Showing posts with label David Pelcovitz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Pelcovitz. Show all posts

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Case of OHEL Children's Home & Family Services

Case of OHEL Children's Home & Family Services
OHEL: List of Alleged and  Convicted Offenders - and other related stories

The following are links to articles and cases that have ties to Ohel Family Serives, which includes case of alleged and convicted sex offenders and case in which many feel that thre was an obstruction of justice on the part of Ohel Children's Home and Family Services.

If you can think of any other alleged or convicted sex offenders connected to Ohel Family Services, please forward them to VickiPolin @aol.com
____________________________________________________________________________________

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:

 

Alleged and Convicted Sex Offenders:  Professionals connected to Ohel
  1. Simcha Adler
  2. Andrew Goodman 
  3. Dr. Rabbi Avrohom Mondrowitz
  4. Yona Weinberg, MSW, LCSW

Alleged and Convicted Sex Offenders:  Past Clients
  1. Case of Stefan Colmer
  2. Case of Rabbi David Y. Greenfeld
  3. Case of Rabbi Baruch Mordechai Lebovits
  4. Case of Emanuel Yegutkin
  5. Case of the Unnamed Rabbi: Principal who impregnated a girl with learning disabilities
____________________________________________________________________________________


OTHER RELATED STORIES REGARDING OHEL

1997 
  1. Michele Miltz tells her horror story of how a sudden attack on the job at Ohel Family Services (02/21/1997)   

1999
  1.  Victims Learn Kid Sex Offender Served No Time  (09/12/1999)  

2002
  1. Can Sex Offenders Ever Be Cured? Commonly Asked Questions About Sexual Abuse (Part Two) (08/07/2002)
  2. Haredi Group Balks At Clergy Law (08/12/2002)
  3. After long denial, Orthodox world begins to grapple with sexual abuse
    (09/09/2002)
 
2007
  1. Child Molestation - David Mandel and Ohel Children's Home and Family Services  (10/09/2008) 

2008

  1. Vicki Polin responds to Phil Jacobs article - Yisroel Shapiro Isn't Shackled, His Survivors Are (03/23/2008) 
  2.  Is David Mandel a Mandated Reporter? (09/21/2008) 

2009
  1. "Saying it Like it is" - Bullying, Intimidation, Extortion Attempts (04/26/2009) 
  2. Should we be shocked that David Mandel Would Oppose the SOL bill in New York? (04/26/2009)  
  3. Regarding David Mandel Opposing the SOL bill in New York (04/28/2009)  
  4. David Mandel on the SOL Bill: Once again putting offenders and orthodox agencies before the needs of survivors of sex crimes (04/30/2009)  
  5. Rabbi Dovid Cohen; Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services - On The Hot Seat  (06/12/2009)   
  6. CALL TO ACTION: New York Mayor violates law to fund Ohel and Agudath Israel of America (08/04/2009) 
  7. WARNING: Ohel's Support Group for Frum Survivors (10/13/2009)  
  8. Orthodox Jews Relying More on Legal Prosecution of Sex Abuse (10/14/2009)  
  9. David Mandel - An Expert On Abuse? I don't thinks so (11/04/2009)  
  10. Rabbi Dovid Cohen; Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services - On The Hot Seat  (06/12/2009)

2010



2011
  1. Religious Women Protest Against Henna White and Ohel Family Services 
    (02/16/2011)
  2. NYPD refuses to investigate allegations of assault against rallying women
    (02/19/2011)
  3. Conflict of interest? Asher White representing offenders of Henna's DV clients
    (02/23/2011)
  4. Ohel: What do you say to the children who were abused that you neglected to report to CPS? (02/26/2011)
  5. CALL TO ACTION: Elliot Pasik is still involved with the Jewish Board of Advocates for Children? (07/25/2011)


2012   

    1. Mandated Reporting in NJ: Dr. Pelcovitz, what are you thinking?  (05/06/2012) 
    2. Case of Rabbi / Dr. Asher Lipner  (08/22/2012)
    3. Do you believed you were abused at Ohel or feel they mishandled your case? 
    4. Regarding "Voices of Dignity", SOVRI Helpline and Kal Holczler
    5. Ohel Gets New State Funding For Sex Abuse Awareness
    6. HUGE PROBLEM: OHEL Training YU - Rabbis in Training Receive Lessons in Real-Life Traumas 

    ____________________________________________________________________________________

    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.
     

    ____________________________________________________________________________________

    Sunday, May 06, 2012

    Mandated Reporting in NJ: Dr. Pelcovitz, what are you thinking?

    by Vicki Polin
    Examiner - May 6, 2012
    http://www.examiner.com/article/mandated-reporting-nj-dr-pelcovitz-what-are-you-thinking

    The saga continues with the dynamic duo of David Mandel (director of Ohel Family Services) and David Pelcovitz (licensed psychologist and Yeshiva University professor). Both have been speaking at workshops in haredi communities around the United States and NOT providing parents with the most important information needed to protect their children from being abused.  Once again these two self proclaimed experts omitted providing parents in Lakewood, NJ the necessary information regarding mandated reporting.

    The ongoing issues of Pelcovitz and Mandel not talking about mandated reporting during workshops is partially due to the fact they continuously cave into political pressures from various rabbonim -- who mandate that individuals get permission from rabbis prior to reporting suspicions of child abuse and or neglect to law enforcement officials or making hotline reports without the permission of local rabbis first.  Several experts in the field of mind control have described the ciphering information to its membership by any community leader, such as the rabbonim of Lakewood, as being a form of cult like behavior.

    On May 3rd, Dr. Pelcovitz and David Mandel spoke at a symposium held at Ateres Riva that was sponsored by the Lakewood Community Services Corporation, and organized by Rabbi Moshe Velvel Weisberg who is a member of the Vaad of Lakewood (Jewish religious court).

    A few days after the event an audio recording of psychologist David Pelcovitz was released on youtube.com.  On that recording Dr. Pelcovitz  admits to a concerned parent that he was asked NOT to discuss calling the police in suspected cases of child abuse during the workshop.
    What is interesting is that in the state of New Jersey, EVERYONE is a mandated reporter, including individuals giving workshops on child abuse and neglect.  In New Jersey, mandated reporting does NOT mean going to your local orthodox rabbi first to get permission.  The truth is that pressures from the rabbonim in Lakewood could also be construed as a form of witness tampering, and should be reported to local, state and federal law enforcement officials.

    In the Asbury Press article published back in 2009, “Culture clash: Secular law and the Torah: Orthodox community deals with sexual abuse”,  Rabbi Weisberg stated:  “The town's rabbinical leaders strongly deny their residents are discouraged from reporting suspicions to law enforcement as a way to avoid outside stigma. If anything, they say, there is an increased hypersensitivity toward ridding the community of offenders swiftly and openly. But because of an inherent distrust in the secular legal system, a fear of a destroyed reputation or an uncertainty of the evidence, another option is needed. Their system offers those people who are reluctant to go to authorities another channel through which to bring allegations that otherwise would never be heard.” . .  .  "The moral weight of a Bais Din can have a tremendous effect as an incentive for perpetrators to stop their activity for fear of community sanctions,"

    During the 2006 Agudath Israel of America conference, Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon -- who is not only a highly respected teacher at Lakewood's Beth Medrash Govoha yeshiva, he’s also the head spiritual advisor (mashgiach ruchanai) -- and is one of the rabbonim who allegedly apply pressure not to report suspicions of child abuse and neglect to authorities, addressed the handling of sensitive matters such as sex crimes in the context of criticizing anonymous bloggers.

    "Yes, I would say we do sweep under the carpet sometimes," Salomon said at a 2006 convention for Agudath Israel of America, a national organization of Jewish leaders. "You know what we sweep under the carpet? Not what we don't do; what we do. Do these people know how many times perpetrators have been dealt with? Do these people know to what extent one had to have the courage to stand up against public opinion in order to make sure to protect our children? The only thing is, that was swept under the carpet, because we protect human dignity . . . And sometimes if the thing is not proven 100 percent, yes, we are guided by the Torah . . . . we don't jump to conclusions but we are consequent."
    In 2009 Rabbi Salomon reiterated “that perpetrators and predators must be punished, albeit not in the limelight."

    In 2009 Rabbi Salomon reiterated “that perpetrators and predators must be punished, albeit not in the limelight."

    According to psychologist, Michael J. Salamon, author of the book “ABUSE in the Jewish community”, "If you are a mandated reporter and you delay making a report you are contributing to the abuse of others."

    A great example of the abuses and neglect of the community leaders in Lakewood include the story of Shua Finkelstein, who was a survivor of sexual abuse who and lost his battle with a drug addiction.  Soon after his death a letter was discovered on his computer, which was made public.  A few weeks later on April 14, 2009 his families home was gutted by fire.  Luckily no one was home.  The police report cited arson was the likely cause. 

    A great example of the abuses and neglect of the community leaders in Lakewood include the story of Shua Finkelstein, who was a survivor of sexual abuse who and lost his battle with a drug addiction.  Soon after his death a letter was discovered on his computer, which was made public.  A few weeks later on April 14, 2009 his families home was gutted by fire.  Luckily no one was home.  The police report cited arson was the likely cause.

    It wasn’t until Shua was 19 years old that he had enough courage to disclose to his mother that starting at the age of 6 he started being molested by and older male.  After Shua’s death his mother Rivkah Finkelstein was asked why she didn't report the crime to the police.  Rivkah responded by saying the idea of reporting didn't occur to her.  Like many others living in communities like Lakewood, she was given the impression that by reporting the abuse she might increase the incidents of anti-Semitism or even start another pogrom.  The message to community members was that it was best if issues like this were handled by the rabbonim.  Eventually, Shua Finkelstein’s alleged offender was put into therapy.  Yet no one knows if the therapist was someone trained in working with sexual predators.

    Going to a bet din (Jewish religious court) to handle sex crimes is ludicrous. The truth is that not one rabbi has forensic training let alone taught victim sensitive interviewing techniques -- which take us back to the fact that by David Pelcovitz and David Mandel not teaching parents in Lakewood to make hotline reports, they are enabling sex offenders to continue on with their molesting careers.

    Please help educate the parents in Lakewood along with other  ultra-orthodox communities in New Jersey that if you suspect a child is being abused or neglected YOU ARE MANDATED to call 1-877-652-2873.  If the child is in immediate danger, call 911 as well as 1-877 NJ ABUSE. A concerned caller does not need proof to report an allegation of child abuse and can make the report anonymously.

    RESOURCES:

    Friday, May 04, 2012

    Audio of Psychologist -- David Pelcovitz Admitting He Was Told Not To Discuss The Requirement To Call Police

    Audio of Dr. David Pelcovitz (a licensed psychologist) admitting to a concerned parent that he was asked NOT to discuss calling the police in a case where a child was molested. The LCSC event was headed by Rabbi Moshe Velvel Weisberg, who was monitoring the event closely. It is illegal to cover up a case of molestation. You are required by law to report the incident to police, just as you would a murder. Although it is fully understandable that a parent may choose not to report to the police, they should understand that it is within their rights, and even admirable to do so, in order to prevent a molester from hurting more children. But as Dr. Pelcovitz admits, "Lakewood is an interesting neighborhood."

    Thursday, March 03, 2011

    Do you believed you were abused at Ohel or feel they mishandled your case?

    Bottom row: Asher White, Henna White, David Mandel,
    Back row: David Pelcovitz, PhD, Charles Hynes 

    The Awareness Center is looking for survivors of abuse who feel they were abused and or neglected by staff members or other clients of Ohel Children's Home and Family Services system.

    Over the years there have been many allegations of both staff members and clients physically and sexually abusing others.  There have been a few cases that were reported to the child abuse hotline or the police, including a few cases that were prosecuted.

    The problem is that there are so many rumors floating around that the majority of these types of cases have never been reported to the secular authorities.  There have also been allegations that the Ohel administration influenced law enforcement officials to sweep crimes under the rug, especially when the offenders have made large donations to various key individuals, organizations and political party; or the alleged offender has political clout or their family members have influence in the orthodox community.

     If you have a story to share please contact The Awareness Center.  We need not only your story, but also documented information regarding your case.

    Background Information:

    Mark This Date: March 8 – Peaceful Rally for Justice in Crown Heights 








    Wednesday, March 02, 2011

    Mark This Date: March 8 – Peaceful Rally for Justice in Crown Heights


    Crime Victims in Brooklyn’s Jewish Community Need Your Support!
    Please  join us in a peaceful rally for justice in Crown Heights
    When: Tuesday, March 8, 2011  -  8:00 PM – Midnight 
    Where: Bais Rivka, 310 Crown Street, Brooklyn, NY 
    Sponsor: Coalition Against Legal Abuse  (dedicated to offer to support crime victims).
    For more information: Call 1-800-958-2904 or send an e-mail to: coalitioncalany@gmail.com
    An educational seminar on sexual abuse will be taking place March 8th, 2011, at 8:00 PM, at Bais Rivka.  Unfortunately, there have been serious accusations made against both Henna White and those associated with Ohel Family Services, including Dr. David Pelcovitz — regarding mishandling of cases which include child abuse (emotional, physical and sexual) and domestic violence.
    Mrs. Bronya Shaffer who is internationally known for her involvement with cases of child abuse in the Chabad community will be emceeing the evening.  Other presenters for the evening include Dr. David Pelcovitz, Rabbi Shloime Sternberg, Professor Gavriel Fagin and Henna White, who is employed as the liaison between the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office and the Jewish community.
    It is the belief of several advocacy organizations that community members should be warned that Henna White, Dr. David Pelcovitz and anyone associated with Ohel should not be trusted, and should not be considered experts in the field of abuse and neglect.  Speaking at events like this give possible victims of crimes the impression that these individuals are trustworthy and have their best interest in mind.
    Please show your support by letting us know that you plan on coming to this rally.  You can do this by either calling:   1-800-958-2904 Or by sending an e-mail to:  coalitioncalany@gmail.com
    Background information:

    Saturday, February 26, 2011

    Ohel: What do you say to the children who were abused that you neglected to report to CPS?

    David Pelcovitz and David Mandel
    Please note that the article below was written back in 2003 as part of Ohel's propaganda to give the impression that they were doing the right thing when it came to sexually abused children.  


    At that time The Awareness Center had already been questioning their non-compliance to follow the New York State law, that required them to make hot-line reports when they SUSPECTED a child was at risk of harm or neglect.  Their response was to incinuate that our organization was anti-orthodox and eluded that Vicki Polin, who is the founder and CEO of our organization was crazy.  The goal was to attempt to distract the orthodox community from being enlightened of reality.  Their motto always appeared to be "divide and conquer" any group of people who were shining a light on truth. 

    Back in 2003, individuals connected to Ohel attempted to state that due to cultural diversity issues that they exempt from following the law of the land.  Their main point was that no one would come to them for help if it was known they would make hotline reports.  The truth is that years ago when the mandated reporter laws first took effect, this was the fear of secular organization.  As time past it was proven that this fear was not reality based.

    It's important to note that Ohel Family Services receive both state and federal funding, which obligates them to report cases in which they SUSPECT child abuse or neglect to the New York State Child Protective Services.  By not making reports, The Awareness Center believes that a federal investigation should be made, and criminal charges should be brought up against them.

    The Awareness Center is currently looking for cases in which David Mandel, David Pelcovitz or staff at Ohel Family Services has acted appropriately and put the safety and concern of children before that of the rabbonim or other powerful influential individuals?  If anyone is aware of any, please let us know.
    ________________
    Ohel:  What do we say to our children who are molested?
    (2003) David Mandel Chief Executive Officer OHEL Children’s Home & Family Services and David Pelcovitz, Ph.D. Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychology North Shore University Hospital 














    What do we say to our children who are molested? 

    In the last six months child molestation has been described in a series of articles.  The focus has been to inform and educate our community on a phenomenon that exists that most people do not discuss…there are Orthodox Jewish men who are pedophiles.  The second focus was to encourage parents of victims and our community leaders to prosecute these molesters. There are scores, yes scores, of molesters in our midst throughout Orthodox Jewish communities in New York, throughout the United States and in Israel, yet maybe a handful have been prosecuted and jailed.

    This topic hits a nerve.  Children who are victims are traumatized.  Parents are angry and confused on how to respond to their child and how to prosecute the molester.  Adding to the confusion are neighbors and community leaders who have rallied in support of the alleged molester refusing to believe that this “good man” perpetrated this crime. The Jewish Press is thanked for its courageous stand in printing this series of articles.  They have taken some criticism from those who feel this is not a topic to be publicly discussed.

    Much attention has focused recently on the issue of adolescents at risk and especially drug use.  Drug use is directly relevant to the issue of molestation.  When an adolescent who is a drug user has truly gained your trust and he or she has reached a point of helplessness many will tell you of their experiences of being molested as a child.  We will discuss this in greater detail at a future date.

    What do we tell our children who were victims?  How do we take away the pain? the memory? the feeling of being dirty?

    Let’s first understand just how complex this issue is. Sigmund Freud established a principle in human behavior that the path to healing an emotional wound is by talking about it. We could disagree with Freud yet this is the very concept that seems to most elude us in our frum circles.  Our response has been to ignore, deny or suppress such conversations both individually and as a community.  So the very first action to take is to speak with the child.

    Child molestation is an invasion of the body and brain that is different from other situations we face with children.  We have, lo aleinu, children with cancer who require explanations of how their body is affected and what radiation and chemotherapy is.  We have children to whom we explain the loss of a grandparent or parent, rachmeinu litzlun, and that Hashem took them to a better place as His helper. Sickness and death are difficult concepts to explain to children yet there are physical aspects to them that can be described in a way that the child can understand.

    Although some children who are molested may show no obvious changes in their behavior common reactions may include changes in the following areas:
    Ability to trust others: Children abused by a trusted adult may have difficulty allowing themselves to get close to members of the extended family or adults they come in contact with in school or shul. Young children may become more clingy and older children may develop a hostile or mistrustful attitude in relating to others. 
    Impaired self-concept: Abused children may develop a sense of permanent damage, which may include feelings of shame, self-blame, and a general sense that they are unworthy of love. Some react by gravitating to peer groups dominated by rejected or rebellious children, since they view themselves as not deserving to be in the mainstream. 
    Difficulty controlling emotions: Increased irritability or difficulty calming down after becoming upset is frequently seen in these children.  Younger children may manifest regressed behaviors such as an increase in whining, tantrums or bed-wetting.  Older children may become less compliant or more withdrawn.  Feelings of sadness, emptiness and hopelessness may be accompanied by physical complaints such as frequent headaches or stomach aches. 
    Academic difficulties: A number of studies have documented higher rates of academic difficulties in abused children.  Impaired concentration and motivation are among the contributors to school difficulties. 
    Religious crisis: We have found that some children may experience a crisis in emunah after their victimization.  For adolescents, in particular, it may be very difficult to reconcile religious beliefs with actions by supposedly “religious” adults who act in such a hypocritical manner.

     

    YOU DID NOTHING WRONG

    If we believe that our child is a victim of molestation and talking is the very first step, what is it that we should talk about?  We should emphasize the following to our son or daughter.

    • We, your mother and father, love you.

    • You did absolutely nothing wrong.

    • Your body is yours, let’s discuss how to protect it in the future, no one can touch your body in any way without your permission.

    • Your body is good, it’s not dirty.  Someone else who is not good did something that he wasn’t supposed to.

    • He was wrong for doing this.

    • You were not wrong for letting him do this

    • Since the majority of children are molested by people they know – relative, neighbor, coach, man in the neighborhood, Rebbe - you need to discuss trust in older people and role models.  This one person did something bad. Place an emphasis on all the other people that are good, loving and kind.

    • It is human nature to shy away from discussing sexual issues with our children when they’re young adults let alone when they may be ten or fifteen years old. Yet this is what we’ll need to discuss. How can we know what really happened unless we explore it in detail?  There were only two people there, the molester and your child and you certainly won’t hear the details from the molester. 


    Molesters are repeat offenders.  Their modus operandi is to molest many children over a period of time or to have a continuous relationship with one child.  Your child was an unwilling victim.  Yet, these sexual experiences have taught your ten-year-old certain pleasures that are confusing and contradictory.  A recent story of a child molester in the Bronx best explains this complexity.  The NY Times on February 5, 2000 states “investigators believed that five children did not report this molester to the police because he treated them extremely well.  They knew that what they were doing was wrong but they were showered with gifts and kindness by the molester.”  If a molester is kind and if his physical acts create a sense of pleasure for the victim you can appreciate the magnitude of the problem we are dealing with.  These are specific issues that need to be explored with your child.

    • Whom should you tell?  Should you confide in your child’s Rebbe? We believe not at first, but you should listen very carefully to any nuance of change that the Rebbe and teacher may be describing about your child’s behavior in class.

    • Don’t start to overprotect and smother your child.  Don’t begin to behave in an erratic manner by not letting him or her go to friends anymore or to the store by himself.  You want to teach him to regain his confidence and his ability to make good choices so don’t begin to limit his choices.
    • Again, we, your mother and father, love you. You did nothing wrong.  Your body is good. Someone else did something wrong.
    •  These are issues that you can emphasize repeatedly and over a period of time with your child if you become aware that he or she was a victim.  All too often we don’t know who is a victim. So it is important to discuss with your young child the concept of his or her body and protecting it.  You can use any words to describe this concept of protecting themselves when they’re playing with friends, in a school bathroom, in camp, and so on.
    • Now let's go back a step.  Go slow.  Your child may need professional help.  He or she may find it embarrassing to talk to you.  He may feel dirty, that he can’t tell you how his body was violated.  Even if he talks to you he will still be very embarrassed.  In fact he may even feel worse about having shared this information with you.     After all, children believe that parents are the oldest people in the world. Your child  may open up to you in a way that you won't know how to respond.  You certainly don't want to make the situation worse. You have to recognize this and respect this. 
      
    Don’t push the notion that you can tell mommy everything.  It’s often easier to speak to a total stranger.  Accept this and seek professional help.  This is not an indication that you have failed as a parent. On the contrary, it is a sign of your  strength, recognition that others can lend support.

    Children are, by their very nature, resilient.  Once the secret is disclosed, the child is made to feel safe, and family members respond with love and reassurance, the overwhelming majority of children are able to recover quickly and live a normal life. At the same time there are a number of children who will require professional help.

    ·      There are other parents in your circumstances.  It will be good to compare notes with someone else.  You do this all the time about the most mundane things in life why not about your most important treasure, your child’s emotional health.  OHEL or other organizations can assist you with individual or family counseling.

    These suggestions are very broad guidelines.  We continue our journey to educate our community to increase awareness of child molestation.  As we push the issue of prosecution of molesters to protect our children and our community we can use these guidelines to speak to our children who were victimized or discuss with our children how they can protect themselves.