Druckman 'Apologizes' For Not Reporting Child Sex Abuse

Rabbi Haim Druckman did not report allegations that Netiv Meir's rosh yeshiva, Ze'ev Kopolovich, was sexually abusing students. Now, Druckman is about to get the Israel Prize for his achievements in education and conversion to Judaism of thousands of immigrants from the FSU, and former Nativ Meir students are incensed. Last night, Druckman 'apologized.'

Rabbi Haim Druckman

What did Rabbi Druckman say?

Druckman told Ma'ariv that they were only "allegations" and "rumors." Even though there wasn't proof, he removed Kopolovich from his post (temporarily). In retrospect, the only thing I did wrong, Druckman seemed to say, is that I didn't call police.

The truth is that Druckman protected Kopolovich and reinstated him.

Later, police found out about Kopolovich's crimes in another way, investigated and arrested him. He was convicted and sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison.

Druckman says the Israel Prize doesn't concern him. What bothers him is the "false" ideas that he his Kopolovich's crimes from police and that he meant to cover up the sex abuse.

This isn't an apology. It shows no concern for Kopolovich's victims. And Druckman doesn't really accept responsibility for his own actions.

And therefore Haim Druckman should not get the Israel Prize.

[Hat Tip: Michael Lesher.]

 

Comments

[Lubavitchers are Christians]

I never trusted the modern orthos. They're just tigers in sheep's clothing.

[Skeptical]

This was a "Limbaugh" type "apology." I'm surpised he didn't blame the victims for his actions.

[Mike]

@Lubavitchers are Christians:

What does this have to do with being modern orthodox? It has more to do with his reputation than anything else. What I mean is, as far as I know, it's not the MO mindset to obligatarily cover up sex abuse.

That being said, anyone who does cover it up is an enabler. And that deserves to be punished.

[wam-bam]

So this 'rabbi' really deserves a prize. Child molester, mamzerim converter, all in the name of orthodoxy.

[Shmarya]

So this 'rabbi' really deserves a prize. Child molester, mamzerim converter, all in the name of orthodoxy.

Posted by: wam-bam | March 13, 2012 at 11:13 AM

1. He is not a child molester.

2. The people he converted are not mamzerim.

3. Your grasp of reality is even worse than your grasp of halakha.

[TroubleMaker]

I never trusted the modern orthos. They're just tigers in sheep's clothing.

Posted by: Lubavitchers are Christians | March 13, 2012 at 09:57 AM

He looks haredi to me.

[ah-pee-chorus]

Kopolovich's victims probably brought it on themselves by dressing too provocatively. is there any truth to the rumor that his former yeshiva now requires all the boys to wear burqas over their pants and white shirts?

[Chaya Esther]

Hearsay, all hearsay!

[Jake]

This was not a interview with Maariv.

the Maariv reporter was reporting on a television interview that R Druckman gave.

The issue of apology was not mentioned by the Maariv reporter.

I hope Lesher is a better attorney then a reader of Hebrew.

Most of this English stuff is editorializing and inaccurate reporting..
Too many things to comment on from a iPhone.
Again a whole Bunch of mistakes.

[Jake]

Btw if Druckman doesn't deserve the prize it should be rescinded from ShimonPeres for promoting the Oslo Acoords which has left thousands of Israelite dead and wounde d.

[Shmarya]

Most of this English stuff is editorializing and inaccurate reporting..
Too many things to comment on from a iPhone.
Again a whole Bunch of mistakes.

Posted by: Jake | March 13, 2012 at 06:05 PM

You lied exactly like this in another post I did a couple days ago.

Druckman's argument is accurately represented, and NOTHING is presented as a direct translation of the Ma'ariv article.

So here's the deal.

If you lie one more time, I'll ban you and delete your comments.

[Chicago Sam]

It seems to me that the apology ought to go directly to the victims. Making an amorphous apology doesn't work here. He needs to take responsibility for what he failed to do: report the Rosh HaYeshiva to the authorities.

Rabbinic law warns us against being silent in the face of a crime. Silence is complicity.

In addition, he needs to speak with the victims and their families and ask them for their forgiveness; if they forgive him for not speaking out against the Rosh Yeshiva, then I do not have a problem with him receiving the prize.

R. Haim Druckman's behavior from this point on must truly be exemplary. Providence may have given him a chance to set the record straight once and for all.

I am merely expressing an opinion, everyone here is free to differ.

[Dave]

Chicago Sam, very well said.
As a separate comment from the above matter with Rav Druckman, but sort of related:-
I think that many people, haredi, non-haredi, Jewish and not Jewish have gotten into the "sorry, but" syndrome ie. "sorry" with an explanation. To quote some of our Haredi "this is not the Torah way". Apologies must be unqualified.