Kol Hakavod to Rav Soloveichik!!

This case has been public knowledge (thanks to Life in Israel and other blogs) for almost two months.

The only effect has been that a school has chosen bedavka to put the alledged molester back into a classroom.

Rav Soloveichik is the first and only community leader to have had the integrity and personal courage to denounce the school's outrageous behaviour.

Kol Hakavod to Rav Soloveichik.
Oy Lanu that he's a lonely voice of common sense in this community.

whats the other side? what do these rabbonim who "know shas and psokim"inside and out have to say? why do they "let" the alleged perp in the classroom and aroundyoung children all day?

"whats the other side? what do these rabbonim who "know shas and psokim"inside and out have to say? why do they "let" the alleged perp in the classroom and aroundyoung children all day?"

They say NOTHING. They remain silent and let lives be destroyed around them. Perhaps they are part of the same group who sheltered infamous molesters in Brooklyn for years.

The fact that they allow this man to be around children is not a testimony to his innocence. It is a testimony to their lack of better judgement at best and moral fortitude at worst.

Kol Hakavod to Rabbi Solovechik. I wish that I was there to hear his brave words.

May the victims and their families know only simcha and nachas.

Rav Chaim, Rav Chaim Solo, Rav Chaim Soloveichik.

The new song of Ramat Beit Shemesh.

Rav Chaim Soloveichik has demonstrated great valor, but he must not stand alone in fighting the child abusers!

Our school must suspend this teacher!Other rabbonim must come forward and demand that the child abuser in our local school must be separated from the children. If this does not happen within 7 days I will pull my child out of the school in question.

Where are our leaders? Where are our rabbonim?

I have not affiliated with Rav Soloveichik up until now but now he can count me as a chassid of his.

Rav Soloveichik has demonstrated that he lives up to the great Soloveichik legacy.

Rav Soloveichik-you stand alone with courage against the abusers, against the misleaders, and against those who don't care.

You have shown that you truly are the mara d'asra of Ramat Beit Shemesh!

Do these silent Rabbonim have their children in the class of the alleged molester?

Where is the Mora D'Asra of RBS? Mikvos and tznius he can worry about but gilui arayos is of no concern??

I second the motion regarding the proclamation that Rav Chaim Soloveichik is the unquestioned leader of Ramat Beit Shemesh.

May Rav Soloveichik continue to lead Ramat Beit Shemesh to a glorious future!

I am so impressed by Rav Chaim Soloveichik's initiative. Can someone please post how I can make a donation to Mosdot HaRav Aharon Soloveichik?

I would appreciate more information regarding donations to Lemaan Achai

Rav Soloveichik does not really stand alone. The silent majority of Ramat Beit Shemesh believes that child abusers must be distanced from children.

Rav Soloveichik is our leader!

I want to shake Rav Soloveichik's hand.
Kol Hakavod!

May you succeed in hunting down the predators!

What a zchut to have Rav Soloveichik in our neighborhood to take a leadership role, where others fear to tread.

I have always been an admirer of Rav Soloveichik. Like the gaon, his father ztz"l before him , Rav Chaim sees with clarity, and says what needs to be said.

I heard the Rav speak on Shabbat, and although he quoted his father, he said it shouldn't be necessary, as this is a "devar pashut" - a simple, straightforward issue.

Protecting our children from risk of being molested, through simply distancing the alledged molester from his potential victims, does not require great wisdom and learning. It is a "devar pashut".

In this community such simple common sense is limited to one leader. Who just happens to be a talmid chacham, a wise & courageous man. Following in the footsteps of his illustrious ancestors.

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is there a follow up to the story you presented a short while back regarding a school in your neighborhood? is this part of that follow up? was R' soleveitchik speaking directly to that school and rebbi? etc....

this is part of that follow up, and there is more coming, perhaps tomorrow

david c, why are you waiting seven days to pull your child out? Why have you waited two months? Why would parents allow their children to stay in school that employs a child abuser?


I applaud Rav S. wholeheartedly, but why would parents take this lying down? It's quite mindboggling.

Abbi - I don't speak fr David C, but some parents simply do not believe it, or they have been assured, and feel confident, that the alleged molester is innocent.

They say there are three sides to every story, and some people perhaps believe his story. And they use the fact that the school hired him as "proof" that he must be ok.

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I will re-ask my question to someone that can answer correctly. if you are of the opinion that the rabbonim simply dont care about the kids in the school and the kids in the class - please hold youself back from trying to answer this question.

If, however, you think that there is another side to the story - and have information to back this up -

What is the side of the rabbonim? The side of our leaders who give up their nights like days for the sake of the various kehillos? I am 100% that there is another side... and I am sure that many people out there - both in and out of the school , and RBS A - would like to know what that is.





Another question - why are the parents allowing this to happen? Why dont they protest en masse against the hanhala and force the teacher out -- if things are so simple

what's with this leadership business?
what will he do about it?
also where was he until now?
aparently no one asked him before and no one is interested in hearing his opinion now.
is this just an attention grabber?
maybe he wants to run for mayor.

Anon: The rabbonim of the kehillot that employed R's Kolko and Mondrowitz also gave up there nights likes days (ostensibly) and where did that leave their kehillot?

Your second question was identical to mine. Rafi, my guess as to why parents aren't raising a ruckus is so as not to stick their necks out too much- it might ruin shidduchim (i'm not saying this facetiously and I'm quite sure this is a serious consideration).

I think even sadder than a school employing a child molester is an entire community of parents that cannot rise to the defense of its children.

"The silent majority of Ramat Beit Shemesh believes that child abusers must be distanced from children."

Why is this so-called "silent majority" remaining silent? I hope everyone reads those al chaits REALLY REALLY carefully this yom tov.

When will parents realize that if someone will "shter" a shidduch b/c of a reason like this, they aren't people you should want to marry your kid anyway!!! Maybe it's even bashert that they will not date your kid!

It's going to take th parents to stand up and defend their kid

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My allegiance is now to Rav Soloveichik-you deserve our backing our support.

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WE should be more proactive, IF the school doesn't not suspend the "Rebbe" there should be demonstrations outside the school until they realize it is not worth it to keep him on

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Rav Chaim, Rav Chaim Solo, Rav Chaim Soloveichik

The new song of Ramat Beit Shemesh

Where can I buy the album?

While I am impressed that R' Soloveichik spoke out about this issue, I don't understand why everyone here is getting so excited about the speech. My guess is none of the rabbanim he's addressing were at his drasha.
What did this speech accomplish?
With all due respect, I would much rather hear what he/others are doing to solve this crises than hear what he thinks others need to do. The first and foremost goal right now is to help these kids.
I am confident he is doing something, but please let us know, perhaps we can help as well.

Impressed by the leadership demonstrated by HaRav Chaim Soloveichik during the current child abuse scandal?

Anyone interested in sending donations to Mosdot HaRav Aharon Soloveichik may write to themosdot@gmail.com

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anon - it is not an aspect of the case I am aware of. All I know is that the school was being run by pretty much nobody at the time (the principal had left a few weeks prior, and they were just trying to manage until the end of the year).

The situation was unclear and somehow Mendy got involved in trying to help get through a very unclear situation. I highly doubt Mendy was acting as an "enabler". Perhaps he made a bad decision, looking at it now, but with the way the situation was being handled, he was trying to help them maneuver through it.

Again, I doubt it is accurate the way it was written there, because I doubt Mendy was acting as an enabler.

thanks for responding.

the whole story leaves a really bad taste in my mouth.

As a teenager growing up in Brooklyn, did I ever dream I would be hearing about such stories? I feel like we were so sheltered (especially the girls schools)!

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As a parent of one of the victims (and yes there are more than one) I must say that Mendy Newman is NOT an enabler.

Similar to what Rafi said Mendy became the school spokesperson in the absence of any word from the administration.

Mendy was more neutral than an enabler or defender.

Please let's concentrate on the real criminals here.

in all fairness, when I pasted the article, I did not name him outright, as the original post did.

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anonymi - Rav Soloveitchik was not calling out what to do probably because he has no involvement in the case. The school is not under his influence, the student body is not under his influence, nobody involved is under his influence, and therefore his influence is limited.

This blog is nothing. I did not write anything here. I simply posted a drasha said by Rav Soloveitchik and gave you guys a place to discuss it. While you did so anonymously for the most part, and anonymous discussions are always limited in their sphere of influence and power, it is really the commenters talking about what to do and what the options are that really are creating the momentum.

Rav Soloveitchik was therefore not speaking to the school, and he was not speaking to the student body. he was speaking to the community and to its rabbonim. He is not in a position of influence in this case, but perhaps other rabbonim are and perhaps he was addressing them through the people and saying people need this space to discuss it because they are not hearing the rabbonim who do have influence discuss it.

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as anyone else taken note of the number of comments posted on any random topic vs. the number of comments posted on anything discussing this terrible situation.

This is a very emotional issue and we need to band together to fight these abusers for the sake of our children.

This Friday's event should be planned in such a way that our kids are not distressed by it (it can be frightening for a kid to see a demonstration in front of one's school).
But yet in such a way that the minhalim SHOULD be distressed by it....Hopefully to the extent that they will take notice, and send the suspected child molester home, if only to 'avoid trouble'.

Any ideas how to strike the right balance?

Maybe there should be signs which say: "Tzrichim lehagen al yeladeinu" at the demonstration this Friday.

is he the son of rav aharon? what is his position in bet shemesh?

LOZ - yes, he is the son of Rav Aharon from Chicago. Rav Chaim has a shul in RBS, and he is a rebbe in yeshivas.

Just as Rav Aharon Soloveichik knew how to take a stand even when other rabbonim weren't with him, so too his son Rav Chaim Soloveichik continues the Soloveichik legacy.

The Soloveichik legacy lives on in Ramat Beit Shemesh!

Also Rav Perlstein's machataynesta's maiden name is soloveitchik

I think that is something like a fourth cousin to Rav Chaim... his machteynta is fro the Israeli Soloveitchiks

she is rav ahron's first cousin

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Dictated by Rav Chaim Soloveichik:
It has come to my attention that members of the public are organizing a demonstration in front of a local school.
I am concerned that this may disturb the very children we all care for.
Therefore this demonstration should either be cancelled, or held in a place away from the children.
I understand such gatherings require police permits, and therefore this event should not take placde without the appropriate permits.

as the first person who called for a demonstration, we perhaps should act less hasty Rav Solovetcik thinks that this is not a good idea. We should listen to him. WE should coordinate any efforts with him or our own personal Rav.
Otherwise there will be no chance of success, and will create larger problems. We should not do anything that can harm innocent children. Especially as we are acting out of our concern for children,This would be hypocritical

I'm sorry, I'm not sure what's sadder- this comment section or the actual situation.

Dudes. Make an executive decision, which is your prerogative and utmost duty as a parent. STOP SENDING YOUR CHILDREN TO A SCHOOL THAT HAS A SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSER. It's that simple. Forget the Tehillim, forget the demonstrations. Forget shouting, begging and davening. Just stop sending your children to the school. What is so hard about that?

Since the mara d'asra HaRav Chaim Soloveichik has requested that no demonstration be held in front of the school why don't we re-organize and read Tehillim this Thursday evening in front of the menahel Rav Tachshaw's home?

Anybody know his address?

his name is taksha
he lives in the kirya on rabanu chayim halevi
i don't think it's a good idea
he is rarely home mostly out of the country
how about TE parents keep their kids home on Friday.

Kol HaKavod for making this public!

I am so happy to finally see a well-reknown Rav take a public stand about this issue.

It's about time our Rabbanim place the welfare of our children above the welfare of child molesters (and their families).

For too long, our "leaders" have looked the other way, or, sent their molesters to other communities.

I hope that other Rabbanim and educators will follow Rav Chaim Soloveitchik's lead and take a public stand to protect our kids.

Let's not get into the is he guilty or not debate.

Something did happen in that class.

With more than one child.

Where there is smoke there is fire.

The issue here is why take a risk?

This rebbe could have been given a "desk" job (and not a teacher's desk.

He could have been employed in one of a 1000 jobs until the matter was settled.

Instead the school (and his previous one for recommending him) made a serious judgement call and allowed him back into the classroom.

They put him and the children at risk. Had the rebbe been placed in a non child enviornment who would have known? He would be making a parnassa, the children would be safe. The police investigation would have continued quietly.

He would have had his day in court..not in the court of public opinion.

There is no one to blame here but those who aaproved of and implemented these decisions.

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He must be fired!
For the sake of the children

i can not believe what i am reading. i chanced upon this blog just now without any prior knowledge of what is going on.
The whole lot of you - every damned person who listened to the drasha, believed the drasha and passed on the information, is Over on Kabolas/speaking Loshon Hora/Motzi shem ra, or whatever it is. However important the situation is, the Chofetz Chaim (who's Yohrzeitwas today) writes VERY VERY clearly that even with the best intentions, one may NOT believe the story to betrue. One may only SUSPECT (and make further enquiries). Shame on the lot of you. With what will you be approaching the yom hadin????????

to Mr. anonymous who posted at 11 58 PM - WHEN IT COMES TO MY CHILDRENS' (or ANY child's) SAFETY I WILL BELIEVE GUILT UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENCE.

shame on YOU.

The problem that has allowed this
situation to come to the point it
has is the Rabbinic leaders of
Khal Yisroel have begun to imitate
certain animals known to take hide
their heads in the sand, the ostrich. The only problem with that
is they leave an other part of their body exposed. Instead of going in head first and making sure
that the children were protected,
they protected one of their own.
Sounds like doctors in a malpractice case who put their
professional image before the patient. Even in prisons child abusers are at the low end of the totem pole. It sickens people and for good reason. It is a shame two rabbis in RBS didn't feel the same.

I am sure if by chance one of the
major newspapers were to get a
hold of what is going on in RBS,
it would light a fire. Just get
them to look at the two blogs
and let them get the ball rolling.
It would take several letters to
catch there attention.

to the obviously uninformed anon of 11:58:

Were you there at the drashsa? If you were you would have known that Rav Chaim mentioned no names either of school, rabbonim or suspects.

I was there.

He cautioned us to be as careful for our children as we are for the parnassa of the alleged molesters.

I'm certain that the Chofetz Chaim would want us to protect our precious children and err on the side of their safety.

Your invoking his sainted memory in a way to discredit the courageous words of Rav Soloveichik reveals how warped your thinking and priorities are.

I only hope that none of your children are ever exposed to what the innocent victims of molesters were.

May G-d have mercy on you.

Those who are defending the
perpetrator of this molester
are using the strategy of the
man who tried to eliminate
Khal Yisroel in his gas chambers.
The best defence is an offence.
That is why they attack the child
and his family. Does anyone
really believe three 7 year old
children would make up such a
story. Pedophilia is an abomination
of an ill person. At this time
of the year he should be willing
do the proper thing and do ask
forgiveness from the chilren's
family and from Hashem.

Where are the other rabbis, where are the other rabbis?

Thank you Rav Soloveichik for acting like a true Rav and not like a "rabbi".

Where have we come to when the "tzaddikim" defend a child molester, attack an upright rabbi, and quote the Chafetz Chaim as the source of their overwhelming wisdom?

Kol HaKavod to Rav Chaim Soloveichik!

Rav Soloveichik is my hero!

Does anyone know where I can obtain his picture. I want to put his picture up in my Sukkah-he deserves all the honor and recognition we can give him in light of his courageous moves against child abuse in our community

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I would contact the Soloveichik institutions-undoubtedly they would have pictures of HaRav Solvoeichik.

If we want to send a positive message to the community that employing child abusers is not an option then as many of us as possible should hang a picture of HaRav Solvoeichik in our Sukkahs. This way we send a positive message that we support the leadership that takes a stand on issues that our important to us.

Everyone putting a picture of Rav Chaim Soloveichik in their sukkah is a brilliant idea! This way all the visitors who come to our Sukkah will be sent a powerful message that we support what Rav Soloveichik stands for!

Putting a picture of Rav Soloveichik in your Sukkah is a great idea so long as we all make sure to be besimcha on Sukkos and not let this issue make us miserable. We should act correctly on this issue-but maintain our happy frame of mind.

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Who will deter the future Akiva Kagans if they know they can do these crimes and still hold on to their positions with kids?

How can Such a man have the name Chiam Soloveichik. There is nothing more important then Torah. Without it our children would never spend their lives in Kollel being Marbitz Chidushim, they would end up going to College (chalilah) and getting mundane jobs like Lawyers and doctors (chalilah). Just b/c of a few dozen unsubstaniated accusations from children who are not even bar mitzah (and therfore have no nemanus) should we fire this great milamid, then the children would have no rebbi to teach them the Holy Torah. And that is even worse then a little uncomfortable and appropriate touching.
It is worng to make fun of peoples names but I can't call him Chiam Soloveichik, so for Now On he will in my house be Called Proffesor JB Soloveichik

I think this Rebbi has gotten a bad rap. You guys are acting like he gave treif candy to kids or something. That would be bad.

Akiva

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Rav Chaim, Rav Chaim Solo, Rav Chaim Soloveichik!


The new song of Ramat Beit Shemesh

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If I reaf this correctly the person
belongs in a mental hospital.

September 27, 2008 10:22 PM

He may belong in a mental hospital, but more likely he is just grossly mis-informed. I think that is the real problem here and we are all missing it.
The rabbeim involved are not "evil", trust me. They wouldn't intentionally do something that could harm their children. The problem, in my opinion, is they are woefully behind in current research which proves just how catastrophic child molestation can be. They think, a) he may be innocent and b) even if he's guilty, what's the big deal, the kid(s) can get over it, so why punish him (the teacher) unnecessarily.
We must confront the school with information, research and knowledge.
Calling them evil and telling them they are irresponsible won't help, they will brush those comments aside because they genuinely feel they are not.
But if we can show them why it is so important to protect our kids from such a thing, and how the old-school thinking is very wrong, then we have a shot at getting somewhere.

ummm to d and anonymous...the comment was OBVIOUSLY meant in a seriously sarcastic manner.

The post was meant to show the hypocrisy of a system that would let child molesters get 'away with it' but would raise hell when something like kashrut was involved.

please pay attention!

We should all keeps things in perspective until more facts emerge.

There has been no conviction. The Rebbe under discussion had a good record and name for years. No official body - police or social workers - made any official recommendation not to hire this Rebbe. Numerous responsible, educated (and with-it) local Rabbis investigated and didn't make any public recommendations about not hiring him. The school did investigate and obviously cares greatly about the welfare of the children - as they are constantly being moseir nefesh for these children (without having great salaries).

While the Rebbe under discussion may be guilty and the school may have erred in judgment let us all be careful not to defame local Rabbanim and local institutions (- especially when most of us have not heard directly their side of the story).

May we and our children all have a safe and productive year.

Anon of 9:17,

Once again disinformation (even when so eloquently expressed)remains disinformation.

You said:

"No official body - police or social workers - made any official recommendation not to hire this Rebbe."
Not true- the Merkaz HaGana of J-M as well as the local welfare office were appalled that he was taken back into the classroom. They were not asked.

"Numerous responsible, educated (and with-it) local Rabbis investigated and didn't make any public recommendations about not hiring him."
How did they investigate? I am a parent in the class and was not contacted by any Rav in the community.

"The school did investigate and obviously cares greatly about the welfare of the children"
With whom did they investigate? I asked 2 of the parents whose children were victims and neither was contacted by the school for their account.

" let us all be careful not to defame local Rabbanim and local institutions (- especially when most of us have not heard directly their side of the story)."

As I said I am a parent of the class and my husband and I were called by the rebbe's wife within a few days of the report. She went on a rage about the victim and his family and defamed them in ways I won't even describe. I know the family she spoke about very well and it was all lies.
Who gave her the name of the victim so that she could call up the parents in the clas to complain?
Not only were innocent children affected but their greiveing families were maligned as well.

I was one of the parents who defended the rebbe at first. After hearing his lack of cooperation and hearing his wife and others attempting to defame the family I looked more closely at what appears to be nothing more than a cover up.

May we all have a Shana Tova and may HaShem heal all of those who need healing.

can anyone substantiate a rumor that the teacher has now been called in by the police for interogation?

confirmed

And is he STILL in the classroom?

No rumor- the Rebbi was questioned. They have not charged him and he was not held. He was allowed back into the classroom. Something smells fishy here. If he was deemed a danger to the kids he is currently teaching, why was he allowed back into the classroom? Could it be that the police know he is innocent? It seems that now that the police have questioned him, the truth should come out soon.

I think this Rebbi has gotten a bad rap. You guys are acting like he gave treif candy to kids or something. That would be bad.



September 26, 2008 3:24 PM

Am I reading the above statement
correctly? If he gave
trief candy to a child it would
be bad but it is okay for hom to molest a 7 year old child.

If I reaf this correctly the person
belongs in a mental hospital.

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"allowed back into the classroom"

The police are just BEGINNING their investigation. The police don't rush in and charge people before they've even interrogated them!

(How many times has Olmert been interviewed, without charges being brought...).

Did the police give this suspected child molester a written permit to return to the classroom, and confirming the case has been closed?

NO. NO. NO.

Or is it that the school themselves "allowed him back into the classroom", in spite of an active police investigation against the teacher for serious crimes against children??

YES. YES. YES.

Why is the school continuing to keep up the deceit that this teacher is "totally innocent", and continue to surround him with more young children?

They are either totally insane and grossly/criminally negligent...

OR

They have a load of stinking history to hide.

We know this by a kal vechomer.

We know that *even with* an active police investigation for serious crimes against children, and with many parents up-in-arms, the school does not take this teacher out of their classroom

THEREFORE

When previous complaints were received by the school, when they merely *suspected* that the teacher *might* be abusing children, for SEVEN years in their school, then SURELY they would have done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about it.

IF they acknowledge now that the man MIGHT be indeed a risk, by separating him from children,then this opens up a load of stinking history about how they may have enabled & protected a serial child molester in their school.

So they chose to champion the teacher, resulting in them becoming pathalogical liers to the parents to justify it.

"Before we re-employed him, we investigated this ourselves, and found him totally innocent"

"There was 'only' one complaint".

"The families which complained are not frum".

"This never went to the police"

"This man is perfectly safe to be with children".

"Do you think that we would knowingly risk harm to the children?!"

That, my deluded friend, is why the school STILL keeps this man in their classroom.

They are lying and sticking to their deceitful schemes, to save their backsides.

With NO regard to the horrific risk to your children.

That's the last concern on the school's minds...

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FALSE STATEMENTS MADE BY THE SCHOOL


A."Before we re-employed him, we investigated this ourselves, and found him totally innocent"

If they made an investigation where
is the copy of the report and on
what grounds they made their decision.



"There was 'only' one complaint".

Acording to the facts there were
at least three complaints.

"The families which complained are not frum".

This is false but what difference
does it make,is it okay to molest
non frum children.

"This never went to the police"

False there is an on going police
investigation.

It is a shame that in an area like
RBS there is only one Rav willing
willing to come to the defence of
innocent nashama


"This man is perfectly safe to be with children"

Tell me that after he has taken a
pchycological and lie detector test


"Do you think that we would knowingly risk harm to the children?!"


YES, YES, YES To protect yourself
and the molester.


Kol Hakavod to Rav Soloveichik!!
the only Rav willing to speak out.

Rafi - Shana Tova!
This subject has (naturally) slipped down the listing of your news items (newest first), so I can't imagine there's many people reading this.

However, this is clearly a topic of considerable public interest and concern.

For good cause.

Is there a way you can repost this article/comments, so as to re-engage your readers in this important discussion??

The new event, that the teacher has apparently been picked up and interogated by the police, is surely a significant and newsworthy development.

I think this post has pretty much run its course. There is no need to, or anything gained by, bump it up.

When something significant happens, there will be a new post. With the police investigating, eventually he would be called in. If somebody could report on what happened during the session, that would be interesting..

Thank you Rafi- I think this thread has run it's course and there is no longer any need for it. If something new comes up- I'm sure it will be reported.

UPDATE...BREAKING NEWS

The rebbe went to the police, was questioned and received a 15 day "tzav harchaka" (restraining order) to be away from the school and any other children.

The several complaints that they rec'd were serious enough to result in this.

The 15 days is a remand while the investigation continues.

The police also said that the school has been less than cooperative.

Now that is news.

I have heard that he is still in the school.

Can anyone confirm this?

Rafi - have you ever had One Hundred Comments on a posting?!

'Cos you do now!

He was in school this morning.

I was informed that the police only gave a a 15 day "tzav harchaka" (restraining order) to stay away from Yishrei Lev. They gave no order to stay from Toras Eliyahu or other children.

Based on the current state of the investigation - apparently the police don't consider him to be an immediate threat to children.

take no personal satisfaction in knowing that it was such a terrible topic that I was part of. What I do have satisfaction in is knowing I am part of an effort of many people in resolving a horrible situation, and possibly helping the children get through it safely.

anonymous of 11:20 - I am going to try to check out what the actual tzav harchaka is tomorrow or Sunday,.,

"I was informed that the police only gave a a 15 day "tzav harchaka" (restraining order) to stay away from Yishrei Lev."

From Yishrei Lev? They've been closed for several months already!

Parents of Torat Eliyahu:

DON'T YOU GET IT??

Why is your son sitting in a class with a teacher under police investigation, and with a restraining order from the Police, for molesting children??!!

GET YOUR CHILD OUT OF THAT CLASS AND OUT OF THAT LYING SCHOOL - BEFORE THEY RUIN YOUR CHILD AND HIS FUTURE.

SAVE THOSE CHILDREN!!

The school's behavior is outrageous - and criminally negligent.

They have consistently lied and schemed over the past two months, in order to protect the teacher and their 'good name'.

SAVE THOSE CHILDREN!

They are motivated by fear of openning up a pandora's box of Torat Eliyahu's enablement of this alledged pedophile for SEVEN years.

How many children have been damaged in those years?

SAVE THOSE CHILDREN!

Parents are owed HONEST answers, and the damaged children are owed MANY YEARS of counceling, therapy and treatment. If they are not treated now, they are likely to suffer broken marriages, depression, even suicide in later years.

SAVE THOSE CHILDREN!!

It's time to take to the streets and demonstrate against the criminal negligence of Torat Eliyahu.

SAVE THOSE CHILDREN!!

It must now be clear to all that HaRav Chaim Soloveichik, Shlita was correct all along.

The teacher in question is now under police investigation and a "Tzav harchaka"(distancing order) has been issued against him.If the management of Torat Rliahu had an inkling of good-will, an inkling of brains, and an inking of decency they would immediately fire such a danger to students. The police do not always issue such distancing orders-only when they feel that the evidence is strong!

Parents of Torat Eliahu-WAKE UP! How can you leave your kids in a classroom with this monster? Now is the time to take your kids out of that lion's den! And to protest against the Torat Eliahu managment which allows this monster to seek more victims!

Maybe what's driving the Torat Eliahu school is the kavod of knowing that they run a really "frum" school. They don't seem to really casre about the fate of innocent children!

WAKE UP!

Kol Hakavod to Mosdot HaRav Aharon Soloveichik and to their fearless leader HaRav Chaim Soloveichik!

Those who have brainlessly followed this Rav or that Rav whom they feel they must follow blindly or those who have brainlessly trusted the Torat Eliahu adminsitration-WAKE UP!

Parents of Torat Eliahu-you have been fed lie after lie. Have you thought to yourselves- what did this teacher do during those 7 previous years-how many other innocent kids were molested?

Now that a tzav harchakah has been issued by the police against the child molester we Torat Eliahu parents all owe a great debt of gratitude to HaRav Chaim Soloveichik who like his father HaGaon HaRav Aharon HaLevi Soloveichik, ztzk"l fights fearlessly for that which is right.

The tzav harchaka proves that HaRav Soloveichik was right all along and those other rabbis had been unfortunately mistaken.

Thsoe who follow those other rabbis should do some introspection and realize that though those rabbis may have many strenths they can not be relied upon for everything, or at least these types of situations.

Kol HaKavod to HaRav Chaim Soloveichik!

Rav Chaim, Rav Chaim Solo, Rav Chaim Soloveichik!

The new, popular song of Ramat Beit Shemesh.

Kol HaKavod to Le'Maan Achai as well for standing on the ramparts and calling for justice for the children-and also for providing assistance to the victims of these predators!

I am surprised that this post hasn't been updated with the news of the tzav harchaka.

This news is very important as it now seems there is something to the accusations.

I agree with the previous poster.

The tzav harchaka is big news - no less important than Rav Soloveichik's drasha.

The tzav harchaka vindicates that the accusations are FOR REAL.

It vindicates the parents who complained.

It vindicates LifeInIsrael for running this story from day one.

It vindicates those who have complained to the school.

It vindicates the Lema'an Achai SafeKids initiative.

And it blows the school's scheming lies sky-high.

Hopefully, this will now bring parents of other kids to LISTEN to their children, and bring any further complaints to the right authorities.

Rafi - run this Front Page.

thanks all.. I am waiting for one more piece of info and conversation, which will hopefully hpappen tomorrow morning. Then I will have a new post on the subject

The tzav Harchaka is normal procedure for any case of reported abuse (child, spouse,etc) It proves nothing- innocence or guilt. why didn't the police make the tzav harchaka on the present school where the accused is teaching if they felt there was a danger?

Perhaps it would be wise to discontinue this subject until some real facts are brought to the public. There is a tremendous amount of L.H being written here that is not helpful to anyone- let's use this time before YK to increase our prayers that all our children will be safe, and do whatever individual teshuvah we need to do that will in turn protect our families and Clal Yisrael. G'mar Tov

Concerned parent:

"Perhaps it would be wise to discontinue this subject until some real facts are brought to the public."

What is not a "real fact" here? What would you consider a "real fact"??

"There is a tremendous amount of L.H being written here that is not helpful to anyone-"

Actually, this blog is the only media that is addressing the serious criminal issues of child abuse in our community, letoelet. Everyone agrees that, had the school acted responsibly, by not employing an aledged child molester to teach in their school - this fracas would not have been required.
They did not act responsibly, and are continuing to be negligent in taking the reasonable precautions to protect the children, so it IS required - and a valuable service is being provided to our community.

"let's use this time before YK to increase our prayers that all our children will be safe, and do whatever individual teshuvah we need to do that will in turn protect our families and Clal Yisrael. G'mar Tov"

Let's pray to HKB and DO nothing??!!
That's an absurd response to this practical lemaaseh situation.
If there was a butcher in town, alleged to be selling treif meat (like in Monsey), would you say "continue to buy your meat there, and daven with more intensity"?
Why is a chashash of treif meat, of more concern to a "concerned parent" than a chashash of child molestation?


Concerned parents faced with danger to their children, should take all practical lemaaseh steps to protect them. While davening for yeshua.

Any man who chooses to be a ‘rabbi’ (‘true teacher’ of Torah) or a ‘dayan’ (‘judge’), or a ‘mekubal’ (‘kabbalist’) should be doing so Voluntarily. Out of his pure love for Hashem and the Torah. And his Ahavat Yisrael.

If he refuses to do community work voluntarily, and wants and accepts payment for everything he does, such a man should not be heading a community. He should get a job and earn a living. He can collect milk bottles or clean the windows. That is what is called ‘earning a living’.

Torah is learned, studied and taught: out of Love. Voluntarily. But the ‘rabbis’ have turned the Torah into their ‘Profession’, from which they earn money.

We are commanded in the Shema to:
‘LOVE Hashem, your G-d, WITH ALL YOUR HEART, and with all your soul and with all your might.’

‘VE’AHAVTA et Hashem Elokecha BECHOL LEVAVECHA uvechol nafshecha uvechol meodecha.’ (Devarim, Vaethanan, 6:4-5)

Is the ordinary man or woman PAID to pray to Hashem, or to say some words of Torah? No. Has veshalom! But the rabbis are. These men can give ‘lovely’ shiurim that they have rehearsed. But they would not give a shiur without being paid for it.

The true hachamim and rabbis of old, all actually worked at proper jobs and professions.

Wake up! Even a little child could have worked this out. These salaried men can never truly stand for the Torah, because in a case of conflict between a correct course of action according to the Torah, and the rabbi or rav’s pocket – his pocket and position will always prevail.

Pirkei Avot: (2:2)
“Raban Gamliel beno shel Rabi Yehuda HaNassi omer: yafeh talmud Torah im derech eretz, sheyegiat shenaihem mashkachat avon. Vechol Torah she’ein imah melacha sofa betailah ve’goreret avon. Vechol haoskim im hatzibbur yiheyu imahem leShem Shamayim……”

“Rabban Gamliel, the son of Rabi Yehuda HaNassi, said: It is good to combine Torah study with a worldly occupation, for working at them both drives sin from the mind. All Torah without an occupation will in the end fail and lead to sin. And let all who work for the community do so for the sake of Heaven………”