lives must be destroyed before something gets done. There is only so much we can push under the rug. PLEASE LETS ALL UNITE TO WASH THESE SCUM PEOPLE OFF THE MAP…and to work even better why not set up funds to help victims of abuse? we have so many Org. out there HELP THE VICTIMS OF ABUSE……

    Hesh
    Hesh
    15 years ago

    Hey Shelly! How can you be “upset” with the abuse situation on one hand but on the other hand you support “Gay Marriage?”!!!? Very hypocritical! They are both perversions!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Why thousands? Millions! Anybody can state anything; it doesn’t have to be true. Sure there is a problem, but boruch Hashem what exists by us is tiny compared to what is happening in the wide world. Even if the problem is comparably small, we must address it and try to make sure it doesn’t happen, not even once. But bashing the Rabbonim is wrong, the manahlim are NOT Rabbonim. Also must cases happen closer to home then in school, it’s much safer for your child in school then when playing in front of your house. All those crying “Yiddishe Neshomess”, care nothing about Yiddishe Neshomess. It is releasing all you anger on the wrong place. The best I can say is, better here then on your husband. Shmuel Hanovie said to Shaul when Shaul defended his act as doing G-d a favor by not listening to him; so, Shmuel Hanovie said: does G-d need your sacrifices instead of listening to him. I’ll say the same: Does G-d need you to scream irresponsibly “Yiddishe Neshomess”, or does G-d want you to listen to him, i.e. not bashing the Rabbonim. Again I say to all of you bashing the Rabbonim – seek another Religion!!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    To Hesh,

    Shelly Silver is the Speaker of the Assembly, which happens to be a statewide position, not just representing the Lower East Side. The Gay community, a very large constituency, is asking for legal status when it comes to “domestic partnerships” so that if a partner dies, the other gets survivor benefits, etc. Shelly in no way endorses the gay lifestyle; he’s just responding to their complaints about equity.

    formely
    formely
    15 years ago

    Hesh Says:

    comments – arrow Hey Shelly! How can you be “upset” with the abuse situation on one hand but on the other hand you support “Gay Marriage?”!!!? Very hypocritical! They are both perversions!

    two different things one is a victim of abuse. adult against a child.

    The other whatever you want to thing about the act, is between two consenting adults

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    iagree there are thousands that are victims and stop making fun because its a realty there are thousands so you will ask how do I know its simple I have asked 8 of my very close friends to tell me the truth who was molested and I told them I was molested not true a melmaed but an older Bhchir when I was a very young boy and 7 out of the 8 said they where molested one way or the other and a few of them went on for over a year so take then I asked a few of my close family members when we all opened up about this issue and 3 without me told me they where molested one true melamed other true a hitch so if you would take a poll out of 14 people 10 where molested this is how they take polls at elections and they are more or less accurate and none of those had any interest or agenda to lie because it was just a very friendly talk so as a simple guy who just started talking from this issue after nuchme rosenrg like thousands other are doing I can tell you its very scary at the situation is much worse then anybody has an idea this is going to explode if there would be away of coming forward without any fear you will have thousands of victims and those who keep on putting down Dov and other real askknim who are trying to put a stop to this i have no doubt that you are a hidden molester or you have some very dirty thinks going on in your head otherwise there is no sense why it should bother anybody that they are after molesters and child killers it just and simple does not make any sense so the answer must be you have some think that bothers you and there is help outter you just have to look for it so instead of coming out here and trying to put the helpers and askknim down go for help you need it and you know it

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Hesh

    Hesh

    I don’t support nor condone Gay “relationships”. However, there is a moral and legal difference between committing an act against a minor without his or her understanding and consent, versus Gay “marriage”. Gay “relationship” is where two people consent to perform an immoral act.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    anonymous Says:

    WHAT A SHAME!!!! EIN YID ZUL MASERN A TZVATIN

    THERES JUSTICE UP THERE

    09-22-2008 – 12:59 PM

    Look at the bright spot – If you do report a child molester to the civil authorities and end up in Hell for it, you’ll at least be sitting next to the gedolai hador who have paskened that you should do just that, and you won’t have to sit next to tzadikim like this guy who is more concerned about mesira than about our children or about following the psak of gedolai yisroel.

    History
    History
    15 years ago

    If we as jews accused moshe Rabbeinu of living with a ISHU KISHIS, how in the world can we be any better in 2008-9 other then insult, accuse, belittle, crucify, petrify, dehumanize and so on all the Rabbunim in our Generation!

    We gonna ask all shaalos the JDL, New Yorker, Village Voice, “Ask the Rabbi”, the Jewish Press, Jewish Forward, Jewish Star and of course the one and only New York Times! (VIN, hope the editor does not take it personally for ommitting this medium which gives us all including myself the podium to vent! Don’t think you wanna be on THAT list………..)

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    One other bright spot – So long as they are busy on the (treife) internet cursing everyone who is trying to solve the problem, they are not nears our kids.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    to all of you who are busy with asking rabbinm and das tora please let your names be known why are you afraid trust me the molsers will be after your kids in a heart beat they are looking for such peaple that are busy with das tora because then they know they have nothing to be afraid off the only think thats holding them back is like peaple like me who god forbid if they should do somethink to my child rabnnim aherre rabbnim ahin he is going to jail so thak god those molestrs dont know who are busy with the rabbnim and who will trow the book at them tuts e thats whats holding them back at least as much as possible now so for all you who are busy with das tora let your name out you will se how fast those molesters will be at your children they think its a big joke

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Anon. 2:50, if seven out of eight are molested then you’re right that there are thousands, case closed. Are molestors, also seven out of eight, and we have thousands of molestors?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I too have a problem digesting the 7 out of 8 statistic but that shines little light on the number of molestors out there.

    Studies have shown that most molestors abuse scores and sometimes hundreds of children over the course of a lifetime.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I know I know that all the Rabbonim are garbage, but I would like to ask you all one question, when you have a shaylah in yoreh deah do you all go to the assembly mans office with it?