Borough Park, NY – A prominent Orthodox rabbi and psychologist has been intimidated into quitting as head of a just-formed task force dealing with rabbinic sex abuse of minors, organized by Assemblyman Dov Hikind this week.
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Dr. Benzion Twerski told The Jewish Week [confirmed by VIN News] Wednesday that he was quitting the task force because “I was prosecuted in the street for daring to join such a venture.”
“To protect myself, my family, and reputation, I decided to withdraw from this project,” he wrote in an e-mail as the paper was going to press with a story announcing Hikind’s formation of the task force. “From this point, I am avoiding participation in any forms of public service. Public life is not for me.”
Hikind, a Brooklyn Democrat who represents Borough Park and Flatbush, deplored Twerski’s abrupt departure from his new panel.
“He was basically forced to resign,” said Hikind. “He was literally put against the wall, and he felt he had no choice. We’ll get somebody else who’s very respected. But that’s not the point. The point is they got to him, they threatened him.”
Twerski’s dramatic departure came just as Hikind was rolling out the new panel, planned as the next step in a personal crusade against child sex abuse in the Orthodox community that he has come to view as an epidemic.
Hikind said he had amassed a dossier with the cases of “hundreds” of individuals who say they have been sexually molested by rabbis and other Orthodox community members during their childhood. And he threatened to broadcast the names of their abusers if community leaders do not respond to his call for action against them.
“Let me tell you,” he said in an interview last week, “when there’s a person who we have confirmed through a variety of people has been doing terrible things” and those who know refuse to go to the authorities, “I am prepared to name names. I am prepared to be sued by those pedophiles. If they’re innocent, let them sue me.”
Speaking after a rash of highly publicized sexual molestation cases in the Orthodox community, Hikind said, “I have been learning that a lot of people out there know who the bad guys are. Where have I been? How come no one talked to me, how come no one came to me?”
Now, Hikind says, he is more determined than ever to establish a community task force to address the issue. Though vague on the panel’s broader makeup and specific plans, Hikind ultimately seeks to develop a list of sexual molesters in Orthodox schools to keep them away from children.
Neither man would specify the nature of the threats made against Twerski to force his departure. But Hikind called them “pathetic and sad.”
“My heart goes out to him,” he said. “I don’t know if I should laugh or cry. Things are opening up, people are coming forward, but we are still so far away.”
Hikind’s new crusade follows several cases in which individuals — often adults now — have gone public with accounts of sexual abuse they experienced at the hands of respected yeshiva teachers when they were children. The alleged victims have spoken, too, of the rejection or even intimidation they experienced from their yeshivas and rabbinic leaders when they tried to report what had happened to them.
WOW….
There must be a good reason why these “Rabbis” and “leaders” don’t want this to go forward. BECAUSE THEY ARE GUILTY AS SIN!!!!!!!!
Unbelievable. This work will now end up getting done by non-Orthodox psychologists, which will enable people to claim bias.
Dr. Benzion Twerski was told point blank ,that if anyone goes to prison, he will be held responsible and his life will be in danger..Its a shanda , a real shanda a travesty whats happening..OUR KIDS NEED PROTECTION
I’m surprised Hikind has gone thru with this. I’m sure people have threatened him and his family as well. Eventually, he’s gonna crack too because he’s stepping on too many toes and many of these so-called respected people will be exposed. I hope he succeeds but unfortunately history has proven that when you’re up against such odds, the chances of success are not encouraging (eg: lipa, twersky, etc., etc).
i beg of everyone who thinks they have names
publish them on blogs and lets protect the children not the molesters
It might be better this way
our community leaders -Rabbi’s dont want to deal with the garbbage they rather let the authoroties deal with it and they have clean hands they will rather be the ones running around collecting for Pidyun Sheviyim and say it’s a BILBUL
maybe this isuue should be dealt with quietly, without the microphones etc…why does hiking need all the press etc….
if and when the quiet dosent work they i can see trying to get public help for a specfic case.
the answer is simple, if no one knows then hikind wont get involoved
Wow – what guts Hikind has –
I am shocked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t know what to say. Don’t give up Dov!
Bring back Nuchem Rosenberg. Open back up his hotline
Shoshana, how do you know this info?
why isn`t he taking a doctor that doesn`t get so afraid from the press????
The only thing I hope is that Hiking won’t back down becuase of intimidation.
He should publish the name of the people that thretened him. Those people should be put in the same category as a child molester
“maybe this isuue should be dealt with quietly” – anon. 4:27
FOOL!! don’t you realize that they have been “dealing with this issue quietly” (by silencing, covering up, and ignoring each and every abuse) for decades!!
get real people!! WAKE UP!! the rabbonim have been “dealing quietly” for decades. anyone who wants this practice to continue is a shutuf of every molestor who gets away with MURDERING our taiyreh kinder’s neshomos because of this ‘quiet dealing’
We are worse than the taliban. This is absolutely disgusting and I am sorry for Rabbi Twqersky and his family. I am sure this wasnt an easy decision but the mafia like forces within the yiddisshe velt have reached a new low in my eyes. Why are we Frum again? Oh yea – we live by Torah – can someone please find me the halachic source for threateneing and intimidating someone. These people live by their own Torah.
Hikind is a braive guy. he meens us & the sake of our next generation, i wish him the best
DOV CAN NOT & WILL NOT BACK DOWN. THATS HOW DOV IS.
He was threatened by Chassidishe Child Molesters…..what a shame
It’s a very sad day indeed. How can we THREATEN or INTIMIDATE a person who is tryingto HELP other fellow jews?? When have we stooped to such a new low of threatening a GOOD person being part of a GOOD and MUST mission????
What is happenning to us??
A VERY SAD DAY INDEED!!!
I pray that the next children molested (being that it WILL, unfortunately, happen agsain)are the kids of those Harrassing Rabbi Dr Twerski, so that they can see what happens and stop denying that jews can do such things. secondly I am again calling for a PUBLIC website that lists all those that have been convicted of these horrible crimes in the orthodox community so that we all know who they are and what they look like and we can all keep our kids far far away from such animals.
Everyone who meets Dov in the street should give him a hug. He is shouldering the same threats as Dr Twersky and moving forward to stop this murdering of innocent souls. To those of you who say that Dov is looking for headlines you could not be more wrong. This is the worst possible thing he could do for his personal life as well as professional career.
I will have Kavanahfor Dov when I say the mi sheberach, “v’chol hosek btzurchi tzibbbur” this shabbos.
People this insanity has to stop.
Please DOV dont be intimidated by these individuals. You are sincere about what you’re doing and yes you mean it L’SHEM SHOMAYIM! You stand nothing to gain from taking this isssue on.. you only stand to lose and you’re still going ahead with it.
Keep up the great work!!!!!
Dont give up!!!!
Hikind definitely seems to be enjoying the fame that he is acquiring through tackling such a sensational story. I found his radio-show account of the confession of the perpetrator disturbing, and almost Oprah-like.
That being said, regardless of his motive, HE IS DOING IMPORTANT WORK THAT HAS TO BE DONE.
I am blown away by the fact that this type of abuse exists, let alone that it happens more than we know.
One time is too many!
My heart breaks for the poor victims who have become in some cases, psychologically damaged for LIFE!
Rachmono Litzlan!
I am mortified that there are those in the frum communities who would threaten someone who is seeking to uproot this sickness from our midst.
This must come to an end.
Hikind is not my cup of tea, either. But stop bashing the work he is doing, unless YOU are ready to stand up to this MAFIA.
And I thought only the OU was corrupt…
When you one aproaches these so called “Rabbis” and “Leaders” and says the truths. One usually gets an answear “there are other truths”.
Nebach! Nebach! They are all scared of their shadows!!!!! Shame one them for not protecting children(including their own) or do they not send their kids to school?.
I completely understand Rabbi Twersky
There are lots of Skeletons in Closets out there…
Some of the Abuse cases might be Fabricated…
Not all but a few, so he doesn’t want to be responsible to put not guilty people away…
Lock & Load
Lock and Load,
What the hell are you talikng about?
Where does it mention anything about messing up am innocent person. Shmae on you!
AS PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN USED TO SAY:
“IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE HEAT, GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN!”
VaYar, Ki Ain Ish!–there’s no Mensch around!
Whoever threatened him should be penalized and prosecuted. There is no excuse to meddle or threaten anyone, especially the fair and equitable demeanor of a person like Rabbi Twerski. There are few and far highly secularly educated Chasidim who can help this devastating situation in the community. He was a perfect bridge between the alleged molesters, families, schools and governmental authorities.
Now that he has resigned, the hagglers who caused him to quit will no doubt have a replacement to menace soon enough. At what point will they stop?
I AM SHOCKED AT THE FACT THAT PEOPLE THREATENED RABBI TWERSKY!! FINALLY THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO STAND UP FOR THE SAKE OF YIDDISHE NESHAMALACH AND THEN OTHERS GO AND THREATEN THEM!?!?!?!?!!!! TO ALL THOSE WHO THREATENED HIM: MAY YOU ROT IN HELL!!! OUR KIDS NEED PROTECTION!! MAY YOUR KIDS ALL BE MOLESTED BY OUR “CHASHUVA REBBEIM”
DOV, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
Can I know who threatened? I’ll make sure it’s his last threat…
Will we let our community be controlled by intimidation’s?
Watch Out, please be careful everyone involved who can name names is probably in physical danger by those sub-human child sexual abusers. What have they got to lose? This terrible sin didn’t stop them, so now they will be stopped from killing anyone who gets in their way?
Well I must commend Dov for not being intimidated himself.
Parents: The best way to protect your children is to teach them that they can always come to you and tell you if something happens or something makes them uncomfortable.
Do not tell them they have to tell you. Invite them to tell and talk.
Let them know that it is not there fault if anything ever happens between them and an adult. You can keep it completely Kosher. You do not have to go into detail on what it is. If it happens to a child after such a talk, they will be more equipped to say NO as well as more equipped to inform a safe adult.
Informing a safe adult does 2 things.
1. It stops the child and others from getting abused.
2. It stops the secondary trauma which is the trauma of feeling like you have a secret that you are not allowed to tell anyone (most often more traumatizing than the actual act of molesting)
Make sure your children know that this invitation to tell you anything even applies to relatives and other prominent people.
Protect our children.
There is a big problem with what Hikind is saying. A BIG problem. It is one thing to investigate and to protect children in the inyan of being nizhar, something apparently yeshivas and others are neglecting very badly. However, it is something else to publicize names without the involvement of either a Beis Din or a Court of Law. There are halachic issues of doubts, and even in secular law there is something called “innocent until proven guilty.” This touches on lashon harah and motsi shem rah. If he should publicize someone who is totally innocent and that person would experience persecution, Hikind would have to carry around the rest of his life that he ruined the life of an innocent person. That is why we have a Torah.
On the other hand, Rabbi Twersky should want to check the halacha that might allow him to publicize the name of the people who are persecuting HIM if he knows their names, because publicizing the names of those threatening HIM would be a mitzvah to help others protect themselves.
Although I am very upset about Dr. Twerski’s treatment and subsequent resignation, I am almost glad this happened because it proves the severity of abuse in our community. And knowing Dov, this will fire him up some more and he will hire the next best candidate who is not afraid for himself and his family.
Anonymous at 5:00. Why should you be shocked?? The Big Event ban did just the same tactic!
I am so sorry to see this and hear this. I know abuse exists and I know abuse in the form of intimidation exists. Rabbi Twerski is a wonderful competent man, a rarity with a proper derech and brilliant secular education. I understand not wanting to endanger his family, and I understand not wanting to get involved in public life. But sometimes, someone has to stand up for the innocents, the victims. I do hope someone else of his caliber can be found and not intimidated. I also hope the police were given any notes or messages of threats to trace. I hope HIkind will continue with this and will be successful in getting every single abuser away from innocents, away from the community. And I hope that Hashem protects the innocents by getting their abusers away from anyone else.
Yosef, if it does end up in the hands of a non frum professional, it will be handled professionally, without worrying about all the other stuff a frum professional may worry about and bring into his practice.
We are ALL intimidated. I am aware of a case in a chasidishe camp, that took place THIS summer, the molester is well known, and he was anyway hired as a staff member….the damage is still unknown…..what IS known is that he DEFINITELY lived up to his reputation, and he will continue molesting because parents are afraid to seek the proper help and/or have their children testify.
Nuchem Rosenberg, was the only one who took the pressure, and by the end he also gave up, its unreal how a community can not do any think to stop this problem, I wish he re Opens his hotline
And stands by this terror.
UOJ-Unorthodox Jew. This blogger is the only one with the guts to go toe to toe with these animals. He needs to be supported, not treated like a crackpot.
To Ano. @4:25PM,
There is a Jewish web site called -www.theawarenesscenter.org that lists predators & molesters in the jewish community. At lot of the names are frum people. It is an eye opener.
I agree that the molesters have to be stopped for the sake of our sweet children. But, I bet you that these people dont want to make public the names of these molesters, because i am sure that these molesters have shidduch age children, and then the chance of making shidduchim with these kids is going to be very hard, the children of these molesters are nebech not responsible for their fathers behavior.
Everyone cool down. Rabbi Twersky was an excellent choice because in the few days on the job, he showed how an ehrlicha Yid needs to handle this situation, shuddering to err either way. Most comments here are emotionally overblown, some even suggesting that the innocent children of some should be molested for their fathers sins. Yes, read the above comments where at least two people came up with such hysteria. Everybody please cool down, and let’s coolly analyze the problem and how large it is. Even if only one exists, it is one too many, but I truly don’t think that this problem is anywhere near, to the non-Jewish population. Most molestation is done by private people not Rabbis, even if many have added the title “Rabbi” to their name; it still doesn’t make them a Rabbi. Rabbis who teach who have been accused are a real miniscule of the mechanchim. Now out of ALL cases, I suspect that only a tiny portion are with children before the Bar Mitzvah, and even a tinier portion is full molestation and rape. The rest are with older kids called bochurim, which is an entire different subject. By law they call it statutory rape, but if done between the bocherim themselves it is not. To us fruma Yidden, it is a tragedy, no different what the circumstances. I still think that Dov is doing a great job in trying to deal with this, and I’m sure he’ll find another qualified person for this; but for crying out loud; please stop this hysteria.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its unbelievable,instead that the rabonim and mechanchim should see and try to stop the coruption
they actually back those immoral acts.
Because until now they were still able to say,we did not know about it,
Now they are trying everything to stop that people should talk and do something about it….
Every day our kids go in cheder/yeshiva or even go shabbos in shul,is a risk that they should get molested,raped,and than they have a big chance they should go off the derech, because when someone gets molested by his rabbi/teacher,or stam a guy with a big beard,besides how confused and hurt he is because of the trauma,he looks at those people that molested him and at the same time feed him torah, as false people and automatic is what ever this rabbi teaches him torah and every one that teaches in this same subject(torah)says, is false too.
I really think that the matzev is so bad, that a father that sends his kids to a public school and after school he learns with his kids ‘some” torah, haves a bigger chance to have frumer kids than us, its a shame,
But guys do not for get the problem in our generation is not the molesting rabbi’s, its lipa schmeltzer and the Big Event Staff, ZUCHOR ASHER OSOO LACHOO AMULEK (i don’t want to be mkatreg on all those rabonim and mechanchim,there are still left a few honest ones,the problem is they are not the majority)
I want to change the phrase that jewish people are using “in this zchus,moshiach should come”,
to in this generations with such rabonim and mechanchim moshiach got to come, bimhieroo v’yumieney amen
5:49
You are correct. Most occurrences of abuse happen closer to home.