Borough Park, NY – Chareidi Girl Molested On Way To School; Hikind: Kudos To Family For Reporting It to Law Enforcement; Hynes Speaks Out

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    Hikind on his weekly radio showBorough Park, NY – Last week, in the shadow of the Mumbai massacre, a significant battle in the ongoing war against sexual abuse in the Orthodox community was begun.

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    A Chasidic resident of Borough Park, beard, conservative clothes and all, lured early morning a Chasidic girl on her way to school into his home off the street in broad daylight under the pretext of needing some assistance. He then proceeded to force and molest his victim, who is under the age of 13.

    According to State Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who has championed the cause of abuse victims in recent months, the family first reported the incident to his office. They then contacted four community rabbonim to ask whether they were halachically permitted to report the perpetrator to the authorities. Three rabbonim allegedly said they didn’t want to get involved. The fourth, in contrast, permitted them, and apparently strongly urged them to proceed.

    The family then reported the incident to the offices of Kings County DA Charles Hynes, which shortly ordered the arrest of the perpetrator. The perpetrator has been Arrested and charged with Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and is awaiting trial.

    VIN News praises the “heimishe” family, as Assemblyman Hikind describes them, for coming forward. VIN News also gives high marks to the courageous, forward-thinking rabbi who allowed the incident’s reportage to the authorities. Praises goes out once again to the courage of Assemblyman Hikind for publicizing the issue. And a special recognition needs to go out to Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz Menhal Of Yehsiva Darchai Noam In Monsey, NY who has been speaking out publicly on this subject for many years.

    [Editors Note: For those who question why VosizNeias posts columns on the matter of abuse; our response is that discussing problems is the first step in solving them. In fact, Rabbi Yakov Horowitz addresses this very question in his column Why I Write Columns on Abuse which appears in this week’s issue of The Jewish Press. His words speak for themselves — and for the editors of VosizNeias]

    VIN News reminds its readers that this incident was perpetrated in the heart of Borough Park, in daylight hours, by a presentable, average-looking Chosid and community member—in contrast to the abuser stereotype of a sinister-looking stranger from the street.

    Investigators believe there are more victims of the same perpetrator. VIN News joins investigators’ call for victims and their families to come forward. Abuse crimes may be reported to the offices of Assemblyman Hikind or DA Hynes.

    In related news, DA Hynes denied charges by a victim’s father that Orthodox community leaders pressured him into lightening charges against his child’s abuser. In a TV report last night by New York’s PIX 11, Hynes argued that he was working hard to prosecute abusers. “There is a suspicion that the orthodox community will hide its sins,” he told an interviewer. “I have not found that to be true. They know that I am very, very aggressive on this stuff.”

    However, in an anonymous interview in the same report, the victim’s father insisted that Hynes had been pressured into lessening charges against the accused perpetrator. “I was actually forced to agree to that,” he said. “The rabbis in the Jewish community tell the District Attorney, ‘Back off.’ ”

    Countered Hynes: “I have two signed statements from parents—they don’t want to put their kids through the torture of a trial.” The report added that Hynes is pushing for a change in extradition laws with Israel to allow old flights from justice to be returned to American courts for trial.

    Perhaps most significantly, the report mentioned that Hynes “would like to sign a memo of understanding” with Orthodox community leaders that they would turn over allegations of abuse to his office instead of trying to handle them within the community—similar to the 2002 agreement with the Catholic Church in the wake of its abusive-priests scandal. VIN is unsure yet cautiously optimistic about this latter development.

    See below WPIX TV Report


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    141 Comments
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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    maybe if they castrate him and then sowit on his farhead it will stop others from doing such disgusting acts!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Thank you Rabbi Rosenberg.You are a true mentch who wont stop to help these poor victims. Hatzlach Rabba

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    may we bring this abuser to full justice and let him rot in jail!!!whoever dissagrees than or he doesnt have children or he is a molester himself!!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    umbelievale we just sit back as they destroy our young and innocent kids!!we want full justice

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    The Rabbonim MUST wake up and realize that they are the “leaders” of our nation in this generation and if they don;t get involved and if they dont pursue the predators, then who will protect our children?? Our heilige neshamos?? I say to the Rabbonim, Stand up and fight the battle you are faced with!! Stop this “I dont want to get involved” because then waht are you? Why are you wearing an uphat and frak and speaking on shabbos, do we really need to hear the vort you think is so great or do we need you to protect our children. Enough already!! Do your Job!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    The rabbanim don’t care. They are afraid if a big donor gets caught they’re pidyoines dry up

    Simcha
    Simcha
    15 years ago

    Why did they need to consult with rabbonim before calling the authorities. They should not have hesitated to call the police. What would have happened if the fourth Rav said he did not think it was appropriate to call the authorities? Would this have gone unreported?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I know this is unrealistic ,but they should announce the names of the three “rabbonim” that didnt want to get involved………….

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    How about the Batei Dinim ?? Is there any way the Rabonim can crack down on those Corrupted Dayonim

    eitza geber
    eitza geber
    15 years ago

    Talk to your children. Teach them to be aware

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I’m not sure why the parents felt they had to ask a ruv if they could file a complaint? This is a criminal matter, no?

    Big Masmid
    Big Masmid
    15 years ago

    Use my name and; Tell the three Ra-Bonim who could not get involved, to resign form their prestige’s position, what a bunch of cowards, a parent with a HUGE problem calls for a Psak and all they can say I don’t want to get involved??? this is sick………A suggestion to Dov Hikind, we should have demonstrations in front of their Shull and home.

    If this behavior is not stopped NOW, a time will soon come that we’ll have to walk our children to and from school, will not be able to send a child to a grocery store even on the same block !!! this is no joke.

    It great to know that Dov Hiking is on top of this situation and the madman who committed the Toavah is behind bars.

    Lets Daven and ask Hashem for the immediate Geulah .
    Thank you Dov and Nucham Rosenburg 🙂

    If anybody knows who the three Ra-Bonim are please post their names.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    1. Fact! Castration DOES NOT stop a molester. The crazed craving to molest is independent of the resultant stimulus. As in the case of last week, even a man in a wheelchair and half paralyzed (Mr. I.) is capable of the twisted control passion that infects a molester. Only the real high probability of hard and long jailtime, and the resultant abuse he will experience from fellow inmates, can deter them from acting on these devious desires.

    2. Three in four rabbis when faced with making a halachic ruling in this regard failed to exhibit testicular fortitute and rule either way! Lord, me hopes it aint so. Perhaps we should start turning to the local Imams for spiritual guidance. TO WHOM CAN WE FRUM ERLICHER YIDDEN TURN TO. It might be more beneficial to our society to expose the names of the 3 feckle rabbis then to expose the name of this molester.

    Big Masmid
    Big Masmid
    15 years ago

    Use my name and; Tell the three Ra-Bonim who could not get involved, to resign form their prestige’s position, what a bunch of cowards, a parent with a HUGE problem calls for a Psak and all they can say I don’t want to get involved??? this is sick………A suggestion to Dov Hikind, we should have demonstrations in front of their Shull and home.

    If this behavior is not stopped NOW, a time will soon come that we’ll have to walk our children to and from school, will not be able to send a child to a grocery store even on the same block !!! this is no joke.

    It great to know that Dov Hiking is on top of this situation and the madman who committed the Toavah is behind bars.

    Lets Daven and ask Hashem for the immediate Geulah .
    Thank you Dov and Nucham Rosenburg 🙂

    If anybody knows who the three Ra-Bonim are please post their names.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    The only way to take care of this problem is to either create a VAAD of qualified rabanim who understand the issue and do what they must . Or simply put the names f the molesters on the internet for all to see.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Look at Shaarei Teshuva it says very bad things about men who abuse little girls, kal vachomer little boys. The Rabbis need to understand that sexual abuse is taking place in the orthodox jewish community and if not stopped our children will be at risk for going off the derech, which is another problem facing the orthodox jewish community.

    October 6, 2008

    Monsey-based rabbi charged with sexually abusing girl for nearly a decade

    Steve Lieberman
    The Journal News

    Federal agents today arrested a Monsey-based rabbi on accusations that he had sex with a female relative over the course of a decade, starting when she was 9 years old.

    FBI agents arrested Rabbi Israel Weingarten, 58, at his Monsey home this morning on a grand jury indictment, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn.

    Weingarten is charged with five federal counts, accusing him of traveling around the world to have sex with the minor and avoid being charged.

    The indictment charges him with two counts of knowingly and intentionally transporting a minor in foreign commerce with the intent to engage in a sexual activity. He also is charged with three counts of knowingly and intentionally traveling in foreign commerce for the purpose of engaging in a sexual act with a minor.

    If convicted at trial, Weingarten faces an estimated prison term of 168 to 210 months in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

    Weingarten is accused of abusing the young girl on a weekly and sometimes daily basis in Belgium, Israel and the United States, according to documents filed with the U.S. District Court in Brooklyn.

    The girl left her family and the Satmar Hasidic Jewish community in September 1999, when she was 18 years old, federal documents state.

    Weingarten is accused of trying to kidnap her in 1999 from a family trying to protect her in England, according to the documents. He’s accused of assaulting that rabbi and his wife, who were trying to protect the girl.

    Weingarten, a married father of eight, teaches children for the Satmar Hasidic Jewish community, the documents said. He ran a Satmar school in Belgium and worked for religious elementary and secondary schools in Brooklyn.

    U.S. Attorney Benton Campbell asked Judge Magistrate Joan M. Azrack to order Weingarten held without bail. In court papers, Campbell argued Weingarten was a flight risk and a danger to the witnesses and victim.

    “He moved her to different countries in order to continue the abuse and to escape any threat that he would be apprehended as word of his abuse began to spread,” Campbell wrote. “He has resorted to threats and violence to intimidate those who tried to protect the victim and other members of his family.”

    SOURCE: http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081006/NEWS03/810060385

    shteig
    shteig
    15 years ago

    Vayikra 19 : Lo sa’amod al dam reiacha – do not stand by and watch your neighbor’s blood – not complicated. Straight pasok in chumash.

    hurt
    hurt
    15 years ago

    thak you reb nuchim
    keep up the good work
    dont let people with the hard hearts overtake you

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I cannot understand why there was any delay whatsoever in notifying the authorities.
    This is a clearcut case of a rodef, a pursuer, out to harm Jewish children. Delaying the matter only enables the perpetrator to discard evidence, such as bodily fluids.
    Also, who knows who else might have been victimized in the interim?

    It is beyond me as to why Hikind even paused to ask a shailah of no less than four supposed rabbinic leaders (3 of which are at best incompetent).

    We as a community must demand better from our supposed leaders.

    Also, we must teach our children rules of safety, such as never going to a stranger, or even to an acquaintance, out of the public eye. Teach them the laws of yichud, and teach them to trust their gut instinct and listen to their gut feelings.

    Unfortunately, we cannot rely on some uncaring educators and rabbonim, otherwise they would have long ago created a curriculum to teach safety and made
    it crystal clear to sexual predators that our community will do everything in its power to protect our children. [You’ll notice such things do not occur in Italian neighborhoods–the perpetrator knows what would happen to him!]

    We are living in a generation wherein leadership is weak to absent. This is but another sign of the pre-messianic era.

    Hashem yarachem.

    seichel brosh
    seichel brosh
    15 years ago

    Why is the name and address not published so people can be careful
    To the best of my knowledge he is not an ordinary chasidic man
    unless there is more than one in the immediate area

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Child abuse of a sexual nature should be punishable by death. period. you destroy a life and the lives of generations to follow you dont deserve to live.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Parents–wake up!! Tell your children not to go alone with any stranger no matter how frum they look

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    i cant believe what a sick world we live in

    DEEPTHINKER
    DEEPTHINKER
    15 years ago

    YOU’RE ALL RIGHT!

    HE SHOULDN’T HAVE ASKED ANYONE. HE SHOULD HAVE KILLED HIM ON THE SPOT.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    A name, picture, anyone?

    fed up
    fed up
    15 years ago

    i respect daas torah and rabbonnim i just wanted to get that out in the open bfore my comment. I wonder if these same (“SO CALLED”) rabbonnim would be asked to have a kibbud such as mesader kiddishin or brucher achrite or sandek would they say oh I DONT WANT TO GET INVOLVED?????????????? so its all BS we should just throw away the title in front of their names and they should sit in back of the shul which they dont deserve to be sitting in mizrach vant with a fancy leather chair……… its just crazy what the heck are they rabbonnim for if not for the klal…………. we should lock this and all other sick pervs in jail and let them rot….. i just feel bad for the family of the perp they nebach suffer for no reason other than having a sick father/husband/zaide….

    a concerned yid
    a concerned yid
    15 years ago

    I wish that you would publicize the names of the three “rabonim” who wouldnt get involved. Torah leaders should come out and punish these rabonim with the loss of thier kehila and any teaching positions they may have as they are now not trustworthy with children. apparently money or thier jobs are more important than halacha and protecting children. I beg for thier to be an easily accessable list of people who have targeted frum yidden before or that are part of the frum community so we can know where kids should avoid. Kudos to the Rav who stood up and encouraged these poor people to go to the police. If this is found to be true he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and put in chairem when he is released back into the public.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Publish the name and address of this molester so that we can ALL take “CARE” of him! You have to castrate him and cut off his hands, too!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    #43 you are right. Just i think a vaad is a better idea.

    Joe
    Joe
    15 years ago

    Give me the guys name, and i would happily go and make sure he has no more yetzer no more.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Expose the perpertrators!!!!! expose the rabbonim that want to protect the molestors

    Halachos???
    Halachos???
    15 years ago

    why did the 3 Rabeim refuse to get involved? were they nogeiah b’davar?…. What are the applicable halachos, related to this case vis a vis being Mosser?? Would someone please post relevant Halachos…..
    I would think, even in Halacha, protecting others from getting hurt would override the rights of the alleged perpetrator…

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Such a big problem, nebech. but also such a chilul Hashem. Maybe the only solution is to publicly and properly penalize a proven offender to scare away the ones who might be tempted, and realize they will suffer the same consequences.. Hashem yishmur.

    POWER UP
    POWER UP
    15 years ago

    i applaud those people for being enough strong and not tearing that person apart, and going to ask a psak from a rav, i would not be able to do that, i would rip him apart with my own hand, but we have to remember we dont own our kids, we are just the ”apetropes” its gods children so we have to consult with a rav, and i am very excited to hear that there is still someone who is brave enough to tell the father to go to the autorities, b”h

    responsible???
    responsible???
    15 years ago

    If the 3 Rabeim are being paid out of community funds, especially, they should be RESPONSIBLE for the community. If someone else, Chas Vesholom, is molested, wouldn’t it be on their heads?? Take THEM to court, or beis din???

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    if this guy needs action, let him pay for it. and ask his rov for a heter.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Why no name and address? Aren’t the rest of us entitled to protect our children until this guy is put away (hopefully forever)?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    First of all, the parents who decided to go ahead with this deserve a lot of respect. It is not that easy in real life, the perpetrator’s friends start a website all attesting to how great the guy is and since they are so brilliant they know that he could never have done such a thing. And there is pressure and he will start letting people know who his accuser is, they will not remain anonymous.
    For those quoting Piskei Dinim on this website I don’t think one should act just according to your quote of Rav Elyashiv the only smart and sensible thing is go to a Rav you respect and trust.
    The problem begins when one approaches someone who seems good he is a communitty Rov and has a good reputation but who knew that he has no experience in these matters.
    Perhaps the answer is to start a Vaad Raabonim of people who have experience in this matter and that will put a stop to some dumb answers as well as begin to restore some respect to the Raabonim

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    The danger from a child molester in Boro Park, dressed in frum attire and living amongst our precious children, is much worse than a fire (number 63). These people are often incurable, and they molest hundreds if not thousands. He is an ongoing public menace and a danger to society more than a single fire. He can and will ruin lives, and cause untold damage.

    As for the 3 stooges, Rabbi Larry, Rabby Curly, and Rabbi Mo, who did not want to get involved, reportedly, if there is any smidgen of truth to this these clowns should be eliminated from any matter involving children and the tzibbur, as it is clear that their selfish interests override not only the needs of the klal and common sense but also common decency.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Its about time that we Klall Yisroel wake up and get rid of the imposters who claim they are “Daas Torah”. #1 anyone who does not want to get involved should go to work in B&H Photo or for Power Sewer. #2 They have to know the actual halachas no balloney. #3 And not be afraid to carry out the halacha. Then maybe we can call them Daas Torah. Just because someone is born into the right family or he got the right job as a Maggid Shiur does not make him Daas Torah.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    The three stooges (sorry if I insult Moe Larry and Curley) who call themselves Rabbi – who refused to get involves – are worse than the alleged perpetrator – he can claim a mental disorder – What can they claim? Besides apathy and ineptitude?

    WolfishMusings
    WolfishMusings
    15 years ago

    Personally, I can’t fault a family who, in times of great emotional turmoil, decide to ask a halachic question. Whether or not you or I would have acted the same way is of no matter… people react in stressful situations in different ways. This family felt the need to consult a rav, and I will not fault them.

    What I will fault, however, are the three who chose not to get involved. How could they not get involved?! How can you hold yourself out as someone to ask shailos to and then say “I don’t want to get involved” when a tough one comes up? It’s one thing to say “I don’t know” or “I’ll have to do some research and get back to you;” but it’s altogether unacceptable to say “I don’t want to get involved.”

    The Wolf

    (NB: I will admit that there may be legitimate reasons to not want to get involved — for example if the victim or perpetrator is a family member/close friend, etc. But I find it difficult to believe that this would apply to three different rabbanim.)

    Library Lover
    Library Lover
    15 years ago

    Its about time we give up on these so-called rabbonim who do NOTHING for the KLAL, and do EVERYTHING for themselves..I want the name of the Rav who said to GO to report on this guy, hes the only one I respect enough to ask ANYthing!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I do not see why anyone would wait to go ask four rabbonim a shailo. There is NO shailo in this case. A girl was molested. That is a serious crime. This person represents a clear and present danger to children. Last time I checked, there were no detectives working for the rabbonim, and they do not have the means to punish such a menace. We live in a medina of chesed, where the pedophile will be arrested, where a judge will probably let him out on bail, and where the person can defend himself in a court of law.

    Meanwhile, we have to do everything in our power to protect our children from possible harm. What would be the alternative? Not going to the authorities? We do not have the power or authority to deal with such a rodef outside of our legal system.

    Anyone who would hesitate to go to the authorities is playing with the lives of our precious children.

    It is quite obvious that at least 3 rabbonim in Boro Park are incapable or unwillingto be of help, even in such a clearcut case.

    This should serve as a wake-up call to Yidden everywhere: protect your children, and if someone dares to harm them, go to the police immediately.

    Big Masmid
    Big Masmid
    15 years ago

    we have to cool it Chevra, from the above posts it sounds like nobody should ever ask a Rav and thats not so. We have to investigate who the Three crooks sorry Ra-Bonim are and have them dismissed as leaders in the community.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Thank you so much VIN news for this great service you are bringing to our community and looking out for the welfare of our children dont be deterred by the perverted sickos who will try to silence you my wish is their childrenbe molested and then let us see their response

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    ITS SICK AND GETTING SICKER OUT THERE DOV KEEP UP UR GREAT WORK

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    ANYONE who covers up or refused to confront a disgusting situation like this is AN ACCOMPLICE TO THE FACT!

    COMMON SENSE
    COMMON SENSE
    15 years ago

    People who are afraid that going to the police in this kind of situation is Mesira have no idea what the Halocho is Mesirah is. There is no question that it is permissible to go to the police. In fact, the Torah’s command, LO SAANOD AL DAM REYECHO may require that this be reported to the police because pedophiles are a constant danger to other children. Those who are worried about Mesirah are exactly what Chazal had in mind when they talked about a CHOSID SHOITEH.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    This infuriates me to no end. I was told weeks ago that there is a disabled man on 46th St (I am deliberately omitting the avenues) who offers girls money for sex, and calls in young girls “to help him” and when I told this person to report it to Dov Hikind, she said “Shomrim is aware of it” and she did nothing more about it. I “wonder” if this is the same pervert………