Case of Rabbi Yaakov Menken
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| Yaakov Menken - Alleged Sex Offender |
(AKA: Kenneth Lloyd Menken, Ken Menken, Yaakov L. Menken, Yakov Menken)
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Spring Valley, NY
Yeshivas Ohr Somayach - Monsey, NY
Bais Medrash Gavoha - Lakewood, NJ and Jerusalem, Israel
Mirrer Yeshiva - Jerusalem, Israel
Kiruv Worker (Jewish Outreach) - International
Founder and Director of Project Genesis -Baltimore, MD
Founder and Director of Torah.org -Baltimore, MD
Founder and Director of TorahMedia.org -Baltimore, MD
Author - The Everything Torah (Book)
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Spring Valley, NY
Yeshivas Ohr Somayach - Monsey, NY
Bais Medrash Gavoha - Lakewood, NJ and Jerusalem, Israel
Mirrer Yeshiva - Jerusalem, Israel
Kiruv Worker (Jewish Outreach) - International
Founder and Director of Project Genesis -Baltimore, MD
Founder and Director of Torah.org -Baltimore, MD
Founder and Director of TorahMedia.org -Baltimore, MD
Author - The Everything Torah (Book)
Rabbi Yaakov Menken was accused of clergy sexual abuse (sexual harassment and professional sexual misconduct). At one point Rabbi Menken had a discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky regarding the allegations made by one of the women he counseled. The conversation included a confession by Yaakov Menken of having sexual contact with the woman. Rabbi Menken basically blamed the survivor stating "she manipulated him". Rabbi Menken was nearly forty at the time. The young, haredi woman was hardly out of her teens.
If you or anyone you know were sexually victimized by Rabbi Yaakov Menken and are looking for resources, please feel free to contact The Awareness Center and or your local rape crisis center.
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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:
1994
2006
Table of Contents:
1994
- Background information on Rabbi Yaakov Menken
- Can one expect that a pretty, innocent girl with an older, "experienced" superior will be so easily able to escape his advances? (11/30/1994)
- Watchdogs vs Rabbis (12/31/2004)
2006
- CALL TO ACTION: The Awareness Center is asking that Rabbi Shumel Kamenetzy make a public statement regarding the confession of Rabbi Yaakov Menken. (11/19/2006)
- CALL TO ACTION: Stop Funding Programs Organized By Alleged Sex Offender Rabbi Yaakov Menken (12/24//2006)
2007
- Rabbi Yaakov Menken (05/14//2007)
- CALL TO ACTION: Boycott Events Associated with Alleged Sex Offender, Rabbi Yaakov Menken (12/05//2007)
Also see:
- The Case of Rabbi Aron Boruch Tendler
- The Case of Rabbi Mordecai Tendler
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Background information on Rabbi Yaakov Menken (AKA: Kenneth Menken)
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| Ken Menken - Alleged Sex Offender |
Yaakov Menken's alleged modus operandi is to become a father figure to vulnerable young women and eventually manipulating them into having sexual contact with him. Menken is married with children and in his forties. The alleged women he targets are usually in their late teens or early twenties. In 2005 Rabbi Yaakov Menken had a discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky and confessed to having sexual contact with a very young woman he counseled. He basically blamed the survivor, stating "she came on to me".
Kenneth Lloyd Menken was born in 1965. While attending Princeton University, Menken became observant and started using his Hebrew name -- "Yaakov".
Menken received his undergraduate degree in 1986. Upon graduating, started a seven year sabatical studying in various yeshivas (seminaries), such as Yeshivas Ohr Somayach in New York, Bais Medrash Gavoha in Lakewood and Jerusalem, and the Mirrer Yeshiva in Jerusalem, Israel.
Yaakov Menken has always been a computer maven. One of his goals was to educate unaffiliated college students who didn't have access to shiurim (Torah teachings). At the age of twenty-eight he founded his first organization -- Project Genesis. It has been reported that Yaakov Menken received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Moshe Silberberg, while attending Ohr Somayach. Silberberg also brought Menken his biggest client -- Compuplus.
Rabbi Menken is also the founder of TorahMedia.com, and a blog called "Cross-Currents". Some of the smaller Torah.org projects include Aveidah.org and more.
There have been many alleged and convicted sex offenders in Rabbi Menken's life. One of these individuals includes Rabbi Eliezer Eisgrau, who is the prinicipal of Baltimore's Torah Institute. Both members of Shearith Yisrael also know as Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer's "Glen Avenue shul.
In the past Rabbi Menken stated that he felt the incest and molestation accusations against Eisgrau are ludicrous, as well as the sex abuse allegations against Rabbis Matis Weinberg and Mordecai Tendler. He also stated that the New York Jewish Week's editor, Gary Rosenblatt was wrong to expose rabbi Baruch Lanner, who was convicted and sent prison for sexually abusing underage girls.
Rabbi Yaakov Menken has several computer businesses -- Project Genesis (which opperates several non-profit organizations and Team Genesis, which does commercial web development.
It's important to note that for several years Menken's organizations Team Genesis/Project Genesis had connection to convicted sex offender Rabbi Benyamin Fleischman, who was protected by the rabbonim of Baltimore until his conviction in 2004.
Some of the clients of Rabbi Benyamin Fleishman includes (click here to see the full list Rabbi Benyamin Fleischman's clients):
Kenneth Lloyd Menken was born in 1965. While attending Princeton University, Menken became observant and started using his Hebrew name -- "Yaakov".
Menken received his undergraduate degree in 1986. Upon graduating, started a seven year sabatical studying in various yeshivas (seminaries), such as Yeshivas Ohr Somayach in New York, Bais Medrash Gavoha in Lakewood and Jerusalem, and the Mirrer Yeshiva in Jerusalem, Israel.
Yaakov Menken has always been a computer maven. One of his goals was to educate unaffiliated college students who didn't have access to shiurim (Torah teachings). At the age of twenty-eight he founded his first organization -- Project Genesis. It has been reported that Yaakov Menken received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Moshe Silberberg, while attending Ohr Somayach. Silberberg also brought Menken his biggest client -- Compuplus.
Rabbi Menken is also the founder of TorahMedia.com, and a blog called "Cross-Currents". Some of the smaller Torah.org projects include Aveidah.org and more.
There have been many alleged and convicted sex offenders in Rabbi Menken's life. One of these individuals includes Rabbi Eliezer Eisgrau, who is the prinicipal of Baltimore's Torah Institute. Both members of Shearith Yisrael also know as Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer's "Glen Avenue shul.
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| Alleged Sexual Predator - Rabbi Ken Menken |
Rabbi Yaakov Menken has several computer businesses -- Project Genesis (which opperates several non-profit organizations and Team Genesis, which does commercial web development.
It's important to note that for several years Menken's organizations Team Genesis/Project Genesis had connection to convicted sex offender Rabbi Benyamin Fleischman, who was protected by the rabbonim of Baltimore until his conviction in 2004.
Some of the clients of Rabbi Benyamin Fleishman includes (click here to see the full list Rabbi Benyamin Fleischman's clients):
- Agudath Israel of America
- Agudath Israel of Baltimore
- Bais Yaakov of Baltimore (the Principal is the son Rabbi Ephraim Shapiro and is the brother of Rabbi Yisoel Shapiro)
- Ner Israel Rabbinical College (multiple allegations were made of clergy sexual abuse against the grandson of one of the founders)
- Torah Institute of Baltimore
- Project Genesis (Rabbi Yaakov Menken)
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Background information on Rabbi Yaakov Menken
http://www.torah.org/staff/menken.html
Rabbi Yaakov Menken is the founder of Project Genesis, and creator of many of its sites and programs. You will find hundreds of Torah commentaries authored by Yaakov Menken on this site and elsewhere.
Rabbi Menken graduated from Princeton with a degree in Computer Science before going to Yeshiva (traditional Rabbinic school) for further Jewish studies.
Rabbi Yaakov Menken is a pioneer in the field of Internet-based Jewish Outreach and a veteran analyst of the global Jewish scene. Project Genesis supports outreach organizations worldwide, while operating Torah.org, the Internet's premier Jewish learning web site. Both Yaakov Menken and his organization maintain open communication with Jews at all levels of learning and education, and Project Genesis is endorsed by Jewish leaders from across the Jewish spectrum.
Yaakov Menken earned his Bachelor's degree from Princeton University in Computer Science, and then pursued Rabbinic studies in Yeshivas Ohr Somayach, Bais Medrash Gavoha in Lakewood and Jerusalem, and the Mirrer Yeshiva Jerusalem, before founding Project Genesis in 1993.
Rabbi Menken is also the founder of TorahMedia.com, and a new journal of thought and opinion called Cross-Currents. Smaller Torah.org projects include Aveidah.org and more.
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Can one expect that a pretty, innocent girl with an older, "experienced" superior will be so easily able to escape his advances?
Rabbi Yaakov Menken - November 30, 1994
http://www.ottmall.com/mj_ht_arch/v16/mj_v16i98.html
The problem with Sherut Leumi [women serving in the Israeli Defense Force with men] is that a girl cannot abandon her post the first time a man makes a pass at her. With all the debate over sexual harassment in _this_ country, you would be amazed at what Israelis consider "normal" behavior. Can one expect that a pretty, innocent girl with an older, "experienced" superior will be so easily able to escape his advances?
It's hard for me to fathom the naivete of a person who, in the 1990's, questions whether it was appropriate to forbid religious girls to do this kind of service. If you want to call preserving religious mores "stifling" religious girls, that's your prerogative.
Immediately before I became frum, I met two religious girls who were on a break from their "Sherut Leumi" - on a beach in Teveria. I can assure you that it wasn't their religiosity that was on display.
Why is it that no one has remarked on how the State of Israel "stifles" people by forcing them to serve in the Army, or how the US "stifles" us by forcing us to pay taxes? Just as the leaders of the country are called upon to tell us what is necessary for preservation of the nation, so too the leaders of the Torah community should be expected to tell us what is necessary for the preservation of Torah.
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Watchdogs vs Rabbis
December 31, 2004
http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2004/12/30/blogging-and-emloshon-horaem-gossip/#comments
Note: Rabbi Yaakov Menken writes (these paragraphs since deleted from his blog):
Below Rabbi Menken is talking about journalist, Gary Rosenblatt who originally broke the story of the case of Rabbi Baruch Lanner.
I will make one comment about the so-called "watchdog" mentality, as applied to a well-known scandal of a few years back. The newspaper editor who "broke" that story insisted that he "went public" not because he wanted to sell papers and enhance his own reputation as a journalist, but because "nothing was being done."
Then, two years later, he "broke" a similar story after a whole set of steps were taken, and, in fact, the first line of his story was that a Bais Din was about to be convened in order to find out the truth.
This tells you something about the truthfulness of the so-called "justification" for his publication of the first set of allegations. I am not saying that those who should have done better supervision are not worthy of criticism – but I'm saying something about the motivations of self-appointed watchdogs.
Note: Rabbi Yaakov Menken writes (these paragraphs since deleted from his blog):
Below Rabbi Menken is talking about journalist, Gary Rosenblatt who originally broke the story of the case of Rabbi Baruch Lanner.
I will make one comment about the so-called "watchdog" mentality, as applied to a well-known scandal of a few years back. The newspaper editor who "broke" that story insisted that he "went public" not because he wanted to sell papers and enhance his own reputation as a journalist, but because "nothing was being done."
Then, two years later, he "broke" a similar story after a whole set of steps were taken, and, in fact, the first line of his story was that a Bais Din was about to be convened in order to find out the truth.
This tells you something about the truthfulness of the so-called "justification" for his publication of the first set of allegations. I am not saying that those who should have done better supervision are not worthy of criticism – but I'm saying something about the motivations of self-appointed watchdogs.
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CALL TO ACTION: The Awareness Center is asking that Rabbi Shumel Kamenetzky make a public statement regarding the confession of Rabbi Yaakov Menken. The Awareness Center - November 19, 2006
It is not often The Awareness Center puts out a warning regarding an individual who is also rabbi. Due to the seriousness of the allegations, the time has come for action to be taken regarding the case of Rabbi Yaakov Menken.
It is not often The Awareness Center puts out a warning regarding an individual who is also rabbi. Due to the seriousness of the allegations, the time has come for action to be taken regarding the case of Rabbi Yaakov Menken.
The Awareness Center has recently learned that Rabbi Menken has created two new organizations associated with "Project Genisis". He has began a Kiruv organization (Jewish outreach) called 'e-Kiruv". He is also involved with an organization called Oz Nidberu. There are also rumors floating around that he may be involved in the development of a new counter-missionary organization.
We all have to be aware that it is not uncommon for Kiruv workers and or counter-missionaries to be involved with individuals who are experiencing a personal crisis in their lives. These crisis's includes a death in the family, illness of a loved one, trying to sort out unresolved issues, and even individuals who have been traumatized (victims or witnesses to a violent crime, survivors of childhood abuse, survivors of sexual assault, etc.). Individuals who are experiencing a life crisis are often in a vulnerable state and are more susceptible to being manipulated by sexual predator.
Over the last few years Rabbi Yaakov Menkin was accused of both sexual harassment and professional sexual misconduct. At one point Rabbi Menken had a discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky regarding the allegations made by one of the women he counseled. The conversation included a confession by Yaakov Menken of having sexual contact with the woman. Rabbi Menken basically blamed the survivor stating "she manipulated him". Rabbi Menken was nearly forty at the time. The young, haredi woman was hardly out of her teens.
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| Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky - Enabler of Sex Offenders |
Because of the serious and complicated allegations made, the word needs to get out that young, single adult women could be at risk of harm if they share information about their personal lives with Rabbi Yaakov Menkin, especially if the woman is experiencing any sort of life crisis.
Due to the sensitivity of the situation and for reasons of confidentiality we are limited in what we can share with you about the case. What we can share is on The Awareness Center's site on Rabbi Yaakov Menken.
If you need more information regarding Rabbi Menken's confession please contact Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky.
The Awareness Center, Inc. is also asking that everyone contact Rabbi Kamenetzky requesting that he make a public statement regarding the confession made by Rabbi Yaakov Menken. Contact information for Rabbi Kamenetzky is provided below.
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).
Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky
Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia
6063 Drexel Road
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Telephone: (215) 473-1212 Fax: (215) 477-5065
If you or someone you know has had similar experiences, please contact your local rape crisis center and or The Awareness Center, Inc.
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Organizations connected to Rabbi Yaakov Menken's Jewish Learning Network
November 19, 2006
If you go to the home page of the organization called "Oz Nidberu", you will see an image of a leeping frog. The link will take you to the Jewish Learning Network's web page, which is operated by Rabbi Yaakov Menken.
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Rabbi Yaakov Menken's Newest Kiruv Effort - eKiruv.com
November 19, 2006
Contact: domains@capalon.com
Domain name: EKIRUV.COM
Registrant Contact: Project Genesis
Project Genesis (office@torah.org)
+1.4106021350
Fax:
122 Slade Avenue, Suite 250
Baltimore, MD 21208
US
Administrative Contact: Project Genesis
Project Genesis (office@torah.org)
+1.4106021350
Fax:
122 Slade Avenue, Suite 250
Baltimore, MD 21208 US
Technical Contact: Capalon.com
Hosting Services (hosting@capalon.com)
+1.4103589800
Fax:
122 Slade Avenue, Suite 250
Baltimore, MD 21208 US
Status: Locked
Creation date: 26 Dec 2003 16:22:29
Expiration date: 26 Dec 2006 00:00:00
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Call To Action:
Stop Funding Programs Organized By Alleged Sex Offender Rabbi Yaakov Menken
The Awareness Center, Inc. - December 24, 2006In honor of the survivors of Rabbi Yaakov Menken (AKA: Ken Menken), The Awareness Center is bringing the following information to your attention. The goal is to prevent any more individual from becoming the next victim of a sexual offense.
Rabbi Yaakov Menken is the founder and director of Project Genesis, a Kiruv organization (Jewish outreach). He has put together an educational program that is funded by the Jewish Education Enhancement Projects (JEEP), which obtains its funds through the Jewish Federation of Baltimore (The Associated).
The Awareness Center, Inc. is asking that you contact both organizations and demand they stop funding programs connected to Rabbi Yaakov Menken. We are also asking that you contact those who are advertising Menken's programs. Explain to them that they are putting unsuspecting women at risk of harm.
Rabbi Yaakov Menken confessed to Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky that he had sexual contact with a young religious woman. At the time of the abuse this particular survivor was undergoing "spiritual counseling" by Rabbi Menken. The survivor was bearly out of her teens at the time she was sexually manipulated. Kenneth Menken was nearly in his forties. He was also a married, haredi (orthodox) rabbi.
The young woman describes her experience with Menken as clergy sexual abuse (professional sexual misconduct) During a conversation with Rabbi Kaminetsky, Kenneth Menken stated the young woman "manipulated him into having sexual contact."
Project Genesis has put together the following lecture series, which is funded by The Associated of Baltimore. Each time this program is advertised puts another unsuspecting woman at risk of harm -- by being "counseled" by Rabbi Menken. Please demand that all organizations stop funding activities organized by Yaakov Menken. Also demand that newspapers and magazines refuse to advertise events connected to him. The goal is to prevent one more unsuspecting individual from becoming the next victim of a sex crime.
The Awareness Center is also asking everyone to contact the following speakers. Please help inform them of Rabbi Menken's past history of alleged clergy sexual abuse (professional sexual misconduct). All inquires of his confession should be directed to Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky. (215) 477-1000.
Please ask Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky make a public statement regarding Rabbi Menken's confession and require Yaakov to be in therapy with a highly qualified psychotherapist whom specializes in working with sex offenders. The Awareness Center is also asking that Ken Menken financially compensate the survivor for the pain and suffering he has caused her.
Contact The Following Organizations
The Jewish Education Enhancement Project (JEEP)
rgreenfeld@cjebaltimore.org
410-735-5006
The Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore
The Center for Jewish Education
The Baltimore Jewish Times
Andrew Buerger, Publisher
410-752-3504
publisher@jewishtimes.com
The Advertiser
ads.theadvertiser@gmail.com
410-764-3787
Ner Israel Rabbinical College
410-484-7200
List Project Genesis Speakers:
Stop Funding Programs Organized By Alleged Sex Offender Rabbi Yaakov Menken
The Awareness Center, Inc. - December 24, 2006In honor of the survivors of Rabbi Yaakov Menken (AKA: Ken Menken), The Awareness Center is bringing the following information to your attention. The goal is to prevent any more individual from becoming the next victim of a sexual offense.
Rabbi Yaakov Menken is the founder and director of Project Genesis, a Kiruv organization (Jewish outreach). He has put together an educational program that is funded by the Jewish Education Enhancement Projects (JEEP), which obtains its funds through the Jewish Federation of Baltimore (The Associated).
The Awareness Center, Inc. is asking that you contact both organizations and demand they stop funding programs connected to Rabbi Yaakov Menken. We are also asking that you contact those who are advertising Menken's programs. Explain to them that they are putting unsuspecting women at risk of harm.
Rabbi Yaakov Menken confessed to Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky that he had sexual contact with a young religious woman. At the time of the abuse this particular survivor was undergoing "spiritual counseling" by Rabbi Menken. The survivor was bearly out of her teens at the time she was sexually manipulated. Kenneth Menken was nearly in his forties. He was also a married, haredi (orthodox) rabbi.
The young woman describes her experience with Menken as clergy sexual abuse (professional sexual misconduct) During a conversation with Rabbi Kaminetsky, Kenneth Menken stated the young woman "manipulated him into having sexual contact."
Project Genesis has put together the following lecture series, which is funded by The Associated of Baltimore. Each time this program is advertised puts another unsuspecting woman at risk of harm -- by being "counseled" by Rabbi Menken. Please demand that all organizations stop funding activities organized by Yaakov Menken. Also demand that newspapers and magazines refuse to advertise events connected to him. The goal is to prevent one more unsuspecting individual from becoming the next victim of a sex crime.
The Awareness Center is also asking everyone to contact the following speakers. Please help inform them of Rabbi Menken's past history of alleged clergy sexual abuse (professional sexual misconduct). All inquires of his confession should be directed to Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky. (215) 477-1000.
Please ask Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky make a public statement regarding Rabbi Menken's confession and require Yaakov to be in therapy with a highly qualified psychotherapist whom specializes in working with sex offenders. The Awareness Center is also asking that Ken Menken financially compensate the survivor for the pain and suffering he has caused her.
Contact The Following Organizations
The Jewish Education Enhancement Project (JEEP)
rgreenfeld@cjebaltimore.org
410-735-5006
The Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore
- Adam Rosenberg arosenberg@associated.org
The Center for Jewish Education
- Larry Ziffer, Executive Vice President lziffer@cjebaltimore.org
- Rivka Lampert Adler, Director Adult Education radler@cjebaltimore.org
The Baltimore Jewish Times
Andrew Buerger, Publisher
410-752-3504
publisher@jewishtimes.com
The Advertiser
ads.theadvertiser@gmail.com
410-764-3787
Ner Israel Rabbinical College
410-484-7200
- Rabbi Aharon Feldman
- Rabbi Beryl Weisbord
List Project Genesis Speakers:
- Rabbi Dr. Ephraim Becker
- Rabbi Motti Berger
- Rabbetzin Tzipporah Heller
- Rabbi Doron Kornbluth
- Rabbi Zev Leff
- Rabbi Noach Orlowek
- Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblum
- Rabbi Ken Spiro
Rabbi Yaakov Menken
Torah.org - May 14, 2007
http://www.torah.org/staff/menken.html
Rabbi Yaakov Menken is the founder of Project Genesis, and creator of many of its sites and programs. You will find hundreds of Torah commentaries authored by Yaakov Menken on this site and elsewhere.
Rabbi Yaakov Menken has been called a ' visionary ' in the field of Jewish Outreach. Project Genesis supports outreach organizations worldwide, while operating Torah.org , the Internet's premier Jewish learning web site. Both Yaakov Menken and his organization maintain open communication with Jews at all levels of learning and education, and Project Genesis is endorsed by Jewish leaders from across the Jewish spectrum.
Rabbi Menken earned his Bachelor's degree from Princeton University in Computer Science, and pursued Rabbinic studies in Yeshivas Ohr Somayach, Beth Medrash Gavoha in Lakewood and Jerusalem, and the Mirrer Yeshiva Jerusalem, before founding Project Genesis in 1993.
Yaakov Menken joined Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein, of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, in creating Cross-Currents , a journal of traditional Jewish thought, in late 2004. This award-winning web log, or blog, features ten recognized, outstanding Orthodox rabbis and teachers. The name Cross-Currents reflects, in Rav Adlerstein's words, the aspiration "to expose the intersection between two currents: the timeless flow of authentic Torah thought, and the ebb and tide of current affairs."
Recently, Rabbi Menken led the technical development of Contact Loved Ones , an open voicemail system for those displaced by recent natural disasters. This story was picked up by the general media and especially by technical publications.
Rabbi Menken is a veteran analyst of the global Jewish scene. Project Genesis has helped with the hosting of Jewish World Review since its inception, and Yaakov Menken has contributed articles to JWR on tolerance , the value of life , the risks of the Internet (which also appeared elsewhere ) and other topics.
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CALL TO ACTION: Boycott Events Associated with Alleged Sex Offender, Rabbi Yaakov Menken
December 5, 2007
Over the last few years The Awareness Center has shared information with you regarding the case of Rabbi Yaakov Menken (AKA: Ken Menken). Due to the issue of confidentiality we have been limited in what we have made public. The allegations against Menken include sexual harassment and clergy sexual abuse.Yaakov Menken's alleged modus operandi is to become a father figure to vulnerable young women and eventually manipulating them into having sexual contact with him. Menken is married with children and in his forties. The alleged women he targets are usually in their late teens or early twenties. In 2005 Rabbi Yaakov Menken had a discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky and confessed to having sexual contact with a very young woman he counseled. He basically blamed the survivor, stating "she came on to me".
Since The Awareness Center became aware of the allegations made against Yaakov Menken we were able to gathered information which included conversations with various rabbonim in Baltimore. It appears that a national Jewish outreach organization which includes a relative of the Menken survivors were in a bet din dispute right before and during the time that Rabbi Yaakov Menken was sexually manipulating a young woman from an extremely insulated community. The survivor was barely out of her teens at the time that Yaakov Menken started his grooming process on her.
When Menken got started the young woman had recently moved away from her family for the first time. Menken allegedly marked her as an easy target and began to provide rabbinical counseling to her. It's important to keep in mind that Rabbi Menken was very angry with the survivors relative during this time period and the woman was unaware of the bet din dispute. It is believed that this is part of the reason why Menken picked her as a target and began to lure her in.
Usually when someone goes searching for spirituality they are in a vulnerable state because of some sort of personal crisis in their lives. These are exactly the type of people that Menken allegedly preys upon.
Several Kiruv organizations are partnering up with alleged sexual predator, Rabbi Yaakov Menken, for a Jewish Outreach event that will be featuring Dr. Gerald Schroeder. The problem is that by doing so they are basically saying that Yaakov Menken is safe and someone both affiliated and unaffiliated Jews can trust.
The Awareness Center is asking that you boycott all events associated with Yaakov Menken, Project Genesis, Torah.org, Project Genisis, Cross-Currents, and TorahMedia.org. We are also asking that you to call and or write the following people and demand that they stop working with Rabbi Yaakov Menken.
Contact:
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| Ken Menken - Alleged Sex Offender |
E-mail: ads.theadvertiser@gmail.com
Phone: 410-764-3787
________________________________
* The Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore
Adam Rosenberg
E-mail: arosenberg@associated.org
________________________________
* The Center for Jewish Education
Larry Ziffer, Executive Vice President
Phone: 410-735-5000, ext. 5005
E-mail: lziffer@cjebaltimore.org
________________________________
* Gerald Schroeder, Ph.D.
HaHish 5, Jerusalem 93223, Israel
Phone 011-972-2-5671233
E-mail: gs@geraldschroeder.com
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