What Happens To A Convicted Pedophile In Boston's Orthodox/Haredi Community?

Not much, apparently. Rabbi Stanley Z. Levitt just pleaded guilty Wednesday to sexually abusing three 6th graders while he taught at Maimonides High School in the middle to late 1970s. He was sentenced Thursday to 10 years probation and forbidden to have unsupervised contact with children below the age of 17. He also has child sexual abuse allegations from after his time at Maimonides, and he pleaded no contest to one of them in Philadelphia in the 1990s. So? How did Boston shuls deal with Levitt this Shabbos after his very well publicized guilty plea?

Rabbi Stanley Z. Levitt

According to someone who was in Boston this Shabbos, local Orthodox and haredi rabbis did not handle Rabbi Stanley Z. Levitt's presence very well.

Levitt, who as I noted above just pleaded guilty to sexually abusing three boys, went to one shul where he was told by the rabbi (after members confronted the rabbi about Levitt's presence) that he could not return.

But Levitt simply went to a nearby shul and, even though that shul's rabbi and leadership was informed of Levitt's guilty plea – a plea made just three days earlier that well publicized in the local media – they chose to allow Levitt to remain.

Here's a quiz for Orthodox and haredi synagogue rabbis and board members:

What is more important halakhicly?

1. Allowing a convicted pedophile to fulfill the mitzvah of praying with a minyan (prayer quorum) by allowing him to pray in your synagogue?

2. Protecting the children in your care by banning the pedophile from your synagogue and its grounds?

Hint: Child sexual abuse often destroys children. It can ruin their lives and it drives some to substance abuse and suicide. On the other hand, praying alone at home, while lonely, hurts no one.

I hope this quiz was not too difficult for you – although past experience tells me that for many rabbis, it probably was.

Related Posts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Comments

[Jill]

According to someone who was in Boston this Shabbos, local Orthodox and haredi rabbis did not handle Rabbi Stanley Z. Levitt's presence very well.

Just what did that Mr or Mrs "somebody" do?

[fred]

relevant http://www.vosizneias.com/109942/2012/07/15/baltimore-md-prominent-charedi-rabbi-warns-community-about-alleged-sex-offender-says-has-no-place-in-shuls/

[Shmarya]

Just what did that Mr or Mrs "somebody" do?

Posted by: Jill | August 05, 2012 at 06:22 AM

Far more than you ever would, that's for sure.

[Bary]

The problem here is with Boston's police department. How could they in good conscience let such a monster loose on its citizenry? They should either have him locked up or followed - anything less is criminal and irresponsible!

[Shmarya]

The problem here is with Boston's police department. How could they in good conscience let such a monster loose on its citizenry? They should either have him locked up or followed - anything less is criminal and irresponsible!

Posted by: Bary | August 05, 2012 at 06:41 AM

Are you really this stupid?

Do try to process. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation. He can't be alone with children. He can't have unsupervised contact with children. But he can go anywhere he wants to as long he doesn't violate those conditions.

It is up to rabbis to have him removed from their synagogues, not police.

[Shmarya]

I should also add that you must stop trolling here. If you do not stop, I will delete your comments and ban you.

And that goes for 'Jill,' as well.

[Jeff]

Yes, it's time for "Jill" to go.

Meanwhile, I keep saying Boston isn't a very Jewish town. I guess I have to stop saying it; apparently, we're as Jewish as New York. We now have our own frum pedophiles.

[Jacky]

It is up to rabbis to have him removed from their synagogues, not police.

Posted by: Shmarya | August 05, 2012 at 06:46 AM

I wouldn't stop there. I would have his landlord throw him out. His doctor refuse to treat him. His pharmacist stop dispensing his medication. His mailman throw out his mail. His cleaners burn his cloths. The managers of the stores where he shops have him removed if he enters their establishments.

Everyone must do their part.

[Fred]

Shmarya,

Why dont you name names? You hide behind unnamed sources and inuendo. If you have what to expose, do so, so we can hold the shules responsible. Get specific.

[FMFan]

This is one of your best posts EVER.

Change the title or add something to it and this is a huge one.

Good work.

[Jeff]

I wouldn't stop there. I would have his landlord throw him out. His doctor refuse to treat him. His pharmacist stop dispensing his medication. His mailman throw out his mail. His cleaners burn his cloths. The managers of the stores where he shops have him removed if he enters their establishments.

Everyone must do their part.

Posted by: Jacky | August 05, 2012 at 07:11 AM

So now "Jill" has become "Jack"?

The tragedy is that you think you're being clever.

[dave]

What is 'trolling'?

[Fred]

AND why not bring the so called Jewish media to task--- the Jewish Advocate, the only community paper in Boston doesnt even have an article on Leavitt. Its owner/publisher is a self invented chasidishe rebbe (former lawyer and petty diplomat for Austria).

[D]

Shmarya, what was the nature of his access to the kids at the time of the abuse? Was it just from a casual association at shul, or was it teacher/student or something similar? Isn't that critical to this issue?

[Jeff]

self invented chasidishe rebbe (former lawyer and petty diplomat for Austria)

I knew he was a self-invented rebbe (although to be fair, he is part of the Zhviler branch of the Twersky family; he just wasn't in the line of succession, and I've been told he did get the family's permission to begin calling himself "Rebbe"), but I didn't know he'd been a diplomat. Can you elaborate?

[ultra haredi lite]

Just curious. Legally, how do you go about removing him from a shul? Restraining order? Good old fashioned grab him by the scruff and dump him out?

[Isa]

Sue his ass off! yes sir!

Take all his available money so he cannot live in a comfy Jewish neighborhood anymore!

Take his $2000 Tefillin away-he can use the cheap Bar Mitsva types
Take his silver kiddish cup away-he can use a Dixie cup

Hell they saw that O.J. was wearing a Rolex and they were going to take that away until they found out it was a $100 fake.

This asshole must have a library - take that away!

Take everything

[Bas Melech]

Since children daven with adults in shul, why can't rabbis ask L to leave? Children go to the washroom. What if L has the urge to go at the same time?

Once again the Rabbis minimize what is important and stress behavior which isn't. (Removing or photo shopping female pictures in magazines)

[Korbendallas72]

Of course they should let him stay, it's not like he did something as heinous as going OTD by eating something without a hechsher, chas v'sholom! Shit, I'm surprised they didn't give him the first aliyah.

[Fred]

Failed SHMARIAH:What shule already, name names so we can protest!!!!!!!!!

JEFF:The "rebbe" was hired by Austria in the 80s to be its Boston honorary consul. Austria needed help to ward off charges of anti semitsim since its Chancellor Waldheim was outed as previosuly being a Nazi. The kippa wearing, clean shaven, Donny Osmand look a like proto rebbi fit the bill, took the gig. After his divorce from a Jew magnet's daughter, he got the Jewish Advocate in the settlment.

[Yerachmiel Lopin]

Ultra Haredi Lite,

You remove him by telling him to leave. This is within the power of any congregation. If the polite, "please leave" doesn't work you tell him you will publicize the reason. You can be sure that will do the trick. Frankly, if I were in that community I would do a mailing citing the facts about him and urging all adults to take necessary precautions given the recidivist patterns of pedophiles. If the shuls continue to give him safe harbor (which gives him access to children) I would start a guerrilla campaign of leaving flyers in siddurim about him with his picture and his conviction record. This is one war that should be easy for Boston activists to win.

BTW I thought his probation included reference to his moving back to Baltimore. He should do very well in Baltimore and he can form a minyan with like minded Jews of his bent persuasition. I have no objection to a minyan of molesters as long as there are no children. In fact I will contribute $18 to print a sign "Agudah Molester's Minyan- for adults only" or if they prefer "Ner Israel Molester's Minyan."

Maybe they can get the Novominsker Rebber or David Zweibel as the guest speaker for the inauguration of the minyan.

If you daven in any of the shuls where Levitt is welcome, take pictures of him with enough background to make it clear where he is davening. I am guessing Shmarya would be glad to post them. The bad publicity might just do the trick.

[congregant]

I am the congregant referred to. I just want it known, first, that I believe that the first synagogue was not remiss in their duty and that is how I intended it to be expressed. The offender was instructed by the shul leadership not to return, and that is precisely what they should have done. In my opinion they handled it very well.

I have been told that there were no children present at the second shul and that levitt will no longer be welcome there regardless.

I contacted shmarya because I wanted it publicized that levitt is in the area so that people would know about it. I had and have no intention to slander the community or its leaders.

[Jeff]

After his divorce from a Jew magnet's daughter, he got the Jewish Advocate in the settlment.

Posted by: Fred | August 05, 2012 at 09:12 AM

Actually, I think he bought it after the divorce (he was married to Sumner Redstone's daughter).

The rest I didn't know. Thanks.

[ultra haredi lite]

Yellow journalism at its best!

[ultra haredi lite]

So if he shows up on some random shabbos unannounced then pretty much all you can do is say, "haul your moronic apologetic ass outta here" and "toddle off", or can you physically remove him?

[dh]

What kind of probation allows him to leave the state?

[Manny]

Sue his ass off! yes sir!

Take all his available money so he cannot live in a comfy Jewish neighborhood anymore!

Take his $2000 Tefillin away-he can use the cheap Bar Mitsva types
Take his silver kiddish cup away-he can use a Dixie cup

Hell they saw that O.J. was wearing a Rolex and they were going to take that away until they found out it was a $100 fake.

This asshole must have a library - take that away!

Take everything

Posted by: Isa | August 05, 2012 at 08:39 AM

I don't think he has enough to make it worthwhile for a lawyer to take the case.

[Devorah]

"Meanwhile, I keep saying Boston isn't a very Jewish town. I guess I have to stop saying it; apparently, we're as Jewish as New York. We now have our own frum pedophiles.

Posted by: Jeff "

Almost like Starbucks, one on every corner. Seems like all towns have their frum pedophiles.

[Jeff]

Devorah, are you also in Boston?

[dh]

There are sites where every hotel bedbug sighting is chronicled. But not pediphiles. Not enough push pins.

[Devorah]

Monsey suburbs here.

[Flatbush Girl]

What is 'trolling'?
Posted by: dave | August 05, 2012 at 07:44 AM

I'm quoting from wikipedia here:
"In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory,[2] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response[3] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion."

You can read the wikipedia entry here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet)

Some trolls do their trolling through the use of "sockpuppets." You can read the wiki on sockpuppets here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sockpuppet_(Internet)

Sorry about the "off-topic" post. It seems a bit ironic, considering the definition of a troll. lol.

[Robert J. Barron, Attorney-at-Law]

Well, I have always been a non-conformist, and I see no reason to change that now.....

BTW, I might be mistaken in this assumption, but as a lawyer, I've probably encountered more trashbags than all of you, so I think I have a base of experience upon which to base my statements.

I've represented people like this guy. (In a different context); and I've represented some people at lot worse, and I've represented some people who aspired to be like this guy. Hey...they have the money...I have the time. (And yes, feel free to analogize what I do to the world's oldest profession.)

Once the criminal justice system has rendered its' judgment, and delivered its' sentence, that should be that. That's their job.

But one thing I have a problem with is the idea of continous and never-ending punishment, and/or punishment that is delivered by non-state actors.

Yes, he should not be around children. But at the same time, I have told my clients on a regular basis- as they seek to either rebuild their lives after punishment, or as they are thinking about what kind of punishment is in store- spending time with clergy and/or in a house of worship can sometimes provide answers; or, if not answers, at least some type of solace.

As a lawyer, I would not want someone deprived of the opportunity to worship in a house of worship, and I'm not sure I'm enthusiastic about him being turned away from such. Because maybe such worship will provide him what he needs to not travel back down that path again. Idealistic? Maybe. Unrealistic. Maybe. But as a lawyer, I help my clients deal in the here-and-now. A priest or rabbi helps a congregant deal with the hereafter. I'm not sure I want someone deprived of relationship.

Granted, I have two nephews and a niece, and if anyone ever touched them or did something wrong, I'll snap that person's neck and do ten to twenty years.

But as long as he does not have any contact with children, I would not have a problem with him worshiping in the synagogue that my own family goes to. The criminal justice system has rendered its' verdict and sentence. As long as he is not allowed contact with children, let him worship.

[Robert J. Barron, Attorney-at-Law]

Jeff,

Are you in Boston? Small world...I lived in Lexington for 11 months in 88-89 when I was working at Hanscom Air Force Base. Small world...

[Pierre]

Granted, I have two nephews and a niece, and if anyone ever touched them or did something wrong, I'll snap that person's neck and do ten to twenty years.

But as long as he does not have any contact with children, I would not have a problem with him worshiping in the synagogue that my own family goes to. The criminal justice system has rendered its' verdict and sentence. As long as he is not allowed contact with children, let him worship.

Posted by: Robert J. Barron, Attorney-at-Law | August 05, 2012 at 01:00 PM

Well said. If someone feel threatened then I would add that when he passes you, grab your crotch to protect your jewels, besides that you should be ok.

[Jeff]

Jeff,

Are you in Boston?

Brookline - ironically, the center of Boston's Jewish community (well, nominally; it's more spread out, now).

[WoolSilkCotton, rock star and sports superstar]

Mr. Barron, I wonder about the legality of not allowing such a person to participate in the normal activities of life, such as attending religious services, taking his clothes to the dry cleaners, getting his mail delivered without harassment from the post office, etc., as long as he is not violating any terms of his probation and plea deal.

[Robert J. Barron, Attorney-at-Law]

WoolSilkCotton,

As long as someone does not violate the terms and conditions of their probation and plea deal, they are generally not prohibited from what you are calling the "normal activities of life". The aim of probation is to establish terms and conditions that someone needs to follow in order to keep them on the "Straight and Narrow", so to speak. They follow those terms and conditions, and they can pretty much do everything that you and I can do.

There's a second aim of probation - one that I regularly used to warn my clients about (when I did criminal defense) and that this- "They have their hooks into you for the next year/two years/three years/whatever. You so much as urinate on the sidewalk, and you WILL go down; and you'll spend some time in an orange jumpsuit. So don't even THINK about messing up again!" (That speech worked on, I'd say, 90% of my clients)

I guess we will see how long Rabbi Leavitt stays on the "Straight and Narrow".

And you can call me Robert.

[WoolSilkCotton, rock star and sports superstar]

Thanks, Robert.

I believe it was mentioned by someone else on another thread, regarding this case, that 10 years of probation, where Levitt must watch his every behavior for fear of going to prison, is perhaps worse than serving a straightforward year or two in prison.

I wonder if he can sue an establishment that won't serve him, or tries to harass him, such as a grocery store or dry cleaner that won't allow him to be a customer there, or even a synagogue that won't allow him to worship there.
Surely there must be some rights he has, to try to live a normal life, as long as he obeys his probation terms and conditions.

[ultra haredi lite]

WSC,
My point exactly.

[jancsibacsi]

Did anyone asked the children whom he molested if they forgive him,does this do justice to the people he molested?

[dh]

It's not about the rapist! It's about the victim. Did you guys fall down the Looking Glass??

[Abracadabra]

Robert Barron -

I understand that your job is the sypathize with the defendents, who are usually those found guilty of the crimes. But the rest of us do not have such sympathies. Rather, we need to protect the victims, and any potential victims.

All places of worship (Orthodox synagogues, shuls) of this man's pursuation (Orthodox Jewish) have children in attendance on a regular basis. And as someone said before, no one can shaddow the guy, following him to the bathroom so that he doesn't decide to fondle a kid he finds alone there when he goes to the mens room. There is no way to prvent this other than keeping him away from the Orthodox places of worship - shuls. If he wants to be in touch with the Rabbi, there is nothing stopping the rabbi from making a housecall to his house. Or for the pedophile to be invited to the shul to speak to the rabbi when there are no services and no children around. But being a part of regular Orthodox services, means being where there are children. And there is no way, other than following him every step he takes, to making sure he is NEVER for a minute alone with a child, even while just going to use the facilities.

It's not fair, but, the shul didn't create the problem, the pedophile did. And if services would have kept him from engaging in sexual abuse of children, well, then he should have availed himself of those benefits BEFOREHAND. At this point, it's not safe to let him into any shul where children frequent, which is EVERY Orthodox sysnagogue.

[BeenThereDoneThat]

Abra, please do not speak for us.

Whether we agree with you or not, we are all individuals with our own opinions which range over a vast spectrum.

But now I speak for myself, and say, that if I were in shul with such a person, I would not be able to daven with kavonoh, as I would always have it on my mind to see where he is, and ensure that my kids are not in his gaze, or reach.

[Ralph]

An ounce of prevention could go a long way. Have children escorted by their parents if they have to use the restroom. The gabbi should keep an eye on him if he leaves the shul. Maybe if one asks him to inform the gabbi if he has to leave to take a leak he will say, no problem. Don't assume that the only solution is to excommunicate him from ALL shuls.

I got it! Handcuff him when he arrives or put a ball and chain on his legs when he enters the shul. That should ease everyone's fear.

[David]

As I have said before, among the Charedi frumma there is very little (if any) shame or concern by others about being a pedophile. Furthermore, the frumma are not likely to report him to police if they see him with unspupervised contact with children. Apart from a daily (or whatever) visit to his probation officer, I expect he can live his life almost as normal.

[Eli, what me messiah?]

Abra,
Robert makes a fair point, which is that it is the job of the clergy to go out of their way to help him rebuild his life.
They can organize things for him so he can attend when no children are present, and/or under strict supervision, and/or limiting the areas he can be present.
As a parent, I expect them to keep my kids from danger, but once that is assured, I would respect them for helping rehabilitate.

[Bas Melech]

Pedophiles rarely rehabilitate. Check the statistics.

[Yoel Mechanic]

As I have said before, among the Charedi frumma there is very little (if any) shame or concern by others about being a pedophile.
-------------------------------------------
Do you have any evidence that Chareidi culture tolerates pedophilia? Now, I said culture... this is distinct from educational institutions (let's keep that for a separate discussion). I'm open to actual *evidence*, and even if it is impressionistic, that counts too so long as honestly reported.

Now, I'll be blunt: I am skeptical of this statement to say the least. Everyone I know is extremely hostile and disgusted by that sort of behavior. That is the feeling on the streets, or at the Shabbos table. I do not sense any sort of laxness on that. Families are all over the place, and everyone would absolutely flip out by that sort of stuff. And personally, I am ready to puke just even discussing this issue. This is impressionistic evidence, of course, but that is all I have for now.

[David]

As I have said before, among the Charedi frumma there is very little (if any) shame or concern by others about being a pedophile.
-------------------------------------------
Do you have any evidence that Chareidi culture tolerates pedophilia?

Posted by: Yoel Mechanic | August 05, 2012 at 04:32 PM

Yes. I know of a first hand account from frumma ladies (as conveyed by my female non-frumma friend who visited a charedi shul) questioning why certain cases have been bought up from long ago and in any case the accused pedophile was "cured" after he was sent to a psychiatrist. There was little disgust or revulsion.

[Robert J. Barron, Attorney-at-Law]

Abra,

You might have misconstrued or misunderstood my comments. In no way, shape or form do I sympathize with that individual. OF COURSE children have to be protected.

But at the same time, I don't think the two propositions are mutually exclusive- protecting children while enabling someone to worship according to his or her religious preference and requirements.

[Yoel Mechanic]

That's very bad. Also, naive: perhaps they thought of it as a medical/mental illness and were naive enough to believe in the idea of a simplistic "cure". And I
am not happy to hear of anyone who might be lax on this issue. But there is some ambiguity in how to interpret this, as I have implied.

Moreover:

I find all this an irony: consider that 40% of the cases of reported pedophilia are between males, and that is a BIG AVEIRAH. And in other threads I see the frum community being chided for not be open-minded on any "gay issue". Obviously the frum world is *not* open-minded on this issue, so how would they suddenly be lax when it comes to this?

I've had some of the very-open-minded posters here piously inform me that male on male pedophilia is an issue of child abuse, and not an issue of gay sex. Um, but as far a frum attitudes go, this is still a sex act between males, and isn't that something the frum world dislikes intensely, and is often made fun of here?

Then the other 60% involves pre-marital contact between a male and female which the fum world is also hostile to.

Things just don't add up! And consider the Chabad community, another focus here. Some untold majority of them are either baal teshuvah types or have parents who are. And they bring rather typical American cultural values with them on this issue: hostility to pedophilia just like the mainstream American culture is too.

Now, i've heard how some of the institutions have handled the issue poorly (I personally cannot comment). But for the "sense on the streets", I hope you see why I am skeptical. But I do appreciate your additional anecdote. Perhaps there is a lesson in it, as I have suggested, but I am not sure it is valid to extrapolate that to laxness of the culture at large. It could just as easily mean that these women (and other like them) are totally mixed up as to what pedophilia actually is.

[Yoel Mechanic]

addendum, *if* it turned out there were frum sectors that were lax, or thought it no big shame, on this issue; then I would be totally against that attitude, just like everyone I know would be totally against it. But I wouldn't say tsk tsk tsk, and I wouldn't sit around and make fun either. I would seek to change that attitude.

[Isa]

A white collar criminal can repent
A burglar can repent
A thief can repent
etc etc etc can repent

A pedophile cannot!

You don't know when they will slip into their alternate reality

It happened to my daughter in front of me!

A child that is molested will have their 'nefesh' messed up, some recover , for most there are lingering effects throughout their lives. Some will molest others!

[Bas Melech]

Frumma women are disgusted by and fear abuse and the abusers, BUT many do not believe that the accused can be a respected member of the community.

[Moshe Levy]

What shul(s) is he being allowed to daven in?

[chussid]

I didn't see him
Where did he daven?
Id like to avoid whichever shul hosted this POS

[Chad Greene]

Korf used to be a Conservative Rabbi in Dover, Mass. After he divorced Sumner Redstone's daughter (the second richest Jew in USA and Pres. of CBS & viacom) he decided to become a Chassidic Rebbe. Before that, he ran his father in law's theatre business.

[Jeff]

Korf used to be a Conservative Rabbi in Dover, Mass

He did live in Dover. I'm not aware that he was a Conservative rabbi. He grew up in an Orthodox family.

[different dave]

The way I see it, 1 shul did not permit him to enter and 1 shul did so why are you knocking every Haradei Rabbi, Kudos to the one who didn't and shame on the one that did.

[Pierre]

I didn't see him
Where did he daven?
Id like to avoid whichever shul hosted this POS

Posted by: chussid | August 05, 2012 at 09:55 PM

Since I believe no shul would throw him out you had better not attend any shul.

That being said. Maybe you should call up all shuls and find out which shuls (if any) will tell you that they would throw him out or deny him entry. Then you know where you should your business to and at the same time you can report here which shuls (if any) one may attend.

[Pierre]

make that

Then you know where you should give your business to

[JessicaR]

What little research there is on pedophilia suggests that it is a disorder that is deeply ingrained and may be due to neurological abnormalities. Many pedophiles have a history of head injuries. Apparently, no one chooses to be a pedophile any more than one chooses to be a heterosexual attracted to age-appropriate partners.

In view of this, one can take another approach. As long as pedophiles are out of jail, the best approach is not to torment them or exclude them but to create a network of services for them. Perhaps adults-only shuls, apartment houses, and groups akin to 12-step groups. The kind of humane treatment would make them feel less isolated and alone and, one hopes, less likely to abuse children.

Social support while at the same time rigorously protecting children might do more to curb this problem than hatred and ostracism.