Case of Rabbi Yaakov Menken

Case of Rabbi Yaakov Menken

Yaakov Menken - Alleged Sex Offender

 (AKA: Kenneth Lloyd Menken, Ken Menken, Yaakov L. Menken, Yakov Menken)

Princeton University, Princeton, NJ

Spring Valley, NY

Yeshivas Ohr Somayach - Monsey, NY

Bais Medrash Gavoha - Lakewood, NJ  and Jerusalem, Israel

Mirrer Yeshiva - Jerusalem, Israel

Kiruv Worker (Jewish Outreach) - International

Founder and Director of Project Genesis -Baltimore, MD

Founder and Director of Torah.org -Baltimore, MD

Founder and Director of TorahMedia.org -Baltimore, MD

Author - The Everything Torah (Book) 

Rabbi Yaakov Menken was accused of clergy sexual abuse (sexual harassment and professional sexual misconduct).  At one point Rabbi Menken had a discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky regarding the allegations made by one of the women he counseled. The conversation included a confession by Yaakov Menken of having sexual contact with the woman. Rabbi Menken basically blamed the survivor stating "she manipulated him".  Rabbi Menken was nearly forty at the time. The young, haredi woman was hardly out of her teens.

If you or anyone you know were sexually victimized by Rabbi Yaakov Menken and are looking for resources, please feel free to contact The Awareness Center and or your local rape crisis center.
 

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Disclaimer: Inclusion in this website does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement. Individuals must decide for themselves if the resources meet their own personal needs.
 
Table of Contents:  

1994

1. Background information on Rabbi Yaakov Menken
2. Can one expect that a pretty, innocent girl with an older, "experienced" superior will be so easily able to escape his advances? (11/30/1994)

2004

1. Watchdogs vs Rabbis  (12/31/2004)

2006

1. CALL TO ACTION:  The Awareness Center is asking that Rabbi Shumel Kamenetzy make a public statement regarding the confession of Rabbi Yaakov Menken.  (11/19/2006)
2. CALL TO ACTION: Stop Funding Programs Organized By Alleged Sex Offender Rabbi Yaakov Menken  (12/24//2006)

2007

1. Rabbi Yaakov Menken (05/14//2007)
2. CALL TO ACTION: Boycott Events Associated with Alleged Sex Offender, Rabbi Yaakov Menken   (12/05//2007)

Also see:

• The Case of Rabbi Aron Boruch Tendler 
• The Case of Rabbi Mordecai Tendler

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Background information on Rabbi Yaakov Menken (AKA: Kenneth Menken) 

Ken Menken - Alleged Sex Offender

Yaakov Menken's alleged modus operandi is to become a father figure to vulnerable young women and eventually manipulating them into having sexual contact with him. Menken is married with children and in his forties. The alleged women he targets are usually in their late teens or early twenties. In 2005 Rabbi Yaakov Menken had a discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky and confessed to having sexual contact with a very young woman he counseled. He basically blamed the survivor, stating "she came on to me".

Kenneth Lloyd Menken was born in 1965.  While attending Princeton University, Menken became observant and started using his Hebrew name -- "Yaakov".  

Menken received his undergraduate degree in 1986. Upon graduating, started a seven year sabatical studying in various yeshivas (seminaries), such as Yeshivas Ohr Somayach in New York, Bais Medrash Gavoha in Lakewood and Jerusalem, and the Mirrer Yeshiva in Jerusalem, Israel.  

Yaakov Menken has always been a computer maven. One of his goals was to educate unaffiliated college students who didn't have access to shiurim (Torah teachings). At the age of twenty-eight he founded his first organization -- Project Genesis.  It has been reported that Yaakov Menken received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Moshe Silberberg, while attending Ohr Somayach. Silberberg also brought Menken his biggest client -- Compuplus.

Rabbi Menken is also the founder of TorahMedia.com, and a blog called "Cross-Currents". Some of the smaller Torah.org projects include Aveidah.org and more.

There have been many alleged and convicted sex offenders in Rabbi Menken's life.  One of these individuals includes Rabbi Eliezer Eisgrau, who is the prinicipal of Baltimore's Torah Institute. Both members of Shearith Yisrael also know as Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer's "Glen Avenue shul.

Alleged Sexual Predator - Rabbi Ken Menken

In the past Rabbi Menken stated that he felt the incest and molestation accusations against Eisgrau are ludicrous, as well as the sex abuse allegations against Rabbis Matis Weinberg and Mordecai Tendler. He also stated that the New York Jewish Week's editor, Gary Rosenblatt was wrong to expose rabbi Baruch Lanner, who was convicted and sent prison for sexually abusing underage girls.

Rabbi Yaakov Menken has several computer businesses -- Project Genesis (which opperates several non-profit organizations and Team Genesis, which does commercial web development.

It's important to note that for several years Menken's organizations Team Genesis/Project Genesis had connection to convicted sex offender Rabbi Benyamin Fleischman, who was protected by the rabbonim of Baltimore until his conviction in 2004.

Some of the clients of Rabbi Benyamin Fleishman includes (click here to see the full list Rabbi Benyamin Fleischman's clients):

• Agudath Israel of America
• Agudath Israel of Baltimore
• Bais Yaakov of Baltimore (the Principal is the son Rabbi Ephraim Shapiro and is the brother of Rabbi Yisoel Shapiro)
• Ner Israel Rabbinical College (multiple allegations were made of clergy sexual abuse against the grandson of one of the founders)
• Torah Institute of Baltimore
• Project Genesis (Rabbi Yaakov Menken)

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Background information on Rabbi Yaakov Menken

http://www.torah.org/staff/menken.html

Rabbi Yaakov Menken is the founder of Project Genesis, and creator of many of its sites and programs. You will find hundreds of Torah commentaries authored by Yaakov Menken on this site and elsewhere.

Rabbi Menken graduated from Princeton with a degree in Computer Science before going to Yeshiva (traditional Rabbinic school) for further Jewish studies.

Rabbi Yaakov Menken is a pioneer in the field of Internet-based Jewish Outreach and a veteran analyst of the global Jewish scene. Project Genesis supports outreach organizations worldwide, while operating Torah.org, the Internet's premier Jewish learning web site. Both Yaakov Menken and his organization maintain open communication with Jews at all levels of learning and education, and Project Genesis is endorsed by Jewish leaders from across the Jewish spectrum.

Yaakov Menken earned his Bachelor's degree from Princeton University in Computer Science, and then pursued Rabbinic studies in Yeshivas Ohr Somayach, Bais Medrash Gavoha in Lakewood and Jerusalem, and the Mirrer Yeshiva Jerusalem, before founding Project Genesis in 1993.

Rabbi Menken is also the founder of TorahMedia.com, and a new journal of thought and opinion called Cross-Currents. Smaller Torah.org projects include Aveidah.org and more.

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Can one expect that a pretty, innocent girl with an older, "experienced" superior will be so easily able to escape his advances?
Rabbi Yaakov Menken - November 30, 1994
http://www.ottmall.com/mj_ht_arch/v16/mj_v16i98.html

The problem with Sherut Leumi [women serving in the Israeli Defense Force with men] is that a girl cannot abandon her post the first time a man makes a pass at her. With all the debate over sexual harassment in _this_ country, you would be amazed at what Israelis consider "normal" behavior. Can one expect that a pretty, innocent girl with an older, "experienced" superior will be so easily able to escape his advances?

It's hard for me to fathom the naivete of a person who, in the 1990's, questions whether it was appropriate to forbid religious girls to do this kind of service. If you want to call preserving religious mores "stifling" religious girls, that's your prerogative.

Immediately before I became frum, I met two religious girls who were on a break from their "Sherut Leumi" - on a beach in Teveria. I can assure you that it wasn't their religiosity that was on display.

Why is it that no one has remarked on how the State of Israel "stifles" people by forcing them to serve in the Army, or how the US "stifles" us by forcing us to pay taxes? Just as the leaders of the country are called upon to tell us what is necessary for preservation of the nation, so too the leaders of the Torah community should be expected to tell us what is necessary for the preservation of Torah.

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Watchdogs vs Rabbis 
December 31, 2004

http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2004/12/30/blogging-and-emloshon-horaem-gossip/#comments


Note: Rabbi Yaakov Menken writes (these paragraphs since deleted from his blog):

Below Rabbi Menken is talking about journalist, Gary Rosenblatt who originally broke the story of the case of Rabbi Baruch Lanner.


I will make one comment about the so-called "watchdog" mentality, as applied to a well-known scandal of a few years back. The newspaper editor who "broke" that story insisted that he "went public" not because he wanted to sell papers and enhance his own reputation as a journalist, but because "nothing was being done."

Then, two years later, he "broke" a similar story after a whole set of steps were taken, and, in fact, the first line of his story was that a Bais Din was about to be convened in order to find out the truth.

This tells you something about the truthfulness of the so-called "justification" for his publication of the first set of allegations. I am not saying that those who should have done better supervision are not worthy of criticism – but I'm saying something about the motivations of self-appointed watchdogs.

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CALL TO ACTION:  The Awareness Center is asking that Rabbi Shumel Kamenetzky make a public statement regarding the confession of Rabbi Yaakov Menken. The Awareness Center - November 19, 2006

It is not often The Awareness Center puts out a warning regarding an individual who is also rabbi. Due to the seriousness of the allegations, the time has come for action to be taken regarding the case of Rabbi Yaakov Menken. 

The Awareness Center has recently learned that Rabbi Menken has created two new organizations associated with "Project Genisis".  He has began a Kiruv organization (Jewish outreach) called 'e-Kiruv".  He is also involved with an organization called Oz Nidberu. There are also rumors floating around that he may be involved in the development of a new counter-missionary organization.

We all have to be aware that it is not uncommon for Kiruv workers and or counter-missionaries to be involved with individuals who are experiencing a personal crisis in their lives. These crisis's includes a death in the family, illness of a loved one, trying to sort out unresolved issues, and even individuals who have been traumatized (victims or witnesses to a violent crime, survivors of childhood abuse, survivors of sexual assault, etc.). Individuals who are experiencing a life crisis are often in a vulnerable state and are more susceptible to being manipulated by sexual predator.

Over the last few years Rabbi Yaakov Menkin was accused of both sexual harassment and professional sexual misconduct.  At one point Rabbi Menken had a discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky regarding the allegations made by one of the women he counseled. The conversation included a confession by Yaakov Menken of having sexual contact with the woman. Rabbi Menken basically blamed the survivor stating "she manipulated him".  Rabbi Menken was nearly forty at the time. The young, haredi woman was hardly out of her teens.

Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky - Enabler of Sex Offenders

Because of the serious and complicated allegations made, the word needs to get out that young, single adult women could be at risk of harm if they share information about their personal lives with Rabbi Yaakov Menkin, especially if the woman is experiencing any sort of life crisis.

Due to the sensitivity of the situation and for reasons of confidentiality we are limited in what we can share with you about the case. What we can share is on The Awareness Center's site on Rabbi Yaakov Menken.

If you need more information regarding Rabbi Menken's confession please contact Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky.

The Awareness Center, Inc. is also asking that everyone contact Rabbi Kamenetzky requesting that he make a public statement regarding the confession made by Rabbi Yaakov Menken. Contact information for Rabbi Kamenetzky is provided below.

Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbor" (Leviticus 19:16).

Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky

Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia

6063 Drexel Road

Philadelphia, PA 19131

Telephone: (215) 473-1212    Fax: (215) 477-5065

If you or someone you know has had similar experiences, please contact your local rape crisis center and or The Awareness Center, Inc. 

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Organizations connected to Rabbi Yaakov Menken's Jewish Learning Network 

November 19, 2006

If you go to the home page of the organization called "Oz Nidberu", you will see an image of a leeping frog. The link will take you to the Jewish Learning Network's web page, which is operated by Rabbi Yaakov Menken.

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Rabbi Yaakov Menken's Newest Kiruv Effort - eKiruv.com

November 19, 2006

Contact: domains@capalon.com

Domain name: EKIRUV.COM

Registrant Contact: Project Genesis

Project Genesis (office@torah.org)

+1.4106021350

Fax:

122 Slade Avenue, Suite 250

Baltimore, MD 21208

US

Administrative Contact: Project Genesis

Project Genesis (office@torah.org)

+1.4106021350

Fax:

122 Slade Avenue, Suite 250

Baltimore, MD 21208 US

Technical Contact: Capalon.com

Hosting Services (hosting@capalon.com)

+1.4103589800

Fax:

122 Slade Avenue, Suite 250

Baltimore, MD 21208 US

Status: Locked

Creation date: 26 Dec 2003 16:22:29

Expiration date: 26 Dec 2006 00:00:00

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Call To Action:
Stop Funding Programs Organized By Alleged Sex Offender Rabbi Yaakov Menken 

The Awareness Center, Inc. - December 24, 2006In honor of the survivors of Rabbi Yaakov Menken (AKA: Ken Menken), The Awareness Center is bringing the following information to your attention. The goal is to prevent any more individual from becoming the next victim of a sexual offense.

Rabbi Yaakov Menken is the founder and director of Project Genesis, a Kiruv organization (Jewish outreach). He has put together an educational program that is funded by the Jewish Education Enhancement Projects (JEEP), which obtains its funds through the Jewish Federation of Baltimore (The Associated).

The Awareness Center, Inc. is asking that you contact both organizations and demand they stop funding programs connected to Rabbi Yaakov Menken. We are also asking that you contact those who are advertising Menken's programs. Explain to them that they are putting unsuspecting women at risk of harm.

Rabbi Yaakov Menken confessed to Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky that he had sexual contact with a young religious woman. At the time of the abuse this particular survivor was undergoing "spiritual counseling" by Rabbi Menken. The survivor was bearly out of her teens at the time she was sexually manipulated. Kenneth Menken was nearly in his forties. He was also a married, haredi (orthodox) rabbi.

The young woman describes her experience with Menken as clergy sexual abuse (professional sexual misconduct) During a conversation with Rabbi Kaminetsky, Kenneth Menken stated the young woman "manipulated him into having sexual contact."

Project Genesis has put together the following lecture series, which is funded by The Associated of Baltimore. Each time this program is advertised puts another unsuspecting woman at risk of harm -- by being "counseled" by Rabbi Menken. Please demand that all organizations stop funding activities organized by Yaakov Menken. Also demand that newspapers and magazines refuse to advertise events connected to him. The goal is to prevent one more unsuspecting individual from becoming the next victim of a sex crime.

The Awareness Center is also asking everyone to contact the following speakers. Please help inform them of Rabbi Menken's past history of alleged clergy sexual abuse (professional sexual misconduct). All inquires of his confession should be directed to Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky. (215) 477-1000.

Please ask Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky make a public statement regarding Rabbi Menken's confession and require Yaakov to be in therapy with a highly qualified psychotherapist whom specializes in working with sex offenders. The Awareness Center is also asking that Ken Menken financially compensate the survivor for the pain and suffering he has caused her.

Contact The Following Organizations

The Jewish Education Enhancement Project (JEEP)
rgreenfeld@cjebaltimore.org
410-735-5006


The Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore

• Adam Rosenberg  arosenberg@associated.org

The Center for Jewish Education

• Larry Ziffer, Executive Vice President  lziffer@cjebaltimore.org
• Rivka Lampert Adler, Director Adult Education  radler@cjebaltimore.org

The Baltimore Jewish Times
Andrew Buerger, Publisher
410-752-3504
publisher@jewishtimes.com


The Advertiser
ads.theadvertiser@gmail.com
410-764-3787


Ner Israel Rabbinical College
410-484-7200

• Rabbi Aharon Feldman
• Rabbi Beryl Weisbord

List Project Genesis Speakers:

• Rabbi Dr. Ephraim Becker
• Rabbi Motti Berger
• Rabbetzin Tzipporah Heller
• Rabbi Doron Kornbluth
• Rabbi Zev Leff
• Rabbi Noach Orlowek
• Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblum
• Rabbi Ken Spiro

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Rabbi Yaakov Menken
Torah.org - May 14, 2007
http://www.torah.org/staff/menken.html


Rabbi Yaakov Menken is the founder of Project Genesis, and creator of many of its sites and programs. You will find hundreds of Torah commentaries authored by Yaakov Menken on this site and elsewhere.

Rabbi Yaakov Menken has been called a ' visionary ' in the field of Jewish Outreach. Project Genesis supports outreach organizations worldwide, while operating Torah.org , the Internet's premier Jewish learning web site. Both Yaakov Menken and his organization maintain open communication with Jews at all levels of learning and education, and Project Genesis is endorsed by Jewish leaders from across the Jewish spectrum.

Rabbi Menken earned his Bachelor's degree from Princeton University in Computer Science, and pursued Rabbinic studies in Yeshivas Ohr Somayach, Beth Medrash Gavoha in Lakewood and Jerusalem, and the Mirrer Yeshiva Jerusalem, before founding Project Genesis in 1993.

Yaakov Menken joined Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein, of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, in creating Cross-Currents , a journal of traditional Jewish thought, in late 2004. This award-winning web log, or blog, features ten recognized, outstanding Orthodox rabbis and teachers. The name Cross-Currents reflects, in Rav Adlerstein's words, the aspiration "to expose the intersection between two currents: the timeless flow of authentic Torah thought, and the ebb and tide of current affairs."

Recently, Rabbi Menken led the technical development of Contact Loved Ones , an open voicemail system for those displaced by recent natural disasters. This story was picked up by the general media and especially by technical publications.

Rabbi Menken is a veteran analyst of the global Jewish scene. Project Genesis has helped with the hosting of Jewish World Review since its inception, and Yaakov Menken has contributed articles to JWR on tolerance , the value of life , the risks of the Internet (which also appeared elsewhere ) and other topics.
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CALL TO ACTION: Boycott Events Associated with Alleged Sex Offender, Rabbi Yaakov Menken
December 5, 2007

Over the last few years The Awareness Center has shared information with you regarding the case of Rabbi Yaakov Menken (AKA: Ken Menken). Due to the issue of confidentiality we have been limited in what we have made public. The allegations against Menken include sexual harassment and clergy sexual abuse.

Yaakov Menken's alleged modus operandi is to become a father figure to vulnerable young women and eventually manipulating them into having sexual contact with him. Menken is married with children and in his forties. The alleged women he targets are usually in their late teens or early twenties. In 2005 Rabbi Yaakov Menken had a discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky and confessed to having sexual contact with a very young woman he counseled. He basically blamed the survivor, stating "she came on to me".

Since The Awareness Center became aware of the allegations made against Yaakov Menken we were able to gathered information which included conversations with various rabbonim in Baltimore. It appears that a national Jewish outreach organization which includes a relative of the Menken survivors were in a bet din dispute right before and during the time that Rabbi Yaakov Menken was sexually manipulating a young woman from an extremely insulated community.  The survivor was barely out of her teens at the time that Yaakov Menken started his grooming process on her.

When Menken got started the young woman had recently moved away from her family for the first time. Menken allegedly marked her as an easy target and began to provide rabbinical counseling to her. It's important to keep in mind that Rabbi Menken was very angry with the survivors relative during this time period and the woman was unaware of the bet din dispute. It is believed that this is part of the reason why Menken picked her as a target and began to lure her in.

Usually when someone goes searching for spirituality they are in a vulnerable state because of some sort of personal crisis in their lives. These are exactly the type of people that Menken allegedly preys upon.

Several Kiruv organizations are partnering up with alleged sexual predator, Rabbi Yaakov Menken, for a Jewish Outreach event that will be featuring Dr. Gerald Schroeder. The problem is that by doing so they are basically saying that Yaakov Menken is safe and someone both affiliated and unaffiliated Jews can trust.

The Awareness Center is asking that you boycott all events associated with Yaakov Menken, Project Genesis, Torah.org, Project Genisis, Cross-Currents, and TorahMedia.org. We are also asking that you to call and or write the following people and demand that they stop working with Rabbi Yaakov Menken.

Contact:

Ken Menken - Alleged Sex Offender

* The Advertiser
E-mail: ads.theadvertiser@gmail.com
Phone: 410-764-3787

________________________________

* The Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore
Adam Rosenberg
E-mail: arosenberg@associated.org

________________________________

* The Center for Jewish Education
Larry Ziffer, Executive Vice President
Phone: 410-735-5000, ext. 5005
E-mail: lziffer@cjebaltimore.org

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* Gerald Schroeder, Ph.D.
HaHish 5, Jerusalem 93223, Israel
Phone 011-972-2-5671233
E-mail: gs@geraldschroeder.com
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Some of the information on The Awareness Center's web pages may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml . If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

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 "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." –– Margaret Mead

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Case of Adam Wexler

Case of Adam Wexler

Musician - Bat Ayin, Israel
Moshav Bat-Ayin, Gush Etzion, Israel
Diaspora Yeshiva Rock Band 
"Adam and the Ants" - Minnesota 

According to reports, after being arrested Adam Wexler confessed to most of the charges relating to raping a eight-year-old girl.  

Adam Wexler grew up in Minneapolis  He immigrated to Israel in 1990, just prior to the Gulf War, and lives in Gush Etzion.
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Disclaimer: Inclusion in this website does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement. Individuals must decide for themselves if the resources meet their own personal needs.

Table of Contents:  

2004

1. Reva L'Sheva's flavor still strong   (03/31/2004)
2. מוזיקאי חסידי חשוד באונס בת  מוזיקאי חסידי חשוד באונס בת (12/24/2004
3. Criminal Law  (12/26/2004)
   
4. Reva L' Sheva
5. Adam Wexler

2006

1.  Adam Wexler got a 4 year sentence last month (01/18/2006)

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Reva L'Sheva's flavor still strong 
by Ben Jacobson
The Jerusalem Post - March 31, 2004

Reva L'Sheva
Ten Years

To celebrate 10 years as a band, Reva L'Sheva has released a double live album, almost all recorded in one night in December 2002 at Club Tzora near Beit Shemesh.

Reva L'Sheva is the obvious leading candidate for the title of godfather to the post-Carlebach rock bands, and having lasted 10 years is certainly cause for celebration.

Back in 1994, when Reva L'Sheva first started to gig, it was a tight outfit known for long guitar jams and fierce rhythms. As the years went by, however, the band's sound became significantly lighter and more digestible, but as Ten Years proves, Reva L'Sheva's original flavor is still strong.

Fronted by Shlomo Carlebach disciple Yehudah Katz, Reva L'Sheva has changed lineups a great deal over the years, but the 2002 incarnation is seasoned and tight. Adam Wexler remains one of the most skilled and creative bassists in the genre, and Danny Roth's drumming is as solid as ever. Chanan Elias is most noticeable on this recording in his role as backup vocalist, but the atmosphere and occasional solos we hear from his keyboard contribute as well.

"Mizmor L'David" is given the space-out-jam treatment, complete with atmospheric fiddle effects. Considered by many to be the cornerstone of any Reva L'Sheva show, "M'heirah" here is thumping as ever.

Overall, as with many two-CD sets, it's possible that a one-CD version would have made for a more consistent experience, but there are enough highlights here to keep us interested, and besides, Ten Years deserves to be the document of an entire concert.

THE LECHATCHILA BAND

Hatuna Milechatchila:

Live in Concert

Soulfarm is known in Jewish rock circles for bringing a world beat to Hassidic niggunim.

The Lechatchila Band does the opposite. Hailing from South America, they already reside in the world of multiple percussionists, wall-of-ethnic-sound orchestration and complex rhythm structures. Lechatchila's world beat rock approach to Carlebach and other Hassidic standards has tremendous authenticity lechatchila, to begin with.

A whirlwind journey through all your favorite simcha songs, with some surprises, Hatuna Milechatchila: The Lechatchila Band Live in Concert is the group's only official release. The album is built in three sections: To the Huppa, Medley A and Medley B, sending us on a journey through a full 28 songs in less than an hour. The band wastes no time setting moods, preferring to get down to rocking ethnic niggun business.

As tight as the result is, Lechatchila can't resist indulging every few minutes in a furious percussion jam (courtesy of kit drummer Yaniv Cohen and hand percussionist Eli Tzvik), or in a duel between electric violinist Nir Sarussi and guitarist Chaim Bergil, who trade fiery licks. It is the jamming that lets this recording capture the intoxicatingly upbeat energy of the live performance.
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מוזיקאי חסידי חשוד באונס בת 8

אדם וקסלר, אזרח אמריקני בן 48 מהמושב בת-עין שבגוש עציון, נאשם ב-3 מעשי אינוס, מעשים מגונים ומעשים מגונים בכוח שביצע לכאורה בשכנתו, לפני כ-9 שנים; הפרקליטות: הוא הודה ברוב המעשים.

לבית המשפט המחוזי בירושלים הוגש (יום ה', 23.12.04) כתב אישום נגד אדם וקסלר, חבר בלהקה החסידית "רבע לשבע", המואשם בשלושה מעשי אינוס, מעשים מגונים ומעשים מגונים בכוח שביצע לכאורה בשכנתו, ילדה כבת 8, לפני כ-9 שנים. בית המשפט ידון היום גם בבקשה הפרקליטות לעצור את וקסלר עד תום ההליכים המשפטיים נגדו.

וקסלר, אזרח אמריקני בן 48 מהמושב בת-עין שבגוש עציון, נאשם בביצוע מעשים שאירעו בשנים 94'-95', במתלוננת שהיא כיום בת 17 וחצי.

"גרר אותה למחסן"

בכתב האישום שהגיש עו"ד טל ויסמן-בן שחר מפרקליטות מחוז ירושלים, נטען כי באותה עת נהגה המתלוננת ללכת עם חברתה פעמיים בשבוע לשיעורי בלט. באחת הפעמים, לאחר שנפרדה מחברתה וביקשה לעלות לביתה, חסם וקסלר את דרכה ומנע ממנו לעלות לדירה. הוא תפס אותה במותניה, משך אותה לכיוון המחסן של הבניין ונעל את הדלת.

על-פי הנטען, וקסלר השכיב אותה על מזרן במחסן, ליטף את רגליה ואת איבר מינה וביצע בה מין אוראלי ומעשים מגונים נוספים. לאחר כמה דקות, הלביש אותה ונתן לה לצאת מהמחסן. הפרקליטות טוענת, כי המקרה האמור אירע פעמיים-שלוש בשבוע במשך תקופה של כמה חודשים. באחת הפעמים, שאירעה כשנה לאחר מכן, הוא אף החדיר את אצבעו לתוך איבר מינה והכאיב לה.

"החדיר אבצע וגרם לשטפי דם"
מעשים אלה, כך נטען בכתב האישום, חזרו על עצמם במשך שנה נוספת, עד לסוף שנת 96', בתדירות שבין פעם בשבוע לפעם בשבועיים, כאשר בשלושה מקרים וקסלר גם החדיר את אצבעו לאיבר מינה, כשהוא גורם לה לשטפי דם.

במקרה אחר, כך נטען, אימה של המתלוננת שלחה אותה לביתו של השכן וקסלר כדי להביא דבר מה. וקסלר פתח לה את הדלת, והכניס אותה לאחד החדרים שבדירתו. הילדה הצליחה להימלט, אולם הוא הצליח לגבור עליה בכוחו והחזיר אותה לחדר. כשזו החלה לבכות, הוא התנצל בפניה וליטף את ירכיה, עד שלבית נכנסה בתו של וקסלר, אז הוא שחרר את הילדה.

בבקשה למעצר עד תום ההליכים טוענת הפרקליטות, כי וקסלר מודה ברוב המעשים המיוחסים לו. לטענתה, הוא "מסוכן לשלום הציבור - לשלומה של המתלוננת בפרט ולשלומם של קטינים בכלל". מעבר לכך, מאחר שוקסלר מצוי הרבה בחו"ל לצורך פרנסתו, קיים חשש כי החלטה שלא לעצרו עד תום ההליכים או שלא לשחררו בערבות בתנאים מגבילים מכבידים, יקלו עליו להימלט מן הדין.

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Criminal Law
Hasidic Musician suspected in the rape of girl age 8
By Noam Sharbit 
MSN News (Hebrew) - NFC (News First Class) - December 23, 2004

http://news.msn.co.il/news/CriminalLawCourt/Law/200412/20041223153200.htm
(Translation from Hebrew to English by San and Avraham Sonenthal)

Adam Wexler, a 48 year old American citizen from Moshav Bat-Ayin in Gush Etzion, was charged with 3 counts of rape, depraved acts and forced depraved acts perpetrated aparently on a female neighbor about 9 years ago.

The prosecution: He has confessed to most of the charges.

The district court in Jerusalem presented (Thursday, 23 December 04) a written indictment against Adam Wexler, member of the Hasidic band "Quarter to Seven" (Reva l'Sheva), who is accused of 3 counts of rape, depraved acts and forced depraved acts that he aparently committed against his female neighbor, an 8 year old girl, 9 years ago. The court will decide today on the prosecution's request to detain Wexler until the conclusion of the proceedings against him.

Wexler, 48 year old American citizen from Moshav Bat-Ayin in Gush Etzion, was indicted for acts committed during years 94-95, according to the complainant who is now 17 1Æ2 .

"He dragged her to the storage shed"

In the indictment presented by lawyer Tal Wiseman ben Shachar from the Jerusalem area prosecutors office, it is charged that during that time period the complainant used to go with her friend twice a week for ballet lessons. One of these times, after she left her friend

and sought to go up to her house, Wexler blocked her way and prevented her from entering her home. He grabbed her by the waist, and dragged her in the direction of the storage shed of the building and locked the door.

According to the complainant, Wexler forced her down onto a mattress in the storage room, fondled her legs and vagina and did oral sex to her and other depraved acts. After a few minutes, he dressed her and allowed her to leave the storage room. The prosecutor charges that the above mentioned event occurred 2-3 times a week during a several month period. On one of these occasions, he also inserted his finger into her vagina hurting her.

"He inserted his finger and caused me to bleed"

These acts, according to the indictment, continued for an additional year, until the end of '96, at a frequency of between once a week to once in two weeks, during which on three separate occasions Wexler also penetrated her vagina with his finger, causing her to bleed.

On another occasion, it is charged, the mother of the complainant sent her to Wexler's house to pick something up, Wexler opened the door, put her in one of the rooms of his house, and she managed to escape but he overpowered her and returned her to the room. When she started to cry he apologized to her and started fondling her thighs, until Wexler's daughter entered the home, at which time he released the girl.

In the request of the prosecution for detention until the conclusion of the proceedings the prosecutor maintains that Wexler confessed to most of the acts attributed to him. According to the request, he is a "...danger to public safety – to the safety of the complainant particularly and to the safety of children in general". On the other hand, since he often has to travel outside the country because of his livelihood, there is a danger that a decision not to detain him until the end of the proceedings or release him without sever restrictions and conditions, will make it easy for him to escape justice.

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Reva L' Sheva
www.revalsheva.com/ bios.phpg

Adam grew up in Minnesota. At age nine he formed his first rock band "Adam and the Ants". By age 10 he had already performed with Frank Sinatra, as well as the pop greats "The Four Seasons". Traveling all over the world, Adam suddenly found himself in Israel. One day he passed by Har Tziyon (Mt. Zion) and stuck his head into the court yard of the Diaspora Yeshiva. At that very moment he overheard someone placing an advertisement in Rolling Stone Magazine seeking a bass player in the Diaspora Yeshiva Rock Band. Adam auditioned, got the gig and was the star bass player in the Diaspora Yeshiva Band. Later, he left Israel to pursue a playing career with American rock stars, among them Bobby Rifkin of the Prince Band. Ten years ago he returned to Israel with his family.
 
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Adam Wexler
Organisation: Reva L'ShevaAdam Wexler is bassist in Reva L'Sheva, Israel's popular rock band. Attending Limmud with Yehudah Katz - lead singer and keyboard. Adam grew up in Minnesota. At age nine he formed his first rock band 'Adam and the Ants'. By age 10 he had already performed with Frank Sinatra, as well as pop greats 'The Four Seasons'. Traveling all over the world, Adam suddenly found himself in Israel. One day he passed by Har Tziyon (Mt. Zion) and stuck his head into the court yard of the Diaspora Yeshiva. At that very moment he overheard someone placing an advertisement in Rolling Stone Magazine seeking a bass player in the Diaspora Yeshiva Rock Band. Adam auditioned, got the gig and was the star bass player in the Diaspora Yeshiva Band. Later, he left Israel to pursue a playing career with American rock stars, among them Bobby Rifkin of the Prince Band. Ten years ago he returned to Israel with his family
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Adam Wexler got a 4 year sentence last month

18/01/2006
4 שנות מאסר לחבר להקה חסידית אדם וקסלר שהורשע בביצוע מעשים מגונים בילדה

בית המשפט המחוזי בירושלים גזר היום 4 שנות מאסר בפועל על סולן הלהקה
החסידית רבע לשבע, אדם וקסלר, שהורשע בביצוע מעשים מגונים בילדה בת 7. בנוסף
הורה בית המשפט לפצות את הילדה ב- 80 אלף שקל. 

Decmeber, 2004 -- Adam Wexler was accused of 3 counts of rape and forced depraved acts against a 8 year old female neighbor.

Adam Wexler grew up in Minnesota. At age nine he formed his first rock band "Adam and the Ants". By age 10 he had already performed with Frank Sinatra, as well as the pop greats "The Four Seasons". Traveling all over the world, Adam suddenly found himself in Israel. One day he passed by Har Tziyon (Mt. Zion) and stuck his head into the court yard of the Diaspora Yeshiva. At that very moment he overheard someone placing an advertisement in Rolling Stone Magazine seeking a bass player in the Diaspora Yeshiva Rock Band. Adam auditioned, got the gig and was the star bass player in the Diaspora Yeshiva Band. Later, he left Israel to pursue a playing career with American rock stars, among them Bobby Rifkin of the Prince Band. Ten years ago he returned to Israel with his family.

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_____________________________________________________________________________________




 

Interview About The History of The Awareness Center With Vicki Polin

Interview About The History of  The Awareness Center With Vicki Polin

Interview - December 15, 2004

Luke: "Tell me why you started The Awareness Center?"

Vicki: "I've been working in the sexual victimization field since 1985. I started as a volunteer, and then went back to school to get my degrees. As time has gone on, I've gotten more in touch with my Jewish identity. I started to realize that there was nothing out there for the Jewish survivors of sexual violence. For years I told other people to start something, no one did, so I ended up creating The Awareness Center. 

"It was a gradual process. In April of 1999, I started changing my private practice web page into The Awareness Center as it is now. 

"Back in the early 1990's, I was working in a rape crisis center on the South side of Chicago. I was a clinical sex abuse therapist, working with kids who were sexually abused. I was the fifth Caucasian hired and the first Jew. As I worked with the kids, I had to learn about black history, Kwanzaa, and black power. I started realizing that I knew more about their heritage than I did about my own. That's when I started learning about Judaism." 

Luke: "How did you start getting support for The Awareness Center, particularly from Orthodox rabbis?" 

Vicki: "As I was recreating the web page, I was also googling Jewish web pages finding e-mail addresses and sending notes to everyone who had an e-mail address listed -- letting them know what I was doing and asking if they were interested in joining forces. That's how I met Na'ama Yehuda, Dr. Michael J. Salamon, rabbi Yosef Blau and rabbi  Mark Dratch. I'll never forget when I got an e-mail back from rabbi Blau, I didn't know who he was. I had to ask someone who he was. My friend told me he was OK and I should contact him. I did that immediately and the rest is history." 

Vicki Polin, Na'ama Yehuda, Michael Salamon, Yosef Blau, Mark Dratch

Luke: "What have been the typical areas of conflict between you and Orthodox rabbis regarding the center?" 

Vicki: "It seems that everybody has a different perspective on halacha and the way we deal with cases. It all depends on which case we're dealing with, what the halacha seems to be." 

Luke: "Why did rabbi Dratch leave the center?" 

Vicki: "He was under a great deal of pressure with his position with the RCA (Rabbinical Council of America). It was a conflict of interest between the two organizations. You would have to ask him." 

Luke: "How is dealing with sexual abuse different in the Orthodox world than outside of it?" 

Vicki: "First of all, the Awareness Center is not an Orthodox organization. It is a Jewish organization. We have individuals calling us from all affiliations and including those from no affiliation. On our web page we have cases of alleged and convicted rabbi abuse from every affiliation.

"In the secular world, people read newspapers and watch TV. They tend to be pretty progressive in the way they see individuals who have been sexually victimized, especially children. In the Orthodox world, it is often so insulated, that I feel that I am back in the 1980s trying to educate them on the basics. Many just don't have the information available to them that they need." 

Luke: "How do you tell the truth when someone alleges sexual abuse?" 

Vicki: "One of the myths that people have is that the majority of claims individuals make of sexual violence are made up. You have to realize that it is only 1-2 percent of cases where there might be false allegations. If and when there is a case of false allegations -- it is usually a cry for help, something else is going on in the life of the individual. Either way, the individual needs help. 

"One of the things The Awareness Center does is to look for consistency in what a caller is saying. 

"The statistics of occurrences of childhood sexual abuse is the same in the Orthodox world as it is in the secular world. I even read a study some time ago saying the statistics are the same in rural China. Basically one out of three-to-five women and one out of every five-to-seven men have been sexually abused by their 18th birthday." 

Luke: "Don't you think the Jewish community is taking this more seriously than it has in the past?" 

Vicki: "It depends on which community you are talking about. I was recently talking to a rabbi from an extremely insulated community -- he basically was saying that anybody who makes these kind of allegations is crazy. It appeared that he bought into the myth that 'Jewish people don't abuse their children.' It enraged me, and made me more determined to do what ever I could to make sure our rabbinic leaders become educated." 

Luke: "What is rabbi Saul Berman's complaint with the center?" 

Vicki: "His complaint has mainly to do with our handling of the case of rabbi Mordechai Gafni (AKA: Marc Gafni). From the beginning, I've had no idea where he was coming from and why he is trying to protect an individual who confessed to statuary rape a 13-year old girl. Rabbi Gafni has never shown any signs of remorse. He has never made teshuva [repentance] to the individual he assaulted. Rabbi Berman has sent The Awareness Center several long elaborate letters of complaint. No matter what we did or said, he just wasn't satisfied. It's obvious that he is lacking the needed education so that he could have a better understanding of sex offenders and in working with survivors of sexual violence. It saddens and scares me that a man of his statute is not willing to learn." 

Luke: "Do you feel like you need to educate these rabbis?" 

Vicki: "Definitely. I'd love to do training with them. One of the long-term goals of The Awareness Center is to have some kind of certification program for rabbis. Once they are educated we would be able to use them as referral sources for survivors, their family members and those who offend." 

Luke: "How much training does a rabbi need?" 

Vicki: "When I worked as a rape victims advocate, I had to undergo a 40-hour training on some of the basics. That's what I wanted to start out with. Rabbis need to understand what the symptoms are of someone who has been sexually violated (both adults and children). They need to know about the different types of sex offenders, and how to help families members of sex offenders. They also need to know what to do when an alleged or convicted sex offender comes to their minyan. They need to know some of the basics of how to make their minyans safe for everyone." 

Luke: "What role does rabbi Blau play with the center?" 

Vicki: "He's my partner in crime. He is our halachic advisor (Jewish legal advisor regarding Jewish law), does a lot of hands on work -- doing a lot of case management. And most important, he's always explaining to me -- who's who in the Orthodox world." 

Luke: "Do you believe that God called you to be a sex abuse victims advocate?" 

Vicki: "It's hard for me to say that it comes from God. Please remember that I come from an atheist background. I'm really learning as I go along. What I feel comfortable saying is that the universe has opened its doors in this direction for me. Every time I try to walk away, it just doesn't let me."

Luke: "Have you ever been romantically or sexually involved with someone you were [counseling]?"

Vicki: "No."

Luke: "What do you think about suppressed memories, are they valid?"

Vicki: "Instead of me answering this question, I would like to refer you to a dynamic web page that discusses all of the relevant information on the topic." 

Luke: "Is the center a one woman show?"

Vicki: "The Awareness Center is a coalition of several different individuals who are dedicated to ending sexual victimization in Jewish communities around the world. We currently are all volunteers (I can't wait until the day we have the funding we need to hire staff). I may be the most visable, but we have a team effort going on. We would not be able to do the work I'm doing without Rabbi Yosef Blau, Na'ama Yehuda, Dr. Michael Salamon, Renee Cannella, San, Adam and a slew of other people.

Luke: "Are you the poster "Me"?"

Vicki: "I am NOT the individual who posted on the Protocols blog, who used the name of "ME". I wish I was as intellegent and as articulate. The "ME" poster has a vast knowledge of Hebrew and Torah. I don't."