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Queens, NY - Vaad Harabonim Orders Bakery To Remove Pedophile Employee |
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Ebstein from Williamsburg Brooklyn who earlier in the week pled guilty to felony and misdemeanor sex crime-related charges in the State Supreme Court, Queens County. In its hand delivered letter to Queens Pita, signed by Executive Vice-President, Rabbi Chaim Schwartz, the Vaad stated that "by the close of business on June 12, Ebstein shall neither work, nor be present in the store in any capacity whatsoever." Additionally, the letter ordered Queens Pita "to remove Ebstein as an owner, shareholder, officer, director, and/or partner, and provide written evidence." The Vaad was contacted by the victims family, and was closely monitoring the situation. Two senior members of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens were present in court for the guilty plea.
The Kosher Supervision Agreement between the Vaad and Queens Pita provides that the Vaad has the discretion to terminate the Agreement upon the conviction of any crime of moral terpitude committed by a store officer or director. This clause was cited by the Vaad in its letter.
The decision to order Ebstein's withdrawal as an owner and employee was jointly made by the Vaad and local Kew Gardens Hills congregational rabbis in a special meeting, and upon consultation with legal counsel. Vaad officials have also conferred with Queens Pita owner and proprietor Norman Kohn. Queens Pita has complied with the Vaad directive to immediately terminate Ebstein's employment.
The report from the NY Daily News Saturday, June 13, 2009 that Ebstein would be returning to work, based on a statement from an unidentified female employee, is erroneous. Queens Pita continues to be under the supervision of the Vaad.
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Read Comments (29) — Post Yours »
1
Jun 15, 2009 at 10:25 AM Anonymous Says:
Kol Hakovod to the vaad for removing this guy as quickly as they did. There shouldn't be any debate on these cases; one strike and your out....save your rachmonis for the victims and not the offendors.
2
Jun 15, 2009 at 11:09 AM awacs Says:
“ Kol Hakovod to the vaad for removing this guy as quickly as they did. There shouldn't be any debate on these cases; one strike and your out....save your rachmonis for the victims and not the offendors. ”
So, what should the guy do for a living? Unless you want to give him the death penalty (and I see the logic behind that, although I don't agree), what should he be doing for the next, oh, forty years or so? Welfare, maybe? Hang out in shuls and collect tzedakah? Doesn't that put our kids more at risk (and I assume that the real consideration here is to keep him from getting at kids, not punishing him) than running a bakery?
3
Jun 15, 2009 at 11:09 AM Anonymous Says:
If they don't get rid of him does that mean the Vaad removes its Hashgacha?
4
Jun 15, 2009 at 11:07 AM Anonymous Says:
That means that he can nevver do tsuvah and thereby have to be starved to dead by depriving him from having parnosoh? I wonder on what halocho did the rabbonim base their decision.
5
Jun 15, 2009 at 11:00 AM Leo Says:
As I said last week slowly but surely, the Rabbis are willing to take action, and I am pleased they decided to take action even after the prep worked out a “sweet deal” with the prosecutor. I could understand that the prosecutor decided to help the victim not to relive the molestation therefore, made a deal with the molester but no register requirements at all. That is definitely a”sweet deal”
6
Jun 15, 2009 at 10:55 AM Anonymous Says:
thanx again to r' nuchem rosenberg
7
Jun 15, 2009 at 10:35 AM Anonymous Says:
Great news!! Now when do the yeshivas start terminating???
8
Jun 15, 2009 at 10:34 AM Schmaltzy Says:
It is great to feel proud of our rabbinic leadership. Kol Hakavod to the Vaad of Queens. May they have success in all that they do. But may it be for occasions of simchos and not these tragic episodes. We must combat this scourge from within our midst.
9
Jun 15, 2009 at 11:28 AM Anonymous Says:
“ So, what should the guy do for a living? Unless you want to give him the death penalty (and I see the logic behind that, although I don't agree), what should he be doing for the next, oh, forty years or so? Welfare, maybe? Hang out in shuls and collect tzedakah? Doesn't that put our kids more at risk (and I assume that the real consideration here is to keep him from getting at kids, not punishing him) than running a bakery? ”
I'm so tired of everyone rushing to defend these individuals convicted of these crimes and yelling gevalt, what about their families and how will they earn a parnassah etc. please show the same rachmonis for the victims and potential victims who will be protected by the courageous actions by the vaad. As to the perpetrator, I could care less about his difficulties. He should have thought about it before he committed these actions.
10
Jun 15, 2009 at 11:28 AM mottel Says:
I don't really understand this; removing this man from specific contact with children, e.g. a school, club etc, makes sense.
What is the purpose of kicking him out of his job? Noone's ever heard of a wholewheat loaf exciting a peodophile
11
Jun 15, 2009 at 11:45 AM Agree Says:
“ As I said last week slowly but surely, the Rabbis are willing to take action, and I am pleased they decided to take action even after the prep worked out a “sweet deal” with the prosecutor. I could understand that the prosecutor decided to help the victim not to relive the molestation therefore, made a deal with the molester but no register requirements at all. That is definitely a”sweet deal”
”
But where is the sense of making him terminate ownership in the business!!!.
I can maybe understand that they don't want him being around the community, but why take away his livelihood?.
12
Jun 15, 2009 at 11:42 AM Anonymous Says:
“ So, what should the guy do for a living? Unless you want to give him the death penalty (and I see the logic behind that, although I don't agree), what should he be doing for the next, oh, forty years or so? Welfare, maybe? Hang out in shuls and collect tzedakah? Doesn't that put our kids more at risk (and I assume that the real consideration here is to keep him from getting at kids, not punishing him) than running a bakery? ”
he should work somewhere where there is no chance of having any interaction with kids! let him get an office job where he speaks to people on the phone.
13
Jun 15, 2009 at 11:40 AM power up Says:
Are there kids in the bakery???? I don't get it.
He has a family???!!!!
14
Jun 15, 2009 at 11:40 AM ezras nashim Says:
“ So, what should the guy do for a living? Unless you want to give him the death penalty (and I see the logic behind that, although I don't agree), what should he be doing for the next, oh, forty years or so? Welfare, maybe? Hang out in shuls and collect tzedakah? Doesn't that put our kids more at risk (and I assume that the real consideration here is to keep him from getting at kids, not punishing him) than running a bakery? ”
he can leave the community go to college and get a real job get therapy free from our AWESOME US govt which provides for all indigents, even reshaim Let him start anew and let him help those whose lives he's ruined to start anew And let all future pedophiles be perfectly clear that if they follow through on their unfortunate taivos this man's fate will be the MINIMUM they will suffer
15
Jun 15, 2009 at 11:52 AM yerushalmi Says:
i don't get it, when the yerushalayimer rabbonim order to harass a women who was a public prostitute all the comments here on VIN was how cruel the rabbonim are for harming a private citizen, but here when they took a away a yids parnassah to let him starve to death "i think its much worse" but all the comments here on VIN is how good the rabbonim are.
MAKE UP YOUR MIND
16
Jun 15, 2009 at 11:52 AM Anonymous Says:
Such things should be taken care of in confidentialty...If the vaad was involved I believe whatever steps needed to be done was taken care of...I simply dont know who takes responsibility for these generations by publicizing this story. Its total gossip and nothing productive is being accomplished by feeding everybody with all unnecessary info. All they are accomplishing is killing great and innocent kids.
17
Jun 15, 2009 at 11:52 AM PMO Says:
“ I don't really understand this; removing this man from specific contact with children, e.g. a school, club etc, makes sense.
What is the purpose of kicking him out of his job? Noone's ever heard of a wholewheat loaf exciting a peodophile ”
Sex perverts should not be put in positions where they deal with the public. There are many yeshivos in this area and there are children out on the streets all the time.
There are many jobs that a person can do where he will have no contact with children. He could work as a security guard in a warehouse district, he could work as a cleaner in an office building at night, he could work in a call-center, etc. This man should not be in a position where he will spend his days working in a storefront where children and teenagers are frequently present and "hang out".
18
Jun 15, 2009 at 11:55 AM an attorney Says:
The guy "befriended" the victim at the bakery. Need we say more?
19
Jun 15, 2009 at 12:18 PM Anonymous Says:
From the Daily News:
"A Queens bakery owner who admits he molested a 10-year-old boy who came in for cookies isn't going to prison - and plans to be back at work next week."
20
Jun 15, 2009 at 12:17 PM Anonymous Says:
Worried bout his livelihood? would you you be as worried bout it if the victim was your kid or next of kin? he should've foreseen the future of himself. perhaps he can clean the jails.
21
Jun 15, 2009 at 12:17 PM Moshe Says:
“ Such things should be taken care of in confidentialty...If the vaad was involved I believe whatever steps needed to be done was taken care of...I simply dont know who takes responsibility for these generations by publicizing this story. Its total gossip and nothing productive is being accomplished by feeding everybody with all unnecessary info. All they are accomplishing is killing great and innocent kids. ”
Confidential - it was in the Daily News
22
Jun 15, 2009 at 12:47 PM My children's mother! Says:
I don't understand why everyone has pity on this man. If it was your child you'd want to see him locked up or at the very least not having contact with the community! It's his job to be able to earn a living and he has to make sure he can do it respectably! He messed up and messed up a child while he was at it, I think that losing his parnassah is part and parcel of the deal. Don't you all think he should have thought of his family before he molested a 10 year old child. For all of you who still think this is too public, I think it's time to get your head out of the sand, remember all our children are at risk!!! The quicker we admit to this the better equipped we are to deal with it!
23
Jun 15, 2009 at 02:07 PM Anonymous Says:
“ From the Daily News:
"A Queens bakery owner who admits he molested a 10-year-old boy who came in for cookies isn't going to prison - and plans to be back at work next week."
”
If you wouldve read the article you wouldve realized that the vaad looked into it, and "The report from the NY Daily News Saturday, June 13, 2009 that Ebstein would be returning to work, based on a statement from an unidentified female employee, is erroneous. ".
24
Jun 15, 2009 at 02:25 PM Chicago Askanim Says:
Rabbi Schwartz we are proud of you. You did the right thing.
25
Jun 15, 2009 at 07:31 PM Satmar Man Says:
Though I understand the concern regarding the rabbis' going beyond halacha or kashrus in doing this, here are my two cents worth:.
When a Vaad gives a hechsher to an establishment, they must have a certain level of trust in the person. A known liar, or a person who can not be believed, should be get a hechsher, as no vaad, and no staff of mashgichim can watch every moment's action of everyone on the premises.
Obviously, there are various levels of trust, and they result in various levels of hashgacha/supervision, etc,
A person who would commit an act of this nature, has proven that he would take the trust of a
young person and violate that trust by violating him/her in a sexual way. He has thus proven that he can not be trusted.
The certification of an establishment for kashrus, also has an unintended certification of the person's character. The vaad is correct to want to take a stand on this. For to remain silent is to condone this gross behavior.
The parnassa of the perpetrator is not the obligation of the Vaad. They have a Moral justification and right for doing this
In this case, the Vaad has clearly put such a condition in their contract, reading: "The Kosher Supervision Agreement between the Vaad and Queens Pita provides that the Vaad has the discretion to terminate the Agreement upon the conviction of any crime of moral terpitude committed by a store officer or director...."
This is a common clause and gives them the legal right to do so.
Besides, though I agree that over all, we do not have as bad a pedophilia problem as some other groups, we do need to acknowledge the problem we do have, and we need to show each other, and show ALL that we will not tolerate this behavior in our kehillos.
No, going on a Salem-style witch hunt is wrong, but we do need to clamp down strongly on every case, and every known perp, and burn this evil out from within our midst.
26
Jun 15, 2009 at 11:29 PM PINK Says:
Thank you to the Vad of Queens for doing the right thing!!!
27
Jun 16, 2009 at 11:58 AM Anonymous Says:
“ Though I understand the concern regarding the rabbis' going beyond halacha or kashrus in doing this, here are my two cents worth:.
When a Vaad gives a hechsher to an establishment, they must have a certain level of trust in the person. A known liar, or a person who can not be believed, should be get a hechsher, as no vaad, and no staff of mashgichim can watch every moment's action of everyone on the premises.
Obviously, there are various levels of trust, and they result in various levels of hashgacha/supervision, etc,
A person who would commit an act of this nature, has proven that he would take the trust of a
young person and violate that trust by violating him/her in a sexual way. He has thus proven that he can not be trusted.
The certification of an establishment for kashrus, also has an unintended certification of the person's character. The vaad is correct to want to take a stand on this. For to remain silent is to condone this gross behavior.
The parnassa of the perpetrator is not the obligation of the Vaad. They have a Moral justification and right for doing this
In this case, the Vaad has clearly put such a condition in their contract, reading: "The Kosher Supervision Agreement between the Vaad and Queens Pita provides that the Vaad has the discretion to terminate the Agreement upon the conviction of any crime of moral terpitude committed by a store officer or director...."
This is a common clause and gives them the legal right to do so.
Besides, though I agree that over all, we do not have as bad a pedophilia problem as some other groups, we do need to acknowledge the problem we do have, and we need to show each other, and show ALL that we will not tolerate this behavior in our kehillos.
No, going on a Salem-style witch hunt is wrong, but we do need to clamp down strongly on every case, and every known perp, and burn this evil out from within our midst. ”
Very well said. I also think that this should be expanded to include yeshivas & bnos's
where contact with children is much more prevalent than in a bakery. For that same reason, it should not be a case of numbers, where the few (the molested) may be sacrificed for the benefit of the many (who wer not molested).
28
Jun 16, 2009 at 06:05 PM Ben Says:
“ Very well said. I also think that this should be expanded to include yeshivas & bnos's
where contact with children is much more prevalent than in a bakery. For that same reason, it should not be a case of numbers, where the few (the molested) may be sacrificed for the benefit of the many (who wer not molested). ”
its amazing the hypocrisy of those who put down the rabonim for not doing anything to protect the children from pedophiles, yet, at the same time decry those same rabonim for acting against the bakery owner and ruining his parnossah! you cant have it both ways.....
29
Jun 17, 2009 at 04:50 PM Anonymous Says:
He should be registered as a
sex offender.