Baltimore's Vaad HaRabbanim held a conference last week on child sexual abuse. You might remember…
…the haredi rabbis of Baltimore once issued a letter telling Jews to call "authorities" if credible evidence of child sexual abuse exists. The letter also noted that publicity is in many cases the "most effective way to protect the community."
Immediately after that letter was released, the Baltimore Jewish Times published part one of an expsoé about Baltimore haredi rabbis' and pedophilia.
Rabbi Moshe Heineman (of the Vaad and the Star-K and a leading signatory of the Vaad's letter on sexual abuse) responded to that exposé immediately by issuing a ban on the Baltimore Jewish Times.
So what happened at last week's conference on child sexual abuse? According to Vicki Polin, this:
…Toward the end of the presentation after Dr. Pelcovitz left, David Mandel [of Ohel] got up to the podium and stated that sex crimes against children should be reported to the rabbonim.… I kept hearing people gasping…. I finally raised my hand knowing I would not be called on. I could not sit back and be quiet. I had to ask the question "what about reporting allegations and suspicions to child protection services or calling the police". Mr. Mandel looked at me, turned his head and went on talking about using the rabbonim.
These rabbis are not part of the solution – they are the problem itself.
Cases of Baltimore haredi rabbis sexually abusing children: