BREAKING! Death Threats Force Haredi Childrens Advocate Rabbi Nochum Rosenberg To Shut Down

Threatened with death, Rabbi Nochum Rosenberg, the haredi rabbi who uncovered and publicized rabbi-on-child sexual abuse in haredi communities has been forced to close his hotline and…

… give up the public side of his child protection efforts.

Hamercaz reports:

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- Controversial activist R' Nuchem Rosenberg announced Tuesday that his telephone hotline has permanently closed down. Citing death threats from various groups unhappy with his public pontificating, he said that he has been advised by Rabbinic leaders that his obligation to publicize the ills of society as he sees them extends only so far; once it became apparent that his life was at stake, he says he was advised that he should cease operations.

On the hotline, which R' Rosenberg claimed had thousands of listeners, R' Rosenberg championed a host of issues, ranging from transparency in Kashrus to the promoting of Tznius among young couples. But by far the issue that was most prominently featured by R' Rosenberg was his crusade against child molesters and those who harbor them, especially in the context of Yeshivos.

R' Rosenberg railed at those responsible for what he said was an ongoing cover-up in the Orthodox - and particularly the Chasidish - community. He advanced the opinion that child molestation in Yeshivos is a much more widespread phenomenon than commonly acknowledged, affecting hundreds of children each year. He stated that when victims do step forward, their claims are routinely swept under the rug, and the perpetrators typically allowed to continue serving as Cheder Rebbes, Menahalim, Rabbonim, camp staffers, and other positions that give them contiued access to children.

In recent months, R' Rosenberg was under ever increasing pressure to close down his operation. A Kol Koreh [advertisement against him signed by prominent haredi rabbis] published several weeks ago in the Brooklyn area Yiddish media forbid listening to his hotline. The Kol Koreh was signed by representatives of many major Chasidish groups, including, Bobov, Satmar, and Vizhnitz. The Kol Koreh characterized R' Rosenberg's telephone monologues as "disgusting" and "perversion" and stated that numerous young people had already been damaged by listening to his words. The Rabbonim added that R' Rosenberg had been warned many times to cease in his activities, but since he had refused so, the public ban was necessary.…

Last night and today is the 29th yartzeit of the Satmar Rebbe, Yoel Teitelbaum. I would assume the death threats were made in conjunction with this "holy" event.

Satmar hasidim try to kill Rabbi Rosenberg in London last month.

Rabbi Rosenberg's farewell.

[Hat Tip: Sheryl]

Comments

[Archie Bunker]

http://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/pdfs/2008/2008_32321.pdf

The faction of Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum of the divided Satmar Hassidic sect won a victory from the Brooklyn courts Tuesday, just in time for the most significant event on the Satmar calendar.
On Wednesday, the biggest current day Jewish pilgrimage outside of Israel will make its way to Monroe, NY. Close to 50,000 people will visit the tomb of Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum the founder of Satmar Hasidim on the 29th anniversary of the Grand Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum's death.
But a dispute that erupted eight years ago after a faction led by Zalmen Teitelbaum, the younger son of former Grand Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum who died in April 2006, tried to take control over the Williamsburg Congregation, has divided the sect in two.
On Monday, a Brooklyn Judge denied the breakaway faction, followers of Zalmen Teitelbaum judicial recognition of their claim to be the leaders of the Williamsburg Congregation, a very significant congregation in the worldwide Satmar sect.
Kings County Supreme Court Justice Michael Ambrosio held that a faction aligned with Rabbi Zalmen Teitelbaum, could not claim legal entitlement to control the Williamsburg Congregation.
According to Justice Ambrosio, attempts by the Zalmen faction to claim hold on the property, is beyond the court's purview. Justice Ambrosio found that the Zalmen faction had "misinterpreted" earlier court decisions, and found no legal basis to support their disputed claim to be the lawful leaders of the Congregation.
The tactics used by each side flipped 180 degrees. In the past followers of Aaron Teitelbaum, the older son, claimed the dispute between the two factions was in the courts domain. But the courts have continued to claim it is beyond their purview. In the latest battle they decided to follow the logic of the court, and claimed that the dispute was non-justiciable and should be brought before a rabbinic court.
Asked to explain the reversal of their legal argument, Jeffrey D. Buss an attorney for the Aaron camp, gave two reasons. First, the courts had been very clear that they would not get involved. Second, his clients are the stronger of the two factions within the community, with a majority of the worldwide Satmar community recognizing Rabbi Aaron as the new Grand Rabbi. According to Mr. Buss, it is traditional for the older son to inherit the position of Grand Rabbi.

The Aaron camp is celebrating the recent court decision as a major victory.

[Archie Bunker]

http://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/pdfs/2008/2008_32321.pdf

The faction of Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum of the divided Satmar Hassidic sect won a victory from the Brooklyn courts Tuesday, just in time for the most significant event on the Satmar calendar.
On Wednesday, the biggest current day Jewish pilgrimage outside of Israel will make its way to Monroe, NY. Close to 50,000 people will visit the tomb of Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum the founder of Satmar Hasidim on the 29th anniversary of the Grand Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum's death.
But a dispute that erupted eight years ago after a faction led by Zalmen Teitelbaum, the younger son of former Grand Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum who died in April 2006, tried to take control over the Williamsburg Congregation, has divided the sect in two.
On Monday, a Brooklyn Judge denied the breakaway faction, followers of Zalmen Teitelbaum judicial recognition of their claim to be the leaders of the Williamsburg Congregation, a very significant congregation in the worldwide Satmar sect.
Kings County Supreme Court Justice Michael Ambrosio held that a faction aligned with Rabbi Zalmen Teitelbaum, could not claim legal entitlement to control the Williamsburg Congregation.
According to Justice Ambrosio, attempts by the Zalmen faction to claim hold on the property, is beyond the court's purview. Justice Ambrosio found that the Zalmen faction had "misinterpreted" earlier court decisions, and found no legal basis to support their disputed claim to be the lawful leaders of the Congregation.
The tactics used by each side flipped 180 degrees. In the past followers of Aaron Teitelbaum, the older son, claimed the dispute between the two factions was in the courts domain. But the courts have continued to claim it is beyond their purview. In the latest battle they decided to follow the logic of the court, and claimed that the dispute was non-justiciable and should be brought before a rabbinic court.
Asked to explain the reversal of their legal argument, Jeffrey D. Buss an attorney for the Aaron camp, gave two reasons. First, the courts had been very clear that they would not get involved. Second, his clients are the stronger of the two factions within the community, with a majority of the worldwide Satmar community recognizing Rabbi Aaron as the new Grand Rabbi. According to Mr. Buss, it is traditional for the older son to inherit the position of Grand Rabbi.

The Aaron camp is celebrating the recent court decision as a major victory.

[Archie Bunker]

http://www.thejewishweek.com/viewArticle/c36_a13292/News/New_York.html

BREAKING NEWS: Satmar Teacher Sued By Former Student For Sexual Abuse
by Staff Report

A teacher at a prominent Satmar yeshiva in Williamsburg is being sued by a
former student for sexual assault and abuse.

In court papers filed Wednesday, Joel Engelman is seeking $5 million in
damages from Rabbi Avorohom Reichman, the yeshiva, the United Talmudical
Academy and the Satmar Bungalow Colony, where Reichman also teaches in the
sect¹s summer camp in upstate White Lake.

The civil complaint alleges that Engelman, now 23, was 8 years old in 1993
when Rabbi Reichman sexually assaulted him. The suit alleges that Engelman
suffered psychological and physical injury, which required medical and
psychological treatment, as a result of the abuse.

The suit also alleges that the school ³continues to lack basic rules
protecting children from sexual assault.

It states that a deal was in place in April whereby the Engelman family
agreed not to pursue legal action in return for Reichman¹s resignation from
the school and the camp. But Rabbi Reichman, according to the suit, was
videotaped teaching at the camp in July, after the statute of limitations
for a criminal prosecution had run out.

The defendants fraudulently induced Joel Engelman to enter into this
exchange of mutual promises, and oral contract, the suit alleges.

It also claims that various Satmar officials investigated Engelman's
allegations and found that there were multiple, credible complaints of
sexual abuse made against Reichman.

Calls to United Talmudical Academy and the Satmar Bungalow Colony for
comment were not returned.

I really didn¹t want this to get into the courts, Engelman told The Jewish
Week. Had they done things differently [and fired Reichman], I probably
wouldn't have sued. This is the last thing I wanted.

Engelman¹s sexual abuse allegations are the latest in a string of such
charges made by former male yeshiva students in ultra-Orthodox schools in
Brooklyn.

Rabbi Yehuda Kolko, a first grade teacher at Yeshiva Torah Temima in
Flatbush, recently plead guilty to two counts of endangering the welfare of
a child after being charged with several counts of sexual abuse. Brooklyn
District Attorney Charles Hynes defended the last-minute plea, citing the
young age of the plaintiff.

Several civil suits pending against Rabbi Kolko and the school seek a total
some $50 million in damages.

Isn't it $100 million?

[Simon Rose]

These Jews are crazy.

They need a secular court to rule over who the right fanatical group????

That's more proof that Torah law has no basis for us other then our own personal moral and ethical behavior.

[Simon Rose]

Sorry my post was meant for the Satmar infighting.

Rabbi Rosenberg is a true Hero everyone should stand up like him.

[Rachel Batya]

--Satmar Teacher Sued By Former Student For Sexual Abuse--

Good to see the survivors taking the power into their own hands. Rabbi Rosenberg has clearly strengthened people to fight back.

As much as the reasons for his stepping down anger me, I think he made the right decision. There is still a lot of work to do, and he will continue to be a source of strength for the people who need him. He is much more valuable to them alive, despite what he's had to give up.

I AM not WORRIED FOR RABBI ROSENBERG. PERHAPS HE SHUT DOWN THE HOT LINE BUT HE IS WORKING DILLIGENTLY BEHIND THE SCENES. hATZLOCH RABA REB NUCHEM.

[anonymous witness]

I a few days ago I made a posting on this blog on the "Thugs that beat Jerusalem woman linked to Ger" posting. It was regarding the relationship with thugs, organized crime and the hareidi world.

I spoke about the Israeli scene however they are internationally networked. If one someone pisses off or double crosses someone in one place. Moving will not help him/her. One can be tracked anywhere in the world. With the help of associates and various contacts abroad.

I just want to point out the recent cases of that Bobover who was laundering money for drug dealers also of Yeshiva Chaim Berlin laundering money for a local mob family. You have to ask yourself where they meet such people. I am saying that our society has become diseased.

Trust me, Rav Rosenberg was not silenced by a bunch of yeshiva bachurs. He has been threatened by the mob.

This makes it all the more profound that the blogger OUJ keeps anonymous. The danger to him is more profound than being put in herim or having his children being kicked out of their schools.

[sage]

We have really reached the lowest depths.

So-Called religious Jews arranging for real "Death Threats" against another religious Jew for the "crime" of upholding Torah Values.

[Excommunicate Them]

Once again . . . can we make the trade NOW?

Re-communicate Spinoza, and EXcommunicate these coddlers of child molesters.

This is worse than the Catholic child molestation scandals. With them, we never heard about any advocates or child counselors who were forced to shut down due to death threats.

Once again, Judaism moves closer to the Taliban column.

Really deplorable.

[shmuel]

"Once again, Judaism moves closer to the Taliban column.

Really deplorable."

Agreed. Now we're threatening rabbis who speak the truth and who urge us to correct our societal problems.
We killed prophets back in the day for doing the same thing.
We are hopelessly corrupt, mendacious, and violent. I used to wonder why God destroyed us regularly (2 Temple throwdowns, Betar, Crusades, Chmelniztky, pogroms, the Holocaust, Arab terrorism). Now I realize how upright He is. He is as disgusted with us as He can be. I think we're headed for another round of grand punishment for this stuff.

Sickos, whatever you do, 1) don't discuss your problems, 2) don't admit to any fault, 3) sweep everything under as many carpets as you can--it's the Torah way! 4) never fire a single child molester---that might embolden others to come forward; 5) intimidate your victims with threats of shidduch problems. If that doesn't work, threaten them with death. One or the other should do the trick.
A sick, demented society. I comfort myself by concluding that since they threaten rabbis who speak truth with death, and they go to secular courts over their silly succession arguments, they're not acting within the confines of Jewish law at all. They're outside the pale as far as I'm concerned.

[Yochanan Lavie]

Let's get back to basics, and do away with this rabbi-hero-worship crap.

what's the hot line #?