Albany, NY – VIN News was contacted by former teacher Rabbi Yaakov Weiss who requested that we disseminate his response to the serious accusations of child abuse leveled against him in the media.
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It behooves all of us to be mindful that although we are determined to put an end to child abuse, it is also possible for an innocent person’s life and reputation to be destroyed by false accusations.
VIN News is in no way in any position to make decisions of who is right, or who is wrong, we need to remind our readers that we are merely a news organization providing you with information.
In the mean time a web site was set up by supporters of Rabbi Weiss
Below is Rabbi Weiss’s statement in full.
As we, the Jewish People, approach Yom Kippur, the holiest day on our calendar; the day G-d seals our fate for this coming year, it is my hope and wish that this troubling situation come to a speedy and positive conclusion. Although the media may not like this, may we have a year in which the news will only be able to give GOOD news!
Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank so many from our community and from my friends and colleagues from around the world for their confidence and outpouring support. My family will forever be grateful. You have made it clear to us that you are behind us and I assure you we will prove you right.
Let me state unequivocally: This accusation is 100% untrue, baseless, and a complete and utter fabrication. This has been generated by an individual who has been antagonistic towards Chabad of Colonie from its inception and continues to be envious of continued success. This is his way of getting rid of us.
This individual contacted the authorities three months ago together with a close friend. His new allegations were released today.
Obviously, as of yet I am unable to share more details, but in due time I am confident that these appalling accusations will be proven baseless and the true agenda behind them will be evident.
We will take appropriate steps against those who have attempted to malign us and we are confident that we will prove our case and come out with our chin up.
May we all have a happy and healthy sweet new year, a year of peace and harmony.
Rabbi Yaakov Weiss
I am very impressed that he has taken a stand to address this. As a lubavitcher myself I would not put it past some low life people to claim that the “lubavitcher” touched my kids. Fights with chassidim and the opposite were so bad that at one point people were killing each other. I think the fact that he has confidence to stand up against these people and say not true goes to prove it may not be as bad as accused if any accusation existed.
Nobody wants to believe such terrible things, and we all hope he’s innocent. I guess we’ll have to wait for an dismissal, indictment or trial to find out the truth…whatever that is.
I hope you will be proven right. And Hashem should bless you and your Chabad a Gut Gebensht Yur.
i think you coming out as you did is very courageous. you must do what you can to clear up this mess. if you are innocent than many people will be there to help you. this issue should not be left hanging.
May this be a year of good things for you. BE”H the truth will uphold HATZLACHA & A GEBENTCHED YEAR
firstly my name that appears says only a bit and what i am allowed to say online about molestors….. but one thing i want to make clear is that none of the sickos have ever come out publicly to say anything and he has the courage and the guts i might believe his words and lets hope he is correct and that it was takeh just jealously and hateful accusations….
may moshiach takeh come very speedily and only hear good news
I know Rabbi Weiss personally for more than a decade. I know the family he married into for more than a decade. Rabbi weiss is a humble chassidisher yungerman, even as a bochur he was from the better quality bochurim, learning, davening and general chasidishe behavior. I was shocked to read the accusations, and I’m more than proud of the stand Rabbi Weiss took. May he and his wife and the entire family see all these hardships behind them already, and be blessed with a sweet and healthy year, Gezund, Nachas and Parnoso. Hatzlocho rabo in their shlichus, “VE’AL YEVOISH MIPNEI HAMLEIGIM”.
This is the most ridiculous claim. You want us to believe that there is some vast Lubavitch establishment conspiracy against you. “I did not have sex with that woman Monica Lowensky oops I mean I did not molest children. Its those rabbis there out to get me”
We will just have to wait and see. The statement seems honorable though. I hope we get to the bottom of this soon.
I would give him the benefit of the doubt for now, yet do not leave any kids with him until he is proven innocent.
The accusers have the burdon of proofe to show beyond areasonable doubt…, not him. It’s amaizing how a person and family can be destroyed with a few words. The media should be more responsable and wait until such cases are prooven eather way before publishing.
I grew up in Lakewood and moved away after I graduated highschool. ..HMM…. Somehow got here by chance. I believe that places like Lakewood etc. should be havens for Orthodox Jewish people as they should be able to worship and live in a community with like minded/ believers. So, tonight, I was investigating the Talmud and its rules and teachings about pedophila and then I come upon the link to this response through another webpage. HMM… had just been thinking after reading the writings/ laws in the Talmud , wonder if they are having allegations in any of those Hasdic schools in Lakewood about child molestation / pedophila and then within minutes I come upon these allegations? What is the deal? is the Talmud still taught in your community?
I truly hope this story is just due to jealousy.
Now listen carefully to what I’m going to say here. I’m know angle and I’m surely not g-d to know what lies in the hearts of man. I will however say that 2 and 1/2 years ago when I helped expose my molester and run him out of the country, I was met with the same incredulous resistance and ignorant disbelief on the part of those who benefited spiritualy from that “rabbi”. Again, I will not judge this case. However to me it looks IDENTICAL to the masses reaction to my accusations and the accusations of the other boys. BUT I KNEW THAT I WAS RIGHT. And those who supported the rabbi hurt me so much that I “blessed” those protecting him with harsh things that I myself am now scared to repeat. The support my molester got from the community drove this grown man to tears more than once. Tread carefully, for if the victims are telling a true story and they see what effort and length people go to cover for a molester the pain and hurt becomes magnified a thousandfull. Then you are bringing on the wrath of g-d for these victims and parents will call out to hashem for his intervention in this tragic travisty. Be carefull.
Who is this accused refering to when he says “us” or “we”? Far as I can tell he is the only one charged.
Att. Rabbi Weiss:
I wouldn’t expect you to say differently. But the truth always prevails!
Number 3 is right. I never heard someone come out like this. But usualy the abusers deny it or don’t see whats wrong with what they did. Like Dov Hikind said, that a molester told him he is not doing anything wrong. After all they are children that dont understand and can’t get hurt….
However, I am not saying he is right or wrong. Time will tell…
The people that use this tactic to get even with someone are ruining it for all true victims. They are abusing the victims even more!
The response from Rabbi Weiss does seem genuine and I think he should be given every proper and fair opportunity to resolve the accusations just as everyone reading this would want for themselves, and if he is innocent as it seems from his public response, Hashem should protect him and bless him with much good, and with many happy and healthy and very successful years, we see by a wife that is accused of being a Sotah but is proven innocent, Hashem blesses with many positive things.
However i would like to note (and this is not directed at Rabbi Weiss, but at this kind of situation in general) Child molesters are very often Intelligent, Sociopaths, Very social, Smart, Credible, Liked by friends and Relatives, Manipulative, Believable, Respectable, Admired, Energetic, involved in acts of Chesed and Community work, Advisors, Supporters, Generous, & Loved by many..
This is precisely why so many survivors & children will not dare to speak up, or confront their abuser, the credibility gap, the parental or community backlash, the accusations etc are just to much to pile upon the existing pain and confusion.
It is important to remember the above, and keep it in mind in general regardless as to how this particular case plays out.
May we only hear good things, and may hashem forgive us all this Yom Kippur, may we all heal and find forgiveness for each other in our hearts, and may all Falsehood & Evil be wiped away from the face of this earth with the coming of Moshiach even before Yom Kipput, speedily in our days. Amen.
Remember that his letter may sound very good but you will not hear from the other side due to their privacy and therefore what Rabbi Weiss writes in his letter is of no use.
The number of people involved in the alleged plot against the alleged perpetrator–at least six people (two victims and four parents)–shluchim and non-shluchim, people committed to Torah values, makes it highly unlikely. Who would put their kids through such an ordeal if it was untrue? They would have to be disgusting people, true socio-paths incapable of emotional attachment, caring not at all for their kids or other people.
Also, the DA is unlikely to pursue cases of back massages as sexual exploitation and abuse, except if maybe it was a case of a naked child at the side of a mikvah. We should keep in mind the DA has a win-loss ratio s/he must maintain to further his/her professional career. DAs don’t want to lose and lower their ratio of wins to losses, and pursuing back massages as sexual abuse cases seems like an unlikely waste of scarce judicial resources given the loose connection.
To quote Rabbi Weiss:
“Let me state unequivocally: This accusation is 100% untrue, baseless, and a complete and utter fabrication. This has been generated by an individual who has been antagonistic towards Chabad of Colonie from its inception and continues to be envious of continued success. This is his way of getting rid of us.”
My Comment:
It’s Funny that until now, we in the Small Albany Community have never ever come across any stories or situations to back up this claim of Rabbi Weiss. We have no personal issues with Rabbi Weiss, or his outreach activities.
Rabbi Weiss, This is a humorous and ridiculous claim, with absolutely no backing!
. OUR ISSUE IS THAT YOU MOLESTED OUR INNOCENT CHILDREN. Period!!!!
VIN, I’m quite surprised that you would post this letter from Rabbi Weiss. It seems that you are afraid of your own shadow.This is Manipulative behaviour of child molesters. Let him have his say in court.
Rabbi, you don’t look much better in this picture. Stick with the mug shot.
This is all a test! Learn from this, and DO what is right!
If this man has hurt this child (& others), he should be locked away in a prison cell (what goes around comes around…), and run out of the community. Many psychiatric professionals believe, there is no “cure” for such behavior, the person will always have these desires.
If this man is a victim of false accusations, then he deserves a hefty settlement from the plaintiff. Even if he is innocent, his name is forever sullied, and people will always be wary around him. I for one would not let my child near this man, until his name is cleared. But even if that did happen, I myself would be one of those individuals who are wary of him. Seriously, is this man’s feelings really worth risking your child’s life?
In short. I go with #11 #13
No clue if this case is true or not, it could be completely one way or the other. One thing is for sure, we all must say a BIG THANK YOU to VIN for putting up all these articles, i am convicted that it will prevent many potential child molesters from acting in the future, just by seeing what is the results of their actions.
Again i have no details at all about this case, so i cant make any judgment at all.
Gmar Chsima Tova to all.
Keep in mind that a child molester is often psychopathic, meaning that he really believes that he did nothing wrong. He needs to be that way in order to justify satisfying his base urges at another person’s expense. They rationalize this by living split-personalities. They have one persona that everyone knows, and who his often recognized as “the nicest person on earth”, then they have a sinister side that acts out their vile compulsions. They departmentalize it in such a way that when the “good” persona is talking they rationally deny any culpability. When they carry out their misdeeds they assume the “bad” persona. Their good side even despises their bad sides, but looks at the “bad” side as a separate person. This people cannot even understand why they are being hounded and assume the mantle of a “victim”. I don’t know the particulars of this case, but what is telling is that this individual refers to himself as “us” and “we” in the letter. Although it is assumed that he is referring to his family, it might also be that he is subconsciously referring to his own two personalities, as if to say that “both” my personalities are being accused while one of them is totally innocent. I know it sounds sick, but it is something to think about.
I admit a certain bias on this subject, because I am too familiar with many such goings on, and have seen this phenomenon in action.
I find it VERY hard to believe that soemone would make these accusations involving their own children just out of envy for someone’s success. That is hard to believe.
I have been thinking about this a lot, and this is what I have come up with. I think there is a STRONG and DIRECT correlation to the way sex and females are regarded in Haredi circles that is a direct cause of this behavior. When something that is natural and normal is turned into something dirty and shamefule, then the pathologies appear. If you are taught your whole life not to look at a girl, speak to a girl, even acknowledge a girl, then told to get married and interact normally with a woman, how can one do this so quickly? The hatred of women becomes so ingrained that men will turn to pedophilia. You see the same thing with the Muslims, where pedophilia and homo sexual behavior is rampant and pretty much ignored. The Charedi world has created this monster. WE need to loosen up significantly, not freak out when boys and girls get together for socializing, allow dating, or at least group socializing, tera down the mechitzahs at weddings, and concerts and everyplace except the Shul. If we continue with this demonization of women, and that is what this is, then our males will never feel comfortable with women, and will naturally turn to home sexuality or G-d forbid, children, in order to satisfy their urges. I am not sure what the answer to this is, but I see this pathology developing among Charedi kids that is very unhealthy in regards to the opposite sex.
In the dictionary, next to the word CHUTZPAH, you will see that same picture of ‘rabbi’ weiss.
Every criminal in every prison says he is 100% innocent, and that he was framed.
This was a crime with no witnesses, and it is his word against a child’s. He knows how to manipulate the system to win people over, just like he won the trust of a child.
His ‘in your face’ defense will backfire and damage Chabad if he is not exonerated. Maybe he shouldn’t be so cocky and confident at this time.
If he is proven innocent, then the community and VIN can offer good wishes and help restore his reputation. But until then, please keep him away from my children.
When Moshe Rabbeinu was accused of wrongdoing by Korach, Moshe’s initial response is described “…he fell on his face…”. Moshe, despite knowing he was innocent, reacted with absolute humility.
Therein is a lesson for today: when accusations are leveled, with far more substance than Korach’s, the accused should be humble and quiet, and not show such arrogance as to give speeches about what a great guy he really is.
Yes, I feel bad for his wife and kids, but when you sin, you do not sin alone. You drag down a lot of other people with you, whether you realize it or not.
the accuser is accomplishing exactly what he wants to….mark my words, they will retract their claim but your discussion, your doubt and your hurtful words is what is still happening, so they are succeeding in hurting him. Yet it is a story of anger, if you will talk to anyone IN the community they will agree – I don’t know the whole community or the Rabbi but 2 friends who live in the community say that it is hatred and claims just to hurt and eventually destroy the Chabad presence.
rabbi weiss. a gut gebentched yor. from your fans in albany.
Rabbi Weiss keeps using the words, WE & US. see quote:
We will take appropriate steps against those who have attempted to malign us and we are confident that we will prove our case and come out with our chin up.
Noone is against your family, It seems that these accusations only concern one person: Rabbi weiss!!!!!But you are taking your family down with you! and while you are at it- dragging Chabad with you. Your philosophy is , “If I go down, they all go down”!!!
All criminals deny their guilt. Molesters, especially, are known for being exceptionally talented, gifted “people” people, usually pillars of the community. We are always surprised (but needn’t be) that such seemingly wonderful men are in reality leading a very ugly double life as a S— addict, or child molester. This is the MO of the disease!
Being a great Rabbi, teacher, or friend does not rule out his living a closet existence of disgrace.
I feel awful for the friends that they stuck their necks out supporting him on his site.
What are they going to say if he is convicted?
I feel WORSE for his wife – she is an abuse victim herself by living with this warped individual. And she cannot begin to recover until she realizes that she has been duped.
It’s awful that he has harmed these 2 child victims that have come forward – but these guys usually have many hundreds of incidents with MANY victims. I hope everyone can get the help they need.
Gmar Tov.
Charles Manson also worded everything in the first person plural- “we,” “us,”
It’s a type of manipulation. Just by the sound of it, he is guilty.
The Albany community, across the board, frum and non-frum is appalled.
We are not “fans” of Rabbi Weiss. This is not entertaining- potentially our children have been exposed to a predator!
This letter is another example that Weiss is NOT laying low or trying to keep off the radar. It shows haughtiness and disrespect to the families involved, including his own. This type of letter may only be appropriate IF he vindicated.
In the meantime,I agree that pedophilia is a sickness, lo aleinu, but it is proven that there is NO CURE for it. As long as a molester lives, they have that tendencies. Now we all have “taivos” which may be inappropriate, but WE DO NOT ACT ON THEM! As long as Weiss continues to live in the Capital District, I say, guard your sons!
G’mar Chasimah Tovah and we should all be mispalel for both parties involved and that justice will be served!
I am 55 yrs old, a grandfather and a vicitm of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of nuns as a child and teenager and physical abuse at the hands of priests as a teenager. My heart goes out to any person involved in a religiously affiliated case of child physical or sexual abuse. But I must tell all of my Jewish brothers and sisters this from personal experience. These religious abusers are almost universally charismatic characters with a large and loyal following of people who cannot and will not believe that “so and so” could abuse. It is beyond their comprehension. The abuser counts on this reaction to continue his life as an abuser. Certainly you are all aware of the devestation done to Catholic children by priests, nuns, lay brothers and laity with in the Catholic Church in the USA in the last fifty years or so. I am here to state unequivocally that there were Catholics who felt the same way about the abuser priests as you feel abou this accused rabbi. I do not know who is guilty, who is lieing or what various people’s motives can be in this case. I only know one thing. It is quite rare, in fact, it is very rare that an accused priest or nun has been found to be innocent.
To what you will with this information.
yeah i love the way he keeps quoting WE who else got accused only him so where is the ” I “
Notice how in the 2nd last paragraph he threatens anyone who fights him. This is what molestors do to the kids. they say: don’t tell ……… or else…………
When it comes to kovod, it’s I who gets it. When it comes to discrace, he’s happy to share the “kovod”.
BTW whats his teretz now that a second kid has come foward? Perhaps he’s so humble, he thinks world jewry is threatend by him, and the whole world has a conspiracy to destroy him.
As we are in Motzei Yom Kippur, I got some FOOD FOR THOUGHT for the capital district of new york-
If Weiss is vindicated of all allegations, will he still continue his shul, hebrew school and/or teaching in the local day school?
Will everyone who “stands by rabbi weiss” continue to go to his services? send their children to his hebrew school or attend his events?
Will you let your sons go to the mikveh with him?
His reputation is ruined…
And since Michael Jackson was vindicated, would you allow him to teach, go to mikvah ect?
I don’t know if the rabbi is guilty or not, but if he really is innocent would it not make sense for him to go ahead and take a polygraph test and make the results public?
Yeah i know that a polygraph is no permissible in court, but it will erase doubts from many peoples minds including my self…
If he is a true psychopath, he may very well be able to fool a lie detection test.
Unfortunately, his letter sounds so believeable at first. Thank you all for writing in and pointing out how truely unbelievable he is. It is sad that he can be allowed to drum up sympathy and support and compassion when in reality all OUR support should be going to his victims and survivors.
Seriously, I wonder how many of these supporter on that website were family members or friend asked or paid off to do the favor of writing these letters of reference ans support?
As someone who personaly knows Rabbi Weiss, i know him as a good, Chassidishe Yungerman, in no way did he do this, and yes it is very likely that an antogonist would do this sort of thing, it is not the first time that a Shliach is reported to authoritys for aleged crimes, just so that the Shliach will end his activitys. It happened with the Alter Rebbe and we have a Yud Tes Kislev from it, here to we wil have a YUd Tes Kislev!
lhavdil!!!!
yaakov weiss compared to the Alter Rebbe? HA!
Did the Alter Rebbe molest children?
No, those we unfounded accusations.
But please, in no means can Yaakov Weiss compare himself to the Alter Rebbe!!!!
The only reason we will remember this day is b/c the massive chilul hashem that has been made! And G-d willing we will remember the day he is found guilty as accused!!
I am close to one of the families involved. Believe me, the torture they and their child have been going through, no one should know from. When the evidence is all revealed, they will be able to heal, with Hashem’s help. This villain is a lying, manipulative pervert, who is trying to save his own hide.
So the matter is settled. He’s legally guilty of endangering these children and pressuring one of them to lie about it. Will he slip away into the night now? Let him go raise cattle and sell to Hershey.