Regarding New York Assemblyman Dov Hikind
By Vicki Polin
The Awareness Center - November 25, 2008
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).
It saddens me a great deal to see how a few Jewish leaders in the orthodox world appear to be manipulating community members into believing they do not have to report heinous crimes to child protective services. Orthodox children deserve the same rights and protection as other children in the Unitied States of America.
I personally believe that Assemblyman Dov Hikind is wrong and is violating the civil rights of children from Torah observant homes. Each day that goes by that he refuses to work with law enforcement officials means another child is being sexually victimized.
One has to realize that turning over the names of alleged sex offenders and also those who were allegedly sexually abused to child protection workers does not mean that the names will be made public. It only means that there is a possibility that those who perpetrate crimes against our children may be prosecuted and those who have been sexually victimized will be offered “REAL” help.
As Jews, we all have moral responsibility to protect our youth. We all must consider ourselves as mandated reporters -- meaning if you suspect a child is at risk of harm you make a hot-line report (to child protective services in your state). Leave the investigating to those who have the specialized training and can conduct forensic investigations. Dov Hikind does not have this sort of training nor does those he “works” with.
Vicki-
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect.
Do you simply like to put things out for the sake of causing to talk? Have you picked up the phone to understand clearly what Dov's position is and why he is not giving over some information. Do you know what his plans are and what he is working towards?
I do and you should be ashamed of yourself attacking one of the few people who are actually working hard for this cause
Shame on You
I agree 100% with Ms. Polin. Protecting our children has go to come first -- not the politics of those who have other agendas.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the frist poster. Anyone with any brains knows Dov isn't protecting anyone. What are you an idiot? You think he is allwoing kids to get molested. Have you asked him what he is trying to do? You are just a fool
ReplyDeleteYour piece on Hikind is so consistent with some of the other stances by the Orthodox community. I don't understand how they can be so casual about what has taken place at Agriprocessors (the Conservative community is publicly and privately outraged) other than by justifying the treatment of employees as okay because they're not Jews...but the biblical prohibitions against treating animals and servants inhumanely seems to be conveniently ignored because it causes them inconvenience.
ReplyDeleteThank you Vicki. I couldn't have said it any better.
ReplyDeleteVicky
ReplyDeleteYou are right on about Hikind. It is shameful.
I believe he wrote in his article that after hearing so many first hand reports, he has totally changed his perspective/attitude on the situation.
ReplyDeleteDo you think he is putting on a show?
That would be really disgusting.
The reasons to no longer be frum and to stay away from the orthodox community continue to pour forth and validate my choices. Clearly their own rules of honesty, clean living, kashrus and tzniyus don't apply to themselves, so why should they apply to anyone else? I will never be frum again.
ReplyDelete