Thursday, April 30, 2009

David Mandel on the SOL Bill: Once again putting offenders and orthodox agencies before the needs of survivors of sex crimes

Please keep in mind that David Mandel is the CEO of Ohel, which is an orthodox mental health agency in Brooklyn. You can watch him on youtube telling Baltimore community members not to report suspected cases of child abuse/neglect to legal authorities.  Instead he instructs individuals to bring their suspicions to their local orthodox rabbi.  I have never met a single rabbi who has training or any form of education in evidence collection nor forensic interviewing.
Please write letters to the Jewish Times (5 Towns) regarding David Mandel's comments:
P.O. Box 690, Lawrence, NY 11559
516-984-0079
editor@5&JT.com 
 

________________________________________________



Sexual Abuse Legislation: A Proposed Strategy For ReformBy David Mandel
Jewish Times Five Towns Thursday - April 30, 2009



There is legislation pending to extend the statute of limitations on reporting and prosecuting child molesters. There is general agreement this change in the law would be good. Victims of child molestation, even older adolescents, are often not ready to disclose or confront their offenders until years later.

A second piece of legislation to open a “window” of one year permitting victims, even those molested decades ago, to file civil lawsuits against molesters or the institutions that employed them has drawn both strong support and strong opposition. As is often the case, victims’ advocates will favor the proposed legislation while institutional systems may oppose it.

Victims’ advocates are favoring the Markey bill, which includes this window. The Catholic church and some groups representing yeshiva institutions favor the Lopez bill, which extends the statute but has no window.

It is noted that Assemblyman Dov Hikind would like to work on a compromise position.

Several victims who have spoken publicly of their ordeals, along with a victim advocacy group, have been prominent in pushing for the passage of the window. This advocacy is important and well intentioned. But to express it in a way that if you’re not in support of the window you’re not supporting victims of sexual abuse is misguided, as it undermines our communities’ ability to have an open, honest discussion about child abuse.

The passage of such a window provision in California is often cited as a case in point by both sides, those in favor and opposed. In that instance, the legislation led to the disclosure and reporting of several hundred pedophiles in California. This was important and no doubt led to untold hundreds (and thousands) of potential victims not being molested. It also led to hundreds of lawsuits, most notably against the Catholic church, which eventually cost them hundreds of millions in settlements.

It is this issue of potential lawsuits that is pitting institutions against victims’ advocates. On all other issues, there is general agreement.

In a now infamous phrase, former President George W. Bush said to the world, concerning Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups, that “you’re either with us or against us.” But even he came to appreciate it was more complicated than drawing a line in the sand. People can at times be supportive of a position, but when asked to give their “all or nothing,” many defer. It is not a good way to negotiate.

For this reason, Assemblyman Dov Hikind is correct in seeking a compromise.

I offer the following suggestions that may be incorporated and serve the best interests of all:

1) Victims of child molestation have consistently stated they want the perpetrator to be accountable, to take responsibility and acknowledge his actions. Victims want the world to know it was the perpetrators’ fault, not their own. Victims have expressed this as an important aspect of enabling them to move on with their lives. They generally don’t speak of revenge, but of goodness and responsibility.

Open a one-year window for perpetrators to disclose their acts that were committed and that exceed the criminal statute of limitations. Provide them amnesty from future civil suits.

The gain here is to identify as yet unknown perpetrators and place them under a watchful eye, with required risk assessment, treatment, and some form of probation and monitoring.

Those perpetrators who do not come forward would be subject to (potential) future civil claims—stated another way, a window.

2) Institutions (churches, day schools, yeshivas) are understandably concerned they will be inundated with lawsuits. The Catholic church’s exposure in California and Boston forced them to sell property and likely close some schools.

Schools may be sued for acts committed by their staff that they may have been completely unaware of. That of course is not a consolation to the victim, who may understandably seek recourse. Nevertheless, the school’s financial liability may be great.

If a school is found liable in even one lawsuit requiring them to pay a sum in the millions that exceeds their liability insurance, they may be forced into bankruptcy. How can a school protect itself in an insurance claim from 25 years ago or more, when insurance coverage may have been wholly different? How does that serve the best interests of their student body, parents, and community? In the end, who wins and who loses?

Instead of allowing unlimited lawsuits, we can limit them to reasonable amounts. We can cap the lawsuits, for example, not to exceed a $500,000 payout, and cap the contingency fee by attorneys to 10 percent.

There is a tendency by attorneys to throw out a huge number in a lawsuit, in the tens or hundreds of millions. This is what is creating a backlash against the window provision.

3) Insurance companies have generally stayed on the sidelines, not wanting to be involved in any aspect. They need to be brought in, even as unwilling partners.

Many victims avoid treatment, fearing they will get a diagnosis on their insurance that will “label” them and further their stigmatization. This is true of offenders, as well; hence they may avoid seeking treatment.

Further, insurance companies have in the main refused to provide coverage for treatment of sexual abuse. This is similar to the insurance industry a decade ago choosing to significantly raise liability premiums for physicians, thus effectively reducing the number of ob/gyn, anesthesiologists, and other specialists. Victims’ advocates should lobby the insurance industry to provide coverage, thus broadening the entry of professionals into this complex field of work.

The lack of insurance coverage prevents many victims from obtaining good treatment. Aside from the 40 million uninsured Americans, countless people with insurance have only limited mental-health coverage. Treatment for victims of sexual abuse often requires the services of clinical professionals with specialized training and may last one or several years. Evaluation and treatment of pedophiles also requires highly specialized work and generally lasts two to three years.

Inadequate insurance coverage is a serious obstacle to properly supervising child molesters who want help and thereby protecting the public.

Victims’ advocates should place this in their sights. This is a critical issue, and success can be had. Advocates for infertility treatment successfully lobbied two years ago to require the insurance industry to include payment for fertility treatment. These often cost $10,000–$20,000 per course of treatment. It is common for many couples to go through multiple treatment cycles over several years.

4) Through our work over many decades at Ohel with victims, and in consultations with community groups throughout the country, the issue of a victims’ fund arises.

Compensation funds exist in many local governments for crime victims. This should be expanded to include victims of sexual abuse. Such compensation would further encourage victims who come forward and offer concrete validation for their pain and suffering.

Two victims now in their forties have repeatedly stated to me this is their primary interest. They, as many others, will not speak out, because of their personal shame and privacy.

A victims’ fund needs to be established especially for those lacking insurance, as well as others who do not want these diagnostic categories listed in their insurance history.

With an air of compromise and deliberations, it is possible that some institutional groups would consider establishing such a fund and to initiate a process of reconciliation between victims and institutions.

Our work at Ohel has brought us into contact with significant numbers of victims of sexual abuse, as well as perpetrators. This is one of the most complex areas of work in the field of mental health.

In the last ten years, OHEL has conducted numerous seminars in communities throughout the country on prevention and response to sexual abuse. Invariably, at every such gathering at least one individual would privately disclose their experience as a victim some ten, twenty, even thirty years earlier or more. It is fair to say that sexual abuse ranks very high on the list of secrets and memories not forgotten.

Many victims have said that by listening to tapes by prominent rabbanim and community leaders speaking out on this issue and by attending such seminars they have been empowered.

There are few issues in life that are black and white, even though we would like them to be. Many more are the shades of gray.

These suggestions could move our system another step toward protecting our children, providing victims with renewed strength and support, and putting perpetrators on notice that with every passing day we will shut them down.


David Mandel is chief executive officer of OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services in New York City. He can be contacted at 
dm@ohelfamily.org.


Dear Ms. Markey:

The Rabbinical Council of America represents more than 1,000 modern and centrist orthodox rabbis. We are the rabbinic arm of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.

We support Bill No. A.02596, sponsored by you, which would extend the civil and criminal statutes of limitations for sex abuse victims.

Child sex abuse is a horrendous crime. Victims often bear the scars for entire lifetimes. They are at higher risk for clinical depression, substance abuse, and suicide.

Many victims are overcome by feelings of confusion, shame, and embarrassment. As children and teens, they are psychologically and emotionally unable to deal with the court system. Only later, as adults, and often with therapy, do they feel comfortable in working with the judicial system. Unfortunately, arbitrary statutes of limitations stand in their way.

Jewish law and tradition recognize the need for our justice system to protect the most vulnerable among us. Lowering the statute of limitations bar for child sex abuse victims would serve that purpose. Sexual predators are often recidivists and need to be incarcerated, and classified as convicted sex offenders, in order to assure public safety. Sex abuse victims deserve to be fairly compensated for their grievous injuries. Your bill will assure these laudatory goals.

Sincerely yours,
Rabbi Basil Herring
Executive Vice-President


Dear Mr. Weisenberg:

The Rabbinical Council of America represents more than 1,000 modern and centrist orthodox rabbis. We are the rabbinic arm of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.

We commend you for introducing Bill No. A.06656 on March 11, 2009, together with Assembly Member Dov Hikind and 20 additional co-sponsors. This Bill, if it becomes law, will legally mandate the fingerprinting and criminal history background checks of all prospective nonpublic school employees.

The RCA is strongly committed to the safety of the approximately one-half million children who attend religious and private schools in New York State, including 100,000 yeshiva school children. In 2005 and 2007, at our annual Conventions, we enacted Resolutions endorsing background checks for all school employees. The Resolutions can be viewed on our web site.

We strongly support passage of Bill No. A.06656. Fingerprinting and background checks are required for all public school employees. Nonpublic school children are entitled to the same legal protection.

This bill is a critical first step towards assuring the safety of nonpublic school children. We look forward to working with you and your colleagues on additional legislation that will further enhance the security of religious and private school children.

Sincerely yours,
Rabbi Basil Herring
Executive Vice-President 

Former NFL player Al Chesley sharing his story of child molestation on WJZ News


Pictured above is Paul Livingston, Al Chesley, Vicki Polin (The Awareness Center) and Bob Russell (Child Victims Voice - Maryland)


It's with great honor that The Awareness Cneter is sharing the following heart breaking testimony of Al Chesley, which aired on WJZ on April 29th. Al is an dear friend of The Awareness Center and all survivors of child sexual abuse.

Here's the 3:23 minute Broadcast

Here's the entire 20 min interview


You can watch the testimony of Paul, Al, Vicki, Bob and several in Annapolis on youtube on the Maryland Senate on SB: 238, which killed quickly by the Catholic church.

David Mandel: Enabler of Sex Offenders on the Markey Bill

Brooklyn, NY - CEO Of Ohel: Compromise On Markey Bill Should Offer 1 Year Amnesty Plan For Perpetrators

Vos Iz Neias? - April 30, 2009

David Mandel - CEO of Ohel
Brooklyn, NY - There is legislation pending to extend the statute of limitations on reporting and prosecuting child molesters. There is general agreement this change in the law would be good. Victims of child molestation even older adolescents are often not ready to disclose or confront their offenders until years later. 

A second piece of legislation to open “a window” of one year permitting victims, even those molested decades ago, to file civil lawsuits against molesters has drawn strong support and equal strong opposition.

As is often the case with legislation drafted in local, state or Federal government victim advocates will favor while institutional systems may oppose.

Victim advocates are favoring the Markey Bill, which includes this window. The Catholic Church and some groups representing yeshiva institutions favor the Lopez Bill, which extends the Statute but has no window.

It is noted that Assemblyman Dov Hikind supports both bills. How could that be as they are different? He explains he would like to work on a compromise position. 

Several victims who have spoken publicly of their ordeals along with a victim advocacy group have been prominent in pushing for the passage of the window. This advocacy is important and well intentioned. But to express it in a way that if you’re not in support of the window you’re not supporting victims of sexual abuse is misguided as it undermines our communities’ ability to have an open honest discussion about child abuse.


THE KEY POINTS

  • OHEL see’s importance in both Lopez and Markey Bills and suggests a possible compromise.
  • OHEL is not in agreement with some of the positions taken by certain organizations who oppose “the window” provision.
  • While OHEL suggests a one year amnesty, we believe a one year window should be instituted thereafter.
  • OHEL suggests a one year amnesty from civil claims with required risk assessment, treatment and some form of probation and monitoring. Certainly no amnesty from any criminal proceedings.
The passage of such a window provision in California is often cited as a case in point by both sides, those in favor and opposed. In that instance several years ago the legislation led to the disclosure and reporting of several hundred pedophiles in California. This was important and no doubt led to untold hundreds (and thousands) of potential victims not being molested. It also led to hundreds of lawsuits most notably against the Catholic Church which eventually cost them hundreds of millions in settlements.


It is this issue of potential of lawsuits that is pitting institutions against victim advocates. On all other issues there is general agreement.

In a now infamous phrase former President George Bush said to the world concerning Al Qaeda that “you’re either with us or against us”. He came to appreciate it was more complicated than drawing a line in the sand. People can at times be supporting of a position but when asked to give their “all or nothing” many defer. It is not a good way to negotiate.

For this reason Assemblyman Dov Hikind is correct in stating he is seeking a compromise.
The following suggestions are offered that may be incorporated and serve the best interests of all.

1. Victims of child molestation have consistently stated they want the perpetrator to be accountable, to take responsibility and acknowledge his actions.  

Victims wanted the world to know it was the perpetrators fault not theirs.


Victims have expressed this as an important aspect of enabling them to move on with their lives.  They generally don’t speak of revenge but of goodness and responsibility.

Open a one-year window for perpetrators to disclose their acts that were committed and that exceed the criminal statute of limitations. Provide them amnesty from future civil suits.  This is similar to amnesty offered with illegal guns and delinquent taxes.

The gain here is to identify as yet unknown perpetrators and place them under watchful eye with required risk assessment, treatment, some form of probation and monitoring. 

The penalty for those perpetrators who do not come forward may be subject to (potential) future civil claims, stated another way, a window.

2.  Institutions (Church, Day schools, yeshivas) are understandably concerned they will be inundated with lawsuits. The Catholic Church’s exposure in California and Boston forced them to sell property and likely close some schools.

Schools may be sued for acts committed by their staff that they may have been completely unaware of. That of course is not a consolation to the victim who may understandably seek recourse. Nevertheless the schools financial liability may be great.

A school losing even one lawsuit requiring them to pay any sum in the millions that exceeds their liability insurance may bankrupt them. How can a school protect itself in an insurance claim from 25 years ago or more when insurance coverage may have been wholly different? How does that serve the best interests of their student body, parents and community? In the end who wins and loses?

How then to mitigate these lawsuits to be reasonable?

  A. Cap the lawsuits, for example, not to exceed a $500,000 payout
  B. Cap the percentage contingency by attorneys to 10pct.
  
There is a tendency by attorneys to throw out a huge number in a lawsuit in the tens or hundreds of millions. This is what is creating a backlash against the window provision.  This may be part of an overall strategy at Tort reform.


3. Insurance companies have generally stayed on the sidelines by not wanting to be involved in any aspect. They need to be brought in even as unwilling partners.

  A. Many victims avoid treatment fearing they will get a diagnosis on their insurance that will “label” them and further their stigmatization.

This is true of Offenders as well, hence they avoid seeking treatment.

  B. Insurance companies have in the main refused to provide coverage for treatment of sexual abuse. This is similar to the Insurance industry a decade ago choosing to significantly raise liability premiums for physicians thus effectively reducing the number of OB/GYN, Anesthesiologists and other specialties.

Victim advocates should lobby the Insurance industry to provide coverage thus broadening the entry of professionals into this complex field of work.

C. The lack of Insurance coverage prevents many victims from obtaining good treatment.
Aside from the forty million uninsured Americans, countless with insurance have only limited mental health coverage.

Treatment for a small number of victims of sexual abuse often requires the services of clinical professionals with specialized training and may last one or several years. 

Evaluation and treatment of pedophiles also requires highly specialized work and generally lasts two-three years.

Inadequate insurance coverage is a serious obstacle to adequately supervising child molesters who want help and thereby protect the public.

Advocates for Infertility treatment successfully lobbied two years ago to require the Insurance industry to include payment for fertility treatment. These often cost $10,000- $20,000 per course of treatment. It is common for many couples to go thru multiple treatment cycles over several years.

Victim advocates should place this in their sights. This is a critical issue.

4. Through our work at OHEL with victims over many decades and in consultations with community groups throughout the country the issue of a victims fund arises.


There does exist compensation funds in many local governments for crime victims.  This should be expanded to include victims of sexual abuse. Such compensation would further encourage victims who come forward and offer concrete validation for their pain and suffering.

Two victims now in their forties have repeatedly stated to me this is their primary interest. They as many others will not speak out because of their personal shame and privacy.

A victim Fund needs to be established especially for those lacking insurance as well as others who cannot or do not want these diagnostic categories listed in their insurance history.

With an air of compromise and deliberations it is possible some institutional groups would consider establishing such a fund and to initiate a process of reconciliation between victims and institutions.

Our work at OHEL has brought us into contact with significant numbers of victim survivors of sexual abuse as well as perpetrators. This is one of the most complex areas of work in the field of mental health.

In the last ten years, OHEL has conducted numerous seminars in communities throughout the country on prevention and response to sexual abuse. Invariably, at every such gathering at least one individual would privately disclose their experience as a victim some ten, twenty, even thirty years earlier or more. It is fair to say that sexual abuse ranks very high on the list of secrets and memories not forgotten.

Many victims have said that by listening to tapes by prominent Rabbonim and community leaders speaking out on this issue and by attending such seminars they have been empowered.

There are few issues in life that are black and white even though we would like them to be. Much more are shades of grey.

These suggestions could move our system another step to protect our children, provide victims with renewed strength and support and put perpetrators on notice that with every passing day we will shut them down.





Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Regarding David Mandel Opposing the SOL bill in New York

Regarding David Mandel Opposing the SOL bill in New York

By Vicki Polin, Founder/CEO The Awareness Center, Inc.
The Awareness Center's Daily Newsletter - April 28, 2009



David Mandel, Enabler of Sex Offenders
David Mandel (AKA: Shlomo Mandel) is the CEO of Ohel, which is an ultra orthodox mental health agency located in Brooklyn, NY. According to the following report David Mandel is opposing the SOL bill that is pending in New York, which should not be a shock to anyone. Ohel has a great deal to
loose if the bill should pass. It's obvious that both David Mandel and the administration at Ohel have a desperate need to protect their assets.


We all must be made aware that a huge portion of Ohel's budget is supplied by both the state and federal government. Agencies who receive such funds are expected to comply with the mandated reporting laws of their state. It appears that for years the Ohel administration believed that they were exempt from adhearing to the laws of the land. I have been told by numerous Ohel insiders that for years this agency has been failing to comply with the mandated reporting laws in New York -- meaning orthodox children do not deserve the same civil rights as those who are brought up in other communities.


Last year David Mandel spoke at an event sponsored by the Vaad of Baltimore (Board of Rabbis and Jewish legal court system). At the event Mandel made it perfectly clear to audience members that he feels that when one suspects a child is at risk of harm that they should not be making hotline reports on their own, that they should bring their information to the local rabbis to make a determination if anything should be done. The problem is that the majority of rabbis do not have specialized training in collecting evidence nor in conducting forensic interviews. Unfortunately, what ends up happening is that those who have been abused are shamed and blamed into silences.  There have been numerous reports that David Mandel has been making the same speech in other orthodox communities in the United States, Israel and other locations, yet the one in Baltimore is the only known recording.

You can watch David Mandel's presentation here 

It's also important to note that Mandel does not have any specialized training in the mental health field. His degree is in a field related to the business world.

Considering all of this information, I personally feel that David Mandel is a danger to the orthodox community, especially to children, adult survivors and also parents who go to him or his agency for help.

If David Mandel frowns upon community members trusting their own judgement, utilizing their own critical thinking, when they suspect a child is at risk of harm -- how can we trust David Mandel or his agency to care for our mental health needs?

_________________________________

CALL TO ACTION: Notify Dere Saker of David Mandel's Charade
Contact Ohel and let them know how you feel about David Mandel's Comments


OHEL Children's Home - David Mandel - CEO


Contact: Derek Saker,
Director of Communications
OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services
347-920-0199
_________________________________

Agudah acknowledges conflict over summer camp but also opposes Child Victim Act
By Michael Orbach
The Jewish Star - April 26, 2009 / 2 Iyar 5769


The Jewish social service organization Ohel is denying that it will oppose legislation that would allow victims of childhood sexual abuse currently beyond the statute of limitations to bring their cases to court. Agudath Israel of America and Torah Umesorah, its affiliated
educational arm have announced their opposition to the open-window provision under consideration in Albany.

Ohel’s decision to oppose the legislation was described to The Jewish Star by two reliable and well-informed sources.

When contacted for comment, CEO David Mandel declined to confirm, telling a reporter, “It is simply not a matter of a yes or no issue ofsupporting the Markey bill or the Lopez bill as one can be supportive of major portions of legislation without supporting it in its
entirety, and at the same time remain true to their convictions.”

Mandel was referring to legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Marge Markey (D-Queens) that would extend the civil statute of limitations by five years as well as open a year-long window to bring civil cases that currently are beyond the statute. A competing bill sponsored by Assemblyman Vito Lopez (D-Brooklyn) would extend the civil statute of limitations by two years but does not include the yearlong window.

After an article was published on The Jewish Star website Sunday evening Mandel denied the characterization of Ohel’s position as opposing the legislation. Later, an Ohel spokesman released a statement that read, in part, “At no time in the conversation with the reporter was any statement made that Ohel was opposing any legislation — and nor by any other source of authority.”

The statement from Ohel ended, “The Jewish Star got it wrong. Ohel will provide its own written statement on this issue.”

The original story did not claim that Mandel had made the statement. The Star stands by its online report that two reliable sources characterized Ohel’s position as opposed to the Markey bill.

In a statement released Tuesday, Agudath Israel of America and Torah Umesorah, the National Society for Hebrew Day Schools, indicated that they would “have no objection to legislation designed to give victims of abuse greater recourse against perpetrators.”

However, Agudah and Torah Umesorah “vigorously oppose” legislation that would do away with the statute of limitations, even temporarily for a year, since that “could subject schools and other vital institutions to ancient claims and capricious litigation, and place their very existence in severe jeopardy.”

Agudah acknowledges a conflict of interest related to a lawsuit against Yeshiva Torah Temimah in Brooklyn, and Yehuda Kolko, a longtime rebbe there. The suit lists an Agudah-owned summer camp for boys, Camp Agudah, Inc., as a defendant. The suit was filed in Brooklyn Federal Court in 2006. It alleges that Kolko molested David Framowitz, identified in the suit as John Doe No. 1, while he attended Camp Agudah in the summer between his seventh and eighth grade years.

“It’s not anything that was ever hidden,” Rabbi Dovid Zwiebel, Agudath Israel’s executive vice president, explained.”

“The camp is the same name. Notwithstanding that this group of rabbonim who sat on this question for the last number of weeks is among the most senior and respected rabbonim and roshei yeshiva, when you get to that level, chances are you’re going to be affiliated with
institutions that operate programs that young people participate in.  It’s impossible to imagine [that] a question of this nature should not be considered by the leaders of the community simply because they are affiliated with institutions.”

Rabbi Zwiebel added: “If we’re sinister, we should surely do a much better job of covering our tracks.”

Agudath Israel’s position is a general one meant to apply across thenation, according to Rabbi Zwiebel. Practically speaking, however, Agudah’s position puts it in opposition to the Child Victims Act bill, legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Markey. Instead, Agudah will direct lobbying efforts to support the Lopez bill. It does not have the open-window provision leading some critics to refer to is as “The Hide the Predator Act.”

Marci Hamilton, a Yeshiva University law professor and author of Justice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect Its Children, blasted Agudah’s position, which she described as “indifferent to the safety of children.” Similar legislation passed in California and Delaware
led to the identification of 360 previously unknown sexual predators, she said.  “Without the window, the predators remain in the shadows so that they can groom more children for abuse,” Hamilton explained. “A stand against the window is a stand for the predators.”


Michael Lesher, an attorney who represents a number of victims of childhood abuse, criticized Ohel.

“If Ohel really cares about children then it really ought to care about their freedom to seek justice when they need it,” he said, noting, “If they [Ohel] have nothing to hide,” then they shouldn’t be in “direct opposition to the bill.”

The legislation has garnered a complicated response from elsewhere in the Jewish community. The United Jewish Organization of Williamsburg - closely tied to the United Talmudical Academy, which faces a $5 million dollar lawsuit for allegedly harboring a sexual predator - has also publicly objected to the window. Joel Engelman, the plaintiff in that suit, is also beyond the statute of limitations.

The Orthodox Union has not taken a public position on either bill. At a rally in Albany earlier this week the representatives of a number of Jewish organizations joined Christian groups to push for the Markey legislation.

And Agudah’s position has drawn criticism from prominent members of the Jewish community, as well.

Rabbi Yosef Blau, mashgiach ruchani (spiritual guidance counselor) of Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) and an outspoken activist against sexual abuse inside the Orthodox community, said that “the old system does not work” and the only way to fix it is “a communal responsibility to bite the bullet.”

“This is the only way that institutions will take responsibility and abusers will not be given the opportunity to move from one place to another,” Rabbi Blau asserted. “Institutions that have been completely negligent should be sued.”

Shmuly Yanklowitz, founder of the Orthodox social justice group Uri L’Tzedek, was equally adamant.

“Halacha does not have a statute of limitations,” Yanklowitz maintained. “What is the fear of organizations of allowing the justice system to work? If they have been taking responsibility for their educators and religious leaders then there should be no threat to their organization’s financial stability.”

In a letter distributed on April 22nd, Assemblyman Dov Hikind, whose campaign to end sexual abuse inside the Orthodox community helped bring the issue of sexual abuse to the forefront, asked Agudah to reassess its position and work out a compromise.

“Achieving justice for the victims need not come about as a result of the financial demise of our greatest institutions,” Hikind wrote, “but neither can we forsake those who have already sacrificed far too much.”

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Should we be shocked that David Mandel Would Oppose the SOL bill in New York?

Regarding David Mandel Oposing the SOL bill in NY
By Vicki Polin, Founder/CEO 
David Mandel is the CEO of Ohel, which is an ultra orthodox mental health agency located in Brooklyn, NY.   According to the following report  David Mandel is opposing the SOL bill that is pending in New York, which should not be a shock to anyone.  Ohel has a great deal to loose if the bill should pass.  It's obvious that both David Mandel and the administration at Ohel have a desperate need to protect their assets.
We all must be made aware that a huge portion of Ohel's budget is supplied by both the state and federal government.  Agencies who receive such funds are expected to comply with the mandated reporting laws of their state.  It appears that for many years the Ohel administration believe that they were exempt from adhering to the laws of the land. 
I have been told by numerous Ohel insiders that for years this agency has been failing to comply with the mandated reporting laws in New York -- meaning  orthodox children do not deserve the same civil rights as those who are brought up in other communities. 
Last year David Mandel spoke at an event sponsored by the Vaad of Baltimore (Board of Rabbis and Jewish legal court system).  At the event Mandel made it perfectly clear to audience members that he feels that when one suspects a child is at risk of harm that they should not be making hotline reports on their own, that they should bring their information to the local rabbis to make a determination if anything should be done.  The problem is that the majority of rabbis do not have specialized training in collecting evidence nor in conducting forensic interviews.  Unfortunately, what ends up happening is that those who have been abused are shamed and blamed into silences.   
There have been numerous reports that David Mandel has been making the same speech in other orthodox communities in the United States, Israel and other locations, yet the one in Baltimore is the only known recording.
It's also important to note that Mandel does not have any specialized training in the mental health field.  His degree is in a field related to the business world.
Considering all of this information, I personally feel that David Mandel is a danger to the orthodox community, especially to children, adult survivors and also parents who go to him or his agency for help.  
If David Mandel frowns upon community members trusting their own judgement, utilizing their own critical thinking, when they suspect a child is at risk of harm -- how can we trust David Mandel or his agency to care for our mental health needs?  

____________________________________

Brooklyn, NY - Ohel Will Oppose Bill to Allow Victims in Old Cases to Name Abusers

by Michael Orbach - Jewish Star April 26th, 2009
Brooklyn, NY - The Jewish social service organization Ohel has decided it will oppose legislation that would allow victims of childhood sexual abuse currently beyond the statute of limitations to bring their cases to court. Agudath Israel of America and Torah Umesorah, its affiliated educational arm have announced their opposition to the open-window provision under consideration in Albany.


Ohel CEO David Mandel declined to confirm Ohel’s position, which was described to The Jewish Star by two reliable and well-informed sources.
“It is simply not a matter of a yes or no issue of supporting the Markey bill or the Lopez bill as one can be supportive of major portions of legislation without supporting it in its entirety, and at the same time remain true to their convictions,” Mandel said.
Mandel was referring to legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Marge Markey (D-Queens) that would extend the civil statute of limitations by five years as well as open a year-long window to bring civil cases that currently are beyond the statute. A competing bill sponsored by Assemblyman Vito Lopez (D-Brooklyn) would extend the civil statute of limitations by two years but does not include the yearlong window.
In a statement released Tuesday, Agudath Israel of America and Torah Umesorah, the National Society for Hebrew Day Schools, indicated that they would “have no objection to legislation designed to give victims of abuse greater recourse against perpetrators.”
However, Agudah and Torah Umesorah “vigorously oppose” legislation that would do away with the statute of limitations, even temporarily for a year, since that “could subject schools and other vital institutions to ancient claims and capricious litigation, and place their very existence in severe jeopardy.”
Agudah acknowledges a conflict of interest related to a lawsuit against Yeshiva Torah Temimah in Brooklyn, and Yehuda Kolko, a longtime rebbe there. The suit lists an Agudah-owned summer camp for boys, Camp Agudah, Inc., as a defendant. The suit was filed in Brooklyn Federal Court in 2006. It alleges that Kolko molested David Framowitz, identified in the suit as John Doe No. 1, while he attended Camp Agudah in the summer between his seventh and eighth grade years.
“It’s not anything that was ever hidden,” Rabbi Dovid Zwiebel, Agudath Israel’s executive vice president, explained.”
“The camp is the same name. Notwithstanding that this group of rabbonim who sat on this question for the last number of weeks is among the most senior and respected rabbonim and roshei yeshiva, when you get to that level, chances are you’re going to be affiliated with institutions that operate programs that young people participate in. It’s impossible to imagine [that] a question of this nature should not be considered by the leaders of the community simply because they are affiliated with institutions.”
Rabbi Zwiebel added: “If we’re sinister, we should surely do a much better job of covering our tracks.”
Agudath Israel’s position is a general one meant to apply across the nation, according to Rabbi Zwiebel. Practically speaking, however, Agudah’s position puts it in opposition to the Child Victims Act bill, legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Markey. Instead, Agudah will direct lobbying efforts to support the Lopez bill. It does not have the open-window provision leading some critics to refer to is as “The Hide the Predator Act.”
Marci Hamilton, a Yeshiva University law professor and author of Justice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect Its Children, blasted Agudah’s position, which she described as “indifferent to the safety of children.” Similar legislation passed in California and Delaware led to the identification of 360 previously unknown sexual predators, she said.

“Without the window, the predators remain in the shadows so that they can groom more children for abuse,” Hamilton explained. “A stand against the window is a stand for the predators.”
Michael Lesher, an attorney who represents a number of victims of childhood abuse, criticized Ohel.
“If Ohel really cares about children then it really ought to care about their freedom to seek justice when they need it,” he said, noting, “If they [Ohel] have nothing to hide,” then they shouldn’t be in “direct opposition to the bill.”
The legislation has garnered a complicated response from elsewhere in the Jewish community. The United Jewish Organization of Williamsburg - closely tied to the United Talmudical Academy, which faces a $5 million dollar lawsuit for allegedly harboring a sexual predator - has also publicly objected to the window. Joel Engelman, the plaintiff in that suit, is also beyond the statute of limitations.
The Orthodox Union has not taken a public position on either bill. At a rally in Albany earlier this week the representatives of a number of Jewish organizations joined Christian groups to push for the Markey legislation.
And Agudah’s position has drawn criticism from prominent members of the Jewish community, as well.
Rabbi Yosef Blau, mashgiach ruchani (spiritual guidance counselor) of Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) and an outspoken activist against sexual abuse inside the Orthodox community, said that “the old system does not work” and the only way to fix it is “a communal responsibility to bite the bullet.”
“This is the only way that institutions will take responsibility and abusers will not be given the opportunity to move from one place to another,” Rabbi Blau asserted. “Institutions that have been completely negligent should be sued.”
Shmuly Yanklowitz, founder of the Orthodox social justice group Uri L’Tzedek, was equally adamant.
“Halacha does not have a statute of limitations,” Yanklowitz maintained. “What is the fear of organizations of allowing the justice system to work? If they have been taking responsibility for their educators and religious leaders then there should be no threat to their organization’s financial stability.”
In a letter distributed on April 22nd, Assemblyman Dov Hikind, whose campaign to end sexual abuse inside the Orthodox community helped bring the issue of sexual abuse to the forefront, asked Agudah to reassess its position and work out a compromise.
“Achieving justice for the victims need not come about as a result of the financial demise of our greatest institutions,” Hikind wrote, “but neither can we forsake those who have already sacrificed far too much.”

Monday, April 20, 2009

Susan Rosenbluth - Harassment, Bulling, Extortion: Attempts at Silencing Survivors

Harassment, Bulling, Extortion -- Attempts at Silencing Survivors
With Love From Susan Rosenbluth - Editor of Jewish Voice and Opinion
By Vicki Polin
The Awareness Center's Daily Newsletter - April 20, 2009

The following set of letters were forwarded to me from numerous advocates involved with the SOL (Statute of Limitations) bill in New York.  They were all outraged at Susan Rosenbluth's attempt to discredit The Awareness Center and my personhood. Susan Rosenbluth is a self-proclaimed journalist who owns a small advertizing paper in New Jersey. 

I have never made it a secret that I am a survivor of child sexual abuse, nor have I hidden the fact that I appeared on several television and talk radio shows back in the 1980's sharing my story in hopes of reaching out to other survivors and educating the general public about the issues and ramifications child abuse plays on its victims. 

Back on May 1, 1989, I appeared on the Oprah Show. I shared the fact that I am a survivor of ritual abuse.  The truth is that Oprah originally agreed not to mention that I was Jewish, yet it slipped out.  What outraged me the most was not the mistake Oprah made, yet the reaction from the Jewish world that I would speak my truth -- that I would share the fact that Jews also abuse their children at the same rate as those who are non-Jewish. 

One out of every 4 children will be sexually abused by the time they reach their eighteenth birthday.  That means a quarter of the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu communities and all Anti-Semitic groups are survivors of child molestation.

As many of you are aware, Susan Rosenbluth has been a supporter of Rabbi Mordecai Tendler for years.  Back in 2003, The Awareness Center first heard of the allegations made against this alleged sexual predator.  We did what we could to assist those who stated they were survivors.  We also listed him on our web page (see below for link).

I am sick and tired of the games being played by those in the Jewish orthodox world who are attempting to discredit myself and The Awareness Center.  Their hope is to continue to silence those who deserve to have their voices heard.  It's important for us all to become educated consumers, and for the truth to be made public so we can learn, heal and grow.

Sincerely,
Vicki Polin, Founder/CEO
The Awareness Center, Inc.

____________________________________________________________

This case of Rabbi Mordecai Tendler started during the question-and-answer session of a Makor forum on rabbinic abuse, (back in December, 2003) several female health-care professionals in the audience spoke with passion and frustration about a well-known rabbi in their local community whose affairs with women in his office, they said, have gone on for years.

The speakers said they felt stymied as to how to take action against the unnamed rabbi, who is highly respected, and help the women involved, who are too embarrassed to speak out.

Several sources have informed the Forward newspaper that a number of women have told friends and Jewish communal figures that Rabbi Mordechai Tendler, who is married with eight children, had propositioned them while serving in his role as either rabbinic counselor or religious arbiter."Rabbi Tendler denies all of the allegations that are being made in their entirety," the spokesman wrote in a statement sent to the Forward. "No misconduct was committed by him."

Rabbi Tendler is the founder and religious leader of Kehillat New Hempstead, a Modern Orthodox congregation near Monsey. According to the Foward article:  Sources familiar with the situation say that the RCA has solicited the services of a private investigations firm from Texas to probe the allegations against Tendler."We take all these allegations very seriously and certainly don't want to whitewash it," said Rabbi Kenneth Auman, president of the RCA. "On the other hand, we also have to bear in mind the protection of the accused, and therefore I would prefer to wait with a statement, until we hear the final report."

According to sources of The Awareness Center the RCA hired Praesidium, Inc, which is a risk management company that was also used by the catholic church.

Rabbi Mordechai Tendler is a a grandson of the late Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, the Orthodox world's most respected religious arbiter for much of the 20th century

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From: (NAME REMOVED)
Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2009 

Subject: Rally To Protect Children Against Sexual Abuse: Tuesday, April 21
 
We need your help! You can make a difference!
Help protect children! Attend the Protect Children Lobby Day this Tuesday, April 21!


Who: Survivors of child sexual abuse, their family members and friends, supporters, child advocates, social workers, religious leaders, therapists, psychologists, teachers, leaders of organizations.
 
What: Child sexual abuse victims and advocates will lobby New York State lawmakers urging them to pass a bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Marge Markey and Senator Thomas Duane that protects children and helps survivors. They will also hold a news conference to highlight the broad support for the bill. This bill will help protect our children from sexual molestation by extending the statute of limitations for 5 years. Until now, an abused child could only sue until age 23. This bill will increase the age limit t o 28. More importantly, it would open a one year window in which survivors of sexual abuse could sue their molesters fom years ago. Studies show that only after years of maturity and healing can a survivor have the emotional strength to bring a lawsuit against his or her molester. In other states like California, the "window" allowed law enforcement to identify more than 300 child molesters who would otherwise have remained unknown. 

Leading rabbonim around the world, including Rav Elyashiv shlita,  and Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, shlita, have ruled that sexual molestation according to Jewish law has no statute of limitations at all. The Markey bill will help prosecute sexual predators. It will also allow prosecution of those who protect molesters fom facing justice and tolerate their continuing to molest.

Where: Albany State House, at the corner of Washington and State in Albany. 

How to get to Albany: You can get a ride! The Jewish Coalition is chartering buses from New York City - (email or call for times and pick up locations: info@suvivorsforjustice.org, 3470415 3799

When: Tuesday, April 12, 2009

Why: To show support for the Markey bill!
 
The Goal: Have as many groups represented as possible and have as many folks attend as possible

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Help reform New York's predator-friendly laws! Survivors are often desperate for justice, parents need information to protect their children and communities deserve to know if a sexual predator is living in their midst. Change comes when people demand it, when they take action. How often do you have a chance to become part of history? To save a child from rape? This is your chance to take a stand and make a difference!

Details:
9:30 - 10:45 am Meet in the large Cafeteria (a section of tables will be put together) next to the Albany Room and by the Liberty Café. Meet each other, strategize for the day, break into smaller groups to lobby, info on which lawmakers to target, muffins, snacks and coffee.

11:00 am  Press Conference LCA Room 130

11:45 am - 5 pm. Go in smaller groups to visit lawmakers offices.
Tell our stories and ask for their support.      

4:30-5:30 pm Report to Assemblywoman Marge Markey's office.
(Room 654 in the Legislative Office Building)
When finished visiting lawmakers each small group should have a least one member give a20report including which lawmakers' offices visited, who you spoke to, what questions they asked, how they responded to you (need accurate details for polling) Please don't forget to give this report before you leave the Capitol!
 
Even if you cannot attend you can help,
  • Contact groups who might be willing to support this legislation. Ask them to attend or write a one page letter of support on their groups' letterhead. This could be groups like rape crisis centers, child advocacy groups, etc.
  • Write a short letter of support for this bill including a photo of yourself at the age you were when you were abused and bring 30 copies with you to Albany. Be sure to include your name, address and contact info.  If you cannot attend send the statement to SNAPadmin1@gmail.com by 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17.
 
RSVP:    Please let us hear from you!

If you are willing to make a statement at the Press Conference, attend the Lobby Day or want to receive planning updates please send an email to:  SNAPadmin@gmail.com.
 
Additional Details:
  • Please bring childhood photos of survivors (preferably blown up to 8"X10" to hold during the press conference and to show to lawmakers.
  • Each group should have at least one sign giving name and/or logo o f the group (about 14"X 16")
Dress code is business attire

Contact:        
Marci Hamilton,
Bob Kristan,
Tim Echausse,
Joel Engelman
Asher Lipner
Elliot Pasik, Esq.
Tim Walsh
Mark Lyman
Vicki Polin
Barbara Blaine

 PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO YOUR FRIENDS and ASSOCIATES

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From: Susan Rosenbluth [mailto:susan@jewishvoiceandopinion.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2009 11:25 AM
To: (NAME REMOVED)

I received the information below and was about to put it up on our website as well as send it out to our considerable mailing list (we reach just slightly over 20,000 target-marketed households by snail-mail), when I saw that Vicki Polin is involved in this effort and listed as one of the contact people.

Ms. Polin and her notorious “Awareness Center” website have, in my opinion, done enormous damage to a very important cause. Without any evidence at all, she has attempted to—and, I believe, in a few cases, succeeded in—ruining the lives of innocent people. She publicly informed a meeting of Jewish Women International that once she lists an individual on her site as an abuser (without any proof beyond a report, sometimes only one that exists on another website, which she may or may not have placed herself), it is nearly impossible to be removed. She sets herself up as the arbiter as to whether or not he (the vast majority are men, but there are some women) has sufficiently repented. Even then, she said, she might keep the individual on her site, simply, as she said, to make sure he doesn’t stray again—in her opinion.

Her own history includes a television appearance on the Oprah Winfrey program in which she discussed “Jewish Satanic” groups which, she said, breed infants for sacrifice. She claimed she had been abused in a synagogue “with a ritual object” on the bima. It was Ms. Winfrey who abruptly ended the segment.

I do not believe anyone can take this effort seriously as long as Ms. Polin is involved.

Thanks for sending me the information--
Susie Rosenbluth

The Jewish Voice and Opinion
Englewood, NJ
201-569-2845


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From: (NAME REMOVED) 
 Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2009 3:22 PM
To: susan@jewishvoiceandopinion.com;


Hi Susie:

Please know that the bill being proposed will help a large number of victims get the opportunity to expose their perpetrators and get their day in court. This bill will also help identify predators so that children today in New York can be protected. Assemblywoman Marge Markey and Senator Tom Duane sponsored the bill several times before and have not been successful. This year it seems there is a good chance the bill could pass. I don't believe that Markey or Duane have contact with Vicki and/or the Awareness Center and don't believe that Vicki has had any influence on them sponsoring the bill. I was the one who put Vicki down as a contact person because I contacted her and asked her to tell her members about the Lobby day. She herself is not able to attend the Lobby Day but did agree to spread the word to others who might be able to be there. Please reconsider and send the notice to your members. Please remove Vicki's contact info and/or mine or anyone else you don't feel comfortable with and add yourself as a contact person. Please spread the word about this important legislation. Please encourage your members to support this bill. Any help you can offer will be appreciated by the victims who will get their day in court but even more importantly by children who won't get abused because a predator who works or lives near them will get exposed in court and then not be able to hurt them. Thanks for all you do for the survivor community!

All the best,
(NAME REMOVED)


 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
--- On Sun, 4/19/09, Susan Rosenbluth <susan@jewishvoiceandopinion.com> wrote:


From: Susan Rosenbluth <susan@jewishvoiceandopinion.com>
Subject: RE: Rally To Protect Children Against Sexual Abuse: Tuesday, April 21
To: (NAME REMOVED)
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2009, 10:19 PM

I very much appreciate your principled position and your passion for this important issue. Goodness knows, I support this bill and hope that it passes, not only to protect New York children, but also so that it can serve as an example for other states.

When Ms. Polin’s name is removed as a member of this coalition (and not just by me, which would simply be silly), I will be happy to participate formally.


Best--
Susie Rosenbluth
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
Englewood, NJ
201-569-2845

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