The Unethical, Abusive Cult Rabbi Yeshiva University And Modern Orthodoxy Won't Discipline

The young rabbis saw a madrich – an older student appointed as a guide or counselor for the younger, just out of high school Americans, Canadians and other Westerners who were on the one year program – throwing unopened and mail sent to some of those students by their families into the garbage – unread and undelivered.

Rabbi Aharon Bina

I keep hearing credible horror stories about Rabbi Aharon Bina, the former Yeshivat HaKotel rosh yeshiva who now heads Netiv Aryeh. What follows is one of them:

Thirty years ago, a young rabbi was studying in Yeshivat Hakotel’s kollel. He heard Rabbi Aharon Bina say inappropriate things to American students in the one year program affiliated with Yeshiva University, but didn’t know what to do about it. Bina was the head of the program and a rosh yeshiva, and there was no procedure in place to report something like this.

Then he and another young rabbi saw a madrich – an older student appointed as a guide or counselor for the younger, just out of high school Americans, Canadians and other Westerners who were on the one year program – throwing the unopened and unread mail sent to some of those students by their families into the garbage. The young rabbi asked the madrich why he was throwing away the personal mail of these students.

The madrich told him that Rabbi Bina had decided that certain Western students should have their mail thrown unread and undelivered into the garbage because the parents of those students were a “bad influence” on them.

The two young rabbis allegedly wrote a letter to Yeshivat HaKotel’s administrator informing him of what they saw and arguing that Bina was unfit to work in education.

But Yeshivat HaKotel did nothing to stop Bina, even though it had two credible witnesses against him.

It did, however, allow Bina to retaliate against one of the young rabbis.

Bina is still teaching – now at his own Yeshiva affiliated with YU, Netiv Aryeh – and is still racking up multiple, credible complaints of emotional and physical abuse of students.

Related Post: Modern Orthodox Yeshiva Head Allegedly Emotionally And Physically Abuses Students.

Comments

[Avi]

His kipa is way to big. Something must be done about it.

[jancsipista]

With his oversized kipa he looks like brain damaged to me especially laughting showing of his buck teeth.

[Reb Chaim]

So you wonder why Rav Bina left Yeshivat Hakotel and set up his own school virtually across the street? Maybe it has something to do with this, or other similar incidents. But the bottom line is that parents should be forewarned before sending their sons to study in his institution. Virtually everybody now knows just what kind of education the boy will get here. For some kids, Rav Bina's controversial methods will be no big deal while for others, they will be a disaster.

[Garnel Ironheart]

And yet over Rosh HaShanah I had dinner with a former Netiv Aryah student who raved about Rav Bina and how wonderful he was.
The stories all seem to sound the same. Either he's a horrible ogre of a man or he's the best rebbe since Moshe Rabeinu. Or maybe he's both.

[Yitzchak Bukingolts]

That picture was taken immediately after being honored with lighting the kotel chanukiah. Thank you Rosh Yeshiva for helping me find myself and for providing the most unbelievable and warm environment for growth and to connect to the greatest rabbeim. Thank you for being there for me as a bochur and for always being there for my wife and I. May you continue till 120!

[jim]

Awfully thin to rely on triple hearsay.

[Shmarya]

Awfully thin to rely on triple hearsay.

Posted by: jim | September 24, 2012 at 04:12 PM

Try clicking on the link.

[A. Nuran]

Interfering with the delivery of mail is a fairly serious crime here and in Israel. Conspiracy is icing on the cake. Interfering in the relations between parent and child is not exactly a mitzvah either

[David]

BaabaaaBOOOOEY

Posted by: baba boooey | September 24, 2012 at 04:33 PM

Well argued Baba. Your Yeshivah "education" is a credit to you.

[Yochanan Lavie]

Apologies to the Marvelettes (Mr. Postman):

Oy vey, wait a minute Mister Cult man
(Wait)
Wait Mister Cult man

Please Mister Cult man, look and see
(Oy vey)
If there's a letter in your bag for me
(Please, Please Mister Cult man)
Why's it takin' such a long time
(Oy vey)
For me to hear from that Mom of mine

There must be some word today
From my parents so far away
Please Mister Cult man, look and see
If there's a letter, a letter for me

I've been learning here waitin' Mister Cult man
So patiently
For just a card, or just a letter
But they aren't very frum, you see

(Mister Cult man)
Mister Cult man, look and see
(Oy vey)
If there's a letter in your bag for me
(Please, Please Mister Cult man)
Why's it takin' such a long time
(Oy vey)
For me to hear from the "alter heim"

So many days you passed me by
With a kippah that's over-sized
You said you tried to make me be frummer
But homesickness is a such a bummer

(Mister Cult man)
Mister Cult man, it's heresy
(Oy vey)
If Commandment Five's a nullity
(Please, Please Mister Cult man)
Why's writing home a crime?

(Why such a conspiracy and tuition ain't free)

What a minhag! (4x)

(Mister Cult man)
Mister Cult man, look and see

(Gevalt, Yeshivat HaKotel, is worse than a motel)

Mister Cult man

[No Light]

Yochanan, you never fail! Bravo Sir.

[Yochanan Lavie]

Thanks, NL.

[ew]

Not a fan of Bina, but the reason he started his own school was politics within the Israeli program. Specifically, Elon wanted to take over the overseas program, and Bina didn't want that.
As for the claims - I don't doubt it, but then again, its hearsay.

[Bassy the Haredi Slayer]

Bina left yeshivat hakotel because rav Alon did not like him beating up American kids, Alon told Bnei Akiva that if Bina stays he will move out and starts a new yeshiva so bnei akiva decided to have rav Alon stay and Bina left and got his own place when he can beat up American boys.

Then Rav Alon had his own problems but the difference is that rav Alon victims were over 18 and rav bina was abusing all ages.

[SkepticalYid]

Yochanan, that was perfect!

[spacedout BT]

This is all YOUR fault because you Yanks keep sending him your money and your sons.

[Yochanan Lavie]

Thanks, SY.

[S M L]

Apologies to the Marvelettes

YL: Need to form a group to perform some of these then have Shmarya post the tracks on the blog - that or put 'em on YouTube. I'm still laughing....

[Yochanan Lavie]

Thanks, SML.

[sl]

why post something that allegedly happend 30 yrs ago?

[Sam]

Both Rabbi Lookstein and Rabbi Billet, two well respected senior Rabbis on the Orthodox scene, speak highly of Rav Bina. Yeshiva University, which monitors its partner program seems to be satisfied with the resolution of the grievance that was raised. An overwhelming majority of the students and alumni seem to have a great affection and loyalty to Rav Bina. Registration for both the first year and second year programs at the yeshiva seem to be quite high.
He has a strict policy about students not being allowed on Ben Yehuda on Thursday nights? Terrific! Anyone who is even vaguely aware of the tremendous amounts of alcohol being consumed by 18 and 19 year old male and female American students on one-year Yeshiva programs should be on the “Rav Bina for Sherriff” committee. Too many programs (both male and female) have either no policy or do not enforce curfew policies for students who are drinking on the streets to the wee hours of the morning. Drinking is a huge problem in Jerusalem and I applaud his well stated policies and “no-tolerance” attitude toward breaking the rules! Parents and students choose his Yeshiva because they want to make the most of their year in Israel—inside the walls of the Beit Midrash—and not inside of the walls of the Jerusalem Police station.
And one more thing. His private acts of Chesed to people in very difficult situations are yet to be told.

[Fred]

Hey ,let us not forget the sick and evil George Finkelstein,who abused and tortured young men in MTA,while the YU folks turned a BLIND eye!!!!. He's currently the door man at the Great Shul in Jerusalem. WHY is he allowed to even EXIST!!!!!!

[Fred]

Please,Hang George Finkelstein in front of the Great Shul of Jerusalem.He's getting away with Murder of the Soul!

[Eli, what me messiah?]

YL,
you're always a genius, but you seem to time them perfectly for when I could use a good distraction and pick me up. Thanks once again.
I usually read/hum them 4-5 times, at least, to enjoy all the laughs you've included.

(and PS: is the kippa oversized or his head just three sizes too small?)

[Yochanan Lavie]

Thanks, Eli. Your question about the kippa is like a Zen Koan (or is it a Levi?).

[Mike S.]

shorter Sam:
Well known people and institutions heap praise upon Bina, and, what is more, it is said that Bina keeps the young'ns away from drunken whores on Shabbos!

Surely you don't think this is a viable refutation of the accusations? Additionally, it's not like Bina's buddies have a vested and mutual interest in maintaining certain fictions regarding unblemished records of upstanding citizenry, amirite?
LOL: corruption, nepotism and propaganda, whatever do these words mean?

[Sam]

Rav Bina's yeshiva - Netiv Aryeh has the largest shana aleph and bet programs in Israel. Many of the students parents were students of Rav Bina many years ago.
Rav Bina is a true tzadik and he has saved the lives of thousands of people.
The dogs will continue to bark and with Gods help Netiv Aryeh will continue to grow.

[The Anti-Schmendrick]

Specifically, Elon wanted to take over the overseas program,?

Which Elon? The one who was disgraced recently, or a relative?

[Jason]

Motti elon wanted full control of hakotel to rape more people. Rav Bina was simply in his way and that's why he was evicted. He is a great man and these vicious lies must end.
Rav Bina does tremendous Chessed for yeshivas, kollels, and units of the Israeli army. He will stop at nothing to ensure the welfare of the yeshiva guys. No amount of money will stab in his way from doing what is right. On Motzei Yom Kippur, let the truth shine and the lies end.
Shmarya, I've been a reader since 2006 and I respect the fact that you report on crimes of "frum" Jews even will all the threats you get. I think that in this add you are wrong.

[Avi]

Dear Shmarya,

Thank you for keeping this issue alive. I was a student of Bina's almost 20 years ago, and still struggle with the dissonance between YU's mission to represent a moral community and its continued defense of him.

I recognize that many students enjoyed their time with him and feel better off for it, but success with some students is no justification for the abuse of others.

I am confident that it is only a matter of time before YU's Israel program suffers enough reputational damage that it is shamed into cutting ties with him, but I hope and pray that the it won't wait until that point to do the right thing.

By the way, the Jewish Week reported back in March that YU was convening an "Israel Programs Conference" to discuss the "over-arching issues and compelling concerns,” relating to the issue. I haven't seen any news on the conference since that first announcement. Do you know if the conference had any outcome?

Thanks.