The Vadd Hakohol of Crown Heights has broken its silence regarding the arrest of alleged child molester Moshe Keller. In their letter, which bears the names of all three elected Vaad members, they urge people to remember that he is innocent until proven guilty, and that discussion on the internet adds nothing positive.
Vaad Shatters Silence Amid Molestation Allegations
The Vadd Hakohol of Crown Heights has broken its silence regarding the arrest of alleged child molester Moshe Keller. In their letter, which bears the names of all three elected Vaad members, they urge people to remember that he is innocent until proven guilty, and that discussion on the internet adds nothing positive.
The test of a community is how it reacts to moments of crisis and difficulty. We find ourselves under such circumstances today. A member of our community has been accused of certain abhorrent acts. We write this letter to express what we (in consultation with several Rabonnim and Mashpee’im) think is an appropriate response.
To begin with, we all obviously agree that child abuse, in any form, should not be tolerated, and child abusers should be punished. There is no need to expound on this, as it obvious. This is a given, and we’re all on the “same team” on this one.
We would like, however, to draw attention to other – perhaps less obvious – points. Many of us, in our righteous and justified pursuit of justice, forget about a few basic halachic principles, principles which also make an abundance of common sense. We primarily refer to: (1) presumption of innocence; and (2) the consequences to the accused person’s family.
“Innocent until proven guilty” is one of the most fundamental tenets of Jewish law (Bava Kama 46b — as well as many places). When we hear stories about an alleged crime, it is easy and natural to start imagining the worst, and fully believe it. In the end, the alleged crime may turn out to be true. But, we are told to suspend judgment until a full investigation and fair process is conducted, because without a fair process we do not know what really happened. Before the conclusion of a fair process, we can be relying on rumors, half-memories, miscommunications, and (sometimes) even intentional deceit.
An alleged perpetrator may be guilty, but he also may be innocent. The possibility of his innocence is (even if you think small, still) very real. If he is guilty – he will be punished. But, in the event that a suspect is not guilty, does anyone want to be responsible for ruining the life of an innocent man?
In addition, a good deal of speculation and chatter has begun to circulate about members of the community that are based on speculation that may not be backed up by actual evidence. We remind everyone that it is against the Torah to malign anyone without evidence. Where there are valid concerns, the Beis Din has encouraged involving the relevant authorities who can determine the truth of any claims.
Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, regardless of whether the accused indeed committed these acts, his family is absolutely innocent. They are wonderful members of our community, as many of you know. This accusation has caused tremendous pain and suffering to them. It will likely continue to cause them even more pain and suffering, if we do not become more considerate. Each of us can imagine how painful it would be if our parent was accused of the same. It is 100% wrong to be פוקד עוון אבות על בנים
, and spreading the rumors and increasing the chatter on this matter does only that.
Before we go any further, let us make clear what we are NOT saying. We are not saying that a thorough investigation should not be conducted into any possible child abuse. Nor are we saying that if the legal process finds such child abuse, the perpetrator should be not punished to the full extent of the law. We are NOT saying either of those things.
What we ARE saying is that the matter is now in the hands of the legal authorities. They are investigating the accusations and will prosecute the case if they see fit. Obviously, we have the greatest concern for the alleged victims – and they are indeed having their case heard fully and fairly in front of a court of law. However, we must remember that the alleged perpetrator’s family members are also victims. We add nothing positive by adding fuel to the fire and scream and shout and post all over the internet about this. All that achieves is to hurt innocent family members of the accused.
Justice will be served, in due time. However, in the interim, we must show restraint in our actions and judgment. Let the very competent detectives, with the experience and knowledge in these matters, investigate what happened. More importantly, let us allow the justice system (to which the Bes Din consented the alleged victims go to) apply a fair and rigorous process through which the truth will come out.
Until then, let’s be patient and show sympathy for the family. Being part of the rumormill that generates and passes half-truths, will do very real, lasting and deep damage to innocent people here. Let’s prevent that.
Practically speaking, we ask our fellow community members:
1. Please suspend judgment until a verdict has been reached.
2. Please do not further spread rumors and stories about any accusation.
3. Please treat the family with the decency and respect they deserve.
May these days be turned from sadness into joy.
Zaki Tamir Fishel Brownstein Yossi Hackner
no one special
Being accused is enough to ruin a person’s life. The public expression of his guilt remains the perception even after one might be found not guilty. His own family are victimized by the court of community opinion.
Seems hypocritical coming from people who present themselves as followers of The Rebbe.
Consider this
“consequences to the accused person’s family”
If Hashem deemed that the perpetrator be exposed “consequences to the accused person’s family” perhaps are ordained so that other victims in the family would come forward to expose otherwise consealed transgrections.
Protecting the family from shame is one of the reasons given by the muslims for stoneing and murdering their raped or molested daughters. Are we better then that?
Publis humiliation of the family must be avoided at all costs but a private investigation is all but necessary. How long did that case in Boro Park where the father and brothers were molesting a daughter contine?
Enough Za-Kaka
What a load of dreck.
The vaad is irrelevant.
Maybe Zakaki wants to take on Keller as a client, but I think Huebner is a better bet for Keller.
Hush, community, go back to sleep....!
Suddenly they wake up! But not to protect the victims, only to protect the pedophiles! Why the rush and long letter to protect molesters and shut up the rightfully enraged community? We are bleeding while you are silent! When a perp is finally confronted, you find your tongue – only to quieten us… Criminal defense lawyer? Hmmm.
see something say something!
Families of molesters in CH are covering up and sometimes aiding the crimes! Innocent? Often not at all, often very guilty…
CHJCC Hypocrites
Is this about the Six Jews (Shomrim Six) who had to stand trial for six weeks facing up to 15+ years in jail, as a result of a vicious blood libel (Mesira) by members of the Crown Heights community (with the help of the CHJCC- Chanina Sperlin, Eli Poltorak and gang). *
Those six innocent Jews are fathers, husbands, sons, neighbors and friends. We didn’t hear a peeps from anyone in the community about that, in-fact the leading Mossrim of this community were quit happy about it.
Why do they (CHJCC and Mossrim gang) wake up now? Becuase this is an easy issue? Is this another distraction?
*There is video of Fishel Brownstein accusing one of the Shomrim Six of doing the crimes he was charged with…. and this is AFTER the six week court case where they were all found not GUILTY.
CHLEAKS.COM
CHJCC jumping on the bandwagon, trying to make themselves relevant once again.
Heres an idea, how about using the millions you get from tax payers dollars to actually do something for the community?
Ch mother
I heard mr Keller is opening a day camp for the second part of the summer. Would the “community leaders” recommend me sending my children to him? Or should I play on the safe side?……in other words guilty until proven innocent
LOL at CHJCC
CHJCC Writes:
“In addition, a good deal of speculation and chatter has begun to circulate about members of the community that are based on speculation that may not be backed up by actual evidence. We remind everyone that it is against the Torah to malign anyone without evidence.”
LOL, for years this gang has been prosecuting good innocent people for the sole purpose of destroying their lives and taking away their property (court, mesira, propaganda etc…) and now they want everybody else to play fair, to play by the rules?
And anyways, whats the CHJCC involvement in this issue, where do they all of a sudden come in, what do they matter, what do they do for this community besides write letters?
Anon
Who decides when the Beis Din letterhead is used,
when the CHJCC letterhead is used and when to use the Vaad Vaad Hakohol letterhead?
Do they pull a letterhead out of a hat to decide?
Bob
Isn’t “innocent until proven guilty” only in the eyes of the law, not the public? Does anyone actually doubt whether this guy molested boys or are the CH.info commenters who scream about protecting his family and protecting the community from overt chillul hashem just in denial? And is there a way to accuse the perpetrator without shaming his family?
I believe the concerns brought up by this article are legitimate (and I’ve read some “victim’s” stories on a certain web site that I think are total BS), but to say that it should be any other way in this case is fluff, damage control, and possibly an attempt to continue to cover up.
Apparently most of his victims are beyond the statute of limitations anyway, so this case is ripe, even in the VHK’s analysis, for an intensive public shaming on the internet. How else do the victims get a full and public hearing, which they cannot get in a court of law?
Rabbi Osdaba
To all those asking why Rabbi Osdaba did not sign the p[previous letter, it appears that he didn’t sign it because he didn’t agree with it. Rabbi Osdaba’s opinion is in line with most frum Rabbonim around the world that the first step in dealing with these sorts of allegations is to first take them to a competent Rov and community professional, they will verify the veracity of the claims and if need be call in the Police and counseling services.
There have already been 2 false claims of molestation that I know of in CH within the past year or so.
Corruption and Fraud
This letter was written more to cover the CHJCC own wrong doing with the the accusations of corruption, fraud, money-laundering, and kickback.
Please tell me
Does anyone know why Mr. Keller had to flee from Israel when he moved to Crown Heights?
CHJCC RESIDENT
YEAH KELLER, HUBENER AND OTHERS IN 770, LUBAVITCH YESIVA, OHOLEI TORAH, AS KWNON SO LET’S REPORT THEM JUSTICE HAS TO COME, ENOUGH CHILDREN ABUSED MOLESTED HERE, THEY WILL JUST REPETE IT !!!! AND SPERLIN, ZAKKATI, HACKNER AND BORENSTEIN IT DID NOT HAPPEN TO ONE OF YOUR KIDS SO, DO YOUR JOB, REPORT THEM ALL ! AFFILU GANAV HUBENER AND SATTAN ! MOSER THEM RIGHT AWAY COURT/JUSTICE WILL TAKE CARE OF THEM LIKE IN MONSEY…NOT $5000 WHAT A JOKE !!
ayl
maybe i have this wrong.But i thought Keller is guilty according to jewish law becasue the bais din has heard testimomnies from the victims? now the goisher court system is running its course. but al pi torah he is as guilty as hell?
in any event the vaad is grand standing at the very least.
Not a time to gossip
I am a mother, teacher, & I have had to report terrible cases of abuse and deal with the fallout. This letter IN THIS TYPE OF SITUATION is 100% correct. Whatever the Vaad is or isn’t (and I despise them for many more reasons than you can imagine) they are right on this ONE issue.
Imagine it’s YOUR husband, son or brother who is accused. Imagine he is innocent. Even worse, he’s guilty. Either way YOUR life as you know it is ruined. Just think before you jump on the condemning bandwagon.
As for the day camp, are you sure? My guess those plans are over. No one should deliberately put their kids in harm’s way until the FACTS (not gossip) come out.
This is a terrible stain on our community and not the only one I’m sure. I feel so bad for his wife, a wonderful woman. She & her children don’t deserve this. I really don’t know if her husband is guilty. I pray not.
family victoms
while i agree that the family are indeed victims themselves in such a situation, the investigation should be broadened to include the family. did the family actively hide the actions and in doing so help facilitate more innocent children being harmed?! Also, the investigation should include be expanded to include the beis din: while its good that they came out with a psak that helps protect our children and our community from harm, how long have they know about these allegations and not only were silent while others were victimized but allowed for opening of Gesher BenTzion, basically condoning and facilitating further abuse. If the investigation comes out that either family and/or the beis din were liable for their part, they should be held accountable.
you can say
you can say the same thing about Levi Aron the accused killer
CHT
With all these making total sense, we, at the very very least, need to know who to avoid.
Stop being angry
Stop being so angry. Whether or not “they” were sleeping before, doesn’t negate what they are doing now.
Agreed
I think this is absolutely correct. We need to find the proper balance: We cannot sweep these terrible crimes under the rug. We cannot sympathize with abusers. But there is no need to publicly shame the families (themselves victims) of the perpetrators. Report the terrifying details of the abuse to the authorities and testify at trial. But do not submit them to the court of public opinion unless formal, proper justice cannot be served (such as when statutes of limitation have run) or until it is indeed served. The Rabbonim’s letter was courageous and correct: go straight to the relevant authorities and do not tolerate ANY abuse. But this letter from the Vaad makes it equally clear that vigilantism seems to destroy a lot more than it accomplishes. Let’s weed the crimes and the criminals out of the community, but in the process let us be sensitive to all innocent parties—especially the victims.
to #8
1. Don’t send your child to that camp. 2. Still do what the letter suggests.
Good and Important points
the letter addressed many very important points. PPl’s gossiping will not help the situation! It is a disgusting way to go about it.
Stand up for the REAL VICTIMS!!
Meanwhile, why are you not asking the community to provide moral support to the “alleged” victims of this crime? Because that would mean they are telling the truth and that we believe their tragic story? (The “alleged abuser” gave himself up willingly!! Why?)
Providing victims with support is crucial but too difficult for the average person. People don’t want to “get involved”! They will stand on the sides and cluck their collective tongues rather than help the real victims!
10 million
Show us what you did with the 10 million and then I will read a letter from these guys
crown heights mother
This letter makes the point very well – (1) everyone is innocent until proven guilty and (2) the family is also a victim. Let everyone read and take to heart.
Lubavitcher outsider
As an outside observer I think I most of the comments made above, are not necessary.
We after all are suffering 1900 years of golus and the 9 days commemerate this tragedy.
The Vaad’s letter clearly outlined what a honest individual in Crown Heights should keep in mind. I don’t think they could have been more clear in the way we should treat this matter.
Enough with the hate! Enough!!!
May we zoche to bias Goel Tzedek Bimheriro Biyomeinu!
ch mother
We all know that the wheels of justice move very slowly. That is the reason people talk and publicize the names is so that no other children will be hurt while the lawyers etc. fight it out in court. The “bad guy” can not help himself and continues to do what he does.
When I heard the names of these people, I made sure to tell my children to keep away from them. I do not want to wait until finally they are sentenced.
The bad guy’s family are victims also. But I can not believe that a wife or children were totally unaware of what was going on. They chose to keep quiet and so other children were hurt. Let us protect the kids who are victims or potential victims.
agreed
this is a very true and well-balanced letter
innocent??
the family is innocent??? i think not!!! did you ever here of enabling??? as someone who is close to the family, its quite clear they did, whether is was from fear and the manipulations of this sick man, no one is innocent when you stand by after the man of the house, rapes his oldest daughter, flees Israel, and it all good!!!
PULLLLEEEASE
to #31
Is not oldest daughter innocent
Eli Soble
This letter is a complete disgrace.It aids and abets abusers. The fact is , it is extremely difficult to gather clear evidence when an adult is taking advantage of a child. The predators know this and take advantage of the childs state of mind as well as the ease of escaping their crime. So who exactly is supposed to bring evidence? The frightened and emotionally and physically abused child or the predator? This letter is a slap in the face to anyone hurt by such abuse. “We should suspend judgement until an investigation is made”, by who? The very same institutions that allowed an offender to touch a child in the first place? Why don’t you put your time and energy into preventing these heinous crimes that have infected our communities for years , instead of damage control when the truth starts to come out.The only way to help the victims and prevent further crimes is to aggressively go after any rumor or vague hint of abuse. To let it be known loud and clear that if you touch a child there is no mercy and you will be outed and sent right to the cops. For this crime , rumors SHOULD be encouraged. This nonsense of bringing complaints before a rov or internal panel before pursuing it , is exactly what these sick pedophiles have been taking advantage of for years. Parading the american concept of innocent until proven guilty is a sick joke – which pedophile are they protecting and why? There is a Jewish concept that when someone is rising against you we are to strike them first. The Rambam says it is the halacha that this applies to such crimes as well as murder. If our “leaders” have lost sensitivity to the pain and suffering a child goes through when there is abuse and care more for their reputations then they are not fit to be leaders. The concern for accusing an innocent man is almost laughable , this isnt death row where you have real statistics of innocent men – show me one innocent man that had serious long term consequences from a truly false accusation from a Jewish community, and im not talking about short term inconvenience. And on the other side show me how many abusers in the frum communities have gotten away scott free for decades to continue their crimes. The latter outweighs the former by a gigantic margin , and possibly by 100%. Let’s get serious about stopping abuse , no leniency , no mercy , aggressively go after every rumor, straight to the cops. It could be your child next.
THERE IS LIFE AFTER BEING ABUSED
molesters will always be molesters. people obiously just don’t get it. it’s a disease.
i was abused for about 14 yrs in crown heights by a relative. a gun was even put to my head to scare me and keep the silence – and yes i come from a very popular ‘good’ family.
shame on most of my family who made up all sorts of excuses for the abuse; which by the way began at age 4.
bottom line is: if we don’t stop those that molest then we have no hope for a better life for our children.
enough is enough. start protecting the victim who will live with the effects of abuse for more than a lifetime. there is hope out there to start living a good life but only once the victim is strong enough to stand on his/her own and to cut out all those that protect the perpetrator – even if they are immediate family members.
So True
I totally agree with the contents of this letter.
This does not mean that we can’t be cautious (and not send our children to his camp,) but this does mean that we are still prohibited from speaking Lashon Hora about him.
Asking #31
to 31 r u sure that is the reason he fled Israel was because he raped his own daughter?
NOT SO SIMPLE
I always find it interesting when people are so “100% sure” that the wife & family must be aware of a man’s illegal or immoral behavior. I have absolutely no idea of the details of the family dynamics involved in this horrific accusation, but I think it’s important for you people to understand that a man can actually live an entire secret existence that his wife & children know NOTHING about !!
#32
stand up, if you don’t, u enable, plain and simple. whether its gambling, drug use, enabling is just as bad if not WORSE, AND WERE TALKING ABOUT INNOCENT CHILDREN WHATS WRONG WITH YOU PPL WAKE UP!!!!!
Hachnosas Orchim
We were in NY for Succos & the only person in the building that didn’t have a lock on his Succah, was Mr Keller
asap
Dr Itche Drizin says it has been proven to be a quirky brain thing. so, in as much as his actions are abominable, he simply needs help. we do then perpetrator a big favor by dealing with his illness asap – so his sake and others. i believe some are helpless to help themselves. this is where being “cruel” is being kind. no-one wants to deal with shmutz, but dealing with it is a must. we need to be on the alert at all times for anything that shmeks of it and deal with it straight away.
Nobody
This letter isn’t about protecting the molester, it is about protecting the due process for everyone.
Children don’t think clearly. If they are discovered with signs of abuse (brusing, say) and they are confronted with who did this to them, they will sometimes pick a safe, trusted person, and accuse them.
The real molester told the child that if he or she told, they would kill their parents, so they pick the safest person in the world that they know and accuse them – to protect their parents.
So an accusation of molestation, on its own, is not a reason to turn into a lynch mob. Many innocent people have had their lives permanently ruined by false accusations.
Sick of CH
There is no balance when a long letter NEVER mentions the pain of the victim and the victims family. Shame shame
another chochom heard from
The CH Community Council has proven themselves to be largely
irrelevant when it comes to serious issues affecting our
community. They do not bring honor to themselves by speaking
out in this situation.They would do themselves a service
by maintaining their customary silence and inaction.
Say whaaat?
If you don’t you agree, that anyone accused, whether true or not, should get shot along with all their relatives and friends, you are aiding and abetting?
This is news to me!
I declare every commenter on this article a child predator, all of you commenter belong in jail along with your families!
You should be pulicly shamed!
If you disagree you are helping them! How dare you?
CHLEAKS.COM [PT.1]
RIGHT MESSAGE, WRONG MESSENGERS
CHLEAKS.COM agrees with [parts of] the message but not with the hypercritical messengers and this is why…
Date: Sunday, June 06, 2010
Location: Outside Lubavitcer Yeshiva Crown (on Albany side)
Event: Meet the Candidates form
At the conclusion of the ‘Meet the candidates’ form, Shomrim Coordinators Aron and Gadi Hershkop (including others from the Shomrim Six trial) confronted the then chairman of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council Inc. a.k.a Vaad Hakohol Fishel Brownstein(who is currently treasurer of CHJCC) and asked him how it was that that the CHJCC was silent all the while Six innocent Jews sat on trial facing 15 plus years in prison if convicted as a result of a Mesira/vicious.
To this Fishel Brownstein replied, “But you guys did hit the Bochorim”.
Brownstein statement comes despite the facts that….
1) there was a six week trial regarding this matter,
2) seven complainants/”victims” testified, comprising over 2000 pages of testimonial transcripts,
3) a jury of 12 found the defendants NOT GUILTY!.
Fishel Brownstein was echoing the official opinion of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council Inc.
Yet Mr. Brownsteins signature is signed on a two page letter which is asking you and me to presume the innocent of an [accused] child molester.
———————————–
CHLEAKS.COM [PT.2]
The Crown Heights Shmira which is under the leadership of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council Inc., orchestrated together with their attorneys Paul [Levi] Huebner and Elie Poltorak the entire Shomrim Six Mesira, yet the CHJCC took no action (wrote no letters) to stop them. Yet now they all of a sudden find their voice and sign a two page letter which is asking you and me to presume the innocent of an [accused] child molester.
Notice how all of a sudden they care for the accused family.
———————————–
On December 12, 2010 Chairman of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council Inc., Zaki Tamir and Eli Cohen, Executive director of the CHJCC armed only with mere speculation, chatter and rumors, not backed up by any actual evidence, got on the public airways (for 23 minutes) and preceded with a baseless character assassination against our volunteer Shomrim patrol. The Shomrim group were falsely accused by Tamir and Cohen for causing tension with NYPD, running “hate-blogs” and every other problem in the Crown Heights community.
Before spewing their propaganda to the public, Mr. Tamir and Cohen made no efforts to reach out to the Shomrim coordinators for their side of the story (if at all they had a side).
Yet here Zaki Tamir signs a two page letter which in it states…
“Innocent until proven guilty” is one of the most fundamental tenets of Jewish law (Bava Kama 46b — as well as many places)… But, we are told to suspend judgment until a full investigation and fair process is conducted, because without a fair process we do not know what really happened. Before the conclusion of a fair process, we can be relying on rumors, half-memories, miscommunications, and (sometimes) even intentional deceit.
…a good deal of speculation and chatter has begun to circulate about members of the community that are based on speculation that may not be backed up by actual evidence. We remind everyone that it is against the Torah to malign anyone without evidence…
…We add nothing positive by adding fuel to the fire and scream and shout and post all over the internet about this…Practically speaking, we ask our fellow community members:
1. Please suspend judgment until a verdict has been reached.
2. Please do not further spread rumors and stories about any accusation.
3. Please treat the family with the decency and respect they deserve.
———————————–
So just when are we supposed to presume innocence and when not?
———————————–
Now that we established the hypocrisy of the CHJCC letter, we will move on to analyze why they came out with this letter in the first place.
It has already been established that the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council Inc., and anybody associated with them are corrupt.
That being said, anything and everything that comes out of this organization has to have a hidden agenda or a back story to it. So when the CHJCC comes out with a TWO PAGE LETTER* [essentially protecting a child molester by] asking me and you to “suspend judgment” and to “presume innocence” etc… I think to myself…ummm, what is going on here, what do the people at the CHJCC have to do with this issue (what business do they have here?)
*they could have written this letter in one paragraph.
Here are some of my thoughts.
1) The people at CHJCC/Vaad Hakohol are simply trying to stay relevant. By coming out with a common sense, no brainier letter (like THIS one), they but themselves in a win win position. Which by the way, WIS just took away from them.
Heres a idea for them to stay relevant. You know the millions they get from tax payers dollars to assist needy people and families, you know the over 10 million they received since 2009? Well, they can start doing just that, us the darn money for its actual purpose (instead of lining your private pockets).
2) To cover their bases. With all thats being exposed on chleaks.com they surly have a lot of bases to cover.
3) Perhaps the accused is connected to the chain of corruption and fraud, otherwise why come out in his defense and doing so with a TWO PAGE LETTER .
3) A CHLEAKS Prediction: Reading between the lines CHLEAKS thinks that they are preparing for someone far more important to them to be accused, it’s just a matter of time. This letter may be a preemptive strike/defense.
anonymous
There is a prominent rabbi in Crown Heights who recently said that a man who does these kinds of crimes does not belong in jail. I wonder if he would have said that if it had been his children who had been victimized. I have seen how people in this community will try any means to protect the abuser and even try to influence the victim to not prosecute. They tamper with the plaintiff and with the witnesses. I am so disheartened by what I see in this community.
Most intelligent comment
To #41: You seem to be the only person commenting that has anything insightful to say. So true. Thanks for your comment.
awacs
Synopsis of the Va’ad’s letter:
1) We’re not doing anything.
2) You shouldn’t do anything, either, including warning possible future victims to stay away, via the internet.
3) If nobody does anything, we’ll all just be one big, happy family.
4) The victims? We’re sure they’ll be alright, too. Somehow. Not that we’re doing anything about *that*, either.
5) The defendant made bail and is therefore presumably free to find more victims. But that’s ok – we’ll stop him. By doing nothing.
Get the picture?
Hashem is taking note!
The door was left wide open as so many people above got sucked into the nesayon of whether or not they would choose to malign their fellow yidden. THE NINE DAYS!!!!! Wake up, all of you. Take care of your own, YES. Keep your horrendous words and judgements to yourselves. BRING MOSHIACH NOW with acts of goodness and kindness. Dibbur is so powerful, especially now.
anonymous
It is very important to realize that there are many predators out there, more than we know of. We will not be able to know who all of them are. We must tell our children not to let people touch them on their private areas, hug them, expose their private parts, etc. We must tell them that if someone tells them not to tell something to their parents, they must tell their parents, even if they threaten them or their parents. Parents must realize that if a bochur or man is spending too much with their younger son, going on mivztoim, attending farbrengens and learning together, it might be for a reason. Please be aware of who spends time and how much time is spent with your child. Here are some statistics:
• 29% of child sexual abuse offenders are relatives, 60% are acquaintances, and only 11% are strangers.
-Diana Russell, The Secret Trauma, NY:Basic Books, 1986.
• For the vast majority of child victimizers in state prison, the victim was someone they knew before the crime. 1/3 had committed their crime against their own child, about 1/2 had a relationship with the victim as a friend, acquaintance, or relative other than offspring, about 1 in 7 reported the victim to have been a stranger to them.
-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.
David
What about the lies on that website. Besides Keller they didn’t verify the other people. Yes get rid of the molesters, but don’t start embarrassing families based on some rumor.
shame on you
to me it seems that crownheights.info has a lot to do with this thrill of lashon hara and should rather use their media presence to bring out the best in all of us. why use this mans name again when the very letter you are high lighting is begging to stop the lashon hara and saying there have been false accusations in the past history of crown heights too. how dare we be the judge and jury.at this stage the correct process has been set up to get to the truth through our judicial system. shame on you!
both sides
I’m “lucky” enough to be on both sides… very close to the Keller family, yet very close to one of the victims.
My lesson: Molesters are not monsters. They can be tzadikim in every area except this one. In this one area they may have a terrible Yetzer Hara which is so harmful and all-consuming that the only way to protect the Klal is to have them locked up (one effective method) plus publicized (so everyone else is vigilant). There are treatment methods (stopitnow/faqs_treatment) but these cannot be the primary way of dealing with things, especially with someone who has been failing this nisayon for decades.
Yes, this is a wonderful family. I have learned much from them. But that can’t erase what was done to my relative.
Lesson to all of us: The laws of Yichud nowadays should be observed:
– between males and females, 3 and up
– between males and males, most ages
– between humans and computers
May these days be transformed to days of joy.
Disorderly Brain
Chaim Itche Drizin does not have a doctorate. He is correct though.
However, the only treatment for this disorder is castration, either chemical (probably muttar) or physical (soris odom – ossur).
Perhaps at some time there will be a way to correct both this brain disorder and toeva.
For now, we just have to get the molesters out of our midst.
Don-t be beguiled by covered up goodness
to #39. Was there a lock on the inside?
to # 34
Have you turned your family member into the police yet or is he still out there molesting other innocents? Please do your part in protecting our children! And let us know who this molester is in our community.
Is the accused ever innocent?
It has happened that a totally innocent person has been falsely accused. Please look up the case of Tahl Wendrow.
TO #57
I will not keep quiet. i have sent numerous letters to beth rivkah encouraging them to speak on this matter. I have also volunteered to speak publicly. And g-d willing everything will be out in the open shortly.
i know the victims
AS in involved member of the community with close ties to many of Mr Kellers victims i feel compelled to bring to everyone’s attention that most of Mr Kellers victims were not minors and therefore not legitimate victims in the court of law.
Nonetheless, they have all been scared for life and are using drugs, depressed and border line suicidal due to his sexual manipulation over them.
halachakly he is a rodef even if the court finds him innocent!
kop
the letter was not about Keller.
To #59
I’m so sorry for all the pain you have suffered. And very proud of your courage and strength to protect others. May Hashem Bless you with many healthy generations! and Joy!
Thank you , Thank you, Thank You
NOT SO SIMPLE
TO #34 : ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT HASHEM IS YOUR WITNESS & HASHEM KNOWS THE TRUTH – WE DON’T KNOW WHY YOU WERE GIVEN SUCH A HORRIFIC TEST, BUT YOU SHOULD NOW USE YOUR AMAZING STRENGTH TO TELL YOUR STORY & SO THAT OTHERS MIGHT BE HEALED. SADLY, SOME PEOPLE WON’T WANT TO HEAR YOUR TRUTH, SOME PEOPLE WILL ACTUALLY SAY THAT YOU ARE LYING, BUT YOU WILL ALSO FIND STRONG & BEAUTIFUL JEWS OUT THERE !!! FOCUS ON THEM, NOT ON THE MISGUIDED & NAIVE & STAY STRONG .