Monday, February 25, 2013

Case of Rabbi Binyamin Mergui

Case of Rabbi Rabbi Binyamin Mergui
(AKA: Benjamin Mergui)
 
Math Teacher and Director Beth Hanna Chabad Day School - Paris, France



This is a case of obstruction of justice.  Chabad principal indicted in France for not reporting sex abuse of minors at a Jewish day school for boys.  Parents filed a civil suit against the rabbi.

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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:  

2013

  1. Chabad.org Directory (02/22/2013)
  2. A rabbi went to non-reporting of pedophiles in his school (02/22/2013)
  3. Paris: a rabbi sued for non-reporting of sexual assault (02/22/2013)
  4. Chabad principal indicted in France for not reporting sex abuse of minors
    Rabbi Benjamin M. is reportedly accused of neglecting duty at Beth Hanna

    (02/25/2013)
  5. Paris: a rabbi sued for non-reporting of sexual assault (02/25/2013)
  6. The principal of a Jewish school in Paris charged with failing to report sexual abuse of minors (02/26/2013)

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Chabad.org Directory
February 22, 2013


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A rabbi went to non-reporting of pedophiles in his school
 Le Nouvel Observateur - February 22, 2013
(Translated using Google.  Original article below in French below)

PARIS, February 22, 2013 (AFP) - The director of an Orthodox Jewish school in Paris was indicted for not having denounced to the police alleged pedophile allegedly committed by a former supervisor of students, at- on Friday a judicial source, confirming a report by RTL. 


The supervisor of the primary school for boys Hanna Beth in the twentieth arrondissement of Paris, was indicted for sexual assault in November after a complaint of parents.Thursday, its director, rabbi of the Lubavitch teaches mathematics, was indicted in turn, for "non-reporting of sexual abuse of minors under 15 years," according to a judicial source.Chief Rabbi of France Gilles Bernheim, said following the two folders "with vigilance because it attaches the highest importance to the protection of children.""He condemns with the utmost firmness the criminal act which are imposed by the court," added services in a statement.For its part, Haim Nisenbaum, spokesperson Beth Lubavitch Orthodox Jewish movement, which depends on the school Hanna Beth, condemned "very strongly" the charges against the supervisor, and indicated that he had been laid off by the Director then dismissed."The manager did not consider it necessary to file a complaint on behalf of the school because he had met with families who did. He did not want to add," he told AFP M . Nisenbaum."It is his decision alone," he said. "Legally, it is probably wrong, but it was a more moral than legal.""It in no way tried to dissuade families" to complain, he said. "There is no intention to hide anything."Hanna Beth School for Boys, a building without signposts, was closed Thursday because of the holiday of Purim.Schedule a steward for girls, located in the nineteenth century, was surprised with the latest developments. "I do not think the director has discouraged families. Far as I know parents complained," he told AFP Yossi Bensoussan.According to him, the charges against the supervisor emerged in June and some parents withdrew their children in September.

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Un rabbin poursuivi pour non dénonciation d'actes pédophiles dans son école
Le Nouvel Observateur - February 22, 2013
PARIS, 22 fév 2013 (AFP) - Le directeur d'une école juive orthodoxe de Paris a été mis en examen pour ne pas avoir dénoncé à la police des actes pédophiles présumés qui auraient été commis par un ancien surveillant sur des élèves, a-t-on appris vendredi de source judiciaire, confirmant une information de RTL.

Ce surveillant de l'école primaire pour garçons Beth Hanna, dans le XXe arrondissement de la capitale, avait été mis en examen en novembre pour agression sexuelle, après une plainte de parents d'élèves.

Jeudi, son directeur, un rabbin de la communauté Loubavitch qui enseigne les mathématiques, a été mis en examen à son tour, pour "non dénonciation d'atteintes sexuelles sur mineurs de moins de 15 ans", selon la source judiciaire.

Le Grand rabbin de France, Gilles Bernheim, a indiqué suivre les deux dossiers "avec vigilance car il attache la plus haute importance à la protection de l'enfance".

"Il condamnera avec la plus grande fermeté les agissements délictueux qui seraient établis par la justice", ont ajouté ses services dans un communiqué.

De son côté, Haïm Nisenbaum, porte-parole du mouvement juif orthodoxe Beth Loubavitch, dont dépend l'école Beth Hanna, a condamné "très fermement" les faits reprochés au surveillant, et indiqué que ce dernier avait été mis à pied par le directeur, puis licencié.

"Le directeur n'a pas jugé nécessaire de porter plainte au nom de l'école parce qu'il s'était entretenu avec des familles qui le faisaient. Il n'a pas voulu en rajouter", a déclaré à l'AFP M. Nisenbaum.

"C'est une décision qu'il a prise seul", a-t-il dit. "Légalement, il a sans doute eu tort, mais c'était une attitude plus morale que légale".

"Il n'a en aucune façon tenté de dissuader les familles" de porter plainte, a-t-il indiqué. "Il n'y a aucune volonté de cacher quoi que ce soit."

L'école Beth Hanna pour garçons, un bâtiment sans panneaux indicatifs, était fermée jeudi en raison de la fête de Pourim.

Un intendant de l'annexe pour filles, située dans le XIXe, s'étonnait des derniers développements. "Je ne pense pas que le directeur ait dissuadé les familles. A ce que je sache des parents ont porté plainte", a dit à l'AFP Yossi Bensoussan.

Selon lui, les accusations contre le surveillant ont émergé en juin et certains parents avaient retiré leurs enfants à la rentrée.
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Chabad principal indicted in France for not reporting sex abuse of minors
Rabbi Benjamin M. is reportedly accused of neglecting duty at Beth Hanna.


JTA - February 25, 2013
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/chabad-principal-indicted-in-france-for-not-reporting-sex-abuse-of-minors-1.505755

 The principal of a Jewish school in Paris was indicted last week for failing to report sexual abuse of minors as required by law.

The television network RTL reported that a Paris magistrate indicted the principal, identified by RTL as Rabbi Benjamin M., 55, on February 21 for “non-reporting of sexual abuse of minors under 15 years.”

Victims’ parents told the principal about the alleged fondling committed by a supervisor at the Chabad-Lubavitch Beth Hanna elementary school for boys last summer, according to RTL.

The supervisor was indicted in November after parents of the alleged victims filed complaints, the French news agency AFP reported, but the principal failed to also file a complaint as he was required by law.

The online edition of Le Nouvel Observateur, a French weekly, reported that the principal also is suspected of trying to dissuade parents from complaining to police – a claim denied by Haim Nisenbaum, a spokesman for the Chabad-Lubavitch movement in France.

“Legally speaking, he [the principal] committed an error,” Nisenbaum is quoted as saying, but “there was no attempt to conceal anything.” Nisenbaum said the school, which is Orthodox, views the actions of the supervisor as “extremely serious.”

JForum, a French-Jewish news site, reported that the principal confronted the supervisor but deemed it unnecessary to file a complaint because he knew the parents had already done so.

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Paris: a rabbi sued for non-reporting of sexual assault 
Metr - February 22, 2013
Translated using google (original article in French below) 

JUSTICE - The head of the Orthodox Jewish school Beth Hanna located in the 19th arrondissement of Paris was indicted Thursday for not having denounced to the police alleged pedophile acts committed in its establishment by a supervisor of students . He had been indicted on these charges in November.

The parents alerted, but the rabbi would not listen. Thursday, the director of the Jewish school Beth Hanna, located at 49-51, rue Petit in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, was indicted by a magistrate for "non-reporting of sexual abuse of minors under 15 years, "according to information from RTL.


Last November, a supervisor of the primary school for boys was indicted for sexual assault after a complaint from parents. According to RTL, the rabbi, Benjamin M., 55, who also teaches math in school, had been alerted last summer by parents about fondling committed by the supervisor. He reportedly tried to convince them not to complain, trying to hush up the affair."No desire to hide"Friday, Haim Nisenbaum, spokesperson Beth Lubavitch orthodox Jewish movement, which depends on the school, condemned "very strongly" the charges against the supervisor, and indicated that he had been laid off by the Director, and then dismissed.


"The manager did not consider it necessary to file a complaint on behalf of the school because he had met with families who did. He did not want to add," he said. According to Haim Nisenbaum, Rabbi took this decision "alone".


"Legally, it is probably wrong, but it was a more moral than legal. It has in no way tried to dissuade families" of complaints, said Haim Nisenbaum who believes that "n ' there is no attempt to hide anything.


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Paris : un rabbin poursuivi pour non dénonciation d'agressions sexuelles
Metr - February 22, 2013

JUSTICE - Le directeur de l'école juive orthodoxe Beth Hanna située dans le 19e arrondissement de la capitale a été mis en examen, jeudi, pour ne pas avoir dénoncé à la police des actes pédophiles présumés commis dans son établissement par un surveillant sur des élèves. Ce dernier avait été mis en examen pour ces faits en novembre dernier.

Les parents l'avaient alerté, mais le rabbin n'aurait rien voulu entendre. Jeudi, le directeur de l'école juive Beth Hanna, située au 49-51, rue Petit dans le 19e arrondissement de Paris, a été mis en examen par un juge d'instruction pour "non dénonciation d'atteintes sexuelles sur mineurs de moins de 15 ans", selon une information de RTL.

En novembre dernier, un surveillant de cette école primaire pour garçons avait été mis en examen  pour agression sexuelle, après une plainte de parents d'élèves. Selon RTL, le rabbin, Benjamin M., 55 ans, qui enseigne aussi les mathématiques dans l'école, avait été alerté l'été dernier par des parents d'élèves au sujet d'attouchements commis par ce surveillant. Il aurait alors tenté de les convaincre de ne pas porter plainte, essayant d'étouffer l'affaire.

"Aucune volonté de cacher"

Vendredi, Haïm Nisenbaum, porte-parole du mouvement juif orthodoxe Beth Loubavitch, dont dépend l'école, a condamné "très fermement" les faits reprochés au surveillant, et indiqué que ce dernier avait été mis à pied par le directeur, puis licencié.

"Le directeur n'a pas jugé nécessaire de porter plainte au nom de l'école parce qu'il s'était entretenu avec des familles qui le faisaient. Il n'a pas voulu en rajouter", a-t-il déclaré. Selon Haïm Nisenbaum, le rabbin aurait pris cette décision "seul".

"Légalement, il a sans doute eu tort, mais c'était une attitude plus morale que légale. Il n'a en aucune façon tenté de dissuader les familles"de porter plainte, a ajouté Haïm Nisenbaum qui estime qu'il "n'y a aucune volonté de cacher quoi que ce soit."



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Paris: a rabbi sued for non-reporting of sexual assault  
Fait Religieux - February 26, 2013
(original article in French below) 

Director of Orthodox Jewish school in Paris, rabbi of the Lubavitcher and professor of mathematics, was indicted Thursday, February 21 for "failure to report sexual abuse of minors under 15 years."Pedophile acts allegedly committed by a former supervisor of the elementary school for boys Beth Hanna, in the 20th arrondissement. It was indicted in November 2012 for sexual assault after a complaint from parents.Parents had alerted the school principal last summer. Rabbi, 55, has not reported the matter to the police. He reportedly tried to convince the family to remain silent, trying to hush up the affair.Very firm convictionFriday, Haim Nisenbaum, spokesperson Beth Lubavitch Orthodox Jewish movement, which depends on the school, condemned "very strongly" the charges against the supervisor, and indicated that he had been laid off by the Director, then dismissed.

"The manager did not consider it necessary to file a complaint on behalf of the school because he had met with families who did. He did not want to add," he said. According to Haim Nisenbaum, Rabbi took this decision "alone"."Legally, it is probably wrong, but it was a more moral than legal. It has in no way tried to dissuade families" of complaints, said Haim Nisenbaum who believes that "n ' there is no attempt to hide anything. "


Chief Rabbi of France Gilles Bernheim said in a statement following the two files with "vigilance" because it attaches "the highest importance to the protection of children and Jewish schools in particular." He announced that he "condemns with the utmost firmness, the criminal act which are imposed by the courts."
 


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Paris : un rabbin poursuivi pour non-dénonciation d'agressions sexuelles
Fait Religieux - February 26, 2013
 

Le directeur d'une école juive orthodoxe de Paris, rabbin de la communauté loubavitch et professeur de mathématiques, a été mis en examen jeudi 21 février pour « non-dénonciation d'atteintes sexuelles sur mineurs de moins de 15 ans ».


Les actes pédophiles présumés auraient été commis par un ancien surveillant de l'école primaire pour garçons Beth-Hanna, dans le 20e arrondissement. Celui-ci a été mis en examen en novembre 2012 pour agression sexuelle, après une plainte de parents d'élèves.

Les parents avaient alerté le directeur de l'école l'été dernier. Le rabbin, 55 ans, n'a pas dénoncé les faits à la police. Il aurait alors tenté de convaincre les familles de se taire, essayant d'étouffer l'affaire.

Condamnation très ferme

Vendredi dernier, Haïm Nisenbaum, porte-parole du mouvement juif orthodoxe Beth Loubavitch, dont dépend l'école, a condamné "très fermement" les faits reprochés au surveillant, et indiqué que ce dernier avait été mis à pied par le directeur, puis licencié.


"Le directeur n'a pas jugé nécessaire de porter plainte au nom de l'école parce qu'il s'était entretenu avec des familles qui le faisaient. Il n'a pas voulu en rajouter", a-t-il déclaré. Selon Haïm Nisenbaum, le rabbin aurait pris cette décision " seul ".

"Légalement, il a sans doute eu tort, mais c'était une attitude plus morale que légale. Il n'a en aucune façon tenté de dissuader les familles " de porter plainte, a ajouté Haïm Nisenbaum qui estime qu'il "n'y a aucune volonté de cacher quoi que ce soit ".


Le grand rabbin de France, Gilles Bernheim, a déclaré dans un communiqué suivre les deux dossiers « avec vigilance » car il attache « la plus haute importance à la protection de l'enfance et dans les écoles juives en particulier ». Il annonce qu'il « condamnera, avec la plus grande fermeté, les agissements délictueux qui seraient établis par la justice ».

  


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The principal of a Jewish school in Paris charged with failing to report sexual abuse of minors.
Alyaexpress - February 26, 2013

A principal of a Jewish school in Paris was charged with failing to report a sexual assault in his establishment.

RTL television network reported that on 21 February, a Paris magistrate indicted Rabbi Benyamin M, age 55 for "failure to report sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 15. '

According to RTL, the parents of the victim reported the alleged touching the director last summer committed by a supervisor of elementary school boys Chabad-Lubavitch Beth Hanna.

The supervisor was charged in November after the parents of the alleged victims have complained, according to AFP, but the main complaint was not filed as required by statute.

The online edition of Le Nouvel Observateur, a French weekly said that the principal is also believed to have tried to dissuade parents from complaining to the police - a charge that was rejected by Haim Nisenbaum, the spokesman Chabad-Lubavitch in France.

"Legally speaking, [the director] was a mistake," Nisenbaum is quoted as saying: "There was no attempt to hide anything. "Nisenbaum said the school, which is Orthodox, considers that the measures taken by the supervisor are" extremely serious. '

The information was transmitted by JForum website, a Jewish news site in France has shown that the principal does not consider it necessary to file a complaint because he knew parents had done.
 
 


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Le directeur d’une école juive à Paris inculpé pour avoir omis de déclarer les abus sexuels sur mineurs.
Alyaexpress - February 26, 2013

Un Principal d’une école juive à Paris a été inculpé pour ne pas avoir déclaré une agression sexuelle dans son établissement.

Le réseau de télévision RTL a indiqué,que ce 21 février, un magistrat de Paris a inculpé le rabbin Benyamin M, âgé de 55 ans pour « non-dénonciation des abus sexuels sur un mineur de moins de 15 ans. »

Selon RTL, les parents de la victime ont signalé au directeur les prétendus attouchements commis l’été dernier par un superviseur de l’école élémentaire pour garçons ‘Habad-Loubavitch Beth Hanna.

Le superviseur a été inculpé en novembre après que les parents des victimes présumées ont  porté plainte,selon l’AFP, mais le principal n’a pas déposé plainte comme la loi le lui imposait.

L’édition en ligne du Nouvel Observateur, un hebdomadaire français a indiqué que le principal est également soupçonné d’avoir essayé de dissuader les parents de se plaindre à la police – une accusation qui a été rejetée par Haim Nisenbaum, le porte-parole du mouvement ‘Habad-Loubavitch en France.

«Juridiquement parlant, il [le directeur] a commis une erreur, » Nisenbaum est cité comme disant: «il n’y a eu aucune tentative de cacher quoi que ce soit. » Nisenbaum dit que l’école, qui est orthodoxe, considère que les mesures prises par le superviseur sont «extrêmement graves.  »

L’information a été transmise par le site JForum, un site de nouvelles juif en France qui a indiqué que le principal n’a pas jugé nécessaire de déposer une plainte parce qu’il savait que les parents l’avaient déjà fait.
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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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Saturday, February 23, 2013

DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Charles Hynes and the Jewish Community Watch

DEMAND TRANSPARENCY:  Charles Hynes and the Jewish Community Watch

Charles Hynes and Meir Seewald of the Jewish Community Watch
Over the last several years there have been many reports in the news media relating to orthodox Jewish groups and organization associated with the Kings County District Attorney's office in Brooklyn relating to allegations of witness tampering and obstruction of justice when it came to prosecuting sex crimes in the ultra-orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn.

Back on December 13, 2012 at a Hanukkah party, which was hosted by Charles Hynes (the DA of Brooklyn).  During this event, Hynes presented an award to Meyer Seewald (AKA: Meir Seewald, Myer Seewald), who runs a web page called "Jewish Community Watch."

Ever since Meir Seewald received his award, there have been several complaints by individuals who utilized the services of his organization which are concerning.   

As with any group or individual who proclaims to advocate for survivors of sex crimes, we all must be asking the following questions prior to utilizing their services:
  1. What kind of specialized education and training do those associated with the organization have in working with survivors?   
  2. Do the volunteers in the organization receive clinical supervision from an licensed mental health professional who has specialized training working with survivors of sex crimes?  
  3. If they do receive supervision, who is that person and what training do they have?
  4. Does the organization clearly state on their web page who is on the board of directors?
  5. Do volunteers and staff members have to sign a confidentiality agreement prior to advocating for anyone? If there's a violation of this policy, what repercussions will there be?
  6. Does the organization have 501c3 status or in the process of receiving it?
  7. What are their policies in dealing with sex offenders? If they have a sex offender registry do they have a policy in place to remove names of individuals if necessary? If they do, what is that policy?

We all must be demanding that those calling themselves "advocates" be trained by legitimate rape crisis centers, sign confidentiality agreements and also that there be transparency in order to assure that Orthodox Jewish Survivors receive the same civil rights and privileges as survivors from the rest of the population of the United States.

When watching to following film clip be aware that many people mentioned and seen, are people who in the past have been named by multiple Jewish survivors who attempted to use their services as being problematic.
  

Also see the following list other of individuals and organizations that have never received the official 40 hour rape victim advocacy training from an official rape crisis center such as the New York Coalition Against Rape or RAINN:










Thursday, February 21, 2013

Purim and Survivors Childhood Abuse (emotional, physical and sexual abuse

Purim and Survivors Childhood Abuse 
(emotional, physical and sexual abuse)
© (2010) by Vicki Polin

For most people, the holiday of Purim brings up great memories of dressing up in costumes and being silly.  For others Purim is very difficult and confusing time of the year.  It's a time that may conjure up past memories of parents or other adults who cared for them drinking a little too much alcohol and or being drunk.  When this happened their parent, grandparent or another adult care provider  might have lost their ability to control their anger, impulses and or inhabitions. 

For some Purim often mean that families get together, routines are changed, there is also the added stress of cleaning and preparing meals. These issues alone can be extremely stress producing. Unfortunately the reality is that there are parents who are already inclined to use their children as an outlet for emotions and urges. They are even more likely to do so when under the pressure of increased anxiety. Many survivors of childhood abuse report that they were abuse became more intense around and over all holidays (both Jewish and secular holidays).

It is not uncommon for symptoms of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) to emerge after times of relative remission and/or intensify in those already struggling. You may experience an increase in disturbing thoughts, nightmares and flashbacks. Thoughts of self-harm, even suicide, may be an issue. The important thing to remember is these feelings are about the past, that the abuse is over, and that it is of utmost importance for you to be kind to and gentle with yourself.

This is written as a reminder to all survivors: YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
It's important to remember that whatever works for you is OK --know that you are not alone, not wrong, not bad for having second and third and forth thoughts about how to celebrate and if to celebrate the holidays. Look into yourself and see what you need, then do what you can to do it, and be kind to yourself for needing to make these adjustments.

If you are a survivor of childhood abuse and this is a difficult time of the year for you, please make plans to be with friends or support people. Be sure to call suicide hotlines if necessary.  CALL: 1-800-784-2433 and you will be connected to a crisis center nearest to you.


Todah Rabah for Surviving!

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

In Memory of Rachel Amy Steamer


In Memory of Rachel Amy Steamer


January 26, 1975 - February 20, 2013

Rachel Steamer had been a consultant and presented at workshops sponsored by The Awareness Center.  Rachel was as a cherished friend to many, and a strong advocate for the civil rights of survivors of sex crimes.

Rachel stated practicing law in 2006.  Early in her career Rachel was an attorney who specializes in representing survivors of sexual abuse.  Notably, as an associate at the law firm of Ross & Rubino, LLP.  Rachel was involved in litigating more than 100 cases in coordinated proceedings against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Diocese of San Diego.  A graduate of the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (Yeshiva University) in New York City, Rachel acted as chief research assistant to noted First Amendment scholar Professor Marci A. Hamilton, with whom she co-authored The Religious Origins of Disestablishment Principles, 81 N.D. L. Rev. 1755 (2006).  

After the law firm closed down, Rachel took a position at an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia.

Rachel Steamer went on to her next journey on Feb. 20, 2013. Rachel was born and raised in Ft. Myers. She attended, Fort Myers High School. She went on to the University of Miami, and Cardozo Law School in NYC.

Rachel was diagnosed in 2005 with cervical cancer. She was cancer free until rediagnosed in Dec. 2009. She fought a noble battle for 3 yrs. Throughout her fight she asked women to be sure to get yearly screenings and to have their children vaccinated against HPV. In honor of her memory, her family and friends ask you to do this to save lives.

Rachel is survived by her Mother Cheryl Lawson, (Tom), her father Joseph Steamer, (Janie), her grandmother Gertrude Steamer, her beloved sister Elissa, her Boston Terrier Lola & friends throughout the country that loved her very much.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Case of Shulem Dresder

Case of Shulem Dresder
Salford, England

THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION 


Arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a child 10 years ago.

Please note there are several people with the named Shulem Dresder. This is the one who is 63-years-old and lives in Salford, England.

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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: 



2013  
  1. TV rabbi may apply to Ofcom (02/08/2013)

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TV rabbi may apply to Ofcom
By Jonathan Kalmus
Jewish Chronicle - February 8, 2013
A Manchester rabbi who was secretly filmed by last week’s Channel 4 Dispatches on Charedi sex abuse is considering making an Ofcom complaint.
Lawyers acting for Osher Westheim, a former Manchester Beth Din dayan, accused Channel 4 of breaching parts of the broadcaster watchdog’s regulations, in relation to rejecting an offer from the rabbi to be openly interviewed.
Dayan Westheim said the programme was “disappointing” and included incorrect remarks. 
The rabbi said he was separately involved in setting up a communal liaison team of rabbis and medical and psychology professionals to address abuse and work with local child safeguarding authorities.
This week the Manchester Beth Din also hosted a meeting of 20 communal rabbis with representatives of Salford’s Child Safeguarding Board, who provided guidance about the duty to report abuse. The Beth Din’s Rabbi Yehuda Brodie said it showed the issue of child abuse was “being taken very seriously” by the community.
Separately, a 63-year-old member of Salford’s strictly Orthodox community in Salford was arrested this week on suspicion of historic sexual abuse. He has been released on police bail pending inquiries until April 10. The allegations relate to a report of sexual abuse said to have happened 10 years ago.
The JC does not reveal the name of the perpetrator in Salford (Manchester), as British law forbits it, however I am in the USA, the Land of The FREE, so I will just say that his name is: SHULEM DRESDNER
–– nochemrosenberg.blogspot.com
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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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Harlow's Study on Attachment: Child Abuse and Neglect in the Chasidic World

When I think of some of my friends who grew up in the Chasidic world, I often think of Harlow's study on attachment.  All too often I hear horror stories of how many children are left to fend for themselves. Never really ever having the opportunity to develop healthy attachments with either parent.  The same thing happens with children who grew up in cult like settings, boarding schools, yeshivas or with extremely abusive families.  –– Vicki Polin


New York City suing ultra-Orthodox for posting modesty guidelines in stores

New York City suing ultra-Orthodox for posting modesty guidelines in stores
By Debra Nussbaum Cohen
Haaretz - Feb.15, 2013

Stores located along a two-block stretch of Lee Avenue, Williamsburg’s main Hasidic shopping street have posted signs that read 'no shorts, no barefoot, no sleeveless, no low cut neckline allowed in this store'.
 
NEW YORK – Does a requirement that customers at Satmar-run stores in Brooklyn dress modestly run afoul of human rights law? That is the question at issue in the upcoming trial of seven businesses being sued by New York City’s Commission on Human Rights for having signs in their storefronts stating, “No shorts, no barefoot, no sleeveless, no low cut neckline allowed in this store.”

The businesses are all located along a two-block stretch of Lee Avenue, Williamsburg’s main Hasidic shopping street, which bustles with cars and pedestrian shoppers during the week but on Shabbos becomes silent but for the men wearing prayer shawls hurrying to synagogue along the sidewalks.

“These stores are public accommodations, and they are prohibited from posting any kind of advertisement specifying a preference for one type of customer or another, or expressing discrimination against one type or another,” said Clifford Mulqueen, deputy commissioner and general counsel to the human rights commission.

Public accommodation is a legal term meaning entities like stores, public or private, that are used by the public.

The signs are “pretty specific to women,” Mulqueen said. “It seems pretty clear that it’s geared toward women dressing modestly if they choose to come into the store, and that would be discrimination.”

The virtually identical modesty signs began appearing in Williamsburg store windows in 2011 and 2012, and the human rights commission filed the lawsuits in August 2012. There is a pre-trial meeting at court scheduled on March 12th, Mulqueen said.

The business owners are pushing back, claiming that in fact it is the city’s bias against Satmar Hasidim that is motivating the lawsuits.

“The only bias I see in these lawsuits is a stereotype by the City Commission of Human Rights that ‘all Hasidim must be guilty of discrimination because they’re all misogynists,’ ” said Marc Stern, a civil rights expert who works as counsel to the American Jewish Committee. Stern said he is informally advising the attorney representing the businesses. “It reflects a bias on the part of this commission.”

The stores named in the lawsuits range from Friedman’s Depot, a grocery store, at one end of the stretch, to Tiv-Tov hardware store, Lee Avenue Clothing Center, and Sander’s Bakery, at the other end. Also being sued are Imperial Luggage and Gestetner Printing.

They have moved, as a group, to have the lawsuits dismissed, said Devora Allon, the lawyer representing the businesses. She is an associate in the New York office of the law firm Kirkland & Ellis.

“The complaints do not allege discriminatory intent, and that is what the human rights law outlaws,” she told Haaretz. “The signs do not actually discriminate between men and women, and apply equally to men and women,” Allon said. “No service was ever denied on the basis of how somebody was dressed.”

Kirkland is representing the Williamsburg owners on a pro bono basis because, Allon said, the outcome of the cases “has implications for religious rights, and for religious freedoms.”

Stern said that the complaints “were self-generated by the commission.”

“It’s not even clear these store owners ever enforced the signs,” said Stern. “Where’s the evidence?”

But Mulqueen of the commission said that people in Williamsburg “complained to us about having to observe these standards.”

Businesses are allowed to set dress codes, said Stern, citing as examples private clubs in Manhattan, where “if you walked in in shorts and a halter top, you’d be tackled by the old doorman.” He also said that employment discrimination courts have determined that each gender can have a different dress code, such as requiring skirts for women and suit and tie for men. “They’ve even upheld the Hooters dress code,” which requires female servers to wear skimpy orange hotpants and cleavage-baring tops, he said.

“How is it, within three miles of the city commission’s office, there are God knows how many restaurants with different gender-based dress codes, and the city commission doesn’t pursue them?” said Stern. “If those don’t get challenged why does this?”

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