Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?

Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?

By Vicki Polin

Skokie Sexual Abuse Examiner - December 18, 2011

Unlike the Catholic church, in the Jewish world there is no single central religious authoritative body that makes decrees or controls the happenings of the greater community.  There is however, one group that does have influence on ultra-orthodox Jews internationally, and that is the Agudath Israel of America usually called the Agudah.

Rabbi Yitzchok Frankfurter

Over the many years of advocating for the civil rights of Jewish survivors of sexual abuse/assault I have had several conflicts and have even gone to battle with some of the administrators of the Agudah. One such individual is a rabbi by the name of Avi Shafran, who serves as the director of public affairs at Agudath Israel of America and is also the editor-at-large of Ami Magazine a tabloid geared to this community.

A few weeks ago Ami Magazine published an article that attacked psychologist, Dr. Michael J. Salamon, the author of the book, “Abuse in the Jewish Community”.  Interestingly, the attack was based on false information and Rabbi Yitzchok Frankfurter, the author of the article admitted that he did not even read the book. This past week Ami published another article in which Avi Shafran attacked individuals who donated their time to advocate for orthodox Jewish survivors of sex crimes.

Unlike the Catholic church, in the Jewish world there is no single central religious authoritative body that makes decrees or controls the happenings of the greater community.  There is however, one group that does have influence on ultra-orthodox Jews internationally, and that is the Agudath Israel of America usually called the Agudah.

Over the many years of advocating for the civil rights of Jewish survivors of sexual abuse/assault I have had several conflicts and have even gone to battle with some of the administrators of the Agudah. One such individual is a rabbi by the name of Avi Shafran, who serves as the director of public affairs at Agudath Israel of America and is also the editor-at-large of Ami Magazine a tabloid geared to this community.

A few weeks ago Ami Magazine published an article that attacked psychologist, Dr. Michael J. Salamon, the author of the book, “Abuse in the Jewish Community”.  Interestingly, the attack was based on false information and Rabbi Yitzchok Frankfurter, the author of the article admitted that he did not even read the book. This past week Ami published another article in which Avi Shafran attacked individuals who donated their time to advocate for orthodox Jewish survivors of sex crimes.

The Awareness Center - Shining a light on sexual abuse/assault

Case of Arthur Grossman

Case of Arthur Grossman

Monsey, NY
Brooklyn, NY

Convicted on charges of having sexual contact with a child under the age of eleven.

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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:

2011

1. Monsey man gets jail, probation for sex abuse (08/26/2011)

2013

1. New York State Sex Offender Registry  (08/29/2013)

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Monsey man gets jail, probation for sex abuse
LoHud - August 26, 2011

A Monsey man who pleaded guilty to a felony count of sexual abuse will serve up to six months in the county jail and will be registered as a sex offender with the state.

Arthur Grossman, 40, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Rockland County Court in New City to first-degree sexual abuse, officials at the Rockland County District Attorney's Office said.

Grossman was arrested June 8, 2010, by Ramapo police, based on a complaint from Rockland Child Protective Services accusing him of improperly touching a child's penis numerous times over a period of several years. The child was younger than 8.

Grossman initially was charged with second-degree course of sexual conduct, a felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, in addition to the sexual abuse charge.

County Court Judge William A. Kelly ordered Grossman to serve 10 years' probation following his release from jail, officials said.

Grossman also was ordered to register with the state as a sex offender. The level at which he is to register will likely be determined during a Nov. 17 court hearing, officials said.

There are three levels of sex offenders in New York. A Level 1 offender is considered at low risk to repeat his crime; a Level 2 offender is considered at medium risk; and a Level 3 in considered at high risk. Only those assigned a Level 2 or Level 3 appear on the state's Sex Offender Registry website.

Reached by telephone Thursday, Kenneth Gribetz, Grossman's attorney, took no issue with Kelly's ruling.

"It's a tragic case," Gribetz said. "We feel the District Attorney's Office and Judge Kelly acted in a fair and just fashion."

For more information about the Sex Offender Registry, visit www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us. The state Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains an information line about the registry, 800-262-3257.

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New York State Sex Offender Registry

August 29, 2013

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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.

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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 Rabbi Yisroel Bodkins

Case of Rabbi Yisroel Bodkins

(AKA: Steven Scott Bodkins, Steve Bodkins, 

Steven S. Bodkins, Yisroel Z. Bodkins)

Formerly known as the Case of the Unnamed Rabbi At Camp Dora Golding

Rabbi - Yeshiva Elementary, Miami Beach, FL

Nature and Pioneering Director - Camp Dora Golding, East Stroudsburg, PA

Rabbi - Brauser Maimonides Academy - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Elementary School Teacher - Chinuch, St. Louis, MO

Former Student - Mercaz HaTorah, Talpiot, Jerusalem, Israel

San Jose, CA

Palo Alto, CA

Allegations have been made that Rabbi Yisroel Bodkins has been molesting four boys for over twenty years.

November 14, 2011 –– An investigation was conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police into allegations of child sexual abuse at Camp Dora Golding.  There were three separate incident reports made.  Child Protective Services was called in and felt there was enough evidence to indicate that a sex crime had occurred and named Rabbi Yisroel Bodkins as the alleged perpetrator.  

November 17, 2013 –– A mother of an alleged Survivor of Rabbi Yisroel Bodkins wrote a letter to Rabbi Ronnie Greenwald sharing that nearly twenty years ago when her son was in elementary school, he was also sexually assaulted.  At the time she naively believed that the rabbonim would take are of the situation appropriately. Since that time since the child never received appropriate help from a legitimate rape crisis center, the alleged victim has walked away from the observant world.  

Rabbi Ronnie Greenwald has a long history of allegedly mishandling cases of child sexual abuse and is considered to be an alleged enabler of sex offenders.

Just as in several other cases within the Torah observant world, fundraising efforts have occurred to assist the alleged offender to help reduce the cost of his or her legal defense, yet no fund has been established to assist the alleged survivors in this case.

If you or anyone you know were sexually abused by Rabbi Yisroel Bodkins, and are unsure if you should make a police report, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline or The Awareness Center.

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

Table of Contents: 

2011

1. CPS Investigation Report (12/22/2011)

2013

1. Camp Dora Golding - Police Report (10/04/2013)
2. Letter from a mother (11/17/2013)
3. Open Letter to the Miami Community (11/17/2013)
4. Poster - Rabbi Yisroel Bodkins, Program Director (11/18/2013)
5. Go Fund Me - Rabbi Bodkins (11/19/2013)
6. More allegations surface against Second Alleged Camp Dora Golding Molester (11/22/2013)

Also see: 

• Case of Rabbi Yehuda Kolko (Rabbi Yeruchim Shain)
• Case of the Unnamed Rabbi At Camp Dora Golding
• Case of the Chisdai Ben-Porat
• Cases of Sexual Abuse Associated with Yeshiva University
• List of Alleged Enablers of Sex Offenders

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CPS Investigation Report
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Office of Children, Youth & Families - December 22, 2011

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Camp Dora Golding - Police Report
Pennsylvania State Police - October 4, 2013

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Letter from a mother 
November 17, 2013

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Open Letter to the Miami Community
November 17, 2013

Rabbis who signed the Open Letter dated November 2013

1. Rabbi Elchanan Abramchik, Principal, Shaarei Binah High School
2. Rabbi Kalman Baumann, Principal, Toras Emes Academy of Miami
3. Rabbi Yaakov Blejer, Rosh Kollel, Miami Beach Community Kollel
4. Rabbi Hillel Dudowitz, Machgiach Ruchani, Yeshiva Toras Chaim Dr. Abe Chames High School.
5. Rabbi Chaim Friedman, Morah D’Astra Congregation Ohr Chaim
6. Rabbi Yisroel Moshe Janowski, Principal, Yeshiva Elementary School
7. Rabbi Eliyahu Kutoff, Yeshiva Tiferes Bachurim
8. Rabbi Dovid Lehrfield, Morah D’Asra
9. Rabbi Ephraim Leizerson, Dean, Bais Yaakov of Miami
10. Rabbi Binyomin Luban, Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshivas Toras Chaim
11. Rabbi Moshe Matz, Director, Agudath Yisrael of South Florida
12. Rabbi Yisroel Y. Niman, Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshivas Toras Chaim
13. Rabbi Ephraim E. Shapiro, Morah D’ Asra, Shaaray Tefilah
14. Rabbi Dovid Sharfman, Mashgiach Ruchani, Bais Medresh Zichron, Ezra
15. Rabbi Aaron Dovid Singer, Rosh Kollel, North Miami Beach Community Kollel
16. Rabbi Avohom Yachnes, Bais Medresh of South Florida

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Poster - Rabbi Yisroel Bodkins, Program Director

Adelphia-Miami Boys Program - November 18, 2013

Announcement to the Greater Miami Community

Opening the Adelphia-Miami Boys Program

Under the guidance and leadership of HaRav Yerschon Shain, shlita
Rosh HaYeshiva of Adelphia Yeshiva of New Jersey.

The program is designed for young men, age 14-17 who would appreciate and look forward to growth through spending time and connection with other young men and talented caring Rabbis.

There will be activities, MIQ's, Melavah Malkahs and other programs to help every young man enjoy, grow and connect in Judaism.

Program director, Rabbi Yisroel Bodkins

We look forward to notifying you of the details and welcome you to our grand opening program.

Haskomos of the following Rabbonim:

1. Rabbi Yaakov Tzvi Blejer - Rosh Kollel North Miami Beach
2. Rabbi David Lehrfield - Young Israel of Greater Miami
3. Rabbi Ephraim Leizerson - Rosh Menahel, Bais Yaakov
4. Rabbi Binyamin Luban - Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Toras Chaim
5. Rabbi Moshe Matz - Director, Audas Yisroel of Miami
6. Rabbi Yechier Perr - Rosh Yeshiva, Far Rockaway Yeshiva
7. Rabbi Ephraim Shapiro - Shaaray Tefilla, North Miami Beach
8. Rabbi Yisroel M. Janowski - Menahel, Yeshiva Elementary School

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Go Fund Me - Rabbi Bodkins
November 17, 2013

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More allegations surface against Second Alleged Camp Dora Golding Molester
Failed Messiah - November 22, 2013

More allegations against the second alleged Camp Dora Golding molester have been made, and they allegedly come from new alleged victims.

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FAIR USE NOTICE 

Some of the information on The Awareness Center, Inc.'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 Zion Zuviv

Case of Zion Zuviv

(AKA: Tzion Zuviv)

Realtor - M & E LLC, (Crown Heights) Brooklyn, NY
Jerusalem, Israel

November 8, 2011 –– Zion Zuviv was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Crown Heights (Brooklyn, NY).  

There was a court date scheduled in June 2012, yet never appeared.  At the time a bench issues was issued for his arrest. In August, 2012 a photograph was posted on his Facebook wall of him at the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem, Israel.  

Zion Zuviv was arrested and charged with a Criminal sexual act in the second degree is a class D felony, punishable by four to seven years in prison.  

It is unknown if a red notice was filed with Interpol by the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office.  Without an official red notice being filed, Zuviv can not be extradited back to the United States to face the charges filed against him.

If Charles Hynes the current District Attorney of Kings County refused to file a Red Notice and another child was allegedly assaulted by Zuviv, Charles Hynes should be held accountable for his inaction.  

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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:

2011

1. Zion Zuviv Facebook Profile Picture (08/28/2011)
2. New York State Unified Court System (11/11/2011)

2013

1. LinkedIn - Zion Zuviv (10/19/2013)
2. Facebook - Zion Zuviv  (10/19/2013)

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Zion Zuviv Facebook Profile Picture

Facebook - August 28, 2011

Taken in Jerusalem, Israel

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New York State Unified Court System 
November 8, 2011

Zion Zuviv was arrested and charged with a Criminal sexual act in the second degree is a class D felony, punishable by four to seven years in prison.  

It is unknown if a red notice was filed with Interpol by the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office.  Without an official red notice being filed, Zuviv can not be extradited back to the United States to face the charges filed against him.

S 130.45 Criminal sexual act in the second degree.

A person is guilty of criminal sexual act in the second degree when:

1. being eighteen years old or more, he or she engages in oral sexual conduct or anal sexual conduct with another person less than fifteen years old; or

2. he or she engages in oral sexual conduct or anal sexual conduct with another person who is incapable of consent by reason of being mentally disabled or mentally incapacitated.

It shall be an affirmative defense to the crime of criminal sexual act in the second degree as defined in subdivision one of this section that the defendant was less than four years older than the victim at the time of the act.

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LinkedIn - Zion Zuviv 
October 19, 2013

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Facebook - Zion Zuviv 

October 19, 2013

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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.

_______________________________________________________________________________

"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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Woodmere Psychologist Tackling Abuse in Jewish Community

Woodmere Psychologist Tackling Abuse in Jewish Community

Michael Salamon, Ph.D Releases his Fifth Book

By Susan Varghese

The South Shore Standard - November 4, 2011

Long-time Five Towns resident, psychologist, and author, Michael J. Salamon is spreading awareness about abuse. Salamon has just released his fifth book, titled Abuse in the Jewish Community: Religious and Communal Factors that Undermine the Apprehension of Offenders and the Treatment of Victims.

“Early on, one of my internships was at a shelter for abused woman and children,” Salamon said. “ 

When I started working, I was exposed to several people with a history of abuse. And, because of the way it was handled in the Jewish community…well, it was basically not handled.”

Salamon grew up in Cedarhurst and is currently a Woodmere resident. He is the founder and director of the Adult Development Center, Inc., a psychological practice in Hewlett.

“My job, family and friends [made me stay in The Five Towns]. A lot of the same people I grew up with still live here,” Salamon said. He went to Queens College and then to Hofstra University for his doctorate. “I had a passion for music, I played guitar in bands, and put myself through school through playing gigs.”

His latest book addresses the issue of abuse in the Jewish community, the factors, and signs of abuse, just to name a few.

According to Salamon, the reasons of abuse being swept under the rug in the religious community, in all religions, are religious, psychological, and social factors. “Nobody wants to believe that you can be religious and still be abusive,” he said. “But, it happens… the Jewish mentality is that you don’t want to bring too much attention to yourself.  You don’t want to advertise anything that can be misconstrued as overly negative about the population.”

Salamon noted that lack of awareness is a huge problem in handling abuse. “I think the only way to deal with it is to be more aware of it.  I think that reporting abuse and abusers and teaching people how to recognize when they’re being abused is important…to understand when they’re being groomed into being in an abusive relationship and preventing it.”

The signs of abuse can be subtle, Salamon explained. “The first thing is that people don’t realize when they’re in an abusive relationship because the person who’s abusing tends to overly give them gifts and be attentive. But, slowly, over time makes small demands of them that eventually become increasingly abusive. Then they change the whole dynamic of the relationship and turn it into, ‘Well, if you really cared about me, you would…’ With children, it’s a matter of tricking them into a relationship and then scaring them. ‘I gave you a gift, why don’t you do this for me,’ or ‘If you tell your parents, I might have to kill them.’”

Abuse can also lead to lifelong problems, Salamon said. “They develop all kinds of disorders, anything from eating disorders to severe depression to post-traumatic stress disorder to borderline personality disorder. The borderline personality disorder is one of the most important characteristics of someone that’s been abused. Someone who’s borderline that doesn’t have a good explanation for why they developed it… the odds are that they had some traumas in their life.”

Salamon’s past books include Every Pot Has a Cover, The Shidduch Crisis: Causes and Cures, Home or Nursing Home: Making the Right Choices, and The Basic Guide to Working With Elders.

The Shidduch Crisis, is related to the way people can be forced together in matchmaking and how it is reflected in the divorce rate in the Orthodox world. Salamon noted that the divorce rate for Orthodox people could be as high as 30 percent. Every Pot Has a Cover discusses the idea that people do better when they meet individually. Although they can be introduced to each other, if they’re given an opportunity to meet and see if they have any chemistry first, they have a better chance at marriage.

Salamon is married and has three children, but keeps his family and his practice separate. “We have a rule in the house, we don’t bring work home. I don’t bring it home with friends, either.”

On his off time, Salamon noted that he still picks up his guitar. He writes songs, but shrugged it off, “Those aren’t that good,” he said. “I don’t have a favorite song, whatever strikes that particular moment. It could be Frank Sinatra one day or Nickel Back the next.”

He’s had his practice since 1986 and noted that making a difference in his patients’ lives seems to be his biggest reward. “Early on when I was working with abused mothers and their children, it was clear that I was able to get through to people who were in need of help. I felt good about what I was doing.”

The books are available on Amazon.com or can be ordered from psychologicalhelp.org.

Dr. Michael J. Salamon is a long time member of The Awareness Center's executive board.