New York – A Step in The Right Direction: Rabbi Zwiebel At Agudah Convention Admits To Community Of Child Abuse, Addiction, Other Problems Exist [audio]

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    Rabbi Zwiebel At Agudah Convention reading a phrase from the newly released book of the legacy of Rabbi Moshe Sherer, who led Agudath Israel of America for over four decades, and who was arguably the most effective Jewish lay leader of his time. Photo: VIN NewsNew York – Long criticized from within and without for being silent on real issues, the monolithic Agudath Israel organization, a pillar of America’s Orthodox Jewish right wing, now seems to have taken “a step in the right direction,” says VIN News Editor-in-Chief.

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    VIN News, is referring to recently-appointed Agudath Israel of America Executive Vice President Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, who electrified the crowd at the annual Agudah convention, being held this weekend in East Brunswick, New Jersey, with a first-of-its-kind speech for, Agudah.

    According to an anonymous VIN tipster in attendance, the crowd was “shocked.”

    Rabbi Zwiebel, in his motzoei Shabbos speech, surprised the crowd with his powerful, bold speech in which he took on many issues previously unaddressed.

    “Rav Svei once told me, ‘The problems are becoming greater and greater, and the [number of] people to deal with the problems are becoming smaller and smaller,’ Rabbi Zwiebel said in his opening comments.

    The Executive VP then laid the groundwork for his critical points by pointing out that Chazal say “hevei dan es kol ha-adam l’chaf zechus”—meaning to look at the entire individual, warts and all, and still find merit. He then cited several examples of profound Kiddush Hashem, and lauded cheder rebbeim, kollel yungerleit—and their wives.

    “That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t notice the flaws, the areas we need tikun,” Rabbi Zwiebel continued. “This is an unprecedented convention. There are many topics that it is unprecedented to be discussed at podium.”

    The most significant part of Rabbi Zwiebel’s talk came next, as the Agudah careerist proceeded to list several communal problems explicitly: “Internet addiction… Substance abuse. Alcoholism. Tobacco addiction. Gambling.”

    “We are not immune,” he continued. “These things are happening, in our world! We’re losing too many of our young ones… Can we not face these problems? Can we not recognize them?”

    But the climax came when Rabbi Zwiebel explicitly mentioned child molestation and domestic violence.

    “There are problems, and they are niglos [out in the open—ed.]!” concluded Zwiebel. “We can’t pretend. We must talk and we must do something!”

    The explicit mention by name of several of the communal problems marks a watershed shift for a community—and a leading community organization—in which these same problems were until recently considered taboo.

    “We hope there is more to come,” said the Editor Of VIN.

    Entire speech of Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudas Yisroel of America.

    Thanks to Zev Brenner of Talklinecommunications.com, and Ezra Freidlander, CEO The Friedlander Group for sending us the full audio clip.


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    86 Comments
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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Finally after 1,000’s of families have been destroyed and 10,000 of people have been psychologically maimed they admit that there is a problem? I guess better late than never.

    Now, when are they going to admit that the way our children meet their mate, “date” and get married needs fixing??

    common cents
    common cents
    14 years ago

    It is common knowledge that AY died after r’ Sherrer. if anyone can please explain to me WHAT HAS AGUDAH DONE IN THE PAST 20 YRS???? all they do is put out “official statements” every few days and sent it to the dirty politicians!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Thank you R’Nuchem Rosenberg, see the results of you work and keep it up

    And the credit goes to...
    And the credit goes to...
    14 years ago

    All the bloggers!

    Yes, a move in the right direction – thanks to all the bloggers.

    former employee of the Agudah
    former employee of the Agudah
    14 years ago

    Anyone who ever worked for R’ Chaim Dovid Zweibel or seen him in action can appreciate such an ‘anav” to lead Agudath Israel today. (Just like Moshe Rabbenu was an Anav and who the manhig for klal yisroel .) His eloquent words, his openness to appreciate and give credit to all, his gadlus to even apologize for being so busy to get back earlier to people, his willingness to give credit to who its due- his humbleness.

    I always envied Rabbi Zweibel and wished I could work directly under him. I hope his new position with his warmth, care and humbleness will inject new “kochos” to the entire organization.

    I can only feel that under RCZ direction I know more people and especially young people will now feel an urge to join the organization.

    jancsi
    jancsi
    14 years ago

    #1 youre 100 per cent right after all theese years finally a start why so long, its i think because of weakness in ourselfs its too horrible of a thing to face molestation i am one them who was molested at the age of 10 it ruined my strong beleive in yiddishkeit if a grown up person who is religious and learned can do such a thing then i cannot beleive anything or trust anyone its a horrible feeling that youre all alone and no one that you can tell is able to help you its like a torture everyday of youre life

    David
    David
    14 years ago

    Talk means little without action.

    Yosef Blau
    Yosef Blau
    14 years ago

    Conventions are usually occasions to stress accomplishments. Rabbi Zwiebel deserves a yasher koach for his words. Acknowledging problems is a sign of strength. Most impressive is his commitment to take responsibility for the “niglos”. One area that was not mentioned explictly that needs attention is supporting those who have suffered from abuse, domestic violence and the addictions of family members.
    Yosef Blau

    Berel Shain
    Berel Shain
    14 years ago

    I was in the audience. I didn’t notice anyone being “shocked” but I did notice many people – myself included – being very impressed. This is surely a step in the right direction and I am cautiously optimistic that Chaim Dovid will make the Agudah potent, active and relevant again. I think after a speech like that, we all owe him and the organization at least a chance to see what Zweibel’s leadership is capable of accomplishing.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Wow some oxygen we might actually start cleaning up after all this time even if nothing gets done through agudah bc technically what could they do but just the fact that they mention it is good for pple to hear it again and again until it becomes normal for pple to believe these stories

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    I applaud him for talking about gambling which ruins more jewish homes than any other addiction or abuse… let them start talking about it in yeshivos not only at conventions and lets save lives and families

    shlomo zalman
    shlomo zalman
    14 years ago

    Yasher Koach! Definitely a step in the right direction. Too bad he had to quote Rav Svei, who was one of the more backward and intolerant of the litvishe roshei yeshiva.

    Insider
    Insider
    14 years ago

    CD Zwiebel is the last hope for the organization which has been torn apart by inside politics, kovod, who couldn’t let r bloom do his job, now they have a leader who is fine and aidel and bright. Their last chance to make themselves relavant.

    Therpaist
    Therpaist
    14 years ago

    I listend to the whole speach, Very powerful!

    agudah critic
    agudah critic
    14 years ago

    wow!!! what a speech!!! kudos to rabbi zweibel!!!

    1mom
    1mom
    14 years ago

    I was hoping to be impressed, but I am not. The esteemed Rabbi should have asked forgiveness from the people whose lives were ruined by abuse swept under the carpet. He did not.
    Moreover, I found his admission of not knowing whether out failure to act constitutes Chillul Hashem quite shocking. If he does not know who should?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    “Internet addiction… Substance abuse. Alcoholism. Tobacco addiction. Gambling.”

    One of those things is not like the other. Sorry to throw water on an otherwise good step forward (and it is a good one). Tobacco addiction is just not on par with anything else in that list, and it is the kind of inclusion which makes the whole enterprise suspect. Changing one Politically Correct world view (I do not mean Yiddishkeit, I mean the view that all is good and wonderful in the frum community) with another (the kind that puts Tobacco use on the same level as alcoholism and drug abuse) will backfire badly because it cuts at the credibility of the message leaving a place for those who oppose the message to gain allies with people who just see the message as unreasonable.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Great Leader.

    Please listen to entire speech, also the nice words about rabbaim & bnei torah.
    internet ediction & shmiras einayim!!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Yes thanks reb Nuchem Rosenberg Yidden cant we give some credit where credit is due this Man reb Nuchem gave his life away he sacrifices everything his name his family this man is being tortured for just doing all of us a favor trying to save our kids no matter of you don’t agree all what he says the bottom line our kids are safer now then before so why not give him credit he deserves does anybody for one minute doubt that this outcry from agudah has to do with reb Nuchem we all know deep down that he deserves the credit all the way go reb Nuchem you are a hero by thousands obivssly people are afraid o be open and give you credit but thousands appreciate your work and sacrifice

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    For the past 20 years these conventions accomplished nothing. It was just a status show of the rich and famous. How many children lost their lives due to these molestation problems. About time it was addressesed and I hope they will really do something about it and not only speak about it.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    what zweibel deserves a medal now? this is at least 10 years late…

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    It is childish to minimize any of the stated problems. Each one is devastating in its own way, and we need to congratulate Rabbi Zweibel and the Agudah as an organization for the open statement. Yes, tobacco, is as bad as gambling. No one is comparing them – there are more differences than similarities. Each requires its own agenda to address. With all the complaints that one may wish to heap on Agudah, there has not been any community based organization that has done as much for Klal Yisroel in our recent history.

    As noted in an earlier comment, much of Agudah activity occurs behind the scenes. Until there is reason to go public, the work just goes on, often with little recognition or support. I am not a card carrying member either, but I stand in awe at the magnitude and range of accomplishment. Brochos ve’hodaos for the past, present, and future activities.

    Expatriate Owl
    Expatriate Owl
    14 years ago

    If Chaim Dovid Zwiebel is really serious about addressing the problem (as distinguished from merely saying the right things for public consumption), then the next Agudath Israel Convention will feature speakers such as Joe Diangello (formerly Joel Deutsch) or some similarly-situated victim of molestation.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Way too little, way too late.

    I have not renewed my membership in Agudah due to their demonstrated inability to act as responsible leaders on the molestation issue, as well as many others (the inter-related issues of shidduchim, family size, education/parnossoh/tuition and on and on).

    On the molestation issue, the Agudah and Moetzes have revealed themselves as representatives of “non-profit” institutions, and not of the community at large (best evidenced by their position on the Markey bill). They should therefore rely on the institutions for support of their budget, not individuals like myself.

    Shaul in Monsey
    Shaul in Monsey
    14 years ago

    Is Zweibel ready to admit that the yeshiva system is a major part of the problem? The way yeshiva boys are taught that the opposite sex is verboten, the rabbonim that teach this nonsense are perpetuating the molesters and homosexual cycle of abuse, because when you can’t express naturally your sexual feelings, you express them in unhealthy ways. That’s exactly why mikvahs and yeshiva basements are more dangerous than any public school. In the yeshiva world young men’s sexuality will manifest itself in aberrant and deviant, many times unhealthy and abusive ways unless the rabbeim in these yeshivos accept the reality that their system needs a complete overhaul. Zweibel is a dime short of a dollar change and more than a day late. He isn’t nearly man enough to do what really has to be done. Actions are needed, not politically correct cow towing. It was blogs like VIN and bloggers like me who have been saying the harsh truth for years. Let’s see if Zweibel can actually make a difference instead of just being a politician. Let’s see him spit in Kolko’s face and throw that pig out of shul. Let’s see him work for Mondrowitz’s extradition. Then we’ll know he’s a victim’s ally.

    betzedeck
    betzedeck
    14 years ago

    Relax! Moshe Velvel Weisberg is not representing the oilem to the DA. He has met with the DA to try and have them drop the charges against Kolko. Did you forget he works for AK and Rav Malkiel Kotler. Rav Malkiel Kotler has been trying to do whatever he could to pull the Kolko Case from the DA. He is furious at Rabbi Salomon for refusing to hear the case and telling the family to pursue legal avenues. It is about time we applaud Rabbi Salomon for being courageous. He is the only Gadol that did not ignore the issue and took on the pedophiles. But he is alone recent example!His bais din convicted a child molester EG that molested many children in a playgroup and what did the Rosh Hayeshiva of lakewood do? Rav Malkiel Kotler started learning with EG the pedophile BEchavrusa. And that is only one recent incident. So we actually need some brave people who are not scared of the Rabbi Malkiel Kotlers and the Micky mouse ROTTENberg to help take these cases do the DA and hold the parents hands through the process. A new group has formed in Lakewood to help the victims and seek legal justice If you are interested in joining please send email to betzedeck gmail.com

    ELI K
    ELI K
    14 years ago

    I just listened to his speech,very well spoken but just mentioning the problems and not going into them?? how does that help?? am I missing something??

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    I think the chasidishe oilem are doing even less than the agudah , kol hakovod, step in the right direction

    OMG
    OMG
    14 years ago

    I tried to really find a glimmer of hope that this might change the prevalent molestations that goes on in the orthodox community, the problem is, that Agudah by itself cannot accomplish anything, Agudah is a political apparatus, the only power they could extort, is from individual rabbinical members, or leaders that they should be vigilant and not be frightened to look into any misdeeds, and counsel there membership in the effects of child sexual abuse, which include but not limited to, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, propensity to re-victimization in adulthood, and physical injury to the child, among other problems, and if needed take the side of the children and their families, not the aggressor, and understand that there is a time to keep quite but molestation is not one of the items that you try to keep a lid on the problem. The problem will not go away, not because Rabbi Zwiebel, finally decided to talk about it in the open, no it will not deter the pedophile he will stalk his prey, only incarceration will help, the problem is that in the orthodox or in particular Chasidic schools they don’t understand what a pedophile is and to what degree he will plan

    jancsi
    jancsi
    14 years ago

    lo hamedrash eekur elo hamase not the talking is important but the doing and until today no doing has been done the biggest shame of all

    OMG
    OMG
    14 years ago

    Part # 2
    the problem is that in the orthodox or in particular Chasidic schools they don’t understand what a pedophile is and to what degree he will plan his attack. I don’t see any changes until we as parents, teachers, and educators are willing to rip of the scab and expose the problem to the sunshine as the saying goes, noting is a better disinfecting agent then the sun, let the sun in and shine on the problem, then we might have a change of attitude in the community.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    So many commenters here, and the posting itself, are so uninformed. This was not the first time Agudah clearly acknowledged molestation as a problem in the community. Zwiebel and Shafran have both done so publicly, in articles in the jewish week and other places. The cynical attitudes and machlokes-sowing are not a zochus for our people. They are, chasvisholom, something that gives the soton a foothold in klal Yisrael. Give Zwiebel credit for saying (again) that the agudah knows there is a problem. And have a little kovod for the gedolim who the agudah goes to for their directions. If you only want to complain and call names, you’r part of the problem not the solution

    Shaul in Monsey
    Shaul in Monsey
    14 years ago

    My earlier comment in no way minimizes the reality that “Uncle Shloimy” is molesting his 11 year old nephew, much like “Rebbe Yudi” is – in short, much of the abuse in our closed minded and judgmental klal are perpetrated by relatives and rabbeyim. My comment above was meant to illustrate the inherent problems with the current chinuch system, a point that post 44 is too dense to understand.

    It remains to be seen what the Agudah and Zweibel will do to protect our youngsters. The sad irony is that every baal habos and his wifes knows that plenty of rabbeyim are perverts, and had Zweibel not acknowledged this, he would have reduced the Agudah to a significance slightly above the Save the Pigeon Foundation.

    As it remains, those of us in the know know darn well that beards like Kamenetsky and Salomon have been part of the problem, not the solution. More exploitation of children has occurred on their watch than during World War 2.

    Action Speaks Louder tha Words
    Action Speaks Louder tha Words
    14 years ago

    We all know why the Catholic Church fought very hard against the Child Victims Act, known as the “Markey Bill” in the New York State Legislature.

    It’s because we all know the scandals in the Catholic Church and that they as well as everyone else knows how guilty they are/were and so, in order to protect the guilty, they had to go against the bill.

    Sorry to put it so bluntly but it’s really as as simple as just that.

    Does anyone wonder why the Agudah has come out in opposition to the Child Victims Act, known as the “Markey Bill” in the New York State Legislature ? ? ?

    I don’t think anyone wonders.

    I think we all “Understand” that Agudah’s actions speaks much louder than words.

    chaim weiss
    chaim weiss
    14 years ago

    This is wrong and out of hand. Instead of using this unprecedented moment to
    Acknowledge the obvious effort to really start the process of healing, some
    “Advocates” heap scorn and ridicule on a truly great individual. For months and
    years all we heard y was, “Agudah, get your head out of the
    sand”. W Bchasdai Hashem we have finally come to the point where we are closing in on serious
    progress. Now is not the time to break down our Klal figures. This is the time to encourage the powers that be to continue what has
    clearly been started.
    There
    is a “burn it down mentality” coming from the survivirs camp and such a Derech cannot lead the way to progress and a solution.
    Do victims deserve their day? Absolutely. In court not here. Nobody except those
    with an agenda are getting any enjoyment from publicly humiliating our Gedolim,
    rabbonim Mosdos and leaders. Pedophiles should be in jail and rabbi Zwiebel has
    already pretty much said as such. But no we want his blood too.
    We have made progress despite the rhetoric not because of it.
    So please stop. Take a deep breath. There are many good people who have been
    working in a quiet and responsible way to move the fight against abusers ahead.
    Many of you know whom I am talking about.
    Can’t you see this progress?
    Do you care to see it or at this point all you know how to do is fight?
    What thinking people must see is that fear mongering and hatred doesn’t change
    minds. Facts when presented rationally do. Compelling testimony from survivors
    do. Tears and love do. Not on blogs or on radio. In the real world where
    responsible people sign their names and take credit or flack for tough positions that’s where it really matters. Get off the ego trip and acknowledge progress.
    This anonymous bashing serves no purpose. Therapists are helping. Responsible rabbonim are helping.
    Courageous askonim are helping.
    War mongerers are not helping.
    They are turning the rest of the Jewish nation against us. Stop it. Please.
    The blogs claim victory and maybe they did help start the cause but I fear they
    also may have prevented good people like the Rebbe Shlita and rabbi Zwiebel from coming
    to our help faster. We must support them not destroy them.
    Let’s encourage them.
    What will come from this bitter, mean spirited campaign to demonize Rabbi
    Zwiebel will possibly push him back from doing what we see he really wants to
    do. The forces at play that we all know exist, are not well served by Rabbi
    Zwiebel or the Aguda admitting that a problem of abuse exists, yet he did so anyhow.
    To those who know him, he is terribly troubled by any Jew in pain and the abuse
    scandal has visibly taken a toll on him. Those self interest groups that cannot
    live or accept this new coming of age by rabbi zwiebel do so because attacking
    authority is all they know. So now
    that we see a change in mentality instead of encouragement the pervading
    temperature here is scolding hot against him? Are we so blind with hatred that we
    can’t acknowledge a change in thinking? The Novominsker Rebbe shlita made
    specific mention of abuse victims at the Agudah dinner and now Rabbi Zwiebel
    used his most important platform to acknowledge what we all knew. Are they late?
    Maybe. So what!
    Do we applaud him? Support him? Encourage him? NO! The bitter negative
    infighting that we all know is destroying our community is overpowering the
    obvious seismic shift happening in frum organizational life. Do I wish it could
    have happened faster? Of course, we all do but its happening now. So stop the
    bashing? Stop the hate? This vindictive campaign to destroy all things Klal
    Yisroel simply to right the horrific wrong suffered by abuse victims hurts all
    of us.
    We need our rabbonim, our yeshivos, our camps and our leaders. Of course we need
    them to do the right thing but if we recognize the real effort to implement
    change we must support it. Killing everybody and everything in the hopes of
    saving abuse victims is a wrong approach. This must stop.

    Expatriate Owl
    Expatriate Owl
    14 years ago

    In response to #45 and others, there is no doubt that much blame can be ascribed to the Agudath Israel’s long history of proactive denial. While everyone here seems to be addressing the sexual abuse issues, Rabbi Zwiebel also explicitly mentioned another unsavory topic whose denial has also left the Agudath Israel with extremely dirty hands, namely, domestic violence in the Jewish community.

    On that score, the Agudath Israel’s Jewish Observer publication had an article in its May 2000 issue by Rabbi Yehuda Leib Lewis, which specifically denied that rabbinical entreaties to the agunos to give in to their recalcitrant husbands’ demands was a factor that aggravated the agunos problem.

    I share the skepticism of those posters who fear that the Agudath Israel is talking the talk, but will not walk the walk. Nevertheless, Rabbi Zwiebel’s heretofore unimaginable comments from the podium of an AI Convention do give the Agudath Israel an opening to start changing its deeply entrenchedculture.

    If indeed Rabbi Zwiebel is sincere (and again, I do hold more than a few dollops of skepticism), then I wish him the best of luck. He will need it to change AI’s deeply entrenched culture.

    bkay
    bkay
    14 years ago

    we all know that there is a problem we are however looking for someone to do something about it halevai rab.zwiebel would be the shaliach

    and now for something else
    and now for something else
    14 years ago

    Was anything mentioned at the convention about the “Agunah” problem?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    were it not for the internet and blogers he would never have the guts to bring up these issues. This is not leadership, this is laggarship. But its better late then never.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    you people are all overdoing it. yes their are a few cases of molestation. but many times its made up. all you have to do is accuse the other guy especially if its a child and he hates him the authoites will right away go after the guy even if its a bu ba masa and his life will be destroyed. therefore running to the authorites has to be done with caution or it will become out of hand. i pesonally know a few peolpe innocent beyond any doubt that are messed up for life bec of this. therefor it is important for the rabonim to set up a system first or it will be a hefkere velt. its also vy important to remember unlike the secular newspapers would like to portray us ITS NOT RAMPANT BY THE JEWS LIKE THE CATHOLICS. WE ARE MORE ETHICAL. ITS A FEW SELECT STORIES . the catholic diacose is much worse . ASHRANU MA TOV CHELKANU

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    its pretty obvious who’s defending all the victims for the victims sake, and who’s defending the victims just so that they could get involved in rabble rousing. For so long ppl were making noise that too little was getting done, so when the aguda (and others) take a (late) step in trying to do something, there’s something else to bash. I thing some of you bloggers need to ask yourself a little more often is it the principle of the matter or anything but?!

    starwolf
    starwolf
    14 years ago

    Considering the history of Jewish institutions in dealing with sexual abuse of children, any talk or action is welcome. However, it is not enough to talk.

    Our organizations would have a lot more credibility if they would do more than talk. Considering that religious organizations are led by Rabbanim, wouldn’t it be nice if they (the Rabbanim) would step up to the plate and demand specific actions against molesters rather than only speak in generalities? And not only actions against molesters, but also the principals of the schools who enable this behavior despite years of complaints against them?

    In many cases, we know who these people are. Why are the molesters not in prison? Why are the people who gave known molesters access to children still running their schools? Who would send a child to such a school? Why would any of us support such a school? Why not threaten the parent organizations of those schools (including one associated with the Aguda) with withdrawing our children and completely cutting off funds until these people (the enablers and the molesters) are fired? Why are these people still tolerated within our communities?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Ask reb dov Heikind. Ther ewas a very “chosuva” Rebetzin who passed away a numbe o fyears ago, that also used to advise mothers of molested girls, not to do anything about their daughters, not even to tell the truth to their husbands. They are all the same “FAKE PHONEY FRAUD”. And as Chaza”l tell us “Kol hameitzar leyisroel naaseh rosh”.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Walking the walk is certainly much more important – actually all that is effective, but it needs to begin with the talk part. B”H CD Zweibel did just that. It is more than has been done for a long time. Better late than never.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    One reason why we do not have more molesters in jail (there are several) is because the criminal justice system has its technicalities that complicate prosecution and guilty verdicts. We have victims who won’t testify (not just because of coercion but because of personal embarrassment). We have cases where the evidence may be convincing to us, but miss the technicalities of the law. And we have cases that do not get prosecuted at all because the perps run away somewhere. Yes, there have been obstructions, but there are lots of other reasons, too. And there is no safer place for an abuser than behind bars.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    There are way too many complainers who do little more than “abuse” the leaders of the frum community. They may disagree, but the degree of bizayon they seek is not useful. If they would only channel their kochos to helping.

    victim myself
    victim myself
    14 years ago

    All of u guys stop bashing him, he spoke about it, now give him a chance to get it into the system, not sure what wrong he have done so far, as I am not an agudah member, although I attended few conventions, I agree that. They have done nothing so far, but they r not alone, the chasidisha velt did even less, and the 1 who mentioned to have speakers like yoel deutsch , are u serious?? Why don’t u have a surviving victim stand up if u wana hear the exact true, not som1 negitave,there is 1 major part in fixing the system and that’s funding for therapy, we all go through hell on this world, and it does not go away with years, I am 20 past my stroy but still I have no clue who I am and what I want from myself, yes I am married and even got kids b”h but still in pain, will I make it through or will I be history one day, I am not sure yet, but imho this is a very strong point to address “therapy” if they raise 25 million for yeshivas this should be on top of the list, wish u all the best mr. Zwibeil

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Kol Hakovod to the Rabbis. I just wish they start doing something about all these problems. Addiction, all types of it, gambling, sex, drugs, alcohol etc. are unfortunately very common in the whole jewish community. Chassidish, Litvish, Modern, there are alot of families suffering in silent. Maybe this will be an eye opener and more help will be made available.

    formelly
    formelly
    14 years ago

    I take Rabbi Zwiebel and Agudah with a grain of salt.

    I say this because Rabbi Zwiebel and Agudah and the Catholic Church are still opposed that religious school should have to report abuse to the police.

    MARK MEYER APPEL
    MARK MEYER APPEL
    14 years ago

    RABBI ZWEIBEL LET US MAKE A DEAL……………

    LETS SEE IF WE CAN RESTORE KAVOD TO THE GEDOLEI HADOR .
    IF YOU HELP US FINGERPRINT AND SCREEN ALL TEACHERS AND MAKE A MANUAL TO TRAIN ALL YESHIVA STAFF,ON THIS ISSUE………WE WIIL BEGIN THE HEALING PROCESS BETWEEN US BLOGGERS AND MACHERS AND YOU WILL BE A HERO
    I AM TIRED OF FIGHTING YOU GUYS I SEE VICTIMS EACH DAY AND THE COMMUNITY IS ANXIOUS FOR SOME RESOLVE..AS A PRIVATE BUSINESMAN AND A SUPPORTER OF TORA ALL MY LIFE, I URGE YOU ONCE AGAIN TO OPEN YOUR HEART AND DO THE RIGHT THING.