Rabbi Moshe Eisemann

UOJ is asking all survivors of Rabbi Moshe Eisemann to contact Phil Jacobs at the Baltimore Jewish Times. Jacobs is apparently researching an article on Rabbi Eisemann.

Comments

[Rabbi Ariel Sokolovsky]

B"H
I know Rabbi Moshe Eiseman since I learned in a Yeshivah (Torah VoDath) he founded in Kishinev I met him there when he came to participate in a 2 week seminar. While this doesn't prove anything regarding these allegations while I was in Torah Vodath in Kishinev I never seen or heard him abuse anyone there sexually or otherwise.

[MO MAN]

Yeah shmuck, when I was in Kishinev nobody told me your rebbe is god either.

[Anonymous]

Doesn't he mean alleged survivors?

Nothing has been proven. Just a lot of shmutz thrown around.

That's the way it is on blogs.

[MO MAN]

There was a full fledged din Torah and Eiseman was found guilty. Not good enough? I agree; his balls should be hung over the bais medrash in Ner Yisroel, right by the ner tamid.

[Anonymous]

What din torah?

With who?

BS!

More shmutz.

There has been no din torah.

This is the way blogs are.

Any idiot can make something up.

[Anonymous]

This is where UOL spends his time...

http://www.vodafterdark.com

[Friend of Eisgrau's Daughter]

Before you refer any survivors to Phil Jacobs or the Baltimore Times, you should ask him to publish the story about Rabbi Eliezer Eisgrau. He's been sitting on the story for many years. He did all the research yet at the last minute backed down.

[Friend of Eisgrau's Daughter]

You can read about the Eisgrau case here:
http://www.lukeford.net/profiles/profiles/eliezer_eisgrau.htm
http://www.theawarenesscenter.org/eisgrau_eliezer.html
http://www.theawarenesscenter.org/Goldberger_Aron.html

[Anonymous]

He did all the research yet at the last minute backed down.

Maybe he backed down because there was no story.

he backed down because he and his family were threatened

[Friend of Eisgrau's Daughter]

Phil backdown after being intimidated by the honcho's of Baltimore threatened him and his family. If Phil or the Jewish Times write a story about Eisemann you can assume that it will be watered down and be done with the permission of the folks at Ner Israel.

The following was posted on another blog.

here is no way the Baltimore Times would do a story about Eisgrau. It's too explosive. Look at how many years this secret has been kept. Would they want the world to know they could have done something healing to a woman they attempted to destroy?

I was looking over the bio of Andrew Buerger who is the publisher and Vice President of the Baltimore Jewish Times, as well as CEO of Alter Communications, Inc.

He works with Aviva Weisbord (Matis Weinberg's sister)on Jewish Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Aviva is named as breaching confidentiality in the Eisgrau case. Why would Berger allow his paper to attack one of his friends?

http://www.jewishtimes.com/AboutUs/
Andrew Buerger
He has been the publisher of the Vancouver Jewish Bulletin and circulation marketing director for the Jewish News Group, working in Detroit. Andy had been the media director of Cornerstone Advertising - a Baltimore-based advertising agency - from 1989 to 1991. He left to pursue a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Colorado that he received in 1993. He currently serves on the boards of The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Jewish Big Brother League, Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, the Charles A. Buerger Foundation and the University of Maryland Cancer Center Advisory Board. Andy can be reached via email at publisher@jewishtimes.com.

[Yosef Schwartz]

Has anyone ever known of a child molester who will say

"Everyone please come with me and watch -- I'm about to molest several kids in the community."

Most sex offenders who go after kids are very likeable people. They often great with kids and everyone's friend. So to the person who posted the think about knowing Eisemann -- you were very fortunate that no one you know was abused by him. Or maybe they were and they are just to afraid to tell anyone.

[Truth]

I have first hand knowledge of the Rav Eisemann case, and HE IS NOT A SEXUAL ABUSER. Even if all the allegations are true, there is no abuse or any legal issue here. This is why after all the fishing, Phil Jacobs has not found anyone who has come forward. The case could not be sent to the police. The vast vast majority of the allegations are not true. The yeshiva only asked him to leave the staff because of potential public perception of some small inappropriate behavior he may have done 30 years ago, which was deemed inappropriate for him to continue as part of the staff. I repeat, he is not an abuser, there is no fear that he 'would strike again', which is why he is still living on campus, and to lump him with the real abusers is so horrificly unfair. The man has done so so much good in his life and to have people say things about him which are patently false is a crime. He may have made a big mistake with something inappropriate many years ago, but haven't we all done similar things perhaps once, except that his was discovered. The fact that he is imperfect should not have cost him his career but depressingly, it has.

It is so sad that people can say whatever they want and make up things on a blog with no accountability.

As far as the Eisgrau case, many rabbis investigated this, and found the claims to be totally unreliable and incorrect. Just because we are zealous about abuse cases as we should be, does not mean people are now guilty until proven innocent.

[Shmarya]

The Va'ad HaRabbonim of Baltimore already admited its mistakes in handling these issues. It said very clearly that their reliance on these abusers doing teshva was wrong.

There is a list of victims that are willing to tell their stories, and their is proof for those stories, including proof contemporaneous to the acts in question.

You want to defend your friends? Fine, go right ahead. But the truth will come out in the end.

[Shmarya]

The Va'ad HaRabbonim of Baltimore already admited its mistakes in handling these issues. It said very clearly that their reliance on these abusers doing teshva was wrong.

There is a list of victims that are willing to tell their stories, and their is proof for those stories, including proof contemporaneous to the acts in question.

You want to defend your friends? Fine, go right ahead. But the truth will come out in the end.

[Shmarya]

As for that specific case, I think you are jumping the gun a bit. Phil will not rush to publish. He's doing in depth features on these cases, not news reports. In depth features take time to research and write.

[Truth]

Regarding the cases of Eisemann and Eisgrau, the decisions had nothing to do with reliance on doing teshuva but to the veracity of the allegations. With Eisgrau, the allegations were deemed 100% false, and the accuser was deemed mentally incompetent and she has spent time in mental hospitals by her own admission. With Eisemann, not one of the allegations even involves actual sexual abuse. Yes, something inappropriate MAY have taken place many years ago, which could have been done by anyone of us and probably has at least one time in our lives, but he is not an abuser. That is why not one person has come forward even with Phil's fishing.

Again, we shouldn't assume guilt just because there are allegations. Think Duke Lacrosse.

[Shmarya]

What you write is false, and I believe you know this to be true. God willing, Eisemann and others will soon be where they belong – in jail.

[Truth]

Your confidence amazes me but you are incorrect. If the charges against Eisgrau were true, and the police took them seriously, he'd be in jail. But nobody took the charges seriously after it became clear the accuser was mentally unstable. The accuser was in a mental hospital, went through the legal sevices system and nobody took her seriously in the law agencies.
With Eisemann, I say again, with all Phil's trying to make an abuse case here, nothing has been found. Only an instance of inappropriate behavior not abuse.

Yes, Duke Lacrosse is what is going on here.

I do wish to thank you for having the integrity for allowing posts which disagree with you. The same cannot be said for UOJ and others who have not posted my messages.

[Shmarya]

There are real victims of real sexual abuse and Phil knows it and has contact wit them.

In other words, you are either mistaken or lying.

[Truth]

I am definitely not lying as I certainly have no knowledge of Rabbis Eisemann and Eisgrau sexually abusing anyone. If they are shown and proven to abusers then of course I'd say lock them up. Am I mistaken? Anything is possible. But having extremely serious charges made and having blogs already convict people without giving them the benefit of the doubt given who these people are and have always been and given their sterling reputations (until blogs tarnished them) is just morally wrong (and I should mention dan lekaf zechus wrong). It is also a classic case of motzi shem ra since none of these bloggers have any real knowledge. They're just going with rumors.

Look, if these people are sexual abusers and Phil has real proof and real victims, he would have divulged them by now. The people who say he was intimidated are comical. Phil has done many controversial articles before, as recently as April/May, and doesn't care. Besides, Phil himself would go to jail if he had real proof and he didn't report it to the police, according to the sexual abuse laws.
People should be treated as innocent until proven guilty and the super-zealous blogs don't do that which is just plain wrong.
I need to say it again and again: Duke Lacrosse.

[Shmarya]

Process:

Phil would not "go to jail." He is a journalist and is protected under law.

Many survivors have spoken to him. Phil will publish once he's finished doing all the leg work and writing.

BTW, a piece like the Shapiro piece can easily take two ro three weeks just to write and another month or so to research. You seem to think writing happens by magic.

The only "Duke Lacrosse" thing happening here is in the reverse, and people like and including you are doing it.

[Truth]

Wow. You are so confident. I guess time will tell, according to you. But again, unless you are one of the so-called victims, and therefore know 100%, I can't believe you would risk the aveira of motzi shem ra with all the spiritual consequences that go with it.
And if you don't really know, and your statements are based on rumors on blogs, that saddens me very much.

Until it is proven to me, Duke Lacrosse again and again.

[Shmarya]

I'm confident because I investigated. This is not Duke Lacrosse by any means.

[Truth]

Interesting. I also investigated and came to the opposite conclusion. I would definitely trust my children with Rabbis Eisgrau and Eisemann. Their chezkas kashrus remains and rumors on blogs have not swayed me, since I did real research.

[Shmarya]

So, you are lying.

For anyone else readinging this, please take note: This anonymous commenter calling herself "The Truth" wants you to believe in her family's innocence. She herself so believes in this innocence that she uses a pseudonym.

Perhaps using your real name is in order here. Then we can all judge the impartiality (or lack there of) of your statements.

[Truth]

No, you won't get me to use my real name since blogs will besmirch it. (Have the so-called victims on the blogs given their names? Does anyone use real names on blogs?)

I would make a shevuah though on 3 things:

1. As I wrote, I am not lying since I have zero knowledge of any abuse taking place at all. If I'm proven to be wrong then 'bring it on.' But I certainly do not believe rumors from anonymous bloggers. You want to claim I'm mistaken to rely on chezkas kashrus, go ahead. But I am not lying.

2. I am not a family member.

3. I am actually a male, who happens to have kids I'd trust to the accused. Nothing you or other bloggers have said shows me that I should change my view of the accused, who both have wonderful reputations.

[Shmarya]

1. Yes, victims have used their real names.

2. You did no serious investigation.

3. Victims have been threatened and harassed and face very real problems coming forward.

4. You are a coward. You are also a liar. And, yes, I pity your children.

[Shmarya]

Notice one more thing. The "Truth" writes:you won't get me to use my real name since blogs will besmirch it.In other words, this fool wants victims to come forward, use their real names, open themselves up to real physical, psychological and financial threats and harassment. Be she/he wants to remain anonymous for fear that her name will be "besmirched."

Here's the deal. Use your real name with a real email address or go away. What you think is mandatory and fair for the victims of abuse is certainly mandatory and fair for you.

Adios, amiga.

[Truth]

I'm not aware of so-called victims of Rabbi Eisemann who have shared their real names. Are you? If so, please direct me to where. (Yes, we all know that the accuser of Rabbi Eisgrau is his daughter. She has not hid that. But I'm more interested in Rabbi Eisemann right now.)

Thank you again for your integrity to allow people to disagree with you on your blog. Most blogs of this nature do not.

If ever I am shown to be wrong, I will come back here and admit it.

And if the serious charges are never corroborated, I'm sure you'll admit you were wrong as well.

All the best.

[Shmarya]

In other words, you have no courage. You will not use your real name.

As for other victims' names, wait for Phil Jacob's report.

[Api Koros]

An Open Letter to Vicki Polin & Phil Jacobs

Rabbi Moshe Eisemann has recently published his new book “Music Made in Heaven” (distributed by Feldheim Publishers). It’s now on sale at Ner Israel and Hebrew bookstores in Baltimore. The book contains an endorsement letter by Ner Israel’s present Rosh Hayeshiva Rabbi Aharon Feldman. (Rabbi Feldman has prohibited “heretical” books written by Rabbi Nosson Slifkin and endorsed Rabbi Eisemann’s books.) The date on the letter (in Hebrew) is March 5, 2007.

Rabbi Eisemann started his book with a highly significant citation from Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch’s Prayer Book: “...even though, like the moon, he might occasionally even seem to disappear from sight, David, moon-like, shall live and endure for all time.” Rabbi Eisemann was clearly referring to himself. He believes that he is eternal despite all attempts of his adversaries.

He is truly eternal, but not because he is David-like. It is because he is Devil-like. Now he hopes that his witchcraft, learned from the ancient secret manuscripts (Eisemann’s family business back in Europe) will annihilate his enemies. It is no coincidence that Rabbi Eisemann called his new book “Music Made in Heaven.” Note two first M’s of the title. That’s a mystical weapon (Harba de-Moshe) as Rabbi Eisemann’s real name is triple M: Mario Martin Moses. (By the way, compare this title with the names of his other books: “Harp Strings & Heart Strings” (HS-HS), “Of Parents & Penguins” (P-P), “Shelter Amongst the Shadows” (S-S), and “Worlds Beneath the Words” (W-W). M’s are used here for the first time!)

Now consider these points:

1) Rabbi Eisemann still happily resides on campus across the hall (literally!) from his old buddy Rabbi Joseph Tendler, the head of the Ner Israel high school. (Does he supply Rabbi Eisemann with fresh kids? I heard from a reliable source that decades ago Rabbi Aharon Kotler explicitly told Rabbi Joseph Tendler never to teach children.)

2) Nobody on campus knows (at least officially) about Rabbi Eisemann’s pedophilic activities. The yeshiva closely monitors students’ Internet connections and reading materials.

3) Ner Israel has its own Inquisition. Count how many people had suddenly died at the Ner Israel just because they knew too much. (To what extent was an on-campus physician Julian Jakobovits involved?) An invitation to a poisoned Shabbos meal is nothing new.

4) Rabbi Eisemann’s new book has a www.yeshivakishiniev.org address on it. He is still actively involved with the Russians. What was the fate of all the Russian boys and girls he brought to the US? (Some of them were not even Jewish (!) and the Ner Israel administration knew very well about that.) Sexual slavery? Why does Rabbi Eisemann have young Russian girls living in his apartment? (By the way, money made from the sale of his books goes to Rabbi Eisemann’s offshore bank accounts (he is a British citizen) and to his large family in the US and Israel, not to the Kishiviev yeshiva as printed in the official mailing leaflet.)

5) Take a closer look at some Baltimore Rabbis:

a) Rabbi Zvi Berkowitz has proofread (as usual) Rabbi Eisemann’s latest book. Rabbi Berkowitz has been aware of Rabbi Eisemann’s pedophilic activities for decades. (Is that the reason he and his wife-matchmaker occupy two large apartments on campus?) Rabbi Berkowitz is the son-in-law of Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky, who has covered up sexual offender Rabbi Yaakov Menken.

b) Almost a year ago, Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer “made a decree that Rabbi Eisemann needed to leave the Ner Israel.” Rabbi Hopfer is a notorious hypocrite, a mouthpiece of the Ner Israel, his children went there. The Ner Israel has always dictated Rabbi Hopfer’s “Daa$ Torah.”

c) Rabbi Moshe Heinemann (a former palm-reader) has issued a ban on the “Baltimore Jewish Times” for publishing a story about pedophilic Rabbi Ephraim Shapiro. Rabbi Heinemann lived many years on Ner Israel’s campus and even gave classes there.

All these Rabbis are lifelong friends of Rabbi Moshe Eisemann. What do you expect from them? To repent and be good again? They were never good to begin with. (What do you expect from unethical Rabbi Eisemann who sells his sixteen books on ethics (!) at www.yeshivakishiniev.org? Is that because he is a Levite, chosen by God to sing sweet songs in the holy Temple?) These Rabbis spent their lives learning the Torah. They know what is right and what is wrong. They know it cold. I have no doubt that the multimillion-dollar business called the Ner Israel Rabbinical College will find an effective way to silence anyone who fights that “yeshiva” and its homosexual ideology. Remember that well.

[That Post Was Entertaining]

My goodness, if anyone ever had any doubts about the Rabbi Eisemann abuse charges being a total fabrication, the last post totally cemented it.

Any thinking individual will immediately realize we are dealing with a mentally unstable person. The wacko who wrote it has a better imagination then JK Rowling. Can I offer you a spot on Art Bell?

Laughable indeed. . . and yes, you are an apikores. . . and a baal lashon hara.

To other readers, if I don't reply to his next post which will come inevitably, it is not because I agree with any of his points, but only because it'd be a waste to debate with someone as crazy as this.

[Truth]

You are right. But not only was that post the rantings of a crazyman but he actually makes the argument for Rabbi Eisemann's innocence better than anyone.

Consider all the people he mentioned who are showing tremendous support for Rabbi Eisemann. Either the crazyman is right and there is a large and complicated conspiracy or, what is logical and intellectually honest, Rabbi Eisemann is not an abuser. I ask you, dear objective reader, would all these people and rabbis put their own reputations and careers on the line, would Ner Yisrael risk such a scandal of harboring an abuser, especially in today's world? Not a chance. Even if you think that Ner Yisrael has no concerns for what the Torah says (also illogical) about harboring abusers, you'll have to admit that for their own selfish concerns, they would not want to be associated with an abuse scandal and of harboring an abuser.

Logic then dictates what I wrote before:

HE IS NOT A SEXUAL ABUSER. The yeshiva only asked him to leave the staff because of potential public perception of some small inappropriate behavior he may have done 30 years ago, which was deemed inappropriate for him to continue as part of the staff. I repeat, he is not an abuser, there is no fear that he 'would strike again', which is why he is still living on campus, and to lump him with the real abusers is so horrificly unfair. The man has done so so much good in his life and to have people say things about him which are patently false is a crime. He may have made a big mistake with something inappropriate many years ago, but haven't we all done similar things perhaps once, except that his was discovered. The fact that he is imperfect should not have cost him his career but depressingly, it has.

[Shmarya]

As I said before, you're lying or misled. Those "small mistakes" you mention are called child abuse and molestation, are they not?

[Truth]

No, they're not. You have probably done the same thing at times, I have probably done the same thing at times, but his became known to the hanhalla, and it was deemed inappropriate for him to continue on staff.

Again, if I am proven to be misled, I will be the first to admit it. For now, chezkas kashrus rules, based on Torah, and on pure logic.

[Shmarya]

Actually, many poskim hold hezkat kashrut does NOT apply in these cases. We must protect the children. At the same time, it is right to believe that the accused molester may be innocent. But first the victims must be protected – and potential victims warned.

[Troy]

Unverifiable

The Jewish Times and Phil Jacobs revealed low
journalistic integrity and reliability with their
publication of the article concerning Rabbi Moshe
Eisemann. From the opening sentence until the very
end, there was almost nothing more than unverifiable,
unsubstantiated and ergo non-credible allegations.

While having no factual knowledge of the
communications between Rabbi Hopfer and Rabbi
Eisemann, the Jewish Times publishes an anonymous
source saying "he thinks" Rabbi Eisemann admitted some
of the abuses. Of what credibility is a statement if
the source is not sure his information is accurate?

The Jewish Times writes that Rabbi Hopfer allegedly
was chosen by Ner Israel, Rabbi Eisemann was allegedly
told to work through issues with a therapist, and
Rabbi Eisemann was allegedly retired through Rabbi
Hopfer's recommendations. It is all just alleged!

And I am supposed to believe that the alleged
therapist broke ethical and legal confidentiality and
shared his beliefs about a client with some anonymous
source and then I should trust this alleged unethical
therapist's assessment?

The Jewish Times writes "One source said: ‘You have
Rabbi Eisemann denying all of this. You have Ner
Israel's legal statement. You have Rabbi Hopfer's
judgment call. Also, Rabbi Hopfer found Eisemann's
accuser credible. Put it all together this is what you
have.'" Well, what exactly do you have? Nothing but
speculation.

And the accusations from Mr. Simms –– they are
complete supposition and subjective non-factual
statements. Just because he thinks Rabbi Eisemann was
looking somewhere does not make that true. He
‘believes' Rabbi Eisemann touched him twice
inappropriately. What does that mean?

That the Jewish Times would print one individual's
literally dubious and unverifiable accusations at the
expense of someone's reputation is nothing short of
irresponsible and reckless.

A few months ago Mr. Jacobs solicited information on
the UOJ blog concerning Rabbi Eisemann. He personally
confirmed this to me in a phone call. I was shocked to
see a supposedly respectable journalist publicly name
someone as an alleged molester and then go fishing
publicly for information when someone's name and
reputation were at stake without any facts to back him
up.

Instead he has chosen to print rumors at the cost of
someone's reputation. Such behavior would be wrong
even if the alleged perpetrator was your average
citizen, let alone a beloved Rebbi of thousands.

Mr. Jacobs writes "His [Rabbi Hopfer's] response could
have cleared up much of the speculation." Mr. Jacobs
should blame himself for helping the speculation
continue with almost no facts at his disposal.

Zev Friedman
Calgary, Canada

Witness For The Defense

With a heavy heart, I read your recent story on Rav
Moshe Eisenmann ("When Whispers Get Louder," Aug. 31).
It upset me greatly because having had him as my
teacher for over 10 years, and knowing him well over
50 years, I know beyond any doubt that your
accusations are false (and maybe malicious!).

I first met Rav Moshe when I was a 12-year-old in the
Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia in 1957. His wife
hadn’t joined him in America yet, so he lived in our
dormitory for one year. At no time was there even a
trace of wrong behavior or even a rumor, for word
would have spread like wildfire among us boys. For two
years he was my Rebbe and unlike most Rebbeim, he
counseled the boys individually on the "sins of the
night" and how harshly the Torah views them. Why did
he do this? Because he cared. For the same reason, he
trekked to Russia countless times in his later years
to encourage the Jews there to regain their Judaism. I
and many of his loyal students ask ourselves why these
terrible events have now befallen this good man –– and
the answer is clear. It is because he cares about
people more than most, and that always makes one
vulnerable to the destructive needs of people with an
agenda.

There is nothing wrong in demanding moral integrity in
our teachers and seeking safe environments for our
children, but your prurient approach to journalism
would make Sen. McCarthy proud.

Rabbi Harvey Gornish
Brooklyn, N.Y.

[Shmarya]

I have sources that Phil does not have. All say the same thing – Rabbi Eisemann is a child molester.

If NI had done the correct thing and called the police, you'd have a trial and you'd have much public evidence.

Instead, NI covered it up.

Tell your friend Rabbi Eisemann that one day, perhaps one day soon, the police will be at his door. You can tell the same thing to those rabbis who covered for him.

[Troy]

Loud Whisper

Regarding last week's "When Whispers Get Louder," I have been a close student of Rav Moshe Eisemann's since I was 19 years old. I've traveled with him and had countless private sessions with him.

Before meeting Rav Eisemann, I attended a yeshiva in Israel where the Rosh HaYeshiva was later convicted of sexual abuse with numerous students. When word got out concerning those illicit activities, I was not surprised. What sounds like awhisper to one standing far away may indeed be a scream to one with proximity. My proximity to this Rosh HaYeshiva gave me clear audio reception to his wrongdoings.

With Rav Eisemann I find a similar predicament. In your article I found nothing that surprised me. Informing the community that no complaints or charges have ever been filed against the Rabbi, that no Din Torah had ever been called, that a therapist saw no signs of "terrible abuse," that Rav Heinemann — who as your article mentions cares deeply about condemning child molesters — still regards Rav Eisemann with the highest of esteem. All this reinforce the whispers I have heard for 25 years concerning Rav Eisemann: He is as beyond reproach as is humanly possible.

I am, however, greatly despondent that in pursuit of a worthy cause (protecting children from any kind of abuse), we have become abusers ourselves. From bloggers to respected newspapers, abuse of power seems to be running rampant. When the likes of Rav Eisemann are rounded up and burned at the stake you know you are not in Baltimore anymore.

Stan Lebovic
Salem, Mass.

Don't Judge

Last week's article on Rabbi Eisemann seems to collect innuendo and present it as evidence.

For a 71-year-old teacher to retire is hardly incriminating. For a retired teacher to move off campus also is nothing out of the ordinary. As far as I am aware rubbing backs does not constitute a form of sexual abuse. Even kissing covers quite a wide range and depends on the context.

When I was mashgiach ruchani in Montefiore College [London], most of the North African students used to kiss me goodbye at the end of the school year. Does any of this involve abuse? At many frum weddings the men line up to kiss the groom and wish him Mazel Tov. Is this a form of abuse?

One former Philadelphia pupil says that Rabbi Eisemann stared at the pupil's crotch. If this were a general habit I don't suppose Rabbi Eisemann would have been such a success in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Russia and Germany. The same applies to the suggestion that he had a poor style of teaching and was overly authoritarian. I knew Rabbi Eisemann while he was in Philadelphia — he was a popular speaker with Orthodox university students. I knew Rabbi Eisemann in Baltimore, both inside Ner Israel and also his shiurim for Johns Hopkins and Goucher students in Yavneh, the Orthodox Students Association. He was a brilliant and inspiring speaker. His ArtScroll books are brilliant.

There are Jewish principles of judging a person in his merit and accepting that a person who has been known to do the right thing is unlikely to suddenly change — chazaka of kashruth. We should not rush into judgment.

Joe Feld
London, England

Phil Jacobs: You ran an article on Rav Eisemann's alleged abuse back in August based on total hearsay and zero evidence. It was such an unprofessional article by any standard and it evoked a major backlash of letters against you which you at least had the guts to print. You were hoping that more victims would come out of the wood work. NONE HAVE.
You owe RE a major apology which you should print in your magazine.

You are the perfect example of someone who had good intentions but without Torah guidance, you have gone way off to the extreme and because of misplaced zealousness you have done major wrongs to people, one of whom is RE.

[Shmarya]

B.S.

Rabbi Eisemann is guilty. Ner Israel should remove him from campus because it knows details of Rabbi Eisemann's abuse.

But, instead, it lets him live on campus while he gets therapy.

One day, and may it come soon, people like Rabbi Eisemann will end up in a court of law. That day cannot come soon enough.

[james]

There are Jewish principles of judging a person in his merit and accepting that a person who has been known to do the right thing is unlikely to suddenly change — chazaka of kashruth. We should not rush into judgment.

[dovid presley]

4 years later, still nothing. Shmarya, your an ass. No follow up. No apology. I guess you hope it was forgotten. How confident you were and how wrong you were. well I didn't forget and god didnt forget. Your a fucking coward. A pussy eating bitch and you've been proven wrong.4 years and nothing.4 years closer to the day you start burning and burning.

[Shmarya]

Please.

Ner Yisroel took some action (not enough, though) to keep him away from the types of boys he likes.

Eisemann has also been sick, I think, which is supposed to limit his ability to do it.

And the rabbis cracked down hard on victims.

But is he what victims allege he is? Yes.

[dovid presley]

No no no. He has not been sick thank god. Nice try though. Don't try and make excuses. There is nowhere to hide and nothing to climb behind. ner yisroel cracked down on victims? Can you back up anything that you say? You spew such incredible shit, it is mind boggling.

[Shmarya]

Please.

Ner Yisroel and Baltimore rabbis did crack down on victims. There was even a ban issued against the Baltimore Jewish Times for its reporting on this issue.

Eisemann is supposed to have prostate cancer.

[dovid presley]

A ban on the Baltimore Jewish Times, the newspaper that did a whole investigative piece, and the "incriminating" evidence that they came up with was that 15 years ago he allegedly stared at someones crotch. LOL. Once again you fail to back up what you said that Ner Yisroel cracked down on victims. Im not a lawyer but I'm blessing that they could sue you for libel. Also, baruch Hashem, Rav Eisemann shlita is in good health, although judging by your "impeccable" sources its not surprising that you have such information.

[Shmarya]

Please.

The Times reported a lot more than that.

As for suing me for libel, please encourage Eisemann to do so.

Truth is the ultimate defense, and Eisemann doesn't have it.

[soso]

Asher Lipner says he was abused by Moshe Eisemann here 1:53
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhoCqnKVNkc