Case of Michael Spingarn

Case of Michael Spingarn 
(AKA: Moshe Spingam, Michael Alan Spingarn, Alan Spingarn, Aayoh Spingarn, Michael S. Spingarn)

Suffern, NY
Former Executive Director - Denver Synagogue, Denver, CO
Pomona, NY
Project Extreme Summer Camp - Lawrence, NY
Former Executive Director - American Friend of Yeshivot Bnei Akiva, New York, NY

(1991 - 2013) New Rochelle, NY
(1983-1991) Pikesville, MD

Convicted sex offender.  Plead guilty to having a series of sexually explicit online conversations with someone he believed to be 14 years old.

The Awareness Center had computer software issues and the case of Michael Spingarn  accidentally came down for several years.  A few weeks ago we realized this case was missing from our web page and it was put back on line.  

Since putting the page back up we were informed that Spingarn relocated to Denver and recently took the postion of the Executive Director of the Denver Synagogue.  As soon as the leadership learned that Michael Spingarn had a criminal record involving a sexual offense,  his postion was immediately terminated.

After his position at the Denver Synagogue was terminated, Michael Spingarn and his wife, moved to Suffern, NY.

It appears that Michael Spingarn (AKA Moshe Spingarn) is not unlike so many other convicted sex offenders, who started using their Hebrew names publicly to stay off the radar publicly.  

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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

1998 - 2005

1. Development Associates Group, Ltd. (DAG) (08/29/2005)

2002

1. 2 plead guilty in D.A.'s Internet pedophile sting (08/15/2002)

2008

1. Jewish Philanthropy News (09/26/2008)

2010

1. Moshe Spingarn - Facebook (12/07/2010)

2013

1. The Denver Synagogue Hires Moshe Spingarn (07/15/2013) 
2. New Executive Director - Denver Synagogue (08-01-2013)
3. Denver Synagogue Staff  (09-01-2013)
4. The Denver Synagogue Newsletter (11/01/2013)
5. Termination Letter From the Denver Synagogue (11/05/2013)
6. Linkedin (11/06/2013)
7. Intelius (11/06/2013)
8. Denver Synagogue fires executive director for sex offense conviction (11/06/2013)
9. BMH-BJ fires ‘level one’ offender  (11/15/2013)

Also see:

• Case of Murray Massover

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2 plead guilty in D.A.'s Internet pedophile sting

Briefing

Journal News, (Westchester County, NY)

August 15, 2002

Two New Rochelle men pleaded guilty yesterday to attempted dissemination of indecent materials to minors, a felony, in connection with the ongoing Internet "sex sting" operation run by Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro. Michael Spingarn and Murray Massover, both 53, had a series of sexually explicit online conversations with someone they believed to be 14 years old. The "teenager" was actually an investigator with Pirro's office. The men were arrested when they showed up to meet the "teenager" at a prearranged spot. Spingarn is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 30 Massover will be sentenced Nov. 16. The defendants each face a maximum of four years in state prison.

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Development Associates Group, Ltd. (DAG)
DAG - August 29, 2005

Archived images of DAG's web page: www.thefundraisers.com  

Click on image to enlarge

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Jewish Philanthropy News 

September 26, 2008

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Moshe Spingarn - Facebook 
Facebook - December 7, 2010

According to Facebook policy, convicted sex offenders are not allowed to have a Facebook account.  It appears that Michael Spingarn (Moshe Spingarn) is in violation of the Facebook policy, though from this snapshot, it seems as if he has not used this account since 2010.

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The Denver Synagogue Hires Moshe Spingarn
July 15, 2013

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New Executive Director - Denver Synagogue
Denver Synagogue Newsletter - August / September, 2013

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Denver Synagogue Staff 
Denver Synagogue - September 1, 2013

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The Denver Synagogue Newsletter
November / December News Letter - November 1, 2013

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Termination Letter From the Denver Synagogue

Denver Synagogue - November 5, 2013

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Moshe  Spingarn - Linkedin
Linkedin - November 5, 2013

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Intelius - Moshe Sprigarn

November 6, 2013

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Denver Synagogue fires executive director for sex offense conviction

By Electa Draper

Denver Post - November 6, 2013

Denver Synagogue leaders on Monday fired executive director Michael "Moshe" Spingarn and notified congregants in a letter Tuesday that he is a convicted sex offender.

"Yesterday we learned that in 2002 in New York, Mr. Spingarn was convicted as a sex offender," said a letter signed by Rabbi Ben Greenberg and synagogue board president Michael Engleberg.

Greenberg and Engleberg wrote that they confirmed the conviction and immediately fired Spingarn.

"When we learned of the potential danger we took action without delay," their letter said. "On the positive side, we have no information Mr. Spingarn did anything wrong or inappropriate with anyone during his brief tenure at the synagogue."

Spingarn began work at the synagogue, also known as the BMH-BJ Congregation, in July. He could not be reached for comment.

According to a 2002 news story from the Westchester County Journal News reposted on the Illinois-based International Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Abuse/Assault website, Spingarn, then 53, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of disseminating indecent materials to minors and having a series of sexually explicit online conversations with someone he believed to be 14 years old during an Internet "sex sting" operation run by the Westchester County district attorney.

He is not listed under Michael or Moshe Spingarn on either the Colorado Bureau of Investigation Convicted Sex Offender Site or the New York State Public Registry of Sex Offenders.

The Westchester County DA's office was asked to confirm the conviction but had not responded as of deadline.

Engleberg on Wednesday told The Denver Post that the synagogue performed "due diligence" before hiring Spingarn and "nothing came up."

He declined to give further details before consulting the synagogue's attorney.

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Convicted Sex Offender Moshe Spingarn leaves Denver - Moves to Suffern, NY

By Vicki Polin

Examiner - November 12, 2013

Over a decade ago Michael Spingarn plead guilty to attempted dissemination of indecent materials to a minor. He was originally arrested after being caught in a internet sting operation that was run by theWestchester County District Attorney's office in New York.

Back in 2002, during a conversations over the internet with the under-cover police officer, Springarn agreed to meet a “fourteen-year-old teen” at a prearranged location. When he showed up was promptly arrested.

While trying to trace Michael Springarn’s history after his conviction is somewhat difficult due to the fact that when seeking employment he has been going by his hebrew name, Moshe Springarn.

According to the Jewish Philanthropy News, back in 2008, Moshe Spingarn was the executive director of theAmerican Friends of Yeshivot Bnei Akiva, earning $125,000 a year. He had also worked briefly at Project Extreme Summer Camp located in Lawrence, NY.

Moshe Springarn has two different Linkedin account's. According to the first has been the President of Development Associates Group, Ltd.(DAG) since 1996. DAG is an organization that assists in the management of non-profit organizations. According to his secondLinkedin account, Springarn is the Director of Development at Project Extreme.

Even though Facebook has a policy in which convicted sex offenders are not allowed to have a Facebook account. It appears that Michael Spingarn (Moshe Spingarn) has been in violation of the Facebook policy, though it seems as if he has not used this account since 2010.

According to The Awareness Center (which is the international Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Assault),Michael Spingarn was listed on the organization's “Sex Offenders Registry" dating back to 2002, yet due to a computer glitch his name had not appeared since 2006. This error was corrected early in October. It soon after Michael Spingan’s name was re-listed, a spokesperson at The Awareness Center stated the organization was informed that Springarn had recently relocated from New York to Denver, CO for a position as the executive director of the BMH-BJ: The Denver Synagogue.

On November 4, 2013, Rabbi Ben Greenberg, wrote a letter to his congregation announcing Springarn’s termination. According to a reliable source, yesterday Moshe Spingarn, moved back to New York, and is currently residing in Suffern.

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BMH-BJ fires ‘level one’ offender 
By Chris Leepek
Intermountain Jewish News - November 15, 2013

The firing last week of recently appointed BMH-BJ: The Denver Synagogue’s executive director Michael “Moshe” Spingarn — after the synagogue discovered he had been convicted of a sex crime 11 years ago — has caused the congregation to rethink the way it hires employees.

In a letter sent Nov. 5 to synagogue members, spiritual leader Rabbi Ben Greenberg and board president Michael Engleberg wrote that Spingarn, hired by BMH-BJ last July, “was terminated effective immediately; he is no longer affiliated in any capacity with our synagogue.

“Yesterday we learned that in 2002 in New York, Mr. Spingarn was convicted as a sex offender. Upon confirming the accuracy of this information, Mr. Spingarn was summarily terminated.”

The Intermountain Jewish News confirmed last week through the New York State Public Registry of Sex Offenders that Spingarn was convicted on Aug. 14, 2002 “for attempting to disseminate indecent material to minors . . . via computer for sexual contact,”  and for “promoting or possessing sexual performance by a child.”

The incident was a sting operation run by the Westchester County district attorney and involved a person whom Spingarn believed to be a 14-year-old male. The first record of the incident was in June, 2002.

Although listed on the registry itself, Spingarn’s offense was apparently classified as “level one,” which does not mandate listing on the New York Registry’s website, but was confirmed by the IJN via telephone.

According to Westchester Country court records, Spingarn, then 53, pleaded guilty to the offense and was sentenced to five years probation. This was first reported locally by the Denver Post.

Attempts by the IJN to contact Spingarn last week and this week were unsuccessful.

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FAIR USE NOTICE
 

Some of the information on The Awareness Center's web pages may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml . If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."--Margaret Mead

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Case of the Unnamed Jewish Youth Group Leader/Rabbinical Student

Case of the Unnamed Jewish Youth Group Leader/Rabbinical Student

Queens, New York

Journalist, Ira Rifkin discloses that he was sexually abused by a rabbinical student who led the youth group at an Orthodox synagogue in Queens, N.Y., swhen I was about 11. The offense occurred in the synagogue basement.  He also stated that this was one of the major reasons why he stayed away from synagogues and Jewish life for many years

 

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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: 

1. Glass Houses (08/12/2002)

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Glass Houses
Jews Week - August 12, 2002
By Ira Rifkin


Clergymen -- both Catholic and Jewish -- need to fess up about sexual abuse. I, myself, was sexually molested by a rabbinical studnet in our synagogue when I was 11.

This kind of behavior has to stop.

Here's an all-too-common example of Jewish paranoia that may resonate. You hear of some particularly despicable crime and immediately wonder if Jews were responsible. Then, depending upon the answer, you cringe or breathe a sigh of relief. Well here's some good news for a people who haven't had much to smile about lately: none of the predators in the pedophilia scandal rocking the Roman Catholic Church appear to be Jewish -- although I must caution that these days you can't always go by last names. But this is no joking matter. Nor is it a time to point fingers, or engage in self-righteous judgments. Granted, the temptation is there, given the church's horrendous treatment of Jews over the ages (recent attempts to make amends notwithstanding), and its one-sided support for Palestinians at Israel's expense. The number of pedophile priests and the church hierarchy's attempt to cover up the situation is horrendous, and the damage done to individuals and the institution cannot be minimized. However let's not forget that no people or faith has a corner on immorality and stupidity. We are all capable of evil deeds, and Jews have had their share of embarrassments in this regard as well. Two egregious cases involving the sexual abuse of children recently rocked our own American Jewish community. "... misplaced and twisted sexuality shows up everywhere, the horror of abuse is not lessened by there being fewer victims, and the problem likely occurs within the Jewish community more often than we care to imagine ..."

One involved Rabbi Baruch Lanner, who formerly headed the National Conference of Synagogue Youth. Rabbi Lanner was forced to resign after nine men and women, now in their forties, accused him of sexually, physically and emotionally abusing them when they were members of the Orthodox Union's youth organization in the 1970s. In addition, OU leaders were faulted for "errors of judgment" for not acting against Rabbi Lanner despite their awareness of the allegations for many years.

The second case involved Cantor Howard Nevison of Temple Emanu-El, the Reform movement's showcase Manhattan synagogue. Cantor Nevison was charged with sexually abusing his young nephew over the course of several years, and Temple Emanu-El was roundly criticized for taking no action after its board was made aware of the allegations against Cantor Nevison. In both cases, leaders who were entrusted by the community to act responsibly instead acted foolishly and self-servingly, bringing great shame upon themselves and their institutions -- which is just what the Catholic bishops did.

A fair question to ask is why compare presumably isolated cases in the Jewish community with the widespread abuse that has surfaced in Catholic circles? That's not my intent, which is only to remind that misplaced and twisted sexuality shows up everywhere, that the horror of abuse is not lessened by there being fewer victims, and that the problem likely occurs within the Jewish community more often than we care to imagine.

Discloses he was sexually abused as a child

Surely, there are cases involving Jewish religious leaders that are never reported by frightened and embarrassed children, or that never become public knowledge. I know this to be true because a rabbinical student who led the youth group at an Orthodox synagogue in Queens, N.Y., sexually molested me when I was about 11. The offense occurred in the synagogue basement, and was a prime reason why I stayed away from synagogues and Jewish life for many years.

My sense of guilt kept me from telling anyone about the experience until I became an adult and understood that I was not at fault. Did my assailant also assault others? Given the methodical way he went about it, I have to conclude that he did. How many others, I wonder, also stayed quiet out of fear and shame?

Our tradition tells us that evil is no less a part of the divine plan than is righteousness. One need not be a universalist to conclude that Catholic priests are, inherently, no better or worse as individuals than are Jews or the members of any other group of people. An air of self-righteous superiority never helps when dealing with the complexity of human behavior. Humility is the better response, as is compassion for the victims of priestly predators. So let's hope that the bishops will react, finally, out of a commitment to justice and their faith. And let's hope Jewish leaders will have learned their lesson when they next confront the problem, as will surely happen sooner or later.

Ira Rifkin, a contributing writer to Jewsweek.com, is the editor of " Spiritual Innovators: Seventy-Five Extraordinary People Who Changed the World in the Last Century," newly published by SkylightPaths. He lives in Annapolis, Maryland.

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FAIR USE NOTICE

 
Some of the information on The Awareness Center's web pages may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml . If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
 

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Haredi Group Balks At Clergy Law

 Haredi Group Balks At Clergy Law
‘Some rabbis may not comply’ with measure mandating report of sexual abuse
suspicions,
By Debra Nussbaum Cohen

Jewish Week - Monday, August 12, 2002 / 4 Elul 5762 

New legislation adding clergy to those professionals who are legally required to report suspected child abuse is being welcomed by a wide range of rabbinic leaders and those who work with victims, but it is being opposed by an influential group in the fervently Orthodox community.

As Catholic Church officials struggle to deal with a flood of lawsuits over the sexual abuse of children by priests, the New York state Senate unanimously passed the measure. The Assembly is preparing a similar bill.

The legislation comes as Manhattan’s largest Reform congregation, Temple Emanu-El, remains silent on the sexual abuse charges against its cantor, though its leadership had information about the allegations before Howard Nevison was arrested last month. (See accompanying story.)

Professionals who come into contact with children — doctors, nurses and dentists, schoolteachers and administrators, psychologists, social workers, child care workers and law enforcement staff — must report to the state any suspected abuse.

But clergy have been exempt from the requirement in New York since 1828, when the state Legislature became the first in the nation to protect the “clergy-penitent privilege.” The law has stood through the efforts of the Catholic Church and Agudath Israel of America, which have blocked measures for change at the state and local levels.

This time, however, the Church is staying out of the fray, leaving only Agudath Israel, which represents the interests of fervently Orthodox Jews on a variety of issues, in opposing the addition of clergy to the law.

Rabbi David Zwiebel - Agudath Israel of America

The organization, whose offices are essentially closed for the Passover holiday, is still undecided on whether it will formally oppose the bills, said David Zwiebel, Agudah’s executive vice president for governmental and
public affairs.

But, he said, if the law is passed without any exemption for clergy-penitent privilege, some Orthodox rabbis may choose not to comply with it.

“If the law tells the rabbis ‘you’ve got to go to the authorities on this’ and the rabbis feel that, for instance, a case of abuse goes back seven years and the best way to deal with it now is to refer the man to therapy rather than to law enforcement, they will choose to deal with it themselves,” said Zwiebel, who is also an attorney.

“You decide where your first duties and obligations are,” he said.

Illustrating the position of some in the haredi community, an Orthodox pediatrician in Brooklyn who has lectured on child abuse and disseminated tapes of her speeches has said that though she is required to report suspicions of child abuse, she checks with her rabbi to get permission.

Psychology professionals who work with victims of sexual and physical abuse say the new law will likely help their young victims.

It “makes it easier for clergy to do the right thing,” said Herb Neiburg, who directs behavioral medicine at the psychiatric Four Winds Hospital in Katonah, N.Y., and teaches pastoral counseling at the Conservative movement’s Jewish Theological Seminary.

“When something is mandated by law, it takes away the guilt over breaking what used to be this old type of priest-penitent relationship,” he said.

“The tough part will be when clergy hear that other clergy have molested kids. It’s always tough to turn in a colleague, but it has to get done,” said Neiburg. “This law will open that door.”

Leaders of the Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist and centrist Orthodox movements have all publicly voiced support for the legislation.

But those who work with the fervently Orthodox say it may not work in their community, which is suspicious of secular authority and has its own way of dealing with problems — relying on rabbinic judgment.

“People go to rabbonim [rabbis] to talk,” said David Mandel, chief executive officer of the Brooklyn-based Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services. “This law may discourage people from going to talk to their rabbis if they think that the conversation is going to be on the record.”

That, Neiburg argues, “is like saying that since pediatricians are mandated reporters, no one will bring a kid with injuries that could look like abuse to a pediatrician, and it obviously doesn’t work that way.”

Even so, said Mandel, “the legislation may be premature” for the Orthodox community.

“Legislation will not necessarily dramatically improve the way the Orthodox community handles these issues,” he said. “Continuing to educate the community, to remove the stigma from the victim and his or her family and put the onus on the offender, will make the most dramatic changes.” n

Can Sex Offenders Ever Be Cured? Commonly Asked Questions About Sexual Abuse (Part Two)

Can Sex Offenders Ever Be Cured? Commonly Asked Questions About Sexual Abuse (Part Two)
By Yechezkel Chezi Goldberg

The Jewish Press - August 7, 2002

Chezi Goldberg

With specialized treatment and adequate support groups, a sex offender who accepts full accountability for his or her crime can learn to control his or her abusive behavior. The public holds the myth that sex offenders have the highest recidivism rate of any crime. In reality, the recidivism rate for most sex offenders is quite low, even lower when the abuser gets specialized treatment as part of his or her criminal sentence.

Like many other diseases and dysfunctions (like alcoholism) we cannot expect a cure, but we can expect and demand control of behavior throughout a lifetime. When people who abuse have the support and "tough love" of their friends and families, they are more likely to complete their treatment programs and live productive, abuse-free lives.

Ohel founded just such a program a few years ago in Brooklyn. After being approached by DA Charlie Hynes about secrecy in the Orthodox community, a secrecy that ends up protecting pedophiles from prosecution, Ohel took the initiative and created a program to answer the need. Any pedophile from the community brought before a judge is given the choice of entering the Ohel Support Program for Pedophiles, or going to jail. The last I spoke to David Mandel from Ohel about the program, there were 16 pedophiles who had molested thousands between them before entering the program.

Pedophiles have a disease. Ohel has taken the lead in offering them a way to live and overcome their lust disease. Those who would like more information about the program should contact Ohel directly.

Are All Sexual Abusers The Same? Do They All Pose The Same Risk To Re-Offend?

No, not all abusers are the same. Like any other population, there is a wide range of behavior and a variety of people who sexually abuse children.

It is important to keep in mind what the experts state about sexual abuse. Children who are abused, if they are not promptly treated therapeutically, will often turn around at some point in their lives and become abusers. Some will react this way sooner, and others will suddenly find themselves acting out sexually years later.

This is important for parents to know. ``Molestation`` is not something that goes away. Time itself does not heal victims of sexual abuse. As painful as it is to hear about one`s child being molested, and as much as parents of child sex abuse victims wish that the nightmare would just disappear, it is crucial to face the painful reality of what happened and to seek out competent treatment for any child who has suffered sexual abuse. This is to prevent the child from turning around and becoming an abuser and is to ensure that the perpetrator of the abuse does not roamfreely preying on other children.

There is a positive side to all of this. With specialized treatment and full accountability for their crimes, many abusers can change and never offend again. However, child sexual abuse in any form is a crime and must be dealt with first through the legal system.

There is no escaping the legal ramifications. People who are aware of sexual abuse that is ongoing and fail to report it to the authorities, are compromising themselves legally. If at some time in the future, police do get involved and in their investigations the law finds out that you knew and did not report, you can be held legally responsible.

That being said, ultimately, if a pedophile admits his problem, then we do what we can to help him get help. The goal is to get everyone who wants to change into the best treatment available and help him never to hurt a child again.

Why Do People Sexually Abuse Children?

People abuse children for a sense of power and a sense of pleasure. They may seek children to abuse because they have had a long history of sexual attraction to children, or because they took advantage of an opportunity to abuse a child in their trust. They may have started abusing because they had been abused before, or because they never learned that the behavior is wrong and is a crime.

How Can We Keep Our Children Safe From Sex Offenders?

We need to teach children about safety. We, as adults, also need to learn more about abuse and abusers. This is the first step. Read what you can about sexual abuse. Become wiser. Check out resources in your community. Surf the Internet to quickly gain access to more in-depth knowledge on the topic. Then, once you feel that you understand the basics, you can start to talk to your children about sexual abuse.

Here are some things that you and your family can do to prevent the sexual abuse of a child you know and love.

Adults need to:

• Watch for signs of possible sexual abusiveness in adults, between adults and children, and in children.
• Show by example in your own life, how to say "no" when someone you know and care about does something you do not like.
• Set and respect family boundaries.
• Speak up when you see "warning sign" behaviors.
• Practice talking about difficult topics such as sexual abuse with other adults.
• Teach children the proper names of body parts.
• Teach children the difference between "ok touch" and touch that is "not ok".
• Teach children that secrets about touching are "not ok."
• Set up a family safety plan that is easy to remember.
• Complete a list for yourself of whom to call for advice, information, and help.

Yechezkel Chezi Goldberg was a Jerusalem counselor. In his clinic he deals extensively as a counselor for overseas yeshiva, seminary and university students in Israel. 

Case of Ellen Garfield

Case of Ellen Garfield
(AKA: Ellen Greenblatt)

Former Music Teacher - Solomon Schechter Day School, Boston, MA

Lynn, MA
 Trieste, Italy

Acquitted on the charges that she raped a 14-year-old boy.  

According to the original reports,  Ellen Garfield who was at music teacher allegedly raped a 14-year-old boy and gave him marijuana on several occasions.  Garfield allegedly became involved with the teenager when he and his friends formed a musical group between 1995 and 1998. 

Ellen Garfield was originally arraigned July 23, 2002, and was released without bail. Garfield was ordered to stay away from any child under the age of 16, except her own.

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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:

2002

1. Teacher Faces Charges of Raping Boy, 14 (08/07/2002)
2. Woman accused of raping boy in Newton (09/07/2002)
3. Newton private school teacher denies charge she raped boy (09/08/2002)

2005

1. Former Teacher On Trial For Alleged Rape (09/20/2005)
2. Jury selected for teacher's rape trial (09/21/2005)
3. Man testifies that teacher seduced him at age 14 (09/22/2005)
4. Testimony begins in teacher's rape trial  (09/22/2005)
5. Former teacher cleared of rape charges  (09/28/2005)
6. Ex-music teacher in Newton found not guilty of child rape (09/29/2005)
7. Lurid tales, but no epidemic (09/29/2005)
8. Former music teacher acquitted on child rape charges  (09/29/2005)

2013

1. LinkedIn (11/29/2013)
2. Reverbnation (11/29/2013)

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Teacher Faces Charges of Raping Boy, 14

Boston Globe, MA - August 7, 2002

A music teacher at a Jewish day school in Newton faces charges of raping a 14-year-old boy and giving him marijuana on several occasions in 1998. Ellen Garfield of Lynn pleaded not guilty to the charges in Middlesex Superior Court involving the boy, who was not a student at Solomon Schecter Day School, said Emily LaGrassa, a spokeswoman for the Middlesex district attorney. Garfield was charged with two counts of child rape and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, LaGrassa said. She was released on her own recognizance and ordered to stay away from anyone under 16 years of age, except her own child, LaGrassa said.

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Woman accused of raping boy in Newton.

Woman accused of raping boy in Newton

By Laurel J. Sweet

The Boston Herald - August 7, 2002

A Lynn mother is awaiting trial on charges she raped a 14 year-old boy and plied him with pot while she was working as a music teacher at a prestigious Newton day school.

Ellen Garfield, 46, was indicted on the abuse allegations by a Middlesex County grand jury last month.

At her arraignment on July 23, she pleaded not guilty to two counts of child rape and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, said Emily LaGrassa, spokeswoman for the Middlesex County District Attorney's office. Garfield, who was not arrested, was released on personal recognizance. She was suspended from her job as music director at the Solomon Schechter School in Newton Centre, WCVB-TV (Ch. 5) reported late last night.

The abuse allegedly occurred in 1998 at a home in Newton. I don't believe (the alleged victim) was a student at the school, LaGrassa said. The The accusations were brought to the attention of authorities earlier this year, she said.

Garfield has been ordered to stay away from children under the age of 16, with the exception of her own.

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Newton private school teacher denies charges she raped boy

By David Weber

Boston Herald - August 8, 2002

The lawyer for a woman charged with statutory rape of a 14 year-old boy at a private school in Newton in 1998 said his client denies ever having sex with the teenager.

Ellen Garfield, 46, of Lynn has been placed on leave from her position as music director at the Solomon Schechter Day School while the case against her proceeds through Middlesex Superior Court.

"My client was shocked when she heard of the allegations, and she vociferously denies ever having inappropriate contact with any underaged males, defense lawyer Randy Chapman said. Garfield was arraigned last month, some four years after her accuser says she had sex with him in a classroom while the pair were rehearsing for a musical performance. She is free on personal recognizance until her next court appearance on Aug. 19, when a pretrial conference has been scheduled.

The alleged victim lived in Framingham and was not a student at the school, but played in a band with a Schechter student who was acquainted with Garfield. The young man waited more than three before contacting authorities, and officials of the Newton school said they only learned about the allegations in June. The school immediately placed Mrs. Garfield on administrative leave. Consistent with the judge's direction that she have no unsupervised contact with children other than her own child, she remains on leave, said Arnold Zar-Kessler, head of the school.

According to prosecutors, Garfield became involved with the teenager when he and his friends formed a musical group between 1995 and 1998. Investigators allege she shared marijuana with the boys and spoke to them frequently about her marriage and her private life. The alleged sexual escapade with one of the boys went unreported for several years until he told a girlfriend about it, and she urged him to tell law enforcement authorities. Garfield is charged with two counts of statutory rape of a child and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a child.

Chapman said, I know (Garfield)had been highly thought of at her job and was a respected member of her community. These allegations obviously have been devastating to both her and her family. When a person dedicates their life to being a teacher, and then someone raises these allegations, it is just devastating, Chapman added.

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Former Teacher On Trial For Alleged Rape - Woman Accused Of Having Sex With Boy, 14

Associated Press - September 20, 2005

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- A jury is being picked in Middlesex Superior Court to hear the child rape trial of a former private school music teacher.

Ellen Garfield of Lynn is accused of having sex with a 14-year-old boy in 1998. The alleged victim did not report the abuse to his parents until four years later.

Prosecutors say Garfield was the music director at the Solomon Schecter School in Newton. The boy was not a student at the school but did know the defendant.

Garfield is also accused of providing the boy with marijuana.

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Jury selected for teacher's rape trial

By Jennifer Roy / Daily News Staff

Daily News Tribune, MA - Wednesday, September 21, 2005

CAMBRIDGE -- Opening statements are expected today in the trial of a former Newton private school teacher accused of raping a 14-year-old boy at the school in 1998 and giving him marijuana.

Ellen Garfield, 49, of Lynn, is charged with two counts of rape of a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, Middlesex District Attorney spokeswoman Melissa Sherman said.

Jury selection in the case began Monday and ended yesterday afternoon in Middlesex Superior Court.

Sherman said Garfield, who taught music at the Solomon Schecter School, raped the teen several times in 1998 and gave him marijuana. She said the alleged victim, who is now 21, was not a student at the private school, but knew Garfield.

Garfield was indicted July 18, 2002, after the alleged victim told his parents and police of the past abuse.

She was arraigned July 23, 2002, and was released without bail. Garfield was ordered to stay away from any child under the age of 16, except her own.

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Man testifies that teacher seduced him at age 14

By Cristina Silva, Globe Correspondent

Boston Globe - September 22, 2005

CAMBRIDGE -- A 21-year-old Andover man testified in Middlesex Superior Court yesterday that a music teacher seduced him in a classroom when he was 14 years old.

The man says the teacher took him into an empty classroom where she worked, partially disrobed, and coaxed him into having sex with her. The pair had been rehearsing for a musical performance, he said.

''I thought to myself, wow, that's what losing my virginity feels like," the man testified. ''I felt this wasn't the right thing to do."

Ellen Garfield, 49, of Lynn, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of statutory rape and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, for allegedly giving the victim marijuana on several occasions in 1998, sat silently as the man detailed the alleged rape during the first day of the trial.

Garfield was placed on leave from her position as music director at the Solomon Schechter Day School, a Jewish private school in Newton, after the court ruled during her arraignment in 2002 that she could have no contact with any child under the age of 16 other than her son. The witness yesterday was not a student at the day school, but performed with other Solomon Schechter students in a band that was managed by Garfield, according to testimony.

The man said he became involved with Garfield while she managed the band between 1996 and 1998. According to his testimony, the pair allegedly had oral sex several times during that period, and often groped each other at band practices and performances when no one was looking.

The relationship ended in late 1998 when Garfield was asked by the band to resign as their manager for unrelated reasons, the young man said. When asked by a defense attorney if there was any evidence of the sexual encounters, the youth said there wasn't.

The witness replied no when asked repeatedly by the defense if anyone had seen Garfield and him touching. He also testified that he did not tell his friends about the sexual encounters.

The man came forward with the allegations in 2002, nearly three years after the rape allegedly occurred, prosecutors said. The Globe does not publish the names of persons alleging sexual assault without their permission.

The trial is expected to last at least until next week.

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Testimony begins in teacher's rape trial

By Jennifer Roy

Daily News Tribune, MA - Thursday, September 22, 2005

CAMBRIDGE -- The alleged victim of the former Newton private school teacher accused of raping a child took the witness stand yesterday, telling jurors the Lynn woman raped him repeatedly in 1998 and gave him marijuana.

After two days of jury selection, the trial of Ellen Garfield, 49, began in Middlesex Superior Court.

Garfield is charged with two counts of rape of a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The victim's mother also testified yesterday.

The name of the victim, who is now 21, is being withheld because he is the alleged victim of sexual assault.

District attorney spokeswoman Emily LaGrassa said prosecutors are expected to finish questioning their witnesses tomorrow afternoon. She said she does not know how long the defense will take.

She said Garfield's attorney has 18 potential witnesses, but may not call all of them. "It's out of our hands then," she said.

Garfield, who taught music at the Solomon Schecter School, allegedly raped the teen several times in 1998 and gave him marijuana, district attorney spokeswoman Melissa Sherman said.

She said the alleged victim was not a student at the private school, but knew Garfield.

Garfield was indicted July 18, 2002, after the alleged victim told his parents and police of the past abuse.

She was arraigned July 23, 2002, and was released without bail. Garfield was ordered to stay away from any child under the age of 16, except her own.

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Former teacher cleared of rape charges

By Jennifer Roy / Daily News Staff

Daily News Tribune, MA - September 28, 2005

CAMBRIDGE -- The former Newton private school teacher accused of molesting a teenage boy at the school in the '90s and giving him marijuana was found not guilty late yesterday in Middlesex Superior Court.

Ellen Garfield, 49, of Lynn, was charged with raping a 14-year-old boy at the Solomon Schecter School, where she was a music teacher, several times in 1998.

The teen, who testified last week, was not a student at the school but knew Garfield, District Attorney spokeswoman Melissa Sherman said.

Garfield was charged with two counts of rape of a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Jury selection in the case began last Monday. The jury returned its not guilty verdict late yesterday afternoon, about three hours after it began deliberating.

"We're disappointed, but we respect the jury's decision," Sherman said. "Beyond that, we can't comment."

Neither Garfield nor her attorney, Randy Chapman, could be reached for comment last night.

Correction

Daily News Tribune, MA - September 29, 2005

Due to misinformation provided by the Middlesex District Attorney's office, the name of Ellen Garfield's attorney in yesterday's Daily News Tribune was incorrect. Garfield was represented by Benjamin Entine.

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Ex-music teacher in Newton found not guilty of child rape - Woman taught at private school

By Chase Davis

Boston Globe - September 29, 2005

A former music teacher in Newton, who was accused of having sex with a 14-year-old and giving him marijuana several times in the 1990s, was acquitted Tuesday in Middlesex Superior Court.

Ellen Garfield, 49, was found not guilty on two counts of rape of a child and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor -- charges stemming from alleged incidents between 1996 and 1998, when Garfield was a music teacher at Solomon Schechter Day School, a private Jewish school in Newton.

Her accuser, now 21, testified last week that Garfield seduced him in an empty classroom and coaxed him into having sex with her.

When defense attorneys asked whether he had any proof of the encounters, the man said he did not. The man also testified that no one had seen the alleged encounters, nor did he tell anyone about them until he came forward in 2002.

Although he was not a student at Solomon Schechter, the accuser was in a band that Garfield volunteered to manage, said Emily LaGrassa, spokeswoman for the Middlesex district attorney's office. Garfield stopped managing the band in 1998, at which time the relationship ended, the accuser testified.

Allegations against Garfield surfaced in 2002, after which a judge ruled that she could no longer have unsupervised contact with children younger than age 16 other than her son -- an order that stood until her acquittal, said Stuart Garfield, her husband.

''She's just glad it's over," he said. ''She's glad to get back to her life."

He said his wife has not indicated whether she wants to return to work at Solomon Schechter.

She plans to visit friends at the school in the coming weeks, he said.

School officials could not be reached for comment.

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Lurid tales, but no epidemic

By Laura Crimaldi

Boston Herald, United States - September 29, 2005

While female sex offenders from former Washington State teacher Mary Kay Letourneau to Florida teacher Debra Lafave have grabbed headlines – and three Bay State students have filed complaints since June – victims' advocates don't see a sudden epidemic of female teachers seducing their young male charges.

``I think it's a question of are more coming forward or is it getting more attention because it's not the norm of the younger girl and the older man,'' said Toni Troop, a spokeswoman for Jane Doe, Inc., which helps victims of sexual assault.

In the last four months, three young male students have reportedly accused female teachers of sexual assault in Massachusetts. Most recently, former Westford teacher Susan Clickner was indicted on one count of statutory rape for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old former student.

But not all these allegations turn out to be credible. A Middlesex County jury cleared Ellen Garfield, 49, of allegations she raped a 14-year-old boy at the Solomon Schechter Day School in Newton.

``It destroyed my life and it destroyed my family's life,'' said Garfield of Lynn. Her accuser, now 21, who testified he lost his ``virginity'' to the teacher in a vacant classroom, was not a student, but performed in the band, named Route 9, which Garfield managed.

During trial, Garfield's attorney Benjamin Entine claimed the accuser fabricated the story to get the teacher fired so his girlfriend's mother, a teacher from Israel, could get a job.

Garfield, who now works as a bookstore manager and performs with a Jewish musical ensemble, said she took extra heat because the charges surfaced in 2002 at the height of the clergy sex abuse scandal.

``It was like a witch hunt,'' Garfield said. ``With cases that involve the abuse of a child it really feels like it's guilty until proven innocent.''

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Former music teacher acquitted on child rape charges

Eyewitness News, RI - September 29, 2005

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. A former music teacher at a private school in Newton has been acquitted of charges she raped a 14-year-old boy.

A Middlesex Superior Court jury yesterday cleared 49-year-old Ellen Garfield of Lynn after a one-week trial.

Garfield was the former music director at the Solomon Schecter School. The boy she was accused of having sex with was not a student at the school, but played in a band managed by Garfield.

She was also charged with providing the teen-ager with marijuana.

Prosecutors said the boy waited four years before reporting the alleged abuse to his parents, who notified authorities.

The Middlesex District Attorney's office says it respects the jury's decision, but is disappointed by it.

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LinkedIn - Ellen Garfield
November 29, 2013

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Reverbnation - Ellen Garfield
November 29, 2013

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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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False memory syndrome: State of the art [Article in Hebrew]

False memory syndrome: State of the art [Article in Hebrew]

By B. Nemets, E. Witztum and M. Kotle

Harefuah - 2002 Aug; 141(8):726-30, 760

The review describes the heated dispute on the present state of recovered traumatic memories. There are two main schools concerning the status of recovered memories of child abuse. One school believes in their authenticity unconditionally. Those who oppose the authenticity claim False Memory Syndrome1s existence. They describe it as 3a serious form of psychopathology characterized by strongly believed pseudomemories of childhood sexual abuse and condition in which a person1s identity and interpersonal relationships

are centered around a memory of traumatic experience which is objectively false but in which the person strongly believes2. This review presents the allegations of both sides involved in the dispute, with updates of scientific and judicial references and relevant recommendations to care takers.

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From: Beer Sheva Mental Health Center, Faculty of Medical Science, Ben

Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.