(Brooklyn, NY) Religious Women Protest Against Henna White and Ohel Family Services

Henna White 

(Brooklyn, NY) February 15, 2011 -- Several ultra orthodox women were protesting outside a fundraising event in front of Agudas Israel Bais Binyomin Hall in Flatbush.  The Coalition Against Legal Abuse in New York's message was to warned the attendees of the dangers of reporting cases of sexual abuse/assault or domestic violence to professionals at Ohel Family Services or to Henna White.   The protesters believe that both Ms. White and Ohel will do anything in their power to cover up these sorts of crimes.

Steve Zackheim

During the protest a few of the women were assaulted by Steve Zackheim  (AKA: Shlomo Zackheim, Steve Zakheim), who grabbed their bodies and ripped their signs out of their hands (see below).  It is encouraged that these women go directly to the police and file charges against Zacheim.

The protesters stated that Henna White will gather information from those claiming they were victimized, under the guise of providing them with information and referrals.  The protesters claim that the information obtained by Ms. White will then be shared with her husband -- who then advises the alleged offenders "off the record".  

Allegedly, the confidential information obtained by Henna White, will be then used against the victims.  In the past when complaints were made by the victims and or their family members, the alleged victims were bullied and mocked into silence.

The Awareness Center has heard many rumors regarding both Henna White and Ohel over the years.  The complaints have always been about the allegations of mishandling of cases in which allegations of both sex crimes and domestic violence were made. 

The women protesting outside the fundraising event noted that Henna White arrived in an Ambulance which was supplied by the wife of Steve (Shlomo) Zackhein. Back in 2004,  Mr. Zackheim was convicted of misdemeanor sexual abuse and settled a sexual harassment claim out of court, which was made by one of his employees.

Ohel is the largest orthodox mental health agency in world, who's director is David Mandel.  There have been numerous allegations made against the agency for the last several years of covering up sex crimes and for other indiscretions.  

Henna White is the Kings County liaison for the orthodox community. The allegations against Ms. White is that she does not advocate for those who make allegations of abuse, instead she works with the ultra orthodox rabbonim to cover up both sex crimes and cases of alleged domestic violence.

David Mandel, CEO of Ohel

A few years ago The Awareness Center captured Ohel’s CEO, David Mandel on film telling a Baltimore audience NOT to report suspicions of sex crimes to the police, he went on to say that it was much better to bring the allegations to rabbis to determine if a hot-line or police report should be made first.  

Back in 2008, following Isaac Hersh’s escape from Tranquility Bay, Isaac was placed in the home of Steve Zackheim.  This was arranged by rabbi Aharon Schechter and Isaac’s father, Michael Hersh. 

Steve Zacheim's brother Morris Zackhein, has served on the board of directors of Ohel for several years. 


For more information about The Coalition Against Legal Abuse in New York call: 
1-800-958-2904

Posters from the rally

Resources:

• Nochem Rosenberg's Blog
• Failed Messiah
• Women Assaulted while peacefully protesting