Leading MO Rabbis, Community Leaders Write Letters Supporting MO Child Pornographer-Pedophile

Who wrote letters in support of this Modern Orthodox child pornographer and pedophile? Modern Orthodox leaders, that's who.

Evan Zauder 

Evan Zauder is a Modern Orthodox YU graduate who taught in Modern Orthodox day schools and founded and ran Yeshivat HaKotel's alumni association.

Zauder is also an admtted child porngrapher and pedophile who also posted a video online of himself masturbating.

The feds caught Zauder, who pleaded guilty.

For Zauder's sentencing, many leading Modern Orthodox figures wrote letters supporting Zauder. Some of those letters asked the judge for leniency.

Who are these Modern Orthodox men who jumped to write letters of support for a pedophile child pornorgrapher?

Here's a list culled from a guest post on FrumFollies by David Cheifetz:

• Rabbi Kenneth (Kenny) Brander, Yeshiva University Vice President

• Dr. David Pecovitz, Gwendolyn and Joseph Straus Chair in Psychology and Jewish Education at the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration at Yeshiva University who is also special assistant to YU’s President Richard Joel and an instructor in pastoral counseling at YU’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary

• Rabbi Steven Pruzansky, Rabbi, Congregation Bnei Yeshurun or Teaneck

• Rabbi Ezra Schwartz, rosh yeshiva, Yeshiva University

• Rabbi Reuven Taragin, rosh yeshiva Yeshivat HaKotel

• Rabbi Baruch Taub, Rabbi Emeritus of Beth Avraham Yosef of Toronto Congregation.

Brander and Pelcovitz wrote YU’s anti-sexual abuse policy.

Pelcovitz wrote a book with David Mandel of OHEL on child sex abuse. The book prominently featured Debbie Fox, an Orthodox social worker in LA who allegedly helped protect at least one pedophile. OHEL itself allegedly failed to report non-compliant pedophiles in its treatment program and has had other alleged reporting issues.

Cheifetz wonders why these men showed no support for Zauder's victims.

Besides the long track record many have of covering up or minimizing child sex abuse, the victims in this case appear to be primarily, if not exclusively, non-Jews – a fact Cheifetz fails to mention.

Related:

All Evan Zauder Posts.

[Hat Tip: The Lion.]

Update 4:56 pm CDT – Here are all the letters sent to the court in support of Zauder and the government's sentencing memorandum, all as PDF files:

Download Zauder sentencing letters A

Download Zauder, Evan sentencing letters B

Download Zauder, Evan sentencing letters C

Download US Sentencing Memorandum Zauder, Evan

Comments

[jancsibacsi]

He is laughting in the above picture,most probably that he got away with such monstrosity for such a long time.

[percherondad]

Of course they wrote on his behalf..They probably shared his child pornography and maybe his victims...He is NEITHER MODERN or ORTHODOX or JEWISH... because he has none of those values.. He is a piece of crap that should have spent his life in jail .

[Sarek]

Proves YU is morally as well as financially bankrupt.

[Reese]

These rabbis are clueless.

How much time was this YU graduate sentenced to?

[Alter Kocker]

Whatever happened to Rabbis with sage wisdom and good spiritual guidance? The Haredi virus attacked them, ate through their brain where ethics are housed. Destroyed the conscience centre, charged the lower libido to reflect base desires, took away much of their humanity and left the victim with blind faith disguising a monstrously deformed spirit. These are the leaders, the teachers, the spiritual guides, these are the representatives of Orthodoxy. God help them all.

[David Cheifetz]

I did not mention the religion of the victims because:

a) It was not clear from the highly sanitized legal documents whether the victims were Jews or Gentiles

b) I do not believe that it matters whether the victims were Jews or Gentiles -- A sexual abuse victim is a sexual abuse victim. Period. And a perpetrator is a perpetrator. Period

c) Even if the victims found by the Feds were not Jews... Zauder has spent his entire career surrounding himself by Jewish minors in educational and quasi educational roles. I believe that it is incumbent upon all of the instititions where he worked to do a thorough investigation of whether Zauder used his access to minors to commit acts. (According to the letter from Pruzansky, that did that at his synagogue).

Sadly, as we know from so many other perpetrators, where there is one known victim, there is potentially 5 or 10 X the number who have not stepped forward or been identified.

If in fact the authors of the support letters wrote the letters because they believed that the victims were not Jews, and therefore somewhat acceptable, that would make their actions even more disturbing.

This behavior -- the support for and enablement of sexual abusers -- MUST END. Our community needs a fundamental cultural change.

[Yosef ben Matitya]

....and founded and ran Yeshivat HaKotel's alumni association.....
isn't this the yeshiva headed formerly by Moti Elon? did he study there during elon tenure? did he create the alumni during elon tenure?
.

[jimmyInBkln]

percherondad,
"Of course they wrote on his behalf..They probably shared his child pornography and maybe his victims."

What is this about?
Idiot

[jimmyInBkln]

"If in fact the authors of the support letters wrote the letters because they believed that the victims were not Jews, and therefore somewhat acceptable, that would make their actions even more disturbing."

David Cheifetz,
Why are you falling into Scott Rosenbergs trap??
Rosenberg in his dishonesty is implying that whether the victims were Jewish or not had something to do with the letters.That is a classic Rosenberg moment, something he took out of thin air.
The implication is baseless as are many of Rosenbergs implications and commentaries

[jimmyInBkln]

David,
In addition to my above comment I just read your post in full on Frum Follies.
You attack Dr Pelcovitz for example
Here is an excerpt of what Dr Pelcovitz wrote:
"In my meeting with him after his arrest he wasn’t in the least bit defensive about his actions. He expressed sincere regret and remorse, wishing that he has the strength to get professional help for his problem before they reached the disastrous proportions that brought him to your courtroom."
I fail to see what is wrong with a plea for some leniency, after all Zauder did plead guilty and admitted to having a problem.Someone who owns up to a crime has a chance of rehabilitating themselves.
Where do you see that Dr Pelcowitz does not feel for the victims?
I think it"s important to point out that his victims were not children.In fact they were adolescents.That in no way excuses the crime but it does make it less severe.

In your opinion, does a person who has admitted to his crime and has led an upstanding life, not deserve that to be taken into consideration upon sentencing??

[!]

We always complain that the perpetrator has shown no remorse and / or refuses to admit guilt so (s)he deserves a longer sentence. Is the opposite not also true? Of course pedophilia is of special consideration so maybe the answer is not so clear.
To jimmy: Are there studies that show that owning up to this type of crime gives the perpetrator a better chance at rehabilitation?

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

@JimmInBlkn---> I think it"s important to point out that his victims were not children.In fact they were adolescents.That in no way excuses the crime but it does make it less severe.

Actually, it makes the crime even MORE severe. Adolescents is when values get shaped, formed, molded. That shaping, forming and molding presumably started in childhood, but that process (I think) accelerates during adolescence, b/c at the same time, reasoning skills are being developed and coming into play as well.

So no, it does not make his actions any less severe.

Jimmy, your community produces and shields too many of these victimizers. And then it rationalizes and/or minimizes their actions, just as you are doing right now, with your statement of "less severe".

Now, as an attorney who once practiced in the Criminal Defense field, yah, it's a great idea if a client can get people to write those letters for him. Judges (from what I understand) read them, and they can indeed influence sentencing.

[jancsibacsi]

jimmyInBkln--If a grown up knows he has this problem and its getting the better of him he is mature enough to go get help,this guy did non of that so he is guilty as they come.

[jimmyInBkln]

Jimmy, your community produces and shields too many of these victimizers. And then it rationalizes and/or minimizes their actions, just as you are doing right now, with your statement of "less severe".

Robert,
You don't know me or "what community"
I belong to so please don't give me your condescending tripe of what "my community" does.

You misspelled " Adolescents" and your reasoning is even weaker.The underage teenager who engaged in relations was not forced to be with Zauder.Kids at this age know all about the birds and bees and are sexually active in many cases.
I never said it was not a crime all I said was that it was not as severe as violating a young child.You don't have to agree with me and I don't have to think that you win awards for your logical reasoning

[jimmyInBkln]

"To jimmy: Are there studies that show that owning up to this type of crime gives the perpetrator a better chance at rehabilitation?"
I do not know the rates of recidivism by pedophiles.It is commonly thought to be high, but I do not know what or if reliable studies have been done.
I do think that if someone acknowledges their problems there may be room to work with.

[dh]

An adolescent IS a child Do you read what you write or do you write so you can can wax poetic about being an attorney?

What's your relationship with the various state bars in the states in which you formerly practiced?

[Account Deleted]

jimmyinBkln.

Everyone absolutely has a right to try and solicit help to reduce severity of sentencing, and the admission of guilt, age of the criminal victims for sure should matter. Statutory rape is obviously not the same as violent rape, but criminal law and penalty do still apply.

The more difficult issue is that of having Clergy getting involved in the process of asking for leniency for the criminal. When it becomes a public display, there are serious side effects that may be worse for the community than too severe a punishment for the convict.

There is room for improvement in this regard, and perhaps there can be an Asifa on an aircraft carrier to discuss how the community and leadership can balance the needs to crush predatory criminality and advocate for convicts in a reasonably balanced manner.

[EGAR]

Modern Orthodox, Orthodox, Super-Duper Orthodox...sorry, but a Jew is a Jew. The atrocious behavior among some of our brothers and sisters is so appalling. There seems to be an epidemic of "studying" Torah yet not applying its beautiful teachings about how to live an honest and healthy life. What's going on with all this pedophilia, sexual perversion, and so forth (not to mention other unethical behavior)?

[Frummie Where?]

I don't quite understand why it is wrong to have these folks write letters of support to reduce his sentence. He has pled guilty and acknowledges that he is subject to the law of the United States.

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

@Frummie Where ----> As I have stated previously, these letters certainly can't hurt. Judges (from what I understand) read them.

@dh----> An adolescent IS a child Do you read what you write or do you write so you can can wax poetic about being an attorney?

What's your relationship with the various state bars in the states in which you formerly practiced?

Well, 1) I think I do read what I write. Yes, I am proud of being an attorney. However, I fail to see your point. (If you have one)

2) As far as my "relationship" with the various state bars where I (formerly) practiced, I'm not sure I understand your question. As if it's any of your business, I am admitted (at the State level) in two states, Utah (Bar Number 8741) and Oklahoma (Bar Number 18337). My "relationship" with both states is that I pay dues every year to maintain my license in both states.

@mickee ---> "The underage teenager who engaged in relations was not forced to be with Zauder.Kids at this age know all about the birds and bees and are sexuallly active in many cases."

Ummm.....mickee, I'm hearing a lot of rationalizing and a lot of minimizing in that statement right there. Regardless of whether or not force was employed, and regardless of that teenagers' level of sexual experience/sexual activity, it's still a crime.

Again, your community all too often covers this sort of thing up, and when it can't be uncovered any more, rationalizes, minimizes and does everything it can to try to convince themselves (and others) that what is going on is much less repulsive than it actually is.

You're engaging in that minimizing yourself.
You must be proud.

[jimmyInBkln]

Robert,
I"m sorry to say, you are coming across as an ass who is quite full of himself.
I did not minimize the crime
Try actually reading what others wrote before you comment.
Sorry I don't want to be offensive

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

@JimmyInBkln-----> On one hand, you remark "I did not minimize the crime."

But in an earlier post, you remarked "... I think it"s important to point out that his victims were not children.In fact they were adolescents.That in no way excuses the crime but it does make it less severe."

Jimmy, if that's not minimizing, then I'm Donald Duck.

And as far as me "coming across as an ass who is quite full of himself"....

Jimmy, I can read and understand the English language. As Jeff would say, you are the product (or you seem to be the product) of the Haredi educational system in the US, which is great for teaching Torah study, and (seemingly) very little else. Yes, that's an assumption of mine- for all I know, you may have graduated Harvard, but your use of the English language, and your attempt to deny that you are minimizing a crime - even after you write "...does make it less severe"...shows me you more or less divorced from what I call the reality-based community.

And hey, if you are happy there, more power to you. It does not change the fact that this convict is going down for anywhere between 20 or almost 30 years. (I forget the range that was listed in the Presentencing Memo that is included in this thread).

Maybe you should direct your assertions (that since his victims were adolescents, then his crimes aren't as severe as if he had committed them against children)to the Judge before this scumsucker gets sentenced.
Don't be surprised if your assertion is not taken seriously.

[percherondad]

Having read the letters in support of the pedophile by Modern Orthox believers, it is clear that they haven't a clue to what the word "character" means. You can't be a person of "good charcter" and be a child molester. They are mutually exclusive. The fact that he says he is sorry for what he did doesn't change the fact that he did it, and doesn't make him any more a candidate for rehabilitation. That this criminal was supported by letters from MO "rabbis" makes me ashamed to be associated with any jewish organization... My gut tells me that they are all involved and the support is in lieu of being ratted out by the rat himself.

[percherondad]

I guess some of you think that an under age teen isn't a child. And in addition you think that if force wasn't used then a crime was committed. A child , teen, adolescent, is not able to give informed consent. There is no such thing as it being a lesser crime.. I don't know where you people hide your moral compass but I suspect it is where the sun doesn't shine... Shame on you. Shame on the so called Rabbis who condone this and ask of leniency on the part of a criminal who preys upon the most vulnerable in our society...

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

@percherondad ------> Well said. As a matter of fact, EXTREMELY well-said.

Children, teens, adolescents....are indeed among the most, if not THE most vunerable persons in our society. And you know what? If those children/teens/whomever that he abused don't get significant amounts of therapy....a number of years down the road, they will be molesters themselves. That's not guaranteed, but it's far more likely than not.

[jimmyInBkln]

"That's not guaranteed, but it's far more likely than not."

Robert,
What are you basing yourself on?
Don't you think that you should back yourself up when you say outrageous things?

[jimmyInBkln]

Percherondad,
You live in a very black and white world .
" There is no such thing as it being a lesser crime.."
In fact the age of consent varies in different states.Did you know that?

Nobody said it was not a crime
What was pointed out was that the individual had admitted guilt and showed remorse, and yes, relations with a consenting teenager, while criminal and disgusting, cannot be compared to violating a young child

[dh]

Sorry I didn't check back sooner, Robert. I've seen a lot of extremely unhappy comments about you on the web. Some redacted, some of which I have screen shots. That combined with switching states and many of your comments here is concerning.

[dh]

Oh, and something a trifle disturbing with the Utah State Bar on 2005. I just think there should be a caveat with some of your pontifications. Not that I would ever want to align myself with Jiminy, but, advice well taken is an adviser well humbled (and well researched). Just a word to the wise.

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

@dh -----> If you concerned, as in "That combined with switching states and many of your comments here is concerning"....then I think you have too much time on your hands.

As far as "....I've seen a lot of extremely unhappy comments about you on the web"....well, I don't think it's hurt my bottom line. Not everyone is going to be happy with a person's services- and I have no doubt some people have been/are unhappy with my services.

But if enough people were REALLY unhappy with my services, I would not be able to provide services; in that word in ethnic neighborhoods travels fast (most of my clients are Latino) and if I was cheating that community/not providing appropriate services for the compensation I receive, then I would have been out of business a long time ago.

As far as my "switching states"- as if it's any of your business, while I am licensed in Oklahoma, I've never practiced there. While I am licensed in Utah, I came to Colorado in 2003; and eventually set up a practice here.
Unlike the Frum community- where people live and die their entire lives in the same shtetl- just like they did in Russia, Poland, etc, some other people - and I'm one of them- choose to move. After all, no matter how much your people want to pretend that we still live in the 1700's, 1800's, and 1900's, we live in the 21st century.

As far as me and the Utah State Bar in 2005, I received two (2) formal reprimands. A reprimand is equivalent to a public censure, in that it declares that a lawyer has negligently committed improper conduct- but does not limit or restrict his right to practice. It was inexperience on my part; my bad. FWIW, every complaint that the Utah State Bar has received since then has been dismissed.

Hope that satisfies your curiousity, dh. The fact that you made such an effort to research me- notice how I display my full name here- indicates that 1) either you have too much time on your hands, or 2) (hopefully) you regard me as a threat to your way of life. (If only.....)

LOL LOL LOL.

[dh]

No, actually, I became concerned by so many things you said that I Googled you and the reprimands came up. I never met any individual that was reprimanded or had ever been contacted by the State Bar about anything negative. The fact that not only were you reprimanded, but that there were FURTHER complaints is of great concern.

I compliment you on using your full name so that ppl can see the source of the information that you espouse. Some of it may be good. It may be important to some ppl.

It was no trouble to Google two words. I definitely was concerned enough to Google two words. I definitely had that much time. The fact that you can only come up with only two reasons why I would do that speaks for itself and explains just about everything about the complaints against you.

The reasons a State Bar dismisses complaints vary. It is not only because there are no viable issues.

I indeed view you as a threat in the way that your former clients did and in the way that the Utah State Bar did. Hopefully you have learned something from that. I am profoundly disappointed that any lawyer would dismiss that as "my bad." Somewhat horrified, actually. That is public censure. That is despicable. But everyone has their own moral compass. And now we know yours.

[dh]

Moreover, I don't know what you mean by "you people." I have been a lawyer (mostly litigation and trial), bar and bench, for 30 years and have never had a complaint. To my knowledge, no one with whom I ever practiced or worked has ever been complained about or had a fee mediation or malpractice complaint or lawsuit.

Once I had client who had a sibling who I later heard was disbarred, but I never checked it out. I just don't know those kind of professionals.

I am only licensed in one state but have practiced legally in several and within the several counties I have resided within my home state. It wouldn't be feasible for me to run, um move, if I had been publicly censured once or multiple times anyway, because of my personal pride and responsibilities. I would have had to stay and "make it good." I am proud of my reputation and name and I pass it on.

To each his own. I could no more "my bad" or LOL it than I could run from it. And until I righted my wrongs I surely could not run around celebrating myself ad nauseum as do you, with some of the most ridiculous superficial "legal" nonsense as spills forth from you.

You are an embarrassment to the profession. We who are in it know it. Those who are not don't, and that is what worries us.

Clean up.