Case of Rabbi Aryeh Blaut
(AKA: Louis Blaut, Louis Steven Blaut, Louis
A. Blaut, Louis S. Blaut)
 |
| Rabbi Aryeh Blaut's Facebook profile photograph |
Past Prinicipal -
Seattle Hebrew Academy,
Seattle, WA
Teacher - Approved by Torah U'mesorah
Mashgi'ach
(Kosher supervisor at Nosh Away Catering, Seattle, WA.
Driver at Affordable Kosher
and Mashgi'ach, Seattle, WA.
Cook and Baker at Leah's Catering, Seattle, WA.
It is not appropriate for any rabbi, educator, agency
or organization to investigate allegations of sexual abuse, especially regarding
this convicted sex offender. Criminal investigations should only be conducted
by trained law enforcement officials. According to the terms of Rabbi
Aryeh Blaut's probation he is not allowed contact with anyone under the age
of 18 (except his own children). He is also barred from using the
internet.
If anyone who has suspicions,
questions or information regarding this case
contact:
Peggy Kellow Senior U.S. Probation
Officer
Sex Offender Specialist
Phone: 206-370-8577 Fax:
206-370-8551
Rabbi Aryeh Blaut is convicted sex offender on federal
charges of possession of child pornography.
According to the United States Department of Probation,
Louis Blaut is not allowed contact with anyone under the age of eighteen
on the Internet or in person. Meaning, Rabbi Aryeh Blaut is not allowed to
tutor or teach anyone under the age of 18. He is also not allowed to use
the Internet.
Rabbi Blaut is a past principal of a Jewish Day School
in Seattle, WA. He was originally arrested in November 2003 for possession
of child pornography. He pled guilty in July, 2004 and sentenced on
Sept. 24, 2004. Rabbi Blaut spent 21 months in a federal prison in
New Jersey.
There was no press coverage on this case, yet a reliable
source stated that 1800 individuals in the community received a letter.
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:
- Outline of Events
- Va'ad HaRabanim of Greater Seattle (08/15/2004)
- Letter To Parents of Seattle Hebrew Academy (09/24/2004)
- Anonymous E-mail #1 (10/04/2006)
- Congregation Shaarei Teshuvah: President, Rabbi Aryeh Blaut (07/17/2012)
- Convicted Sex Offender, Rabbi Aryeh Blaut on Facebook (07/17/2012)
- Convicted Sex Offender on Linkedin.com (07/18/2012)
Outline of Events
-
October 23, 2003 - Adminstration at Hebrew Acdemy
informed that Rabbi Blaut was the subject of a federal investigation for
possession of child pornography.
-
October 24, 2003 - Rabbi Blaut resigned from
his teaching duties at the Seattle Hebrew Academy
-
October and early November, 2003 - After learning
that federal authorities had seized two personal computers from Rabbi Blaut's
home. Seattle Hebrew Academy checked Rabbi Blaut's school computer and found
no illegal materials on it. Seattle Hebrew Academy conducted their own an
in-house investigation into Rabbi Blaut's history at SHA, including a review
of his personnel and other files. The Awareness Center, Inc. frowns upon
schools conducting their own investigations. Instead we ask community members
to demand that our schools work with law enforcement officials and allow
those trainned in collecting forensic evidence conduct the
investigating.
-
July, 2004 - Rabby Aryeh Blatt pled guilty to
the federal charges.
-
September 24, 2004 - Hebrew Acedemy notified
parents by letter of the case of Rabbi Aryeh Blatt.
-
October 5, 2006 - The Awareness Center, Inc.
was sent anonymous letters from blogger Unorthodox Jew, regarding the case
of Rabbi Aryeh Blatt.
- October 6, 2006 - The Awareness Center, Inc. received confirmation from the federal probation department that Rabbi Louis Aryeh Blatt was a convicted sex offender.
Va'ad HaRabanim of Greater Seattle
Va'ad Newsletter: Friday, August 15, 2003
5305 52nd Avenue S. Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 760-0805 (206) 725-0347 Fax
http://www.seattlevaad.org/VaadNewsletter8.16.2003.html
PART TIME WORK WANTED - afternoons through early evenings. Can be
teaching related or office work. I type 70 wpm and am familiar with several
word processing programs. Fast learner. I also have phone experience. Very
organized. Contact Rabbi Blaut - 206 723-7293.
TUTORING - Rebbe B-Tutoring and Learning - spots still available.
Contact Rabbi Blaut at 206 723-7293.
Letter To Parents of
Seattle Hebrew Academy
September 24, 2004
Dear SHA Parents,
 |
| Rabbi Aryeh Blaut |
It is with profound sadness and difficulty that I am writing you today. I
regret having to provide you with this distressing news, but after much
discussion with rabbis, key members of our Board of Trustees and outside
experts, we determined that it was important to tell you of this situation.
Earlier this summer, Rabbi Aryeh Blaut pled guilty to charges of possession
of child pornography, and on Friday, September 24, he was sentenced to prison.
For those of you who do not know Rabbi Blaut, he served as a member of our
faculty for over twelve years teaching Judaic studies to our students. Rabbi
Blaut also served as a full- or part-time administrator during some of those
years.
Here are the facts from the Seattle Hebrew Academy's perspective:
-
On October 23, 2003, I was informed that Rabbi Blaut was the subject of a
federal investigation for possession of child pornography. Upon learning
this disturbing news, I immediately had our former principal, Dr. Sam Hart,
sit in his classroom and then, before the end of the day, removed Rabbi Blaut
from his classroom and placed him on administrative leave.
-
On October 24, 2003, Rabbi Blaut resigned from his teaching duties at the
Seattle Hebrew Academy. We directed Rabbi Blaut to cease all contacts with
our students and at our direction and in cooperation with his lawyer, he
sent a letter to the families of children that he was tutoring stating that
he would no longer be tutoring their children. Rabbi Blaut was most cooperative
with the school in understanding that he should resign and not have further
contact with SHA students.
-
During this time, I learned that federal authorities had seized two personal
computers from Rabbi Blaut's home. We checked his school computer and found
no illegal materials on it.
-
In late October and early November, at my direction, we conducted an in-house
investigation into Rabbi Blaut's history at SHA, including a review of his
personnel and other files. We found no suggestions in any record of any
inappropriate behavior while Rabbi Blaut worked at SHA and have no such evidence.
Rabbi Blaut told me and other community rabbis that he had no inappropriate
contact with children, and, to the best of our knowledge, inappropriate contact
was never part of the investigation.
-
Immediately upon learning of these charges, we consulted a well known
psychologist who works on issues related to child pornography. Our school's
primary concern was and continues to be the well being of our children. During
this discussion we asked about the likelihood that one who views child
pornography might have inappropriate contact with children. We advised him
that we had conducted an in-house investigation with negative findings. It
was his professional opinion that absent a history of child molestation,
viewing child pornography is not necessarily associated with inappropriate
conduct with children. We also discussed whether we should immediately inform
the parents of the allegations, and he recommended that, given the stage
of the federal investigation, which consisted of allegations, and that we
had taken steps to remove Rabbi Blaut from his position, it could be unduly
alarming to do so.
-
Based on our internal review, the opinion of the expert whom we consulted,
and the fact we were dealing with allegations, not proven facts, SHA's leadership
decided that the best course of action was to report this situation to our
school community once all of the legal issues were resolved.
-
From October 2003 until today, we have remained in consultation with leading
Halachic authorities, our school attorney, and psychologists to make sure
that SHA's actions throughout this process were proper from all perspectives.
- Starting in July, 2004, following Rabbi Blaut's guilty plea, we renewed our review of this situation in greater depth and, with profound sadness started the process of developing a process to notify you, our parents.
Based on our experiences over this period, we have decided to take the
following two actions.
-
First, shortly after Sukkot, our students will meet with Debbie Fox, LCSW,
Director of Aleinu Family Resources Center of the Los Angeles Jewish Family
Service. Mrs. Fox, along with Ms. Laura Freiman, MSW, specialize in increasing
children's awareness of rules for personal safety in any situation. The Aleinu
Family Resource Center Safety Program was established with the mission of
helping Orthodox day schools in Los Angeles prevent and, when necessary,
respond to serious problems of child abuse at schools and camps in the Los
Angeles area. It is a nationally recognized resource in the field of preventing
and treating child abuse. The Center is guided and endorsed by a panel of
Orthodox rabbis and is therefore completely consistent with halachic standards.
At SHA we will offer a comprehensive prevention program including staff education
and guidelines and an evening parent prevention and education workshop. Most
importantly, the program will include as a series of workshops designed to
help our students understand what is and is not inappropriate behavior, skills
they need to protect themselves and an understanding of the importance of
reporting any incident or concerns that they have.
- Second, we are in the process of amending our personnel policies and now will require all our faculty and staff to sign an addendum which clearly defines inappropriate behavior with students and includes the viewing or possession of child pornography.
I recognize that this is a very difficult topic to discuss. Based on all
of the consultation with professionals familiar with situations such as this
one, we have learned a great deal. One critical point is that it is often
helpful for parents to discuss this situation with their children in a sensitive
and instructive parental manner. We encourage you to share whatever information
you believe is appropriate with your children; particularly those children
who were students of Rabbi Blaut.
Please understand that we have been advised by halachic authorities that
our decision to share this information with you does not constitute lashon
hara (gossiping) under these circumstances. However, discussing this matter
without a toelet (constructive purpose)would constitute lashon hara and is
particularly insensitive to the Blaut family, who will continue to live within
our community during this difficult period. For the sake of the family and
their children, I urge you not to speak about this with anyone unless it
falls under the category of toelet (constructive purpose)
This is more than a personal, disappointing tragedy. It is a matter of deep
concern to the leadership of Seattle Hebrew Academy. Our primary focus is
on our children. Our school counselor, Katie May is familiar with this issue.
You may contact her if you need help in finding the appropriate way of talking
with your children about this subject or if you feel that one of your children
would benefit from time with her. You can reach her at 206-323-5750, ext.
246.
I am also always available to talk to you about this issue or any matter
of concern. Please know that you can call me directly at 206-323-5750, ext.
201, or email me at skay@sha613.org. I look forward to working together with
you in building our school community in the future.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Shmuel Kay, Head of School
Anonymous E-mail #1
Despite the fact that one of our local teachers, a rabbi, just spent 2 years
in Federal Prison for on-line viewing of child pornography. This rabbi teacher
was 'approved' by Torah
U'mesorah too! He was active in their e-chinuch program. Needless
to say, there are quite a few families who will never send their kids to
any Kollel activity because of this lack of oversight.
Jewish Prisoners International
Congregation Shaarei Teshuvah
Congregation Shaarei Teshuvah
July 17, 2012
http://jpsi.org/about/shaarei-teshuvah/
|
| Rabbi Aryeh Blaut |
Rabbi Louis ‘Aryeh’ Blaut – President
Rabbi Blaut has first-hand experience with the challenges faced by
prisoners and their families. Through serving a prison sentence, then
probation and engaging in extensive therapy, this Jewish educator
successfully navigated the road to redemption and reintegration into our
community. Much of his time is now dedicated to teaching in-prison
classes on Judaism, counseling prisoners and releasees, and helping
their families get through the difficult dynamics of justice and
corrections systems. In short, Rabbi Blaut is ideal to serve as
president of our unique congregation.
Convicted Sex Offender, Rabbi Aryeh Blaut on Facebook
By Vicki Polin
By Vicki Polin
The Examiner - July 17, 2012
http://www.examiner.com/article/convicted-sex-offender-rabbi-aryeh-blaut-on-facebook
http://www.examiner.com/article/convicted-sex-offender-rabbi-aryeh-blaut-on-facebook
View slideshow: Rabbi Aryeh Blaut on Facebook
Once again a convicted sex offender found his way onto Facebook (FB). This time the offender is Rabbi Aryeh Blaut’s, who plead guilty to charges of possession of child pornography back in 2004, and spent two years in a federal prison. What’s concerning is the fact that several of Rabbi Blaut’s FB friends appear to be high school and college aged students from around the globe.
The truth is that it is nearly impossible forFacebook to insure that their social media site is sex offenders free, even though their policyis in place. There is no realistic way to keep convicted sex offenders off. The pattern tends to be that as soon as a convicted sex offenders account is closed –– they wait a few days and then open up another one using a different identity. What complicates matters even more is the fact that Rabbi Blaut’s name does NOT appear on the National Sex Offender’s registry, making it nearly impossible to protect unsuspecting children from him. The same thing has happened with the case of Rabbi Michael Ozair. His name was removed from the California registry when he relocated to Thailand.
Over the years Rabbi Blaut has used various names which include Louis Blaut, Louis Steven Blaut, Louis A. Blaut and Louis S. Blaut.
The story of Rabbi Aryeh Blaut is not unlike may other sexual predators that come from the ultra-orthodox Jewish community, instead of working directly with law enforcement officials, and notifying parents immediately, the school conducted their own internal investigation and waiting nearly a year to warn parents of the dangers.
At the time of Rabbi Blaut’s arrest he was both a teacher and principal at the Seattle Hebrew Academy. According to Blaut’s current Facebook page he is employed as a Mashgiach (koshering supervisor) for two catering companies, and also as a driver for a kosher store. What is unknown is what sort of safety plan the community had to ensure that Aryeh Blaut has no contact with children, an that parents are aware of the dangers.
To report a convicted sex offender on Facebook click here.
Convicted Sex Offender on Linkedin.com
July 18, 2012
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/aryeh-blaut/2a/2ab/244
FAIR USE NOTICE
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.
Last Updated: 10/06/2006
"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
No comments:
Post a Comment