Getting Knee-Deep into Aron Tendler
The other Rabbi Tendler against whom allegations of sexual misconduct have been made (as he’s increasingly being referred to), Aron — brother of Mordecai — resigned from his synagogue last month, following more than a year of allegations posted by Luke Ford.
It’s impossible to assume Ford’s reporting is true: he’s unclear about what information he gathered from what sources, why certain sources need anonymity (especially the no-longer-Orthodox young man speaking of actions that happened to others), and there’s relatively little evidence of efforts to independently corroborate claims (at the least, if Tendler wrote all these poems, Ford should have found out where they now are). That said, I wouldn’t claim for a moment that Ford is inaccurately stating what’s been told to him. But that’s just the thing with Ford’s reporting: he’s always been far too soft on sources, and we can’t assume that they are telling the truth as a result.
That said, the reporting by the Los Angeles Jewish Journal was pretty lame. Any time one of the key leaders in the community you’re covering resigns, that deserves more than a brief; it’s odd that most local Jewish papers don’t see it that way. When I was at the Forward, I suggested that every rabbinate change in the country — there can’t be more than a hundred or so a year — should warrant some level of coverage.
But, in the more-detailed coverage of his resignation, should they have included allegations of abuse? Shortly after the Jewish Journal story came out, religion editor and article author Amy Klein wrote the following letter to myself and some others:
Thank you for your interest on the Tendler story, which we have been investigating for some time.
Journalistically and legally, we cannot print unsubtantiated rumors or allegations. We do hope that, if there have been any wrongdoings, the people involved will come forward so that we can expose this story.
Should you be in touch with any of these people, please assure them that if they do come forward and their stories can be corroborated, The Jewish Journal will print the story. In addition, if there are any lawsuits or pending cases, the Jewish Journal will publish that as well.
Were Ford’s allegations the reason for Tendler’s resignation? While the bulk of Ford’s reporting came less than two weeks before Tendler’s resignation, the rabbi is staying in his position for eight more months. That’s not the way a scandalized individual usually steps down; if he was forced out, he’d be gone immediately, and if he wasn’t forced out, he wouldn’t ever leave.
That said, in the weeks before Ford’s revelations, there were murmurs among Orthodox leadership on both coasts that Aron’s case was about to erupt, and Orthodox rabbis were in part responsible for bringing the sources and Ford together.
Both Tendler cases are tragedies of injustice within the Jewish community. Two rabbis have had severe allegations against them, and no communal servant — whether newspapers, rabbinic organizations, synagogues or individual leaders — has made a thorough attempt at verifying whether these allegations are real or false.
And the Jewish Journal should have done something about it. Frankly, they should have Luke Ford on a limited payroll — give the man a couple hundred bucks a week to bring them the information that they’re obviously not getting elsewhere. At the least, if I were a Jewish beat reporter in Los Angeles, I’d be speaking with Ford at least once a week, and cultivating a trusting relationship with him. But irrespective, they should have done some detailed research once these allegations surfaced: call all the board members, other leaders and relevant lay membership from YULA, Shaarey Zedek, etc., and get to the bottom of it. When serious allegations of clergy misconduct erupt in a community, the reporters of that community have no greater obligation than ensuring that the truth about those allegations are known, as no community can function properly while such matters are in doubt.
A part of me wants to put some responsibility for the uncertainty on the shoulders of the victims and the watchdogs themselves: covering — but really more attempting to cover — allegations of abuse in the Jewish community has been an immensely frustrating experience of continually being told I’ll receive information and contacts that never appear. And at the same time that that goes on, we’re repeatedly told by anonymous victims and victims’ advocates that we should just believe that these actions have taken place. That’s just not fair. However, given their claimed past experiences with other news outlets, it’s not all that surprising that they’re relatively uncooperative, and feel better about taking their stories to Ford, who just transcribes what they have to say and leaves it at that.
But we can do better.
February 16th, 2006 at 9:54 pm
For what it is worth, Luke’s reporting in this case is very accurate.
>That said, the reporting by the Los Angeles Jewish Journal
>was pretty lame.
Lame? It was an embarassment.
>But, in the more-detailed coverage of his resignation,
>should they have included allegations of abuse?
How can they not get this story? IF the allegations were false and there was no RCC investigation, how hard would that be to confirm?
Obviously, there is a huge story here, one that was confirmed to me about 6-8 months before Luke’s first post. The only reason I did not post it at the time is that no one would go into the specifics, only that the allegations involved former students and that there was an investigation. That is not enough.
Now we have the fuller story.
>Shortly after the Jewish Journal story came out,
I would note they published that “story” twice (you can search their archives to confirm), despite knowing that the SZ former CNN biggee was LYING to them and they STILL published it as FACT. You can say Luke is soft on sources, but clearly so is the Jewish Journal.
I told Amy and others at the Jewish Journal, this is not an impossible story to get, just get yearbooks from Aron’s school and start phoning students. Find out who was employed or on the boards on the school, SZ and the RCC for the past 2 decades and start phoning. You can’t possibly completly cover up this sort of corruption or silence everyone.
>religion editor and article author Amy Klein wrote the following
>letter to myself and some others:
I believe that letter was to me.
>Were Ford’s allegations the reason for Tendler’s
>resignation? While the bulk of Ford’s reporting came
>less than two weeks before Tendler’s resignation, the
>rabbi is staying in his position for eight more months.
>That’s not the way a scandalized individual usually
>steps down; if he was forced out, he’d be gone
>immediately, and if he wasn’t forced out, he wouldn’t
>ever leave.
Clearly, there is something bizarre going on here. I know what it is. Hopefully, soon others will know with more clarity the same.
>That said, in the weeks before Ford’s revelations, there
>were murmurs among Orthodox leadership on both
>coasts that Aron’s case was about to erupt, and Orthodox
>rabbis were in part responsible for bringing the sources
>and Ford together.
I doubt the Rabbis at the RCA or RCC would go to Luke or send people to Luke. The reasons victims likely went to Luke are:
1) It is clear that the rabbonim involved did not want to go up against the Tendler Smear Machine and it was clear to victims that they had to act by themselves.
2) Aron’s victims saw hom the RCA betrayed his brother Mordecai’s victims.
3) Likely they googled Aron’s name and found Luke’s posts.
4) No one trusts any community leader or Jewish publication at this point to do anything, because they have done nothing but protect Tendler at the expense of women and children. Luke is seen as an outsider, not beholden to any of these sacred cows. The fact victims of abuse find Luke a safer person than virtually all the Jewish community leadership and Jewish journalists should say something about the quality of our leadership and journalists. Although, I have had differences with Luke, but without a doubt he has demonstrated more integrity and basic decency than many of our top rabbonim who continue in their silence. Luke has shown 1,000 times more compassion to victims of abuse than virtually any rav or journalist has.
>Both Tendler cases are tragedies of injustice within
>the Jewish community. Two rabbis have had severe
>allegations against them, and no communal servant
> — whether newspapers, rabbinic organizations,
>synagogues or individual leaders — has made a
>thorough attempt at verifying whethere these allegations
>are real or false.
In both cases there were thorough investigations by the RCA and RCC to determine if the allegations were true. In both cases it was determined that the allegations WERE true. But in Aron’s case, he chose to make deals to keep it quiet rather than fight the way his brother Mordecai did.
>And the Jewish Journal should have done something
>about it. Frankly, they should have Luke Ford on a
>limited payroll — give the man a couple hundred bucks
>a week to bring them the information that they’re
>obviously not getting elsewhere.
Amen. The fact is if the allegations are false (they are not) then all of us who have been making them should be exposed. Otherwise, Aron Tendler, and all the community leaders who’ve enabled him through their actions AND through their silence MUST be exposed and REMOVED from any position of trust or authority.
>But irrespective, they should have done some detailed
>research once these allegations surfaced: call all the
>board members, other leaders and relevant lay
>membership from YULA, Shaarey Zedek, etc., and get to
>the bottom of it. When serious allegations of clergy
>misconduct erupt in a community, the reporters of that
>community have no greater obligation than ensuring
>that the truth about those allegations are known, as
>no community can function properly while such matters
>are in doubt.
100%.
>A part of me wants to put some responsibility for
>the uncertainty on the shoulders of the victims
For what? Protecting their families from the Tendler Smear Machine?
>and the watchdogs themselves:
I think the RCA and RCC need to be held accountable in this case as does YULA. The educators who covered this up through actions OR silence should be exposed and NEVER work in education again.
>covering — but really more attempting to cover —
>allegations of abuse in the Jewish community has
>been an immensely frustrating experience
It’s no different for us advocates. We have dozens of names we can’t make public because we’re protecting victims from the destructive nature of the community leadership and institutions that PROTECT the accused AND DESTROY the victims. We have situations where the victims will not come forward because they are afraid. Look at the attacks on Rabbi Blau, Vicki and others. Hell man, the Jewish Voice put a price on my head through an ad placed BY A NAMED source in their articles attacking Vicki and Rabbi Blau.
What are we susposed to do?
>However, given their claimed past experiences with other
>news outlets, it’s not all that surprising that they’re relatively
>uncooperative, and feel better about taking their stories to
>Ford, who just transcribes what they have to say and
>leaves it at that.
>But we can do better.
If we can, I have yet to see it. Gary Rosenblatt really treated Mordechai Gafni’s victims terribly. The Jewish Press and particularly the Jewish Voice and Opinion are putting out a clear message: we will publicly assasinate the character and names of victims and those who support them.
We have no Jewish publication that merits trust, no reporter with the resources or desire to clean up our community.
There is nowhere in the community to go to or that has the resources to do anything. That’s why desperate people have turned to the internet and blogs.
We have a voice here that no one can silence. A place where truths can be attacked BUT NOT silenced.
This is our Tiananmen Square. We ae few, standing against the tanks of Tendler, Gafni and Worch. We will not disappear, we will not be silenced and we will not fall.
Our words are more powerful than your goons.
Where there was one voice there are now dozens and soon there will be 1000s. Where I was one blog, there are now dozen of blogs.
We will expose child molesters and expoiters/abusers of women until the community has no choice but to act.
Between the Awareness Center webpage and Yahoo group about 500 have been exposed.
We have only begun. If it takes another 500 exposures to move the community to action, so be it.
In the tradition of Moshe Rabeinu, we will look to the right and look to the left BUT we will act and the abusers will fall.
We will take the molesters most powerful tools away: their anonymity and our silence.
The UnorthodoxJews blog claims it is going after a pedophile working in the Jewish education system. I know nothing about the allegations and I’ve asked the Awareness Center and my contacts who also know nothing. But where can I tell them to turn? Who will assess their allegations? Who will
help?
Can we do better? I’d like to see some evidence that is actually true.
Until then, it should be clear that no abuser is safe anymore. If Rav Feinstein’s grandson’s can be exposed for their abuses than NO ONE in the Jewish community is above exposure for their abuses anymore. NO ONE AT ALL.
February 16th, 2006 at 10:07 pm
What the Hell are you talking about?? That Tendler stuff has not been verified??? Are you smoking???
There is a Sexual Civil lawsuit against Mordechai Tendler and his members ..
This is not anonymous!!!!
Seven leading Monsey Rabbis questioned Tendler and found him to be a liar and unfit to be a Rabbi!
Harav Wosner did his own investigation, found the victims to be credible and wrote a Resposa condeming him!
The Rca did a 15 month investigation and booted him out …
YU booted him out…
His board resigned after hearing a credible woman who said that she walked in on Tendler in his office with another woman hiding in a closet!
February 16th, 2006 at 11:06 pm
Well, not sure why Steven is being so skeptical. I am one of his victims and I have spoken to many papers and luke and to the lawyers involved. Why do I need to tell the local bloggers my name in order for you to believe me?
This has actually been going on for a lot longer than Luke has been covering the story. The major players are not even the ones who initially spoke to Luke. We have been discussing this amongst the community , Rabbis and lawyers for over 10 years. But no one was willing to go up against him, so we sufferd in “silence.”
I personally had phone sex with him many times while he was at SZ. I have been paged by him for many years to have sex and he has left me messages late at night, for the most part putting his life in my hands.
All along talking against me to many people so that if I ever went public he could say I am nuts. I come from great Yichus, perhaps even greater than the Tendler name. I don’t claim to be a great Jew…that is not my goal in life, it’s to be a good person. And it took me a long time to realize what I was doing with him was wrong. I saw first hand a friends life almost be destroyed because she was haunted for years because of what he did to her when she was 16 and for many years later. I had another friend who is the girl who got him thrown out of the girls school go through hell as well. And I personally saw the poetry about pineapple juice dripping out of her mouth. Had we known we would be asked to provide it 20 years later perhaps someone would have held on to it…who knows, the girl in Chicago who he wrote it to might still have it although none of us are in contact with her.
So the bottom line is, he doesn’t belong on a bima, near women or children. And that’s why more victims are starting to come forward because keeping it in is destroying people’s lives. Rabbis decided enough was enough and finally put pressure on the board and that’s when the board started calling us.
When the time comes, we are all willing to testify in a court of law and take any lie detector test required of us.
February 16th, 2006 at 11:40 pm
>Why do I need to tell the local bloggers my
>name in order for you to believe me?
You don’t and you shouldn’t.
We, the coomunity, are susposed to protect you, not the other way around.
We failed you in the past. Hopefully that will now change.
But where is the leadership of the Orthodox world? It’s time to stop worrying about the Tendler Smear Machine, Maoz’s Jewish Smear and Susie’s Crazy Voice and Smear and start worrying about klal yisroel and kavod hatorah.
If rasha Tendler II will not do public teshuvah (he hasn’t and I doubt he ever will and frankly I do not believe teshuvah is even possible for a child molester) the entire leadership of the Orthodox world must speak out against him and expose him as a hyprocryte and a child molester.
Sometimes it is just that simple.
February 17th, 2006 at 12:54 am
Both Tendler cases are instances of complete failure of responsiblity by Jewish leadership — not only in their responsibilities towards protecting the communities, but in not vetting what are clearly false and absurd allegations gone wild against these men — and that statement presumes their guilt, for the sake of argument, in some circumstances.
Nevertheless, we now face situations of some 25 women claiming anonymously and without need of proof to have had sexually improper relations with each of these men –that is preposterous.
In both cases, the greater tragedy long term for the community will not be the ouster of the Tendler brothers, but the utter demise of credibility on the part of accusers, particularly Luke Ford out West and Jewish WhistleBlower in New York.
Canonist’s original premise is correct. The damage created by these irresponsible rumor mongers has caused more long term consequences than the improper acts of two Rabbis –both of which would have been removed from office with simply a single verified case rather than 25 unsubstantiated cases each that threatens the credibility of us all.
Sexual impropriety is a particular lightening rod in the orthodox community, and the community’s reaction remains bizarre and shtetl like in the 21st century. This is most manifested by the community’s inability to remove Rabbis accused of impropriety, and the community losing all credibility of its accusations by the manner in which they are publicized, portrayed, and permitted to metastize from legitimate accusation to absurd and clearly false loshon horah. No responsible reporter or news agency can touch a community so irresponsible, which simply makes it fall prey all the more for unethical leadership.
February 17th, 2006 at 8:04 am
I’ve been able to confirm that many of those at the top of the RCA and RCC have specific knowledge that the allegations against rasha Tendler I and rasha Tendler II are in fact 100% true.
You are welcome to try to get a signed letter from either organization to the contrary. You will not get it.
February 17th, 2006 at 8:44 am
JewishWhistleblower is simply perpetuating the very worst aspects of his lack of credibility –which is a pity, because I believe at the core both allegations are truthful, but now covered in so much false additional accusation that any investigation is hopeless. This is not due to any great defnse by the Tendlers. This is due to reprehensibly irresponsible accusations on the part of JWB and all of the anonymous postings that, for all we know, are simply him.
We have no idea what you have confirmed or not at the RCA, JWB. Your statement to that effect is simply bombastic. And no one can secure from them any statement whatsoever –either pro or against.
Few have caused more harm to what are likely valid intial charges than JWB and the absurdly irrational postings that have been submitted anonymously or “via credible anonymous source”. That is where Luke Ford fell — providing all an open forum without even an attempt at vetting the statements.
The end result will be at least one and possibly two serious investigations hopelessly flawed. The community has not been well served.
February 17th, 2006 at 8:46 am
Aron struck a deal with the RCC, that he would “resign” if they would sign a confidentiality agreement. They did, and now Rabbi Bess has a way out. Call Rabbi Bess and he will confirm this. He, who knew of these claims for many years and did almost nothing, now may not speak about anything related to the case. Aron will never release them, and Bess can’t even tell you that it was a worthwhile tradeoff because he can’t discuss it.
February 17th, 2006 at 9:35 am
Aron’s shul and the RCC really handled this situation atrociously. If there are such serious allegations, the thing to do is find out the truth and publicize it. There is no excuse for letting an abuser and statutory rapist go quietly and there is no excuse for letting an innocent man’s name be defamed. Either he did the deeds or he didnt. All that the RCC and the shul leadership did was sweep the whole story under the rug. This is unbelievably outrageous. If the allegations are true they are involved in a cover up. If the allegations are not true they refuse to stand up for a mans name. With whatever mistakes it made at least the RCA acted in the RMT case and braved the Tendler mafia machine. But any way you slice it, RAT’s shul and the RCC are utter cowards.
February 17th, 2006 at 10:06 am
Welcome to canonist.com.
You are going to hear accusers of Rav Aron spin incredible stories, tell you tales of grocery parking lot escapades, and better yet, they will even sully the good names of some of the community members of SZ who they think are involved in some grand conspiracy paralleling (in importance and scope) the outing of Valerie Plame Wilson. There will be lots of noise, and maybe even some references to bad poetry rivaling the crap that Maya Angelou offers, but pay attention to my posts for the true story.
These are the facts, and they are not disputed.
Rav Aron sent a letter to the community saying that he was quitting. Not fired, not forced out, just quitting cause he wants to, kind of like Cheney’s hunting buddies, he would rather be doing something else.
The letter said that his executive board had been wonderful and tried to dissuade him. I am sure that the Board read this letter before it went out. You do the math on that one.
The letter further said that he is not leaving the community, that he will be right here.
There has been no visible activity on the part of SZ to find a new Rabbi. No guest Rabbi on a proba, no names, nobody posturing for the job, nothing.
Rav Aron is still officiating at Shul. You can go there and listen to him speak. I encourage you to.
Rav Aron’s house is not up for sale, and there is no Israel moving van at his house. The shul’s official spokesperson confirmed the story.
The Jewish Journal, the only objective source, confirmed that his leaving had nothing to do with a cover up or covers not on.
And believe me fact checker, if the Jewish Journal could cut the nuts off the SZ board with a butter knife by making SZ look bad, they would have run with the story like Reggie Bush.
So there you have it. No media substantiation of the accusations, no controverting of the only version of the story with names (other than anonymous) attached, just people on blogs like fact checker saying that “RAT’s Shul and the RCC are utter cowards.” (i am sure blogging is right up there with combat and firefighting in terms of bravery)
These are the facts, and they are not disputed.
February 17th, 2006 at 10:14 am
>
Ha! No story in the Jewish Journal. Case closed I guess.
February 17th, 2006 at 10:20 am
RAZ: You left out a few facts. Like the fact that rumors are swirling about Rav Aron. And the fact that he resigned suddenly from the RCC without explanation from either side. This doesnt do much to quiet the suspicions. If all of the rumors are false and defamatory, the shul leadership and the RCC and anybody else in a position of influence should get up and say so. I trully think Aron should be considered innocent until proven guilty. But there are unanswered questions here and certain parties are shirking their responsibility to make a strong and clear position.
February 17th, 2006 at 10:33 am
Phone up the RCC and ask for a public letter that in detail denies everything being posted about Aron Tendler.
Here’s the contact information at their website: ...
February 17th, 2006 at 10:40 am
factchecker - you hemmed pretty good, i mean you said that on the one hand he was a statutory rapist or he was innocent, but in the end you said “But any way you slice it, RAT’s shul and the RCC are utter cowards.” Now your latest post confirms that even you view this stuff as rumors. well, which is it. I say they are rumors and according to you we did not do enough of a job of defending him.
Utter cowards? Pretty strong words from a Yula Girl who is not quite living the beverlywood dream. Well, if we are cowards cause we did not defend Rav Aron, here we are defending him. I mean, what the heck can we do. His accusers are Luke Ford, a “failed pornographer” - how you fail at porn I have no idea, it is a cash business with no inventory and Vicki Polin, chick who was on Oprah in the 80s saying she was part of a jewish orthodox ritual sexual abuse dynasty. I mean come on. We have jobs, not fantasy lives. Should we make an anti-luke anti-vicki blog - we do not need one, it is called reality.
February 17th, 2006 at 10:51 am
Raz, if everything posted about Aron Tendler being a child molester is false why won’t the RCC issue a letter in detail to that effect?
I challenge you to get such a letter and post it.
February 17th, 2006 at 11:01 am
RAZ: If the rumors are true he is a statutory rapist. If the rumors are not true he his an innocent man defamed. It might be more complicated than that but thats the basic issue here. If you live in the Valley or in any of the Jeiwsh community in LA and keep your ear to the ground you should know very well that the rumors go beyond Luke Ford and Vicki Polin. I heard the rumors long before I heard of either one of them. I do think that the shul and the RCC are cowards unless I hear a better explanation for their failure to look into the matter and come up with a strong statement instead of pretending by their public actions that the whole issue does not exist. This is called copping out, dereliction of duty, AWOL, what have you.
February 17th, 2006 at 11:29 am
Just so everyone knows Raz who is also on NHN as an Anonymous blogger is in love with Aron, so whatever you say will go in one ear and out the other. It is a waste of time to communicate with this person. A bit odd that he is “suddenly” on this site perhaps stalking some of Aron’s victims, who knows.
Anyway, yes there is a signed document to protect Aron at The RCC and Rabbi Bess was very invovled in investigating him because many victims went to Bess years ago.
Actual Facts-
Aron Tendler has been cheating on his wife for 20 years.
He has ruined people’s lives.
The RCC started to investigate him and notified SZ and then he resigned from both.
The board as recently as last week told ME they believe every word we told them but they have to think of the 350 families in the shul. Which makes NO sense being that they know what a low life he is, but they will have to answer to a higher being one day I guess.
Esther knows it’s all true.
The board knows it’s all true.
We know it’s all true.
It is highly unlikely that Aron will last the 8 months. We are actively working to get rid of him earlier.
HE IS MOVING TO ISRAEL.
To KNH:
We are not absurd…our stories are not absurd, they are factual experiences that actually happened over 20 years. There are phone records, hospital records of one of the victims trying to take her own life, there are husbands telling him to leave their wives alone, there are phone messages, there are rabbis, very reputable rabbis, who have been listening to victims stories for many years. So I know the truth hurts people like you who need to live in a dream world and believe in someone, to look up to someone, but you chose the wrong guy. Many people did, but al least everyone else is seeing the light. We did not sit around one day and say “how can we ruin Aron’s life?” He did this to himself. He thought we would be too afraid to go forward but we weren’t.
The RCC is the one who gave our names to the board so this has been going on for a while and that’s why the board finally did something about this.
Why are there legal documents protecting his reason from leaving The RCC?
When you can be honest with yourself then perhaps you’ll finally have all your answers.
February 17th, 2006 at 11:51 am
To KNH,
We are only anonymous to you and to the bloggers. Action has been taken against Aron because ACTUAL breathing people (with names) spoke to the board and The RCC. Not sure what it’s going to take to SINK that it in to people. But they didn’t oust him because of blogs and anonymous e-mails…he’s out because the victims actually SPOKE in person or over the phone to the board and The RCC. So stop calling us ANONYMOUS and that he is ruined over rumors and blogs, he is ruined because he is SICK and did these horrible things to SOOOOO many women. WAKE UP!!!!!
February 17th, 2006 at 12:19 pm
I think a lot of pressure needs to be put on the SZ board and on the membership as a whole. If the board said that they believe the victims but they have to think about the 350 members of the shul they are reflecting an attitude in the Jewish community that needs to be exiled. They might mean well. They dont want to ruin a shul or give rise to a chillul hashem. They want to “protect the youth” from devastating news. They want to prevent embarrassment to people, including the victims and innocent bystanders. This attitude is terribly wrong and destructive. If evil has been done it needs to be exposed and erradicated. People can handle this. If they cant they need to be able to. The Torah knows very well that anybody can commit wrongdoing. We do not not need to be protected from such information. We need the truth and justice to be done. Anything less stains the hands of the cover-up-ers. I urge everybody in SZ to contact the board members and let them know that they need to address the allegations. If there is truth to them, Aron needs to be fired right away. If they are not true, they should issue a statement supporting their rabbi.
February 19th, 2006 at 1:34 am
Clearly, the drivel that has been posted here anonymously and via JWB is simply symptomatic of the problem of the community’s credibility when placed under any basic scrutiny — and causes much damage to any legitimate investigation. This is the true disease of the community, not simply in terms of loshon hora but in terms of destroying any means of intelligent analysis and investigation due to these anonymous witchhunts.
The notion that these are “victims deserving of anonymity” is simply preposterous, and contrary to the handling of any comparable cases in secular society — as noted by the LA Times when they threw their hands up in disgust at an investigation queered by those very persons pushing for it.
Aron Tendler stands accused by no one. No one.
Aron Tendler has never been served with any legal claim, either secular or Jewish. None.
To remove a Rabbi due to rumour mongering in the ezras nashim of events admittedly over a decade old would be dubious at best, but when one reads the crivel posted at blogs such as newhempsteadnews there can be no question that what sits before us is nothing short of a simple character assassination.
And that is a pity, I point out, because my ituituive suspicion is that sufficient merit existed for his removal before the hysterics kicked in. Once JWB posts material that this is their Tiennamin Square, and that the community must rid itself of all Tendlers, there can be no serious action undertaken by anyone responsible.
At best Aron Tendler seems to now stand accused of going on Aliya (sorry, I thought that was our community wide objective and that we just had a major conference on the lack of American Rabbinic figures making the great plunge), and that he resigned from the RCC in California in anticipation of now residing 10,000 miles away. The same RCC that is so problematic in its own right that its web page still thinks it is 3 years ago in terms of the date.
That’s all you’ve got to go after a Rabbi sitting in a pulpit for over 20 years?
JWB, in an exceedingly lame attempt, now challenges one to secure a letter from the RCC that Aron Tendler is innocent of the accusations (??!!!). First, if the RCC website is not aware it is no longer 2002, there is little likelihood of their properly typing a letter. More to the point, this is an absurd reverse negative accusation that defies all logic, legal process and basic decency. I have contacted Goldman Sachs — they will NOT provide a letter that their Chairman has definitively never engaged in sexual harrassment. Has anyone ever accused him? I have contacted Kramer, Levin, Naftalis to verify that Gary Naftalis has never been to bed with a client. They cannot provide such a letter. Does that even begin to suggest that one of the leading attorneys in America is actually accused of such nonsense?
The issue here, once again, is not Aron Tendler’s innocence or guilt. The issue before us is the extreme lac of professionalism and credibility expressed by his detractors, which has queered any prospect of a serious investigation. And for that, the community has been greatly injured –not by Aron Tendler, but by an increasing irresponsible group of hysterics hiding behind anonymity on the web.
But from the perspective of the board of SZ, they were left with no alternative given the irresponsiblity and absurdity of the accusations but to see Aron Tendler off with full honors.
Aron Tendler will be well received and embraced by the Rabbinic community in Israel, as there is no reason not to accept him with full honors. No IDENTIFIABLE person accuses him of anything, in any type of legal forum, and never has in twenty years of service. If anything, a quick read of blogs indicating that his Aliya is in itself some sort of negative act speaks volumes of the credibility and perspective of the anonymous person(s) writing that drivel.
And once again, I suspect that had some proper investigation been permitted to occur by the accusers something would have come of it. Too late now.
February 19th, 2006 at 2:32 am
There is no confidentiality agreement with the RCC, because what the anonymous person(s) is accusing Aron Tendler of is a crime –statuatory rape. There is no condition of confidentiality either with the RCC or SZ.
If in fact you are being truthful –and I see no reason to believe that you ARE being truthful, but for the sake of argument — there is no confidentiality agreement that bonds the RCC or SZ in this matter.
Bottom line, no one responsible believed the accusations to any sufficient degree to effect the slightest action.
Perhaps we are a community need address more viable mechanisms for whistleblowers to come forward, that protect them on one hand yet permit viable prosecution on the other hand. Perhaps we should focus on a substantial reduction of hysterical and false accusations being made anonylously against Rabbinic leadership that can never be proven.
Perhaps both are equally accurate problems before our community today.
Whatever the case, the efforts in this particular case, structured along guidelines proposed by the ill-advised JWB and (or the same) Awareness Center, have proven a great disservice to the community and have clearly caused far more harm than good. If there are innocent victims who have been taken in by their poor advice, and have now suffered twice over, that is all the more tragic. From a community perspective, the need exists to state clearly that this type of behavior is as destructive and unacceptable within the community as the action they accuse others of perpetrating.
February 19th, 2006 at 3:58 am
Aron is also accused of many things that fall short of statutory rape but which are also highly inappropriate. To say that he resigned because of his aliyah is very weird. Who thinks of resigning from the RCC a year before making aliyah and well before even announcing retirement from his shul? Im not buying it.
February 19th, 2006 at 9:49 am
>Clearly, the drivel that has been posted here
>anonymously and via JWB is simply symptomatic
>of the problem of the community’s credibility when
>placed under any basic scrutiny — and causes much
>damage to any legitimate investigation.
Huh? The RCC SIGNED a confidentiality agreement with a CHILD MOLESTER. What legitimate investigation have I damaged and how? Community leaders are part of a WHITE WASH to PROTECT a CHILD MOLESTER and COVER UP the investigation they conducted.
>This is the true disease of the community, not
>simply in terms of loshon hora but in terms of
>destroying any means of intelligent analysis
>and investigation due to these anonymous witchhunts.
Oh yeah that’s the problem lashon harah not the SEXUAL PREDATORS in our community.
>The notion that these are “victims deserving of
>anonymity� is simply preposterous, and contrary
>to the handling of any comparable cases in secular
>society — as noted by the LA Times when they threw
>their hands up in disgust at an investigation queered
>by those very persons pushing for it.
What nonsense. Every legitimate news organization protects victims identities.
>Aron Tendler stands accused by no one.
THe RCC and SZ have names and evidence. Not anonymous in the least.
>JWB, in an exceedingly lame attempt, now challenges one
>to secure a letter from the RCC that Aron Tendler is
>innocent of the accusations (??!!!). First, if the RCC
>website is not aware it is no longer 2002, there is little
>likelihood of their properly typing a letter.
Huh?
>More to the point, this is an absurd reverse negative
>accusation that defies all logic, legal process and basic
>decency. I have contacted Goldman Sachs — they
>will NOT provide a letter that their Chairman has
>definitively never engaged in sexual harrassment.
>Has anyone ever accused him? I have contacted
>Kramer, Levin, Naftalis to verify that Gary Naftalis
>has never been to bed with a client. They cannot
>provide such a letter. Does that even begin to
>suggest that one of the leading attorneys in
>America is actually accused of such nonsense?
1) Aron unlike the above people you name has been accused of molesting children (if they had been falsely accused on numerous blogs, their firms WOULD issue public sttements in their defense).
2) There is no reason in the world thast RCC can’t write a letter in support of Aron …
EXCEPT that the allegations ARE TRUE and that the RCC has signed a confidentiality agreement.
My part here is irrelevant. The relevant party is the RCC that remains silent in the face of these allegations against a long time member and colleague.
February 19th, 2006 at 10:40 am
Update from the trenches.
1. Unclear if Ralphs will supply a letter denying that Rav Aron ever parked there. Jewish Whistle Blower made a formal request for such a letter and Ralphs was going to commit to it as part of a deal to market the vicki polin/awareness center/jewish ritual sexual abuse on Oprah weight loss bar, but the deal fell through at a meeting when some persons fell through some wicker furniture at the meeting.
My sources tell me there was some willingness but apparently when Ralphs bought Hughes they signed a Nondisclosure Agreement that forbids Ralphs to either (a) disclose what went on in the parking lots or (b) carry any produce of any quality.
2. Motel Owners along Sepulveda Boulevard have united in a broad coalition to keep philandering out of Valley parking lots and back in hourly rate motels where such conduct belongs. Local valley politicians are behind the move. In fact, many have accounts at these local motels.
3. From the SZ shul weekly bulletin:
Excerprt from “Rav Aron’s Notes”
“A final thought before leaving for Eretz Yisroel (as noted somewhere, there is a 10 day support mission to EY, and the participants will be returning - Ed.).
The single most antithetical (that means opposite for you YULA girls who were not listening to ms. spidey krich and instead spent too much time at Kosher Nostra with Hobb and apparently, in fantasy island grocery store parking lots, which I believe have those pesky two hour minimums - Ed.) action in relation to the purpose and setting of Tefilah and Minyan is speaking Loshon Hara. … If we speak Lashon Harah (sic) especially inside our Mikdash M’at, is it any wonder that the real Bais Hamikdash has not yet been rebuilt”
Basically what Rav Aron is saying is that Fact Checker will probably not be invited to the next Shemiras Halashon Invitational Golf Tourney.
4. Rabbinical Search Update
A letter is to be sent to SZ members next week announcing the formation of a “Rabbinical Search Committee.” That committee will report to the executive board (I still have no clue what that is, but I imagine it just means the president and a couple of other guys - I love the role played by women here), which means the committee will have no power. The search process will start March 1, 2006 (I think many Orthodox Jews have a busy February what with Black History Month and the beginning of Mardi Gras on Fat Tuesday - in other words, the Shul is in no hurry to even get this process going given that Rav Aron will be here for quite some time). Each member family will get a search questionnaire so that the members have input, and I am sure those questionnaires will be sent to the same place our Mehitzah recommendations went to.
5. Purim Cards are available at the shul office. 10 cards for $20. I know Jewish Whistle Blower was looking into sending a few to Yori Yanover and KNH. The cards include the gold sealing label.
Have a nice Presidents Day Weekend, my blogging will probably be light as I am going to be going in for electro convulsive therapy due to the deep depression caused by the RCC’s failure to update its website.
February 19th, 2006 at 11:10 am
KNH…
You really don’t know how to read do you? We are only Anonymous to you and no matter how many times you repeat yourself, we will remain that way because we ahve nothing to prove to you. The Beit Din was contacted back in YULA so there goes your own bogus claim. The board does believe us and you can call Jack or JIm, if you would like. But I doubt you have the courage. This didn’t come from The JWB or any site, it was the victims who brought this public to the Jewish authorities. We initially didn’t want to see him go to jail we believed he was sick and belonged in a hospital so that’s why we went down the Jewish avenues, which we regret very much. Now we are looking into other avenues, seeing what the statute is and talking to our lawyers if you must know.
Nothing that has been said harms our case in anyway because we haven’t altered our story over 10 years. So once again, not sure where your coming up with this nonsense. You seem to be a very angry person, maybe you should take the anger out on Aron instead of trying to defend what he did and call us all liars, when it is he who lied to all of us (and his wife) for 20+ years.
We are not hysterical, even though we have a right to be when someone like you, who wont post their name calls us liars. Every story on line is TRUE. I witnessed most of it and heard of the other victims years ago. So, thrir story might not be familiar to you but it is certainly familiar to me and to many others. It seems like you are out of the loop defending him. You speak of things you know nothing about it. Wouldn’t it just be wise to keep your mouth shut?
As I told people a week ago, Aron was going to Israel and people said he wasn’t, at least people know now that he is. He is going there because no one will hire him in the states because they know it’s true. Why would he leave his kids or uproot them at this point? And he won’t be welcomed in Israel, I have spoken to very powerful people in Jerusalem and they know what he is and he won’t be welcomed. You should really check out the facts before you come on here and LIE. You accuse us of blowing things out of proportion…it is actually YOU who is doing so.
I haven’t lied and neither have any of my friends lied and again when this does get to court if we can catch him before he goes to Israel, we will tell a judge and a jury the same thing. As well as we all are more than willing to take lie detector tests…
I wonder if Aron would?
So keep posting the same thing over and over it won’t change the facts. He is sick and did these things to many many women. We have a right to tell our story. We don’t have to protect him or your shul…that is not our responsibility.
You can’t even hear our experinces without thinking they are “blown out of proportion”…imagine what it was like for some of us to ACTUALLY live it.
I hope you never get molested and have someone call you a liar. Perhaps that’s why it took some of us so many years to come forward. He told us they would never believe us. I wonder what Hashem thinks of your actions.
And for the record, the board is NOT proud of him or letting him leave with honors. They are actually continuing to talk to more victims as I write and Aron will NOT last the 8 months. Guaranteed!!!!!
So it seems KNH, there are a lot of people who DO believe us like The RCC and the board, so not sure who else you think we need to tell. And AGAIN they know our names, so apparently our proof and credibility mean something otherwise he wouldn’t be out of a job.
February 19th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
KNH-
Why are you spending so much time defending Aron? Telling us how we handled this all the wrong way…or so you think. I’m just curious as to why, not once, you have commented on Aron’s sick and illegal behavior?
Everyone’s wrong BUT Aron.
Sounds like you might be a friend of his. I would want to keep that a secret too.
February 19th, 2006 at 1:48 pm
The challenge remains:
GET A LETTER FROM THE RCC EXECUTIVE THAT SPECIFICALLY SAYS THAT ARON HAS NOT BEEN INVESTIGATED AND THAT NO CREDIBLE ALLEGATIONS EXISTS.
YOU can’t and you won’t because it is all 100% true.
Also, could someone please help me compile an authoritative complete list of the current Executive (those that were inThe challenge remains:
GET A LETTER FROM THE RCC EXECUTIVE THAT SPECIFICALLY SAYS THAT ARON HAS NOT BEEN INVESTIGATED AND THAT NO CREDIBLE ALLEGATIONS EXISTS.
YOU can’t and you won’t because it is all 100% true.
Also, could someone please help me compile an authoritative complete list of the current/past Executive (those that were involved with the Aron investigation and obscene confidentiality agreement) of the RCC. Please post it here or forward it to me by email.volved with the Aron investigation and obscene confidentiality agreement) of the RCC. Please post it here or forward it to me by email.
February 19th, 2006 at 1:51 pm
So I see Raz has changed his name to Purim. Very wise because you are a joke. Still making jokes at the expense of his victims. But the joke is on you. “If” Aron is even going to Israel on this trip, it will only be to seek out a job for his future move.
When the victim is under OATH discussing her visits with Aron to the parking lot and the other girls who knew about it at that time will be too, maybe then you’ll shut up. I have a feeling you haven’t had this kind of attention ever. Your still hung up on Hobb thinking he is some great guy. Perhaps you were rejected by us in high school and this is your way of retaliating. Who knows and who cares.
Aron WON’T be around for much longer so try to detach…your making a fool of yourself.
And they ARE looking franticly for another Rabbi because he will be leaving VERY soon. I would be surprised, if he is going to Israel, that when he returns he will have a job. The FACT that they are still investigating the claims is obvious they don’t want him around. Talk to Robert he said it himself.
Your jokes are very tasteless but you won’t post your name because your too afraid to be confronted by the victims and their husbands. So sit behind your computer and make your jokes about girls who were molested at the hands of ARON TENDLER.
(How funny for Aron to talk about lashon harah and the Bais Hamikdash when he is the biggest sinner of all and the reason it won’t be rebuilt. I feel for his victims who are congregants and have to listen to that BS. What a joke he is. Broken every commandment except for murder and he preaches the torah. WHAT A JOKE.)
You really don’t have much class, do you Purim?
Karma is a wonderful thing though. He is getting his and so will you.
February 19th, 2006 at 6:09 pm
Victim took the last round handily I would say. KeNeineHora: you ought to put a rest to the scoffing and obfuscation and come up with some legitimate arguments, if there are any, for Aron. From over here the victims sound credible and brave and you sound like a snake oil salesman.
February 20th, 2006 at 12:42 am
I’m so sick and tired of hearing about the Tendler’s and the cover-ups. I’m so sick and tired of the games the Tendler family and their supporters are playing.
When will they care more about those who have been abused? Don’t they care about their children, or the women in their community? You wanna know one of the reasons so may people have integrated into the secular world? It’s this sort of crap.
I wonder what the stats are of the survivors of the Tendler klan that are still observant?
February 20th, 2006 at 12:44 am
There was something posted on my blog today that I wanted to share with you all.
February 20th, 2006 at 12:47 am
oops that posting gotta away from me. Here’s the link: ...
The posting is on Carlebach and rabbis honoring him still.
A comment made was:
Rav Moshe Feinstein, the leading rabbi of the time, held that the music that he composed after he “went off the derech”, the proper path, should not be listened to.
How many of us are still listening to these songs by Shlomo?
February 20th, 2006 at 1:57 am
well this has proven most disappointing, but revealing in the shtetl manner of the respondents. You have zero facts. Zero. You have zero accusers who have stepped forward in any forum. Zero.
If you went to the RCC and SZ, then they clearly did not believe you because neither took any action whatsoever, nor made any public pronouncement on the matter.
This is clearly a bunch of ezras noshim venting, and seemingly utilizing “popularity” in lieu of fact. That is absurd. You have all of Beth Jacob, YULA and SZ behind you? What does that even mean???!!! Is there a majority vote forthcoming that I forgot to register? Has it replaced need for fact in accusations and all manner of due process??? Are you essentially saying that he esras noshim does not like Aron Tendler this month, so let’s string him up?
Last time I checked, he was just honored on the bima at Beth Jacob in front of 1200 people…..perhaps the view from the back of the esras noshim was poor…try sitting closer to the front next time
Have I not taken the hint that he is unpopular and no one in the clique should be defending him? This really is a bunch of spoiled YULA high school girls….life really is just like high school, only now you have money to spend
To reiterate, I have strong inclinations that Tendler is no saint by any standards, and am hardly a defender of the man…but the manner in which he has been accused and trashed has been so totally inappropriate and improper, that to permit a man to be judged on that basis by the community is a far greater crime and far greater threat than anything he stands accused of perpetrating
Sometimes we do in fact let a guilty man walk away rather than risk permitting a mistrial and miscarriage of justice….if your complaints were legitimate, then you had a responsibility to conduct them in a proper manner no matter how painful that may be….the decision to experiment with a bizare Vicki Polin shame-out, in violation of all legal and halachic procedure, ended all basis of credibility and legal recourse that you might once have enjoyed
the manner in which these women have conducted this witchhunt is simply far more serious a violation than anything Tendler stands accused of, both in terms of law and halacha as well as threat to the community
It is time to say that to them loud and clear — no matter what happened, you have so crossed all lines of decency and proper procedure that no one can help you in this plight any more…it was your own decision…now live with its consequences, if that means that you queered a legitimate investigation into a potential sexual offender, who will now enjoy a long and successful career of honor because of your malfeasance
is that clear enough, to paraphrase one of the women kvetches??
and I will continue to sit in shul and marvel at the injustice, all due to the grossly inappropriate behavior of the ezras noshim and the likes of JWB and Vicki Polin….nice work, ladies
February 20th, 2006 at 7:40 am
KeNeineHora (KNH): good to see your true colors as a misogynist come out. WHy all the anger at the ezras nashim? Your post is truly bizarre and paranoid in a dozen different ways.
February 20th, 2006 at 9:19 am
Let’s at least get the lingo correct.
The correct term to use is Survivor NOT Accuser. They are also no longer victims.
Let’s refer to Tendler as the Alleged Sex Offender or the Defendent
February 20th, 2006 at 10:11 am
Contact Shaarey Zedek and the RCC executives and:
1) respectfully ask them about these serious allegations that are being made and ask that they address them publicly and either defend alleged child molester Aron Tendler as an innocent man wronged OR defend his alleged victims from their predator, provide them with legal and counselling resources and ENSURE THERE NO MORE VICTIMS OF THIS PREDATOR.
2) Further ask the Shaarey Zedek Officers and Board of Directors what their personal financial liability would be at this point if Aron Tendler does anything untoward. Ask them if they are covered any longer by any sort of liability insurance. Ask them if they have checked with their insurance carrier and ask them for the name of their insurance carrier.
3) Ask members of SZ and of the general community to contact the RCC and SZ and do the same.
A.
Officers and Board of Directors
Shaarey Zedek Congregation
as of June 21, 2005
1) Yakov Yellin - Chairman
2) Jim Kapenstein - President ...
3) Dr. Joshua Levy - Vice President Building Fund
4) Brad Turell - Vice President Communications/Marketing
5) Andrea Yekutiel - Vice President Education
6) Robert Schacht - Vice President Facilities
7) George Lintz - Vice President Finance
8) Herman Muhlstein - Vice President Membership
9) Michael Harris - Vice President Religion
10) Dr. Martin Kay - Vice President/Secretary
11) Ben Fried - Vice President Treasurer
12) Rick Brown - Vice President Youth
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Officers/Executive Board
13) Dr. Allen Ardestani
14) Dr. Bruce Greenfield
15) Michael Halpern
16) Yisrael Hirsch
17) Dr. Harvey Kasdan
18) Norm Kurnick
19) Marty Nachimson
20) Jennifer Niman
21) Sandy Roessler
22) Joe Silver
Shaarey Zedek Congregation
12800 Chandler Blvd.
Valley Village, CA 91607
Phone 818-763-0560
Fax 818-763-8215
B.
Rabbinical Council of California
617 S. Olive St. #515
Los Angeles, CA 90014
ph. (213) 489-8080
fax. (213) 489-8077
...
February 20th, 2006 at 10:20 am
Contact information for the RCC as of July 2004:
Rabbinical Council of California
617 S. Olive St. Suite 515
Los Angeles, CA 90014
ph. (213) 489-8080 fax. (213) 489-8077
...
1) Rabbi Eliezer Eidlitz ...
2) Vaad of Northern California
2520 Warring Street, Berkley CA 94704-3111
(510) 843-8223, Fax: (510) 849-0536
Ben-Tzion Welton, Supervisor Coordinator
Email: ...
Office Hours 10am-5pm Mon-Thu
9:30am-1pm Fridays
BEIS DIN SERVICES
3) RABBI NACBIJM SAUER, CHAIRMAN
4) RABBI AMRAM GABAY
5) RABBI SHLOMO HOLLAND
6) RABBI MOSHE SUGARMAN
7) RABBI YITZCHOK SUMMERS
8) RABBI SHOLOM TENDLER
KASHRUS SERVICES
9) VAAD HAKASHRUT RABBI AARON TENDLER, CHAIRMAN
10) RABBI GERSHON BESS
11) RABBI CHAlM FASMAN
12) RABBI YAAKOV KRAUSE
13) RABBI YAAKOV VANN
RABBINIC SERVICES INFORMATION AND MEDIA
14) RABBI YITZCHOK ADLERSTEIN
RABBINIC CONFERENCES
15) RABBI BERISH GOLDENBERG, CHAIRMAN
16) RABBI AVROHOM CZAPNIK
17) RABBI BORUCH GRADON
February 20th, 2006 at 10:37 am
Ask all of the above if they are mandated reporters under California law and if they have made a report of the allegations.
What is a Mandated Reporter in California?
In the scope of their employment, a Mandated Reporter has a special relationship or contact with children or the home. (The California Penal Code defines a “child” as a person under the age of 18 years.)
A Mandated Reporter Is legally required to report if they know of or have “Reasonable Suspicion” of child abuse and neglect, encountered in the scope of their employment.
Employers of Mandated Reporters are required to inform them of their responsibilities.
Prior to commencing employment and as a prerequisite of that employment, Mandated Reporters must sign a statement to the effect that he or she has knowledge of the provisions of the Mandated Reporter Law, and will comply with those provisions.
Legal Obligations of a Mandated Reporter in California if Child Abuse is Known or Suspected
The Mandated Reporter must call a “Child Protective Agency” as soon as possible to make verbal report of “Reasonable Suspicion.”
Then, the Mandated Reporter must file a written report on Department of Justice Suspected Child Abuse Report Form SS 8572 within 36 hours of their verbal report.
Mandated Reporters are required to give their name.
What is “Reasonable Suspicion” as defined by the California Penal Code?
“Reasonable Suspicion” occurs when “it is objectively reasonable for a person to entertain such a suspicion, when based upon the facts that could cause a reasonable person in a like position, drawing when appropriate on his or her training and experience, to suspect child abuse.” (California Penal Code 11166[a])
Child Abuse Report Form—Department of Justice Form SS8572
Mandated Reporters and/or their employers should keep blank copies of the form on file at all times.
If a blank form is not available when a report is made, the Mandated Reporter can request that the agency to whom the report is being made, send a blank form to them immediately.
Copies of the form are available from your local Child Protective Services Agency or by writing to:
California Department of Justice
Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information
P.O.Box 90317
Sacramento, CA 94203-4170
Record Keeping
Good record keeping or documentation is important and helpful in recognizing child abuse…Why?
Helps refresh memories
Bolsters testimony of witnesses
The child’s history stays behind if you change jobs
Helps build a “case” for reporting and CPS’s response
Documentation of reasons when the decision is made to not make a report
Who are Mandated Reporters in California?
Child Care Custodians
In Public and Private Schools
Teachers
Instructional Aides
Teacher’s Aides
Teacher’s Assistants
Classified Employees
School Bus Drivers
Administrative Officers
Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance
Certificated Pupil Personnel Employees
School District Police or Security
Administrators, Presenters or Counselors of Child Abuse Prevention Programs
Social Workers
Law Enforcement
Fire Fighters
Probation Officers
Parole Officers
District Attorney investigators, inspectors and family support officers
Public or Private Day Camp, Youth Center, Recreation Program or Organization Administrators
Administrators and employees of child day care facilities
Headstart Teachers
Licensing Workers
Public Assistance Workers
Foster Parents
Employees of Child Care Institutions:
Group Homes
Residential Care Facilities
Health Practitioners
Physician
Surgeons
Psychiatrist
Psychologist
Psychological Assistants
Mental Health and Counseling Professionals
Dentist
Dental Hygienist
Registered Dental Assistants
Residents
Interns
Podiatrist
Chiropractors
Licensed Nurses
Optometrist
Marriage, Family and Child Counselors, Interns and Trainees
State and County Public Health Employees
Clinical Social Workers
EMT’s and Paramedics
Coroners and Medical Examiners
Clergy
Priest
Minister
Rabbi
Religious Practitioner
Or similar functionary of a church, temple or recognized religious denomination or organization.
Other
Animal Control Officers
Film and Photographic Print Processors
Penalties—California Penal Code Section 11172[e]
A Mandated Reporter who fails to make a report of known or suspected child abuse:
Is guilty of a misdemeanor crime, which is punishable by up to:
- six months in the county jail
- and/or up to $1000 in fines
May lose their license or credential
Safeguards for Mandated Reporters in California
Mandated Reporters cannot be prevented from reporting nor lose their job for making a report
Identity is kept confidential (see more below on confidentiality issues)
Employers are required to inform Mandated Reporters of their responsibilities
May photograph or X-ray child without parent’s consent
Physician- and therapist-patient privilege does not apply
Is not required by law to inform parents of report
Confidentiality—California Penal Code Section 11167
A Mandated Reporter’s name is to be held confidential at all times and can only be shared:
Between Child Protective Agencies
Child Protective Agency’s Council
The Child’s Council
District Attorney in cases of:
Criminal Prosecution
Parental Rights Termination
Licensing Agencies in Abuse Cases in Out-of-Home Care
By Court Order
If the Mandated Reporter Waives Confidentiality
Never to Mandated Reporter’s employer except by consent or Court Order
Violations of Confidentiality—California Penal Code Section 11167.5
Any violation of the confidentiality provided in California Penal Code Section 11167 is a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed six month, by a fine of $500 or both.
February 20th, 2006 at 11:27 am
To KNH…
Actually, Beth Jacob didn’t know about any of this until weeks after he was honored…BUT they know now.
I think it was Aron who crossed the line when he took his clothes off and had sex with women other than his wife…but that’s just ME.
Still defending the sicko, huh?
Makes you wonder.
Let’s say this again and again and again…
WE HAVE GONE FORWARD!!!!!!!!! AND THAT’S WHY HE RESIGNED!!!!!!!!!
Take the blinders off.
We went to Rabbis for years they wouldn’t listen and they finally decided to do
something about it. Had we gone ot the media you would have said, “Why didn’t you go to a Rabbi?”
“What does that mean?”…it’s called proof…you keep asking for it…he has victims in every shul and they are talking and everyone is listening. THAT’S MY POINT. I know I know were just “kvetching”…and Aron is just a horny man…let’s just toss it up as that. JERK!!!!
Your one of those that will always defend someone like Aron…probably just
for the attention of it all.
And to be honest, I think everyone here gets what your about…and you really are a waste of time.
I’ll let everyone else deal with you from now on COWARD.
February 20th, 2006 at 11:51 am
JWB, since you are now playing lawyer, you should know that volunteer directors in California are not liable for this kind of stuff if the nonprofit has insurance. Do not make me call my lawyer (he bills out way too high), but I asked him this before I joined the Emek Board.
As for you know who’s posting as a “victim,” (mind you, this was a pretty nails chic if i know who it is who always was a wingnut around YULA) finally, a real bet. She said
“And they ARE looking franticly for another Rabbi because he will be leaving VERY soon. I would be surprised, if he is going to Israel, that when he returns he will have a job. The FACT that they are still investigating the claims is obvious they don’t want him around. Talk to Robert he said it himself.
Your jokes are very tasteless but you won’t post your name because your too afraid to be confronted by the victims and their husbands. So sit behind your computer and make your jokes about girls who were molested at the hands of ARON TENDLER.
(How funny for Aron to talk about lashon harah and the Bais Hamikdash when he is the biggest sinner of all and the reason it won’t be rebuilt. I feel for his victims who are congregants and have to listen to that BS. What a joke he is. Broken every commandment except for murder and he preaches the torah. WHAT A JOKE.)”
Rav Aron went to Israel and is scheduled to return from Israel at the end of the mission. If he does and still has the pulpit, you have to buy me a case of Sierra Nevadas - they are in the liquor aisle at ralphs, mojambo. If he does not, I will buy you a bottle of Hennesy. If you want to take on this bet, post an email addy and i will arrange payment, i am going to enjoy my brew.
As for looking franticly (man your spelling sucks the ass of a thousand arabs) for a new Rabbi - it has now been about a month since Rav Aron offered his delayed resignation. The board just appointed a search committee and there has been no guest rabbi or nothing. The Lashon Hara mill has not even been speculating about a new Rabbi and the Rav Aron story is cold. so there is no frantic, and believe me, I know frantic you should see me when i am missing my adavan after a day at the salt mine.
the search for a new rabbi is hardly frantic.
February 20th, 2006 at 12:27 pm
JWB, a friend has asked me to ask you to read your email.
February 20th, 2006 at 12:41 pm
FYI: the call to action is here: ...
February 20th, 2006 at 12:50 pm
This whole things reeks of some dysfunctional sexual deonotological philosophy, as if we are all duty bound to rectify the alleged defalcations of a Rabbi based on anonymous asservations. I subscribe to a utilitarian school on this matter.
I am a criminal defense lawyer and I prefer defending a murder rap than a DUI, and the reason is that the jury is ready to acquit a defendant accused of murder while the same jury is ready to convict a defendant accused of a .08. It does not matter that I may be “getting off” a murderer, I just play to the jury’s subconscious preference. The seriousness of the crime in insigificant next to the idiosyncratic predilections of the finder of fact. It does not make sense to me either, but my record of clearing murderers is very good compared to my abysmal record of taking DUIs to trial.
To those objurgating the nomenclature of SZ (I love how they get to name names yet remain uncredited), can you envisage in your lurid thoughts that we might want to afford Rav Aron a presumption of immaculacy. Apart from Vicki Polin and JWB, the overwhelming preponderance of jews realize as an a priori fact that sexual abuse is not pervasive and that judaism is not a propinquity that sustains such stuff. It is simply much less frequent in the temple than in the cloister. So, your berations and accusations against our frum fellowhsip are inapt. We are not Immanuel Kant schooled in the Talmud with a jihadist mentality of changing Rabbis just because you say we should . We are human beings and are entitled to our own judgment. And until there is some objective source, other than 21st century graffiti in the form of blogs making unavowed claims, we will reserve our assessment.
Thank you.
February 20th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
Aw, come on, you moderated my last post. it was a gem.
February 20th, 2006 at 1:08 pm
Here’s a note to any of Aron Tendler’s Survivors. I thought it could be helpful ...
Seven Commandments for Survivors - By Dee Ann Miller, RN, BS
1. Thou shalt not blame thyself when others do not get it. They suffer from short-sightedness and blind spots. You are not responsible for changing that–they are.
2. Thou shalt not set a time-table for your healing or for the healing of the larger community. While time alone cannot heal, healing takes time.
3. Thou shalt not accept, without question, anyone else’s prescription for your healing. You alone can judge when and how to proceed, when to take a rest, and when to celebrate.
4. Thou shalt not fail to celebrate small successes. you may be the only one who recognizes them and the only one who can reward yourself for them.
5. Thou shalt not isolate thyself, no matter how strong the temptation seems or how overwhelming the struggle. Taking time to be alone may help, but staying in isolation stifles creativity and leads to “over-awfulizing.”
6. Thou shalt surround thyself with beauty . . . beautiful people, nature, beautiful music, and enriching experiences . . . reminding yourself that all of these good things produce strength and growth.
7. Thou shalt stand tall, even when feeling low, showing to the world what you are learning about yourself as you overcome.
February 20th, 2006 at 1:11 pm
gala, re-read what I said. IF you believe Aron is innocent, ask the executive of the RCC and the SZ to DEFEND Aron publicly and denounce publicly that there ever was an investigation or a confidentiality agreement.
Given the seriousness of the charges, I think even you would agree that there must be some public statement by these organization ONE WAY or the OTHER.
I clearly am of a certain opinion based on the information I have as to the which side is correct that does not stop others from demanding public statements the other way.
>that sexual abuse is not pervasive and that judaism is not
>a propinquity that sustains such stuff.
Please indicate where I said anything of this sort. I clearly believe all the studies indicate a problem among all populations of 2-3%.
>It is simply much less frequent in the temple than in the cloister.
Please provide your basis for this statistic.
>So, your berations and accusations against our frum
>fellowhsip are inapt. We are not Immanuel Kant
>schooled in the Talmud with a jihadist mentality of
>changing Rabbis just because you say we should .
>We are human beings and are entitled to our own
>judgment. And until there is some objective source,
There was an investigation by the RCC is that good enough for you? OR do you just argue without getting ANY facts?
February 20th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
There are phone numbers for the board listed on Jewish Survivors blog…you might want to call the board and ask them why Aron is resinging. If they tell you “No comment”…that should probably tell you something, Gala.
Personally, I think there is one gent on here changing his name, but that’s just my opinion.
Anyways…I agree with the list for the survivors. After his 16 year old victim tried to take her life a couple of years ago, she finally started to deal with what Aron did to her…(Gala…this is no blog or anonymous post, this is a fact and there are records to prove it, which I am sure you won’t look into, Mr. Lawyer) she actaully felt bad because she remembers enjoying it and told Shalom of this…his response was “When you give a child candy they will take it and like it.” He also said “I believe every word you are telling me.” Why don’t you call him and ask if it’s true? He might lie to you but I don’t think he would lie in a court of law or to the Beit Din which he is a member of and which explains why Aron was sent to the boys school in 87 (when a girl went public) instead of a case being brought against him by The Beit Din.
As for your congregants…they don’t want him and neither does the board and that is why YOUR board is still looking in to him. Maybe there are a handlful of delusional congregants but on a whole, they want him out. There is a cloud of sickness hanging over your shul and it will stay there until he is gone.
February 20th, 2006 at 1:44 pm
victim, as we say in my card game, bet or fold . You say he is out within a fortnight. I say he stays. if you are uwilling to buy me a case of brew, against my offer of a hennesy, well, either you do not get out enough or your “private time” was spent with other guys which is your problem.
February 20th, 2006 at 1:52 pm
FYI:
BEIS DIN SERVICES
3) RABBI NACBIJM SAUER, CHAIRMAN
4) RABBI AMRAM GABAY
5) RABBI SHLOMO HOLLAND
6) RABBI MOSHE SUGARMAN
7) RABBI YITZCHOK SUMMERS
8) RABBI SHOLOM TENDLER
Rabbi Holland was kicked out of The Kolell and sent to Israel for doing the same thing…so doesn’t look like our Rabbis at The Beit Din are going to do much to help the victims.
February 20th, 2006 at 1:55 pm
I don’t play cards or drink brew, I’m an adult with class…sorry. The true victory will be when the world knows what he did and he is living in another country. Although I must admit, his forced resignation from The RCC and SZ has been quite pleasant and healing to the soul…for all of us.
February 20th, 2006 at 2:15 pm
Nice, victim refuses to bet a case of beer (12 bucks tops) against a bottle of hennesy (over 40 bucks). I am laying in to you for 3-1 and you won’t even give me the decency of a line? Seems to me you are bluffing.
In my book, money talks and blogposters walk.
As for class and drinking and playing cards, I guess you must get off to talking smack about a rabbi and SZ board members by name. I myself enjoy playing no limit omaha high-low with some buddies and an MGD.
I guess the blog definition of classy is different.
February 20th, 2006 at 2:29 pm
raz, we’re talkin about the molestation of children, how do you possibly think betting and joking is appropriate here? You going to bet on rapists and murders next?
Jerk.
February 20th, 2006 at 2:48 pm
“I guess you must get off to talking smack about a rabbi and SZ board members by name.”
Not sure what “smack” is must…be a “class” thing.
But…yes, when a rabbi (or so he claims) molests young girls and innocent congregants, and specific board members enable this for years…they have a right to have their names exposed. And we are very proud to have done so.
I wonder if anyone marries you one day (which probably will never happen) and you have a child…I wonder how you will feel if she gets molested?
Must be a “class” thing.
And once again, Aron has admitted to several of his victims that he knows he is sick…so not sure why you are still defending him. Two brothers in one family both molesting women…seems like something is seriously wrong with that family.
February 20th, 2006 at 3:21 pm
Remember it takes a village (or in this case a community) to enable a sex offender to develop in their molesting career.
Instead of spending so much time and energy attacking those who have been victimized, why not start asking what you can do to help them heal?
Instead of defending a man who has a history, why not do what you can to get him the help he needs.
The victims in this case include not ONLY those who were sexually victimized, but also the entire community, who trusted a man with their children, and to meet their spiritual needs.
Denial is just one of the many common defense mechanisms used when one learns that someone has violated a trust. Another is anger. For some reason it seems easier to attack those who have been already victimized, then to be angry at someone who violated a trust.
Healing can only happen when we hold the individual(s) accountable. The longer the board of directors, members of the RCC, and the community at large refuse to take a public stand against abuse, the more damage will be done. Please stop this name calling, and start facing the facts.
February 20th, 2006 at 5:38 pm
what is this about rabbi holland
is this gossip, or is there some reality to it
February 20th, 2006 at 6:03 pm
“the search for a new rabbi is hardly frantic.”
You are mistaken RAZ or should I say RAT? The board is being inundated with complaints that he is still there. It’s a bit tasteless to be making bets with victims as though you are having fun with this…as well as making fun of a typo, it makes us all wonder how old you are.
You seem to be so proud to be standing by a molester, perhaps you too have some skeletons in your closet, other than your 99 cent beer of course.
And you have NO idea who we are so predicting our nail style and so on, is pretty lame.
February 20th, 2006 at 6:07 pm
To Raz and Gala…
It’s interesting that you attack every victims rights site yet you defend a child molester…any special reason? Is the truth of any importance to you or just cracking jokes and defending a low life?
February 20th, 2006 at 9:45 pm
Lets see…
No, unfortunately it’s true. I adored him since I was a little girl but unfortunately someone in the community was seeing him for marriage problems and they had a relationship, the husband found out from hearing his phone messages and went to the Kolell…and that was that. He moved to Israel but I heard recently that he is moving to Lakewood. He was such a wonderful man…although I hear there are many other stories about him as well…too upsetting to even discuss.
February 21st, 2006 at 12:02 am
“There has been no visible activity on the part of SZ to find a new Rabbi. No guest Rabbi on a proba, no names, nobody posturing for the job, nothing.”
Moron…do you actually believe the board is going to ask YOU or any of the congregants what they should do? Do you think your opinion or choice for a Rabbi is of great importance to them? There is a board for a reason and that is to make their own decisions, and I know from first hand knowledge that within 30 days, RAT wil be out. The complaints are overwhelming and the victims are putting the pressure on.
February 21st, 2006 at 1:46 am
well these women have seriously deteriorated into the worst possible form of shtetl gossipmongers and hate throwers….not much to accomplish here save to let them hang from their own petards
The Rabbi remains the Rabbi. He has not been fired at all. He has not fled to Israel. No action is being taken against him by anyone. Not a Beis Din. Not a court. Not one of the anonymous “victims” here (and there is no basis to believe you are victims of anyone or anything at all) have come forward in any credible manner, as distinct from the case in Monsey.
By your own words, the RCC and SZ board have heard your claims. Clearly, all have been rejected by responsible members of the community who will not cow-tow to absurd pressure to commit a wild injustice to placate a bunch of hysterical women intent upon maligning a good man’s name beyond all bounds of proper procedure or justice. Good for them!
Ladies, you got what you deserve. Actually, you have not begun to get what you deserve, but to paraphrase one of the delusional anonymous “victims” above, I leave this with a warm heart that wise men saw through your dreadful attempts and had the courage to do the right thing, despite it not being “popular” with the post-YULA clique.
And in terms of Beth Jacob, now suddenly they did not know until “weeks later” of the claims, yet you say everyone in the RCC was notified years ago????!!!! It was only a month ago, I reind you….at least Weil had the intelligence and foresight to stand by a colleague and put lie to your madness publicly and formally before 1200 witnesses…Beth Jacob knew of your claims long ago, by your own prior listings, and elected to publicly refute them and give the man some properly due honor.
And remember, for the record, I by no means believe Aron Tendler to be a saint or even innocent of some of the accusations…..but you have perpetrated such a miscarriage of justice and propriety in the community that I concur with Weil that this case is one in which it is more important to reassert procedure and law and halacha even if it potentially lets a guilty man walk free.
You have disgraced the community, and above all you have disgraced yourselves. No one in responsiblity believed you, in any forum religious or civil. Go back and look in the mirror about how and why that occurred.
February 21st, 2006 at 9:18 am
KNH: your post does not make much sense. Like the Tendlers you try to hide everything behind a cloud of big talking legalese. One simple question: Why wont the wise and responsible people at the RCC and at SZ do anything to show their public support of the man? If he is guilty, he should not go free, and none of the victims are guilty of anything other than courageouly pressing their case until it got a hearing.
February 21st, 2006 at 9:42 am
KeNeineHora (KNH) is just spinning. Remember when rasha Tendler #1 and his supporters claimed beis dins in Monsey had investigated and cleared him? Same spin different rasha Tendler.
KeNeineHora (KNH) knows it is a lie in rasha Tendler #2’s case as well.
February 21st, 2006 at 10:17 am
Victim says Rav Aron is gone w/in 30 days? Bad enough she assailed me by saying none of the board cares what I think. In fact, I have been asked by a few persons whether I am on the selection committee and have been around SZ before you had backhair.
Like the angel in Elonei Mamre, I will return here in exactly 30 days and my prediction is that both she and Rav Aron will be exactly where they are now, she somewhere in the wood living hand to blog off support and he holding the pulpit at SZ.
Too bad she will not bet on it.
February 21st, 2006 at 10:56 am
To KNH
(Raz…your just an adolescent and not worth responding to anymore, and no one is going to ask YOU who you think should be the next rabbi.)
First, I never said “everyone” knew at the time, I said Irving, Robert, Joni and Shalom Tendler knew years ago before this broke by many of his victims not just mylsef.
Second, Beth Jacob is NOW 100 percent behind us. They did NOT know once they honored him and are quite embarassed now.
You should really READ my words before quoting me old wise one.
And to say we deserved to be molested …I think there is a place in hell reserved just for you and perhaps your children will no one day know what we endured.
You keep repeating yourself that no one has taken action against him. Again, he dealt with The Beit Din in 87 and unfortunately Shalom let him move to the boys school. And to the rest of your nonsense that he won’t be out of a job very soon…I hope you keep posting…if you only knew what was going down as I write. See… WE are actually in touch with the board…your NOT…so you have no idea what’s going on, and your going to look like a fool once he is out in
the very near future. But I’m sure you’ll put a spin on that as well…
What will it be? Aron just had to run to Israel and leave SZ sooner because of his deep love for Israeli food.
February 21st, 2006 at 11:05 am
“And remember, for the record, I by no means believe Aron Tendler to be a saint or even innocent of some of the accusations…..but you have perpetrated such a miscarriage of justice and propriety in the community that I concur with Weil that this case is one in which it is more important to reassert procedure and law and halacha even if it potentially lets a guilty man walk free.”
To even say such a thing…what an idiot you are. Set a man free to molest more women because of halacha…no wonder everybody hates jews.
“You have disgraced the community, and above all you have disgraced yourselves. No one in responsiblity believed you, in any forum religious or civil. Go back and look in the mirror about how and why that occurred.”
Actually, it is YOU and Rub Aron Tendler who disgrace this community and continue to do so.
And if you believe it’s true as you say…then why call us delusional?…you seem to contradict yourself in each paragraph. Make up your mind…he is a child molester or he isnt? You can’t have it both ways babe.
February 21st, 2006 at 1:07 pm
Hey, RAZ: if you’re so sure Aron will still be around, wouldnt it help him out a lot to have the public support of the SZ board. Why wont you call for that? It would be much more effective than your idiotic cracks about YULA girls.
February 21st, 2006 at 2:44 pm
“Sometimes we do in fact let a guilty man walk away rather than risk permitting a mistrial and miscarriage of justice….if your complaints were legitimate, then you had a responsibility to conduct them in a proper manner no matter how painful that may be….the decision to experiment with a bizare Vicki Polin shame-out, in violation of all legal and halachic procedure, ended all basis of credibility and legal recourse that you might once have enjoyed.”
If they were legitimate?…GO TO HELL. who are you to say what our responsibility was? wait till your assaulted by a powerful figure and then tell us what we’re supposed to do. And for the record, jerk off, none of us even know who Vicki is, so keep blabbing your nonsense.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:20 pm
>the decision to experiment with a bizare Vicki Polin
>shame-out, in violation of all legal and halachic
>procedure, ended all basis of credibility and legal
>recourse that you might once have enjoyed.�
The victims have for decades gone to the rabbonim, educators and their community leaders. More recently they went to the RCC and SZ executives. As of a few week ago, when I asked Vicki, THEY HAD NOT CONTACTED HER.
So as usual your information is completely and utterly wrong and is nothing but a poor attempt to smear and deflect from the real and legitimate facts and allegations. As is the pattern of those involved with BOTH Tendler cases.
Further, this is yet another example of:
1) the utter failure of our rabbonim, educators and community leaders to take decisive action.
2) the utter failure of our rabbonim, educators and community leaders to protect victims.
3) the utter failure of our rabbonim, educators and community leaders to deal with clergy misconduct.
The fact is that their failure is not now, and has never been the fault of Ms. Polin’s or any other advocates involvement. The RCC, SZ and YULA failed all by themselves.
These type of smears and deflections are common as well with agunot as the last thing elements in the community seem to want are vulnerable parties having any real resources, yet providing those resources will be the only thing that protects these vulnerable parties and improves things for future victims.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:41 pm
Further, it has been typical in other religions to use the same smear and deflection campaigns against anyone who brought attention to the problem. The Catholic Church routinely used the same tactics.
When Gary Rosenblatt broke the Lanner case, he was attacked and so were Lanner’s victims for going to him. Yet only his story removed Lanner, not decades of effort by others.
The same is true in Mr. Rosenblatt, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Ford and Ms. Polin’s exposure of others. Which include:
Rabbi Lewis Brenner
Rabbi Ephraim Bryks
Rabbi Benyamin Yaakov Fleischman
Rabbi Mordechai Gafni
Rabbi Mark A. Golub
Rabbi (Alan J.) Shneur Horowitz
Rabbi Avrohom Mondrowitz
Rabbi Aron Boruch Tendler
Rabbi Mordecai Tendler
Rabbi Matis Weinberg
Rabbi Yaakov Weiner
Rabbi Michael Ozair
and many others. They should be applauded and supported NOT atteacked. If you want to attack someone, attack the sexual predators who prey on our vulnerable. Oh, that’s right the people doing the smear and deflection campaigns against advocates are not interested in protecting the vulnerable, just the corrupt and powerful.
February 21st, 2006 at 7:27 pm
RE: Mandated reporters under California law
The following people should be investigated for NOT reporting suspicion of child abuse:
Rabbi Marvin Hier, Dean, Simon Wiesenthal Center / YULA
Rabbi Meyer May, Executive Director, Simon Wiesenthal Center / YULA
Rabbi Shalom Tendler, Rosh Yeshiva, YULA
Dr. Bruce Powell, General Studies Principal, YULA
Dr. Michael Held, School Psychologist YULA
Dear Victims,
I suggest you go after the “Deep Pockets” report them, then sue for damages.
All the best,
A Believer in your cause
p.s. This won’t be the 1st time Wiesenthal will pay to shut a story down. a
few years ago they paid off Dr. Gerald Margolis’s secretary over
$100,000 - The reason: sexual abuse by her superior…
who was shipped off to the ADL.
February 21st, 2006 at 8:20 pm
Actually, Rabbi Marvin Hier’s boys have known for years, they have been talking to victims but not doing anything about it.
FYI: In defense of the RCC…I spoke to a rabbi there today and this is the deal. Aron has not been a member for almost a YEAR, so I guess it just took a while to surface because everyone thinks he recently left. They started to look into the rumors about a year and a half ago and sought out many victims including myself (I did not know this)…so it doesn’t seem they have covered anything up. There is NO confidentiality agreement but I think they are keeping quiet (especially over the phone) because of the victims and no other reason. They feel that as soon as they heard about it they acted on it and I believe them. Does not look like Aron “resigned” and I’ll just leave it at that. So, we should probably stop attacking The RCC.
It’s now up to The board at SZ to act swiftly and get rid of him.
February 21st, 2006 at 9:36 pm
This is a fyi: ...
I want to make sure as many people as possible can find the comments made by “# Zipi Adlerstien”. I hope you don’t mind?
February 21st, 2006 at 10:16 pm
You write:
“Actually, Rabbi Marvin Hier’s boys have known for years, they have been talking to victims but not doing anything about it”
Let me repeat what I’ve said before:
“Mandated reporters under California law”
The following people should be investigated for NOT reporting suspicion of child abuse:
Rabbi Marvin Hier, Dean, Simon Wiesenthal Center / YULA
Rabbi Meyer May, Executive Director, Simon Wiesenthal Center / YULA
Rabbi Shalom Tendler, Rosh Yeshiva, YULA
Dr. Bruce Powell, General Studies Principal, YULA
Dr. Michael Held, School Psychologist YULA”
- Rabbi Hier cannot head institutions like Wiesenthal Center/YULA and choose not to be
responsible to what his boys are doing.
- They will surely do nothing if they can get away with it.
In this OSCAR season you might want to ask them, as members of the Academy Of Motion Pictures, if they have seen lately:
“THE SILENCE OF THE LAMB”
or
“THE BYSTANDERS AMONG US”???
Furthermore, all the Rabbinical Institution in town are very much connected…Don’t be fooled They All knew and did nothing - because they did not want to rock the boat
They are responsible for a cover-up which was on going for years.
I hope that the RCC got the message and they will do something - now.
KEEP GOING TILL ALL THE OTHERS WILL GET THE MESSAGE TOO!
February 21st, 2006 at 10:31 pm
The RCC might have had good intentions, to protect victims who moved on with their lives already, but if the allegations are true and they believed them it was irresponsible to stay quiet. We are talking about possible crimes and a predator who would remain at large after a quiet exit from the RCC.
February 21st, 2006 at 10:50 pm
I agree, he knew what his sons knew. So I am not arguing that at all. I think that if The RCC went public to the police and to the community without the victims permission (and proof) it would have been hard. That’s all I am saying. Believe me, you won’t find any Rabbi lovers in my home (and I come from a long lineage of Rabbis) but I’m just trying to see their side and if I can, after my relationship wtih Aron, then maybe you guys can too…that’s all.
Shalom Tendler on the other hand knew back in 87 and did nothing and the board knew two years ago and did nothing…at least Aron was forced out of The RCC, and to be honest it was that move that lead to The board finally doing something…not enough, but at least we are on the road to recovery.
February 21st, 2006 at 11:58 pm
This is a wake up call to the RCC. Please print this out and share it with each of their members.
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse — NEVER just “move on with their lives.” The pain may less intense as time goes on, but the experience of being sexually victimized changes you for life.
It’s not uncommon for the symptoms go into remission, sometimes for years. The problem is that there will most likely be times when the flashbacks will return. It’s not uncommon for a woman to have abreaction’s or flashbacks when they are pregnant, when their children reach the age they were when their abuse started, when their offender dies, or when there’s some other crisis in their lives.
I’m sick and tired of people of influence thinking they understand something they don’t. It’s way past time to be educated on the issues and ramifications.
I still like the quote “it takes a community to raise a sex offender, and to enable them to continue.” It also takes a community to stop a sex offender, and to do what ever it takes to learn ways of empowering survivors.
February 22nd, 2006 at 4:19 am
Steven Weiss you have now enter the zone, collaborating and peer group of the elite public relations quality and salesmanship, sophisticated speech and story telling by the KNH-Kool aid Non-sense-jewish Hypocrites. And that’s why victims should not go to you; you aren’t a Journalist and lack maturity. Your starting thread here of support for a child abuser against victims, and don’t calm benefit of doubt, it’s clear who you side with.
Sorry that New Hempstead News whom was the one who expanded and allowed a greater format for Rabbi Aron Tendlers’ victims didn’t stylize a format and separate blog for this.
Steven Weiss your provocative spin against these victims hopefully will be noted to expose any false ethical credentials you may have; and I hope someone else steals this away from you and opens an important provoking tale of children who were so betrayed by Rabbi Aron Tendler, mis-guided, wounded and not even heard that they were raped.
February 23rd, 2006 at 9:26 am
Well, blogging has been light as this story dies.
I guess people are much more interested in the David Lavon dancing tapes (I think he is pretty weak myself - I mean there is no height on his windmills and his moves are not clean in terms of the flow into the next body position). So I leave you with some final thoughts on who did well on this matter, now that it is essentially over.
1. Jewish Pole Blower, Jewish Survivors Baldspot, the Awareness Center for Women who Appeared on Oprah in the late 1980s Saying they Had Been Ritually Abused on a Torah Scroll all look really lame. All they do is cut and paste luke’s archives or some irrelevant statute about mandated reporters as if the board of SZ, who had no supervisory role over minor children, should be calling CPS. Even worse, they post personal phone numbers and photos of people who had only the most tangential of any involvement with the sitch at all. They have a picture there of Dr. Held, I think the guy is some shrink who advertises in the Jewish Journal. I think he was at YULA for awhile. I have no clue what exactly he did - I mean the whole autism, ADD, ADHD, Ritalin industrial complex that sustains half of the Shrinks in L.A. was not even yet the horrifying child ruining structure that it is now, but I do not think he even was at the girls school.
They have clearly not matured beyond blogging whatsoever and simply like to occupy bandwidth.
A big negative - but that is par for their course.
2. Luke Ford does allright. He has some courage to get ahead of the story, and shockingly, the class not to list personal phone numbers of alleged co-conspirators. I think Luke probably got himself more orthodox eyeballs on to his blog, which will no doubt increase sales of the vibrator he is hawking on his website. Luke has basically become a glorified muckracker of an insular community that could care less what he says, but unlike Ralph Nader devastating the Corvair, Luke has no credibility devastating an Orthodoxy that has devastated him first. A minor positive.
3. The one victim who posts is OOC (out of control to you Noobs). She feels empowered and gets to project a whole s-load of wrath on a blog. The press always hates that kind of person, unless it is al-reuters interviewing a palestinian. She must have taken PR lessons from the Islamic Jihad. Sometimes people appreciate not being called full of crap just cause they don’t believe you. Learn to focus your anger and use it to your advantage. Don’t just spew. A huge negative.
4. SZ board. A big positive. With the fit hitting the shan, they apparently handled it pretty well. If these claims have some basis in fact, well Rav Aron became a liability, but the board’s patnernalistic and egoistic instincts allowed for them to devise a strategy of delay that they believe was the best so as to keep the community protected and manage the agenda. THat infuriates the bloggers to no end, who have major tallis envy that they are not making the decisions or pulling the strings. Well, the bloggers are not the pezzonovante that the SZ board members are. The board’s paternalistic instincts served them quite well. None of the alleged victims ever came forward in any meaningful way, except to name certain board members and one wife of a board member and list their phone numbers. So the Board controlled the agenda in the game and won. The agenda was dominated by the Board once they controlled the information flow to the constituency who mattered. The only information flow not controlled by the board is the totally inconsequential blogs with a combinded active readership of about 6-10 retards, myself proudly included.
5. Rav Aron. Given that there is no objective public investigation, no one can say if these allegations are true, so it is impossible to pass judgment referable to this matter. I will say that I was puzzled by Rav Aron’s sharp turn to the right in recent past, I mean the level of simple fantasy opposition to the forfeiture of Gaza was just appalling given that hardly any real opposition in Israel of the violent type the rabbis were trying to foment arose. But I suppose a Rabbi serves his base, and the base in SZ is right wing. Which makes for bad news for the posters here, right wingers wear black hats pulled tight over their ears to avoid hearing LH and to use YU lingo from my time there - “crack it open” (learn the Talmud) at night, rather than read blogs. The real power at SZ is with the wingers and they don’t read luke bored or jewish whistle swallower. Rav Aron quitting does not really affect me, I never really was a big fan of either him or Sugarman, but a Rabbi is not a central figure in my life, he is just a leader of a clan who has foibles just like any other person. I suppose Rav Aron did the smartest thing given the caliber of the accusers, he simply iggied them.
5. The RCC. Huge negative for not updating their website.
6. The Jewish Journal. They suck. They should do another menshes cover, that got the jewish ladies in tarzana wearing their sequined sweatsuits to kvell uncontrollably. it was really cool.
7. The Daily News. No coverage of this at all, but massive coverage of the crash of the ferrari. Where are their journalistic standards.
8. The LA Times. I cancelled my subcription when Malamud died (may his neshama have an aliyah) so even if they pick up this story I will not read it, but I have to say it warms my heart when people threaten going to the press in LA and no one really cares.
9. George W. Bush. The port story is something of a total anomaly as he does best when pandering to his base. Oh, wrong blog.
February 23rd, 2006 at 9:55 am
You forgot
10.) Raz- Needs to get a life and grow up…perhaps start dating? I think your old enough and mommy and daddy will let you.
Weren’t you going away for 30 days? I guess your “anger” got the better of you.
You had a similair post weeks ago on NHN when blogging stopped for a DAY. I knew you were the same guy.
February 23rd, 2006 at 10:42 am
Finally a somewhat reasonable post from RAZ, at least the parts I was able to understand. But I would not be so quick to call this story dead. Stories like this do not go away so easily. Action can be delayed forever but the story wont go away.
February 23rd, 2006 at 10:58 am
Not too sure why you see it as reasonable, he attacks anyone who stood up for us and attacks Aron on the basis of being a righty or lefty instead of a child molester. I wouldn’t encourage him, he’s a bit nutty and VERY immature.
February 23rd, 2006 at 11:03 am
I came back here, ms. victim, cause i wanted a little post mortem here.
Since fact checker must be some distaff abecedarian with low vocab skills but actually gave me the props I deserve, I will not say this story is totally dead.
A lot could happen.
Victim could get a gift from the wizard of valley village much like the lion and jewish thumb sucker could get a brain much like the scarecrow and pull their collective thumbs out of their butts and actually try to do something. But that would be difficult, given their proclivity to sit by the computer eating bon bons and waiting for one of my posts to appear. In some unrequited seflish egoistic manner, they prefer to have the story focus on them on their terms, rather than risking their own skin. So other than some completely ridiculous posts asking others to call people AT THEIR HOMES WHERE THEY PLAY WITH THEIR KIDS, nothing is coming from them.
The jewish journal could, as canonist put it, hire luke ford to work the story. Now, I am not sure how that would ever get by bookkeeping, i mean a check to luke ford - i have heard stories of him shnoring stuff that makes vicki polin’s stuff look tame. Not going to happen.
Someone with some knowledge of something could come forward. But the people who are in the know, whether rabbis, community leaders, consenting adults who may have believed Rav Aron did something, are obviously happy with the status quo.
I figure I am entitled to blog here and I have marked the 30 day time you gave.
Blog away.
February 23rd, 2006 at 11:06 am
And actually, the press keep calling to hear my story so not too sure who “hates” that…except for you because I put you in your place as do many women here. There really is no place for someone like you in such serious dialogue, but I guess they’ll let anyone out of their cage to post here.
And once again, Aron won’t be around much longer. Just because you, who is a nobody, doesn’t know what’s going on behind closed doors doesn’t mean it aint happening.
I commend The RCC for being the ONLY ones to get rid of him…so focus on a website blunder instead of the facts…that’s what you do best, IGNORE the facts.
February 23rd, 2006 at 11:32 am
The only one sitting and waiting for a response is YOU…hence you presuming that this was going away…why would you predict that unless your hanging out watching the posts and noticed that for a few hours there weren’t any. Projection???…Familair with that word, Einstein?
Anyways, it’s rediculous to have to keep repeating myself but as I mentioned your IQ isn’t that high. The board is talking to us daily as are many rabbi’s, just because you don’t know what’s up, doesn’t mean much to us. There
are MANY people on here who are victims and you have no idea how many there are so you should probably shut up. Only a low life such as yourself would attack a victim. But the board and The RCC and every major religious community around the world knows it’s all true. This has made it to Israel and to most states…the only person who thinks this is over, is YOU.
For some reason whenever blogging stops for a day you get on these sites and you try and upset people. I’m starting to wonder what your motive is…just to continue the blogging? Are you so lonely? I predicted as much.
February 23rd, 2006 at 9:59 pm
Raz,
There is a difference between “Ho-cha-ch Toy-chi-a-ch Et Ami-tey-cha” and “Al Ta-a-mod Al Dam Re-ay-cha”
(Teach your fellow Yead Mussar… Don’t stand/dance on your fellow Yead’s spilled blood)
I don’t mean to be unkind but…You have a mean streak in you. “MI SAM-CHA L’SHO-FET”? You are being too judgmental of the victims and a bit of a bully too. A Chauvinistic behavior that has no room in Jewish lifestyle. NO, They did not ask for it to happen. YES, You are blaming the victim. It’s not becoming of a member of the community. Be a Mantch and show kindness and support. If you are unable to do so, leave them alone. Clear and simple. Surely, you are not trying to add to their pain. SOMETHING OBVIOUSLY HAS HAPPENED AND IT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OFF. Not by you or me, let the proper authorities investigate and take care of it.
February 23rd, 2006 at 10:54 pm
There has been suggestions that some of the abuse allegations that relate to Aron Tendler involved conduct AT NCSY. It is important to report these allegations to the Ombudsman and cc a copy to the OU/NCSY executives and demand an investigation. You can do so anonymously.
NCSY Ombudsman Telephone Hotline
NCSY and the Orthodox Union strive to create an environment in which NCSYers, NCSY volunteers, and NCSY professionals can grow and learn in a comfortable environment free from unwelcome attention and any other form of physical, psychological, or emotional abuse. If you have been made to feel uncomfortable or treated inappropriately, please contact our designated social worker concerning your grievance at the NCSY Ombudsman Telephone Hotline, 212-613-8361.
cc a copy to:
1)
Rabbi Steven Burg
National Director
212-613-8380
...
2)
David Frankel Associate National Director
212-613-8381
...
3)
Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
National Director of Programs
212-613-8233
...
4)
Ouriel Hazan National Director of Summer Programs
212-613-8289
...
5) OU Executive Vice President
Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb 212-613-8264
...
6) OU Executive Director, Operations and Management
Eliezer Edelman 212-613-8117
...
7) OU Executive Director, Programming
Rabbi Moshe D. Krupka 212-613-8225
...
February 23rd, 2006 at 11:03 pm
I would note that Shaarey Zedek Congregation is affiliated with the Union of Orthodox Congregations (OU). Demand from the above that untill Tendler is gone the OU dissasociate from SZ and that NO NCSY programs be held there OF ANY SORT.
February 24th, 2006 at 2:02 am
Me a mean streak?
Are you kidding me.
I courtesy flush. At Dodger Games. When it does not even matter and no one is looking. I love Jews. I even love Chabadniks, which of all organized religions comes the closest to Judaism.
However, i have this tendency to view everything in life as an exercise in critical thinking . It is one of the reasons I love watching Emeril Live.
The allegations here are so muddled and the conduct of certain bloggers so completely over the line that I feel the need to delve deep and extract the subconscious of what is going on. Also, given that I am just a prole in the community, I am left to guess what went on behind the curtain just like the neocons must wonder whether Bush has finally lost his mind on the UAE port deal.
My conclusions, without a mean streak, are:
For the alleged victim posting here, I see a truly angry woman. Angry at everyone and blaming everyone for her rage. I mean, I think she called the SZ community a full of crap place or one of the “victims” did. Honey, the SZ community has survivors in it with numbers burned on their forearms who have had nothing to do with Rav Aron (most of them were much more aligned with Rabbi Sugarman). I have trouble with someone calling a survivor who lost their family while Hashem was absent - that is about the only theodicy I can fathom - yet who goes to minyan as full of crap. The amount of faith held by such persons equals or surpasses kierkegaard’s portrayal of abraham as a man of faith.
The blogs run by survivors, JWB, the Awareness Center are the 21st century equivalent of a high school production of a pinter play. I mean the level of absurdity and unprofessionalism is over the top. Cutting and pasting posts from other blogs, from california statutes having nothing to do with anything, and offering no analysis on any objective basis is just not something I can stomach. It is like watching the history of Israel on Al Arabiya. I know that sexual abuse is serious, but you know what, there are false allegations all the time, and if you are to be respected in covering the matter, you better be fair and balanced. I mean the latest attempt to have the OU “dissasociate” all NCSY programming from SZ shows that Jewish flame thrower wants to punish orthodox youth in the name of his desire to play district attorney. How about this, let NCSY be at SZ, but require that an NCSY Rabbi chaperone the activities. This provides the protection that you want, and does not deprive kids of a chance to socialize just because of accusations against a Rabbi.
As to your claim that “SOMETHING OBVIOUSLY HAS HAPPENED AND IT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OFF” what is the it thou speaketh of? And how should it be taken care of. From what I hear, there is no legal action against Rabbi Tendler. As far as I can tell, Rav Aron is not leaving until a new Rabbi is installed, and that will take months if not the better part of 2006. They actually appointed a committee to do a rabbinic search. Do you know how long committees of jews take to make a decision. i encourage you to read the history of the early zionist congresses with herzl, nordau, and leo motzkin arguing over what form of law would govern a jewish state while europe was gearing up to slaughter the jewish population that so desperately needed a jewish state immediately, the form of law to be governed by be damned.
As for the board, the board of SZ has some pretty smart people on it, much smarter than I, and I am sure they have taken care of whatever needs to be done. If you think something was not taken care of, pay your money, join SZ and demand something different. I myself trust my board.
February 24th, 2006 at 8:14 am
I believe raz is Rabbi Harlan David (Tsvi) Kilstein, supporter of Rabbi Mordecai Tendler and of sexual abuse.
What is it Raz? You haven’t solved your mommy issues? You hate her so much? I think you should face what you truly feel about your mother, and get out of your thinking in your mind and belief that if you hypnotize yourself in a thought that will control what is around you. You obviously have issues with control. You didn’t like that your father didn’t take charge and decided to control your mother. You are a pained person. You may believe you are protecting anything that takes power of control because if you don’t then you can’t get what you want. Well, if you see that your mother was doing the best she could and forgive her then you will find that your shame will serve you to be humble and get what you want from a place of compassion. Otherwise your life of tyranny will go with you till death and that’s not a successful life. And that will be where control gets you.
February 24th, 2006 at 8:57 am
is Raz really Harlan Kilstein? It sounds like his MO. ...
February 24th, 2006 at 10:00 am
what is not important is who I am but what I represent. I am the everyman at SZ. I am the great unwashed Bourgeoisie of the shul, the YU educated guy in a dead end job without the brains to be on the board or the patience to suffer fools on blogs.
But in some cruel way, I matter. Because if I am convinced that something stinks, I may actually do something. And guess what, there are about 200 guys like me who have no clue what the heck is going on here because we only read the jewish journal and the SZ bulletin and cannot mindmeld with Jewish Winchell Donut to figure out what is true and what is luke ford.
In the meantime, I read this and am accused of a life of tyranny like i am friggin muqtata al sadr. I love the ad hominem attack only because it gives me a chance to say ad hominen.
Look, why not address the issue, which is that you got to convince shlubs like me if you want something done about this. You convince me and you need not worry about the RCC website and getting Rabbi Hier to get involved - I hear he would consider it if you committed to endow a master’s program in fundraising at the SWC. I hear from another blog that a NY newspaper, you know a media outlet where they have to have names to print a story, is doing a series on the Tendler dynasty. I look forward to reading the reportage there.
Because all I get here are links to home phone numbers of people that if I called them and asked about anonymous accusers would lead to a confirmation of my being a total piltdown man, a status that I do not care to confirm.
As for my father and you putting him down, i say “stick it” like ... - see his starbucks riff.
February 24th, 2006 at 10:15 am
>How about this, let NCSY be at SZ, but require
>that an NCSY Rabbi chaperone the activities.
>This provides the protection that you want,
>and does not deprive kids of a chance to socialize
>just because of accusations against a Rabbi.
This is absolutly obsence. An organization that employs a child molester SHOULD NOT have ANY NCSY activities. They have to be removed from the OU and NCSY UNTILL they do what is right and remove the child molester.
Chaperoning children … when you have a child molester on staff … are you mad?
Contact the OU/NCSY officials above and demand action!
February 24th, 2006 at 10:55 am
If you are a survivor of Mordecai Tendler or live in the KNH community, there’s a book you need to read - Recovery From Cults. It should be manditory reading.
It will help everyone understand the dynamics of what’s been going on, and ways to heal. ...
February 24th, 2006 at 10:57 am
I’m hardly filled with anger. I am actually a gentle soul who happens to be very spiritual and have stood up for so many women Aron harmed that are too scared to stand up for themselves, or are married and too concerned about their families. A word no one would ever use to describe me is “angry”…or “off the wall” actually quite rational and successful in what I do.
When someone like you focuses on “legalities” and defends a child molester, yes, it could tend to piss off any woman, who 100% had a relationship with Aron. So…you, who don’t know me or anyone of us has no right to tell us we are lying. Everything we said Aron did…Aron did and Aron and Esther know it.
You do stand alone. Because more and more people from your community are getting it and contacting us. 200 guys are like you?…I don’t think so Raz…or RAT. You ARE full of crap as well as the HANDFUL that stand with Aron with their blinders on and defend him because a statute might have expired, instead of saying “let’s do something about this…let’s investigate this” which by the way The RCC and SZ have done…which is why he is out of The RCC (something you KEEP avoiding commenting on) and on his way out of shul…sooner than you think .
I don’t think RAZ is an older guy…I personally think maybe early 30’s, short, bald and has never had a date in his life and this is his way of getting back at women. To attack innocent victims and defend his loser idol…ARON TENDLER.
Perhaps Raz, if just one of your posts were serious without ridicule, without sarcasm and obnoxious undertones, maybe then someone would take you seriously. Although your points are rather stupid and naive.
You should call the board…call Jack Yellin and Jim at Disney, and then tell us they don’t want him out. You keep “repeating” yourself with your opinion, I repeat the facts because I actually have spoken to many people invovled…you just speculate and try and sound important. You should really talk to people involved and stop posting the same exact post over and over just changing your silly vocabulary. It’s a project for you today…this way you’ll have something to do.
I live in the secular world, I don’t need to feel powerful by your shul or Aron Tendler…I don’t live in a box or live on a cloud…you, or anything affiliated with you could never interfere with my needs, self esteem or anything…I am pretty content in life and only want to see a man who molested young girls and cheated on his wife for 20 years to pay for what he did…and not be able to stand on a bima and preach religion. If that’s anger, then I guess I’m angry.
You are an adolescent who really needs to get a life and grow up…and I think it would be wise for everyone on here to stop even responding to him…eventually he’ll go away especially when Aron is out in the VERY near future.
February 24th, 2006 at 11:26 am
FYI:
I just got off the phone with OU…they said they know very little about this whole situation, I explained to them the shuls stand, they agreed this is a very serious matter and they will be contacting the SZ board immediately.
February 24th, 2006 at 12:02 pm
that’s great!
February 24th, 2006 at 7:53 pm
Here is contact info for Shalom Tendler’s shul. He has no right either to be on a bima being that he is 100% aware of Aron’s molestation acts back in 87 as well as he spoke to another victim last year. He should go as well.
Young Israel
310 276-7650
fax 310 276-0734
...
February 25th, 2006 at 8:55 pm
To all Victims of MT and the RAT
The New york Post will be doing a series of articles on the Tendlers starting this coming week …
If you E-mail me, I will put you in touch with the reporter
...
February 26th, 2006 at 12:38 am
Women who were victimized,
This is the moment of truth - don’t miss it. For the past 20 years you have been asking to be believed. You were waiting for some action on your behalf. Help yourselfs!!! Don’t hold back.
TELL NOW EVERYTHING.
It must be the news media. because they are free and objective. No one from the community can threaten them nor bribe them. If you miss this opportunity, no one will ever listen to you again. You can do it. Follow in the footsteps of the women in upstate N.Y.
February 26th, 2006 at 2:07 am
(2nd mailing spelling error in the 1st)
Women who were victimized,
This is the moment of truth - don’t miss it. For the past 20 years you have been asking to be believed. You were waiting for some action on your behalf. Help yourselves!!! Don’t hold back.
TELL NOW EVERYTHING.
It must be the news media, because they are free and objective. No one from the community can threaten them nor bribe them. If you miss this opportunity, no one will ever listen to you again. You can do it. Follow in the footsteps of the women in upstate N.Y.
February 26th, 2006 at 2:08 am
I guess this is a good enough place to vent. As a member of SZ and having been shielded from all this, I suppose I should feel a bit angry. But this is all water under the bridge. If there is a news story here, then Rav Aron will be in enough trouble and the board will face enough heat for how this occurred.
What I care about is the search for a new Rabbi and that is why I write here.
I see the list of people chosen to be on the committee and am upset at the almost complete lack of any women’s role on the committee. On a committee of eleven names, there are two women. Actually, when you add the seven other advisory members, you are talking two women out of 18. And one of those women is consigned to an “administrative” role, I suppose making phone calls. So one women out of 18, or about 5%. Abysmal.
The criteria for selection on the committee was
“consensus builders” - a meaningless term
“currently serving (or have served) in leadership roles within and outside our community” - the abundance of women who have done this in the SZ roster and who were not selected is glaring.
“long-time members of our community” - how about some women who have been at the shul for a generation just as there are men who have been here a generation?
“members who will place the best interest of the Shul at the forefront in making decisions in the search process” - I trust every single member of the committee on this ground so I do not think any of them should be removed, but I differ on how you find who this is.
Simply, there is not a signficant female presence on the committee. I dont think there is a part of the Mishna Berura that says that you have to have a committee of 95% men to effectively find a rabbi. If there is, please show me it.
In fact, I think one of the worst things about the committee is the lack of hakarat hatov shown by failing to name any woman of the older generation at SZ. In the old days, these women literally sweated over a hot stove to make kiddushes at SZ. There was no caterer and these women worked themsleves pretty ragged to make the shul an extra few hundred dollars here and there. I remember volunteering for a banquet my first time and what I thought was going to be a nice social gathering was in fact hard labor hand addressing envelopes. I was stunned that rather than spend the money on a calligrapher, these women must have had their wrists turn to concrete addressing hundreds of envelopes. That is what I call putting the shul first. There is a constituency of women in the shul who put their elbows into making SZ what it is. And that constituency is COMPLETELY absent from the search committee. It is actually shocking.
And you talk about people who put the shul first and know what is good for the shul, well this is the salt of the earth. They loved the shul and they wore it on their sleeves.
Part of what drove them was an affection for rebbetzin Avis Sugarman and rebbetzin Esther Tendler borne out of tremendous respect for them. These women, now older, are owed a debt of gratitude and have the judgment to know what the shul needs from a Rabbi and should at least be consulted.
in fact, I would like to include the rebbetzin as part of the interview process in front of only women interviewees. It is that important. Under the current structure, it will be somewhat awkward for a prospective rebbetzin to interview with 9 men and one woman. In addition, a few women’s instinct will serve the shul just as much as the combined education of the committee.
I think some women involved would know the type of integrity is needed for our community.
Thank you for reading.
February 26th, 2006 at 11:04 am
“But this is all water under the bridge.” It’s comments like that that make all the victims so upset. It’s NOT water under the bridge it’s actually a “Katrina” waiting to happen.
Why don’t you deal with getting a child molester out of your shul and then worry about the next Rabbi?
Do you think your board and or any religious jewish organizations care what women think? Wake up. It’s never going to happen.
Esther? This women turned her face while she was cheated on for 20 years and ignored the fact that a 16 year-old was molested right under her nose. How can your respect her? She also spoke lashon harah about us for years. This is not a women who has respect for herself let alone anyone else. Her opinion is worthless as she is staying with a man who did such horrible things to so many women.
Not too sure why you trust your board or committee…they haven’t addressed this issue for years and now they WERE allowing him to stay on for 7 months after acknowledging that they know the stories are true. Not the sanest group of guys.
When this story hits The NY Post next week…I think you and your shul are going to have greater issues to be concerned with.
February 26th, 2006 at 11:58 am
Since apparently SZ is more concerned with getting a new Rabbi and keeping the kiddush train running then dealing with their current child molesting Rabbi and helping his victims/survivors, I have a simple suggestion.
Post the names of all potential candidates here. Let’s contact them and demand that they DO NOT accept ANY position at SZ UNTIL TESHUVAH IS DONE by that institution and its executives.
February 26th, 2006 at 12:26 pm
Here is contact to Judah Hertz who owns the shul where Shalom works and pays him his salary.
The Hertz Investment Group
100 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 750
Santa Monica, California 90401
Phone : (310) 584-8000Â Â Fax : (310) 584-8001
e-mail : ...
Acquisitions and Sales
Judah Hertz
President and CEO (310) 584-8002
...
February 26th, 2006 at 1:21 pm
Victim - you said “Why don’t you deal with getting a child molester out of your shul and then worry about the next Rabbi?”
I am not on the board and I am new to this weblog so I have not heard your story in person. I probably never will.
So, until I read something in a legitimate newspaper I am not willing to trust you on faith that just because you call youself a victim that you are. If that makes you angry, I am sorry, but I am entitled to make my judgment on my own and not be forced either way. And I did not post here to get the last word, I just wanted to express my concern about something. Sorry that I will not be engaging in your debate.
And to Jewishwhistleblower - I am very concerned about getting a new Rabbi. I do not know what kiddush train you refer to. You obviously have alot of hatred for the SZ board, maybe you should move to a different synagogue. Again, I want to see a legitimate news source take this up. Until then, I cannot undo the past and I have zero power to deal with it.
I feel something can be done about finding a new Rabbi. You obviously have a problem with a woman expressing her concern that women be heard on an issue. That is your problem and I hope we never have to serve on the same committee.
February 26th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
No SZ, we have a problem with a “woman” negating the issues and not standing up with her fellow women…and worrying about serious issues. Read the blogs on every site and then you’ll get a feel for what’s going on. If you come to this blog, then READ it. The board has talked to ALL of us, I don’t need to claim to be a victim just for fun. Call the board and The RCC they know all of us and clearly we were right to be offended by your comments, because you just spoke your TRUE feelings….”I am not willing to trust you.” Good…so stop blogging on a site that is standing up for victims and don’t say you are concerned about finding a rabbi when you are actually judging people you know nothing about. Aron molested my friends and invited me to sleep with him for 15 years (and there are dozens of witnesses) as well as did many other things with me. Your a bit late as he has been forced out of The RCC and the reason you are so franticly looking for a Rabbi…hope that’s enough for you to “trust.” Why don’t you ask your fellow congregants what’s going on before you post some nonsense about finding a new rabbi…and dismiss tons of victims painful ordeal with this jerk. Have some dignity.
February 26th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
Police detain Aron Tendler … BUT not about the child sexual abuse allegations.
I suspect this is a mere ploy for some “hero” publicity as being “persecuted” by Israeli security services.
Frankly, you keep identification on you in Israel because it is necessary, these security checks keep Israelis safe.
see: ...
Feb. 26, 2006
Orthodox tourists claim police prejudice
By MATTHEW WAGNER
…
But police said the group failed to produce identification and were, therefore, not authorized to enter the Temple Mount area until they produced it.
A group of eight, all congregants of the Sha’arey Zedek Synagogue, San Fernando Valley’s largest orthodox synagogue, who were in Israel for a Bar Mitzva, blamed the police for discrimination.
“About 30 seconds after we were detained a group of about 50 non-Jews were allowed to enter without ID,” said Rabbi Aron Tendler, the rabbi of the synagogue.
…
Tendler, grandson of the famous halachic authority Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, said that he and his congregants did not bring ID or other valuables with them because they had been at the mikveh [ritual bath] and were afraid that while they were immersing themselves their valuables would be left unguarded.
…
February 26th, 2006 at 2:43 pm
Thank you so much for posting this. It’s sick that he can speak of Jewish rights when he is such a sicko and a fraud. I emailed the writer and filled him in on who Aron REALLY is.
February 26th, 2006 at 3:13 pm
This story is about child molester Aron and his group as well:
...
February 26th, 2006 at 3:23 pm
Apparently, this is further evidence of the Tendler hypocricy.
On one hand, they claim we have to follow the Chief Rabbanite’s rulings EVEN when they are based on Tendler lies and IGNORE the findings of dayanim in Monsey.
On the other hand THEY VIOLATE PUBLICLY and CALL ON OTHERS TO VIOLATE PUBLICLY the rulings of the Chief Rabbanite:
January 18, 2005
from Haaretz
by Nadav Shragai
…
Chief rabbis Yonah Metzger and Shlomo Moshe Amar, and a number of important rabbinical figures associated with the national religious world, have issued a halakhic ruling reiterating that it is forbidden for Jews to enter any part of the Temple Mount in our times.
…
February 26th, 2006 at 4:05 pm
Just got off the phone with Jerusalem Post in Israel. He will be fact checking (as this is the first he has heard) the story and hopefully will cover a story. I informed him and he agreed that if it is true (which it is) Aron should not be able to harm women in Israel when he moves there .
February 26th, 2006 at 9:52 pm
Just wanted everyone to see what Raz posted “anonymously” on NHN blog…
“Interesting choice of movie titles for the accusers to watch.
Their current tactic of calling anyone involved with any shul in los angeles is a top down strategy that is upside down.
Judah Hertz has a lot more things to do than get involved in this stuff. He is not some housewife sitting at home with a case of unrequited nothing to do-itis. He is up to his nuts in trying to rebuild NOLA.
It seems like this is all heading to a newspaper story that may just end the bloggers monopoly on this stuff. And if the accusers are prepared to name themselves, then this will all be over before the victims start asking us to call Governor Schwartzenegger, Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante, and numerous other types with more important things to do.
As to the goings on at Shaarey Zedek, they formed a rabbinical search committee with the ideological diversity of a 700 Club Prayer Circle. The new Rabbi I am sure will be qualified and I am sure he will espouse harsh right wing calvinist type ideology from the bimah as though he were applying for the job of headmaster at Bob Jones University. It is going to take a special candidate to fill this post, and a special dollar amount that the shul likely does not have.”
More of his stupid vocabulary and perverse jokes.
Implying that if we said our names no one would believe us…well everyone knows our names already….so there goes that nonsense.
February 27th, 2006 at 1:06 pm
This was posted on my blog, and thought I would share it with you here: ...
Anonymous said…
You would think that a rabbi who is under investigation for perp
You would think that a rabbi who is under investigation for perpetrating crimes against children would want to keep a low profile?
Does anyone know if this trip was planned for a long time, or was it a way for Aron Tendler to get away from the hot seat?
I wonder if Brad Turell, the PR guru on the board of Sha’arey Zedek was involved in the media campaign to give Tendler a new image?
It would be a great distracting to help change this “holy” mans image from an alleged sex child molester to a victim of the Israeli government?etrating crimes against children would want to keep a low profile?
I wonder if Brad Turell, the PR guru on the board of Sha’arey Zedek was involved in the media campane.
thought it would be a great distracting to help change this “holy” mans image from a alleged sex offender to a victim of the Israeli government?
February 27th, 2006 at 1:54 pm
Apparently it’s been planned, I think for a month oo two…no, I don’t think the shul had anything to do with it. They don’t want him there either so they wouldnt protect him. I think he is just an idiot for allowing himself ot be quoted because he just opened up a door he does want to go through. The Jerusalem Post is looking into the story as well as other local Jewish papers (out there) and Gideon Ezra has been notified as well. I don’t think he is going to be welcomed in Israel.
March 1st, 2006 at 11:39 pm
did you see the ABC newscast about Aron Tendler’s brother Mordecai? ...
March 1st, 2006 at 11:40 pm
Aron’s name was also mentioned in the New York Post and the jewish week.
...
March 2nd, 2006 at 7:19 pm
I heard about it from the post but it wasn’t local…(in Los Angeles)
March 3rd, 2006 at 12:39 am
Victim, I thought you might be interested in reading this artice posted by Joanne: ...
March 3rd, 2006 at 12:37 pm
To each his own. I did not endure what she did so that is for her to say. I use the word lightly as I do not feel victimized at all (and have made that very clear to the papers and the board)…only to let people know that I have first hand knowledge of what Aron is about…I was not 16, I was older…I am only telling my story to show that Aron does not belong on a bima and that’s it. But, I also speak for the underage girls who do feel victimized by him who are too afraid to come forward…especially when he continues to tell people we are all nuts. So again, to each his own.
March 4th, 2006 at 9:27 pm
ok, just thought you would be interested. btw did you ever call The Awareness Center? I know they have been helpful to many.
March 5th, 2006 at 11:51 am
No, I didn’t. I just assumed everyone was “aware” (lol) already. Thanks.
March 5th, 2006 at 11:56 am
Victim - I have asked around some of the shul’s officers and directors, and this whole thing must have been played very close to the vest, maybe among 3-4 people at the shul. I have heard about some accusers trying to come forward to the board only on the condition of anonymity.
I have read this whole thing and some of the stuff here is confirmable but Rav Aron is still on a bima.
I do not know if you are one of Rav Aron’s former students, but this is the thing. If you want to take down Rav Aron, you need to tell your story in a manner that matters. I understand that you won’t like this criticism and I fully expect you to lash out at me, but blogs, while very interesting, offer no fact checking. Older people do not read them. They have no teeth because you do not set the agenda when you post on a blog. THis is all about setting an agenda. The agenda now is, well, these women are nuts, let them prove it. You need to set the agenda and put the blame where it should be.
You all need to, and I am not sure you want to, go public with all this to the papers, to shul members that you know of and trust. Maybe you need to get a PR firm involved who can present your story with some polish and some verve to the media. If there are underage survivors, I think they may be able to bring some form of legal action or if not, maybe they can go to the RCA or some other beit din for a disciplinary action.
Simply put, you need to probably undergo more pain for any gain. Because right now, Rav Aron is going to be on the bima for a long time as the shul deals with a bunch of children in a sandbox on a committee trying to find a new Rabbi.
March 5th, 2006 at 12:24 pm
I suggest you get a SZ mailing list and put out a public mailing like they did with Aron’s brother and Rabbi Lanner. It’s very effective.
It’s clear the victims/survivors went to the RCA and RCC and that little will be forthcoming from them.
March 5th, 2006 at 1:08 pm
No…I won’t lash out at you. The truth is the people that have taken action against us so far do know our names and apparently from what I am hearing many people think I am one of the victims and am behind his take down, which is fine. Actually something is going down from what I just heard and it’s happening in a week, so let’s all be patient. He most definitely will NOT be on the bima for a long time. The board called us please remember that…they knew our names and phoned us. There are many. Many that went to the RCC and that the board went to. So, it’s all common knowledge who we are. The congregants are aware and they do want him out and apparently from what I am hearing the board wants him out sooner than later.
PR and all of that is not my thing. The statute has run out but things are being done and in the very near future you will all know. We have spoken to the papers…some are covering it some are waiting.
The blogs came AFTER the fact. We have been talking to the community and the shul for years. They ignored us and that’s why we are going to the media now. Years ago “some” things were done anonymously, but many people knew who we were even so. Now the board knows our names as does The RCC…don’t believe everything you hear. Some of the members are probably embarassed that he is being allowed to stay on so they are pretending not to know but everyone there DOES know what’s up and who we are and what he did.
JWB- If we could get the list, we would.
March 5th, 2006 at 1:09 pm
Sorry made a typo “taken action against us” I meant him/Aron.
March 5th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
>JWB- If we could get the list, we would.
All you need is one person involved with the shul dinner, newsletter, high holiday seat sales over the past decades to leak it to you. Start with your contacts and see what you can do. There must be some phone list, email list etc. Any one who can help out there please contact me. You can do so anonymously.
The other way is to develop an attendence list. Send me names, we’ll build it. we’ll get numbers.
March 5th, 2006 at 1:40 pm
Is there a shul calendar with phone numbers, ads listing those who sponsered it etc.?
March 5th, 2006 at 1:43 pm
I have a dozen or so old newsletters and can “mine” them for names, for example.
I know alot is going on , but let’s also get a list put together. I’ll do what I can to help.
March 5th, 2006 at 2:20 pm
Thanks. e-mails would be better. No one wants to sit and address 300 letters.
March 5th, 2006 at 2:22 pm
Anyione know when the March regular board meeting is?
see: ...
ARTICLE VIII: Elections
Section A: A nominating committee for the election of members of the Board of Directors shall consist of seven (7) members of the congregation in good standing, appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors, no later than the regular Board meeting in March..
March 5th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
>Thanks. e-mails would be better. No one wants
>to sit and address 300 letters.
I can make a word file so you can print labels, it would then take minutes to label 300 envelopes. All I need is some help putting the membership list together. I assume that if you take 10-15 friends you can come up with 40% of the membership off the top of your heads. Even if you just get me a telephone list, we can reverse search and get the necessary addresses.
March 5th, 2006 at 2:46 pm
If you just print out a few hundred copies of the letter and walk the neighborhoods around the shul and post them on doors with mezuzahs you could save the postage. The Lashon Hara mill at SZ would circulate the stuff by itself. I will say that the shabbos table tallk at SZ confirms that Rav Aron is finished, but because of the bias of the community to protect its own, there is no willingness to move the process forward.
If, as you say, something big is occurring this week, like the LA Times story finally coming out, well, you can save the postage and the walking.
But in the meantime, I must tell you all, the search for a new Rabbi is “halem” (arabic for a noisy mess).
March 5th, 2006 at 2:54 pm
Please post the names of rabbis up for the position so that we can let them know directly what kind of child molester protecting kehila they are coming to.
Then maybe SZ will focus on the real issue, getting rid of rasha Tendler II.
March 5th, 2006 at 2:58 pm
No, it has nothing to do with the paper it’s more internal and that’s all I can say. We are not walking your community, we aren’t local. We aren’t printing 300 fliers or putting lables on to 300 letters. We are just going to stick with what’s being done and wait it out a bit.
Maybe the congregants who want him out should do all of that.
March 5th, 2006 at 4:37 pm
JWB - she does not seem to be willing to go on your mission. And neither do you. I am not sure what your history with the Tendler family is, but if the goal is getting rid of a Rabbi, I think more blogging on the subject is probably not the way to go. And, if there is a board meeting, it is for the board, I can assure you that you will not be invited. Nor will I.
Vic - as for wanting him out, I have confronted some of the names and now they say that there are rumors. It is kind of an icky conversation and now, the main concern is whether we will ever be able to find a new Rabbi given the split in the shul. So, the conversation is now what we do to move on. And moving on just got real difficult, because some members in the Shul discovered that they have rights to speak up and be heard.
You have a shul kind of in crisis. It cannot move on because of a division (I would put the blame at the feet of the control freak board for creating a search committee that was just handpicked) and, as JWB put it in his always diplomatic way, the issue is changing Rabbis.
ANd right now, the only way to change Rabbis is to have a new one which will take a year. So, if the victims want the Rabbi gone, they are going to have to push. much. harder.
March 5th, 2006 at 5:10 pm
>JWB - she does not seem to be willing to go
>on your mission.
I’m just offering resources. That offer remains on the table. My activities continue regardless.
>And neither do you.
Incorrect, I’m up to 40 newsletters now.
>I am not sure what your history with the Tendler family is,
I have no personal history whatsoever with the Tendler family. I’ve defended Rav Moshe Tendler’s position on MBP on my blog. My problem is with sexual predators who are active in my Jewish community and the leadership that refuses to act. My problem are sexual predators like rasha Tendler I and II, the rabbonim who refuse to act and congregations like KNH and SZ that fail to remove them. I will raise my voice continually to expose and condemn them, and all those like them.
>but if the goal is getting rid of a Rabbi, I think more
>blogging on the subject is probably not the way to go.
Again, my goal is to expose and isolate. KNH and SZ, not I, must fire them.
>And, if there is a board meeting, it is for the board,
>I can assure you that you will not be invited. Nor will I.
Yes, but we can ensure the media knows.
March 5th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
I’ve been talking to VP, who has connections with people at SNAP. have you spoken to either? They have some experience with sort of thing.
Cardinal Mahony of LA has a nickname which is “Hollywood”. This is because of all his connections in the city. I’ve been told he’s rotten to the core. He’s the Catholic editon of Aron Tendler and the Tendlerite klan.
I realize it is hard for Jewish survivors to come forward. It used to be that way with the Catholic survivors. It has taken years but they are now breaking the code of silence daily.
The more Mordecai’s name is in the secular papers, the more likely it’s only time before Aron’s name is out there too.
March 5th, 2006 at 6:23 pm
I would love to know who these people are that are saying it’sa rumor. Because I have friends I talk to daily who are members and friends of members and everyone knows what’s up and they are still calling us from the board, so that doesn’t make much sense. Please post the names who are enabling this man. They too should be out of a job. The board has first hand knowledge of this mans behavior and that is why he resigned so it’s kind of sick to keep him there and to pretend (if that is what is really happening) that it’s just rumor. I hear a lot of people stopped going to shul because it is so uncomfortable to look at Aron after what he has done to so many women. It’s common knowledge in everyone else’s shul so I can’t imagine that people are still pretending like it’s a rumor. The truth is, Disney might even get brought into this because their employee’s (Jim and Jack) are allowing a child molester to stay on at their shul.
Jeez, they don’t have one rabbi at the shul who can step in for a few months?
March 5th, 2006 at 6:25 pm
No, I don’t know either of them. If you have contact info…please post.
March 5th, 2006 at 6:41 pm
The Awareness Center
(Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Abuse/Assault)
ask for Vicki Polin
443-857-5560
SNAP
March 5th, 2006 at 6:44 pm
SNAP
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
ask for David Clohessy
314-566-9790
March 5th, 2006 at 6:46 pm
Do you have an attorney yet? If you don’t ask both Vicki and David for resources.
March 5th, 2006 at 6:47 pm
I think everyone at ZS should read this article by Vicki Polin: ...
March 5th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
JS & JWB- You guys should post on your site info about Jim and Jack, the two guys who are lead counsel for Disney (Billion dollar organization based on childrens entertainment) and are allowing a child molester to stay at SZ for 7 more months, maybe that will push them to get him out sooner.
March 5th, 2006 at 8:02 pm
send me the info on Jim and Jack and I’ll see what I can do. My email address is ...
March 5th, 2006 at 8:28 pm
Thanks. I sent you the info.
March 5th, 2006 at 8:50 pm
>send me the info on Jim and Jack and I’ll see
>what I can do.
Ditto, but any and all information:
My email address is ...
March 5th, 2006 at 9:40 pm
Hold your horses folks.
Mahoney was involved in covering up actual child molestation of underage boys and moving priests around to protect them and ultimately perpetuate crimes. He had knowledge of crimes both before, during and after. As far as I am concerned, there should be black and whites swarming over the cathedral downtown with the d.a. bringing up the rear.
SZ, and it is my shul right or wrong (and when wrong to be made right) is different. I speak only for myself, but to my knowledge, we had no idea that Rav Aron had any history at the girls School at YULA. In fact, I recall the shul asking for him to stop working at YULA so he could be more full time at SZ - I suppose we inadvertenly put an end to the stuff at YULA.
So we had no idea of this stuff at the time. You think YULA professionals did, go after them.
In the last few years, if people at SZ had knowledge, it is not like we moved him around to teach at a high school. At least the board listened and took you seriously, more than I can say for the YULA administration.
Finally, although the accusations against Rav Aron are incredible, even if true, the law treats what happened slightly differently. And I do not think sexual stuff with a girl over 14 is called molestation. I am not toning down the seriousness of this whole matter, I just think the comparison with the Catholic Church is over the line.
To try and implicate the employers of volunteer board members is also completely over the line. I gave you my advice, go to us, as a community, by letter or by talking to us, and we can deal with it. But trying to get people in trouble does not make me want to take your side.
March 5th, 2006 at 9:57 pm
>Finally, although the accusations against Rav
>Aron are incredible, even if true, the law treats
>what happened slightly differently. And I do not
>think sexual stuff with a girl over 14 is called
> molestation.
You should have stoped at “I do not think”.
It is criminal. It is child molestation and the FACT you still employ such a sexual predator reflects on every single member of SZ. Make no mistake you should all be ashamed, and you will shortly be held accountable and publicly if you do not act.
You NO LONGER can feign ignorance, YOU KNOW.
I will also note that this constitutes gross negligence on your part at this point, board members are likely personally liable for anything rasha Tendler II does personally. Further, no liability insurance will cover anything that happens.
But drink your koolaid like KNH members did after the RCA removed rasha Tendler I. He continued to exploit and abuse even after he was exposed.
SZ members leave your shul, abandon it. A place that gives kavod to a child molester is undeserving. Any rabbi that is even considering taking the position of Rabbi at SZ heed my words, this kehilah is NO PLACE to raise a Jewish family. They are lacking fundamental midot to leave a child molester in a position of authority. DO NOT TAKE ANY POSITION THERE.
March 5th, 2006 at 10:29 pm
>I am not toning down the seriousness of this
>whole matter,
That is percisely what you are doing and it is obscene.
>I just think the comparison with the Catholic Church
>is over the line.
Which part? The preying on women and children for decades?
The cover-up and protection from educators, community leaders and religious leaders?
“Victim’s advocate” perhaps if it was your daughter he molested, raped spiritually and drove to suicide, you wouldn’t be so callous. Perhaps if it was your daughter, you would throw the deviant out today.
You better pray that those who work with YOUR children do a hell of a better job protecting them than you, your SZ, YULA, the RCC, the RCA and MANY, MANY others have. What has happened in my humble opinion must be exposed and all who protected rasha Tendler II actively or with their silence must go from all positions of authority in our institutions.
March 5th, 2006 at 10:31 pm
JWB - your hatred towards my shul makes it very difficult to do business with you. I still only have rumors to go on, and only two news stories, one referencing internet sites. If there were names, if there were times, if there was more, I would ask more questions.
Once there was a lawsuit, KNH suspended their rabbi. Give us a lawsuit, give us something more than “mystery”, and maybe we can act. WE are not lacking “fundamental middot” we are lacking fundamental information. Rumors do not mean someone is guilty of anything.
March 5th, 2006 at 10:37 pm
You shouldn’t call yourself an “advocate” if you could say such rediculous thigns. 14…actually it’s 16, and the girls were 16 and it WAS molestation and it was sick. I don’t think you woudl pay attention to such details if it were your daughter. Bottom line. Your shul has known for years and congregants have known for over 10 years and they enabled him. Many former students who knew why he was kicked out of the girls school are NOW congregants and have known for 20 years and are current board members.
I guess another clueless guy on here.
You think because your shul gave him a job that makes you guys the good guys? Your joking right? All he did was move on from students to your congregants. Women went to him for counseling and he went to bed with them. That’s ok by you? Well not ok for The RCC because at least they were the only ones to FINALLY do something about it.
Your previous president was informed 2 years ago and Robert told him to blow the whole thing off even though his wife knew it was all true.
So yes, Rabbi Hier, Powell, Shalom Tendler and YULA enabled him. SZ continued to enable him and perhaps we might take legal action against all of them. Your board knows NOW and what are they doing? They are letting him stay for 7 months. If that works for you then something is wrong with you and we don’t need you on our side, we have the law and our souls on our side.
March 5th, 2006 at 10:41 pm
>JWB - your hatred towards my shul makes it
>very difficult to do business with you.
My hartred is of those who molest children, abuse and exploit women and those in your synagogue that protect such a monster.
>I still only have rumors to go on, and only two
>news stories, one referencing internet sites.
Don’t worry, they’re will be more.
Ask your leaders, demand answers from your leaders, from the RCC, RCA from YULA.
Or do you check your lettuce for bugs, while leaving a child molester as your rabbi? Is that SZ Judaism?
>If there were names, if there were times, if
>there was more, I would ask more questions.
Do nothing and mark my words, what is going on at KNH will look like a walk in the park.
>Once there was a lawsuit, KNH suspended their
>rabbi. Give us a lawsuit, give us something more
>than “mystery�, and maybe we can act.
If you want to be reactive rather than proactive, mark my words, it will be worse than KNH.
>WE are not lacking “fundamental middot�
You clearly are.
>we are lacking fundamental information.
>Rumors do not mean someone is guilty
>of anything.
If you care about your children, you will phone the RCC and demand answers. You will hire investigators, you will put rasha Tendler II on immediate suspension.
If you don’t you will continue your reprehensible conduct and with consequences even those at KNH haven’t fully grasped yet.
March 5th, 2006 at 10:42 pm
Please change your name back to Raz. Obviously it’s you. You need to get a life. It’s a hell of a lot more than rumor. Really, you need to change your name…your mission is clear now to all of us. What’s being done is being done…perhaps legal action, we will see. Lawyers are being talked to now but we don’t care what you think. Your own congregants can’t stand seeing him every week, so hopefully Jim and Jack will get off thier ass and do something. This isn’t rumor we are 10 years beyond rumors, these are facts and we have all spoken to the appropriate people. There was coverage on Channel 7 in NY last week about both brothers.
March 5th, 2006 at 10:50 pm
Don’t you care that there is a dark cloud over your shul? Your congregants have written letters to your board asking that Aron leave immediately. This is not going away. By the time he leaves you won’t have much of a shul left. I hear your all tearing each other’s hair out about the next Rabbi.
Names names, still carrying on about our names. Your board knows our names, GO ASK THEM.
March 5th, 2006 at 11:01 pm
OK, JWB finally has a valid point. At this point, the shul should make an investigation by a third party. Given the unanswered rumors here, I agree with that tack and I will ask the board for an investigation.
March 5th, 2006 at 11:11 pm
THE BOARD ALREADY INVESTIGATED…
WHY DO YOU THINK HE RESIGNED…
HELLLOOOOOOOO????????????????
March 5th, 2006 at 11:22 pm
If the rumors are true then why is he still around? Obviously there was some questions. I mean an investigation by a private detective company. Let’s see their report. Like I say, the search for a new Rabbi is going to take a year.
March 5th, 2006 at 11:34 pm
I doubt he’ll be around for a year. But you keep living in lala land. He is staying because they have no one else per Jack Yellin. And he’s out of The RCC because every victim WAS believed. You are no advocate…your a cynic!!!
Keep calling us liars if that makes you feel like a man.
Jack Yellin: “We believe every word you have told us but we have 350 families to think about and we need an easy transition.”
That’s why YOUR shul will be named in a class action law suit.
March 5th, 2006 at 11:48 pm
None of the board at SZ can be trusted for the simple reason that rasha Tendler II remains. It is an outrage. It is obscene.
Victim is correct, investigations have occured and the allegations are known not only to be credible but accurate. Rasha Tendler II simply resigns every time things get hot and has the nerve to spin and count on our silence. He moved from the YULA girls’ school to the boys school, he resigned from YULA, from the RCC and now SZ.
No more. You will have our silence no more. You will have your undeserved kavod and name no more. NO MORE.
WE will expose YOU. WE will expose those who ACTIVELY protect YOU. WE will expose those who protect you with their silence.
We will stand with your victims/survivors and the way our community operates WILL change. NO MORE COVER UPS.
“Victim’s advocate” open your eyes, ask questions, demand answers. Your board is lying to you. They are misleading you. You have a vile child molester on the bimah AND your leaders ALL know this.
March 6th, 2006 at 12:47 am
I am a long standing member of Shaarey Zedek and believe it is about time that the members of the shul take some action.
I would like to suggest that all members withhold any membership dues or pledges and refuse to participate in any minyanim presided over by Rav Tendler until the allegations against him are addressed in one of the following ways:
1) The board makes a formal statement acknowledging that they did not ask for Rav Tendler’s resignation (as implied by Rav Tendler in his resignation letter) and that they have conducted a thorough investigation and have come to the conclusion that the allegations against Rav Tendler are without merit.
2) Rav Tendler steps down from the bimah — whether by action of the board or on his own.
I believe that this is a very reasonable request and that we have a MORAL obligation to make it! The shul membership cannot be left in the dark about the moral integrity of their rabbi.
March 6th, 2006 at 10:03 am
Demand a statement from YULA and the RCC as well.
March 6th, 2006 at 10:26 am
SZMember - The letter recited that the Exec Board attempted to dissuade him of the decision. So, either you did not read the letter carefully or you are not a member. There are some easy ways to prove if you are a long standing member - let me ask you -
What is the first name of the janitor at shul?
What is the first name of the fellow who says kiddush after the downstairs minyan?
Who leads the kiddush at the upstairs minyan?
How many years was Rabbi Sugarman’s contract for when he was Rabbi?
Anyhow, dues do not come out until June and there is no way the shul is having a fundraiser now of any kind given the huff over the new Rabbi.
As it is, the sisterhood just canceled Monte Carlo night - not sure if it is connected to this, but the way people are acting towards each other is a bit poisonous. If the two (or more) sides do not start acting with respect towards each other - and it has to be mutual, there is going to need to be some kind of middleman involved to bridge the gap.
The whole point of what went on here was the board’s instincts that they could control the agenda. That the shul could not really handle it and that the choice for a successor would be more difficult. Plus, I think there is some feeling for Rav Aron because, apart from these accusations, he has done a very good job and his immediate family is very very well liked. If all you have are anonymous accusations, I can agree with this approach, but it is getting a bit too hot for this approach maybe - even now, just the blogs are increasing the temperature.
As for your request for a statement from the board, the letter from Rav Aron was that statement - he referenced the board members personally who were involved in the process and there has been no response from them, so I take it that what Rav Aron said was true, that they tried to convince him not to resign.
March 6th, 2006 at 10:53 am
Boy your quite the jerk aren’t you. Why are you calling yourself an advocate? Anyone who defends us you attack, Raz. Now your accusing a member of not being a member. GET A LIFE.
I’ve already quoted what Jack had to say and why they are letting him leave the way they are…you can keep questioning it, posting your opinion or saying we are anonymous. But Jack and Jim and everyone else knows who we are. Where is your name? That’s what I thought.
Actually, what they think of Aron behind closed doors and to each other is quite contrary to the letter you are holding, and when he is forced out earlier then perhaps you’ll wake up.
March 6th, 2006 at 11:19 am
So you are telling me that they let Rav Aron state something not true to 350 people by using their name to say that they tried to dissuade him? That will be a difficult wake up call for me. You are correct.
And if what they say behind closed doors is contrary to the letter I am holding, well, then they failed to learn the lesson of the ten tribes who at least never even spoke with yoseph.
And as to questioning a fellow member, I am sure he or she will know the answers to each one of my questions if they are correct. I was pointing out that the letter was much more clear, the board was portrayed as getting in the way of a resignation. I think being totally honest here is important, given the stakes.
March 6th, 2006 at 11:25 am
>So you are telling me that they let Rav Aron
>state something not true to 350 people by
>using their name to say that they tried to
>dissuade him?
Correct.
>That will be a difficult wake up call for me.
Well, wake up.
March 6th, 2006 at 11:31 am
We have been honest…not too sure you have…your posting name clearly a lie.
March 6th, 2006 at 11:50 am
The way you know if someone is telling the truth, is when they have been telling the same exact story for 20 years and when others remember you telling it to them, as well as when others “witnessed” things that happned to us at YULA, and we all are telling our story now, so that’s why we have all been believed. And once again we were sought out by your board, we didn’t call them because when we did two years ago they ignroed us. We were actually hesistant to even talk to them because we didn’t trust that anything would happen, and 3 weeks later to the date, Aron resigned.
You put the pieces together genius.
March 6th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
Here is Bob Igers contact info (the head of Disney)…let him know that their lead counsel is protecting a child molester.
818-560-1000
March 6th, 2006 at 2:30 pm
Also, apparently The OU has known for 2 years what Aron has been doing yet told me it’s the first he heard when I spoke to him a few weeks ago.
Rabbi Tzvi Weinreb
212-613-8264
March 6th, 2006 at 4:11 pm
victim
please email me at ... I have some information regarding the OU’s knowledge of Aron I would like to share with you
March 6th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
To Advocate,
* We dropped the “Dear” intentionally.
Stop talking from both sides of your mouth! There is no doubt in our mind that you were planted in here in order to cause confusion. We would not be surprised to find out that you are being paid by HIGHER POWERS in the community to taunt the victims and spread disinformation about this case.
Too bad it’s not going to work…Just like the case of Priests and the Catholic church, who protected and shoved the perpetrators around. When the truth came out - they lost the support of their backers and got into a hip of trouble. This will happen here too. Let see, where will you hide your shame and what excuses will you use?
This is the month of Adar and traditionally things turn upside down: Those who think that they are at the helm, powerful and protected by their “connections”… tumble down in disgrace.
Here is a clue to why you are not going to get a way with the games you play. You don’t have to convince the readers that ABUSE took place. Here your tactics might have worked. The LAWS OF THE STATE require investigation of ANY SUSPICION of SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR. You can try and “Drey a Kop” to what is and what is not considered sexual abuse. THE LAW IS VERY CLEAR about that too and IT IS!!!
Go ahead argue it in court. While you are there TRY to defend the establishment and the mandated reporters who knew and DID NOT say a word, because of connections and fundraising…
March 6th, 2006 at 5:51 pm
My friend who is a survivors of Tendler,
Please be careful who you send things to. If you don’t know them, and they were not referred by people you trust, don’t send the information.
Please wait until you consult with an attorney. You need to know your rights before you do anything more.
March 6th, 2006 at 5:55 pm
Remember that there are those who will do anything to discredit you. Please be careful. Please call VP. I personally trust her and also JWB. I would be concerned about contacting anyone else, except if it’s an attorney who has a proven track record with clergy abuse cases.
March 6th, 2006 at 6:04 pm
I spoke to VP and she has referred me to someone. At this point I think Aron will be out in a week a lot is going down but we also need to hold certain people accountable and I think we will be pursuing legal action against these people and organizations. Thanks.
March 6th, 2006 at 7:20 pm
GOOD! If there’s anything I can do to help, PLEASE let me know. I really want to help as much as possible.
March 6th, 2006 at 8:12 pm
Steven,
Can you make a part 2 for this posting. It’s taking my computer a long time to open up.
March 7th, 2006 at 10:07 am
Why don’t any of the accusers ever come to SZ and talk to the members at large. What is it you are afraid of?
I am a member of SZ. I know all the names and addresses of every board member, janitor, and Rabbi at SZ.
Why is it that no one here will talk to any one of us and that we have to ask board members to confirm rumors and only hear that there are rumors?
I am an adult, I am a professional, why can I not be trusted. Trust me, if I can stand on naming an accuser who told me their story face to face, I would be sure that zero tolerance would be the rule. But not on rumors.
I will even leave you my email and I will respond to anything sent to me
it is SZMEMBER at yahoo.com
March 7th, 2006 at 10:16 am
1) survivors should be careful to NOT trust anonymous posters with personal details.
2) Ask the survivors of Aron’s brother what they have to fear, harassment and smear campaigns.
3) IF your board members claim “that there are (only) rumors” they are lying.
4) Ask your board, YULA and the RCC to put out a statement clarifying this matter. Ask for the results of the RCC investigation. If they refuse or don’t clarify the matter formerly, LEAVE SZ. What they are doing leaving a child molester in a position of authority is reprehensible.
March 7th, 2006 at 10:34 am
I am not leaving a shul based on rumors.
There are rumors that couples in hancock park sleep around, does that mean people should not daven at Etz Chaim?
There are rumors that one of the donor families at Beth Jacob was in the porn business and may have profited from pre 18 USC 2257 videos, does that mean you do not daven at Beth Jacob?
I repeat, give me a name and a story. Let someone sue like they did in KNH and you will not need this blog, you will have me. I have a big mouth.
March 7th, 2006 at 10:37 am
If we e-mail you, you will still say we are anonymous, so we can’t win with any of you.
Talk to Joni & Robert, Jack, Jim, Adam S. & If they say it’s only rumor then they are lying out of their ***.
I don’t even believe they are syaing it’s a rumor…Robert told one of the victims that they want him out NOW and that the amount of accusers is overwhelming so ask him, call him or ask him at shul and if he tells you it’s nothing then he is lying and will be held accountable when this goes to court because it will.
We have talked about coming to your shul on shabbos, all of us just marching in and demanding that he leave but we know we will be thrown out, I am comfortable with this but the others aren’t. I have e-mailed Aron recentley and told him what I think of him and I have talked to all the papers and the board and The RCC and The OU. So there is so much I can do, everyone is doing what they are able to do, that’s why this lawsuit will be the best thing for everyone.
From what I heard yesterday, is that in the very near future their will be a public statement about Aron from SZ, most think he is being forced out, so we will have to wait just a few more days.
It doesn’t mean WE are lying just because your board is lying to you.
March 7th, 2006 at 10:39 am
If they admit it then the next question is “Then why are you letting him stay for 7 months?
And apparently they don’t have the courage to answer that. Everyday Aron is there, is another day the board is liable.
March 7th, 2006 at 10:58 am
“I am not leaving a shul based on rumors.”
The Jewish Week, March 1: “Rabbi Tendler’s brother, Ahron Tendler, recently announced that he would soon step down as spiritual leader of his large Orthodox congregation in Los Angeles. That community has been shaken by allegations that Rabbi Ahron Tendler acted improperly with young women in his charge as a teacher in a local yeshiva in years past.”
The New York Post March 1: “The rabbi’s suspension comes just weeks after his brother, Rabbi Aron Tendler, announced he would step down from his Los Angeles synagogue amid speculation - reported on Internet sites - that he had been moved from a teaching position at a girls school because of misconduct.”
You’re welcome to sit back and be reactive like the koolaid drinkers at KNH who kept Aron’s brother instead of proactive like YU who tossed him. See where it gets you.
March 7th, 2006 at 10:58 am
Well…looks like Aron is done. Go to valleyshul.com and you will see his page (leadership) under construction. I predicted this and I was right. I predict a letter is going out to everyone and they will probably receive it by shabbos.
Jesus, it only took everyone 20 years to get rid of this man.
And you were saying Raz, SZ, KHH, “Victims” Advocate????
That’s what I thought.
March 7th, 2006 at 11:13 am
Leadership under construction.
That’s a good title and description.
March 7th, 2006 at 11:22 am
Someone mentioned a lawsuit. File it. You file it, and if the Shul does not take further action, you can walk with me to Aish or Chabad and come over after for lunch.
March 7th, 2006 at 11:33 am
Why do you need a lawsuit “Factman” to act?
NORMAL, DECENT, INTELLIGENT people wouldn’t step foot in a place like SZ given the news reports, LET ALONE bring their children to the synagoge, UNTIL the BOARD put out a public statement that there had been a full investigation and that there was NO substance to the allegations.
The reason the board has not put out such a statement is THAT THEY CAN’T. He was investigated AND he is a child molester.
March 7th, 2006 at 11:37 am
Aron’s out so there you go. I don’t do Aish and I don’t do chabad…I come from an ultra orthodox family and I do nothing…because 20 years of hypocrites like all of you can be quite a turn off to this religion.
Don’t worry about our suit when it’s the right time, it will happen.
March 7th, 2006 at 2:05 pm
Here is another example why no serious person can believe a word any of the “victims” say….go to valleyshul.com, and there is nothing under construction, Aron Tendler’s page is as normal as always..he is not out, there is nothing changed, and not one of you even checked before accepting it as ‘fact” from some anonymous sister in hatred
sorry, ladies, you have zero credibility…which is a pity, because had you acted more responsibly he would be gone now…no one serious can believe a word you say
March 7th, 2006 at 2:30 pm
I have tried that page several times and it is no more. There may be several reasons for that, but I no longer see Aron’s page.
See: ...
Diogenes, have you tried hitting the refresh button? You may be looking at your computer’s cache of the page and not the current page.
March 7th, 2006 at 2:42 pm
>sorry, ladies, you have zero credibility…which
>is a pity, because had you acted more
>responsibly he would be gone now…no one
>serious can believe a word you say
1) Rasha Tendler II’s survivors have acted responsibility, their only mistake was relying on the integrity of community leaders and rabbonim to stand against rasha Tendler II.
2) Rasha Tendler II is gone from the RCC, gone from YULA and soon gone from SZ.
3) The survivors ARE believed. They were believed time and time again by community leaders and rabbonim who have tried to deal with this rasha quietly instead of responsibly.
March 7th, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Another man calling us liars when he can’t even go to a site and open his eyes.
Here it is ... and Aron is out per many insiders…
Let’s see where you are in a week. Another jerk calling us names and ignoring the facts.
Check your mail on Friday..or perhpas Aron will be saying good bye on shabbos.
When a class action suit is filed I wonder if you’ll beleive us then…probably not obviously one of Aron’s cult.
March 7th, 2006 at 3:05 pm
Sorry Diogenes but YOU have no credibility. Aron is out because we were and are believed.
March 7th, 2006 at 3:21 pm
it is astonishing how delusional the 2 of you can be…sorry, ladies, but you have lost all credibility on this one….now I should wait a week to see what happens? you told me to go to ... and click on leadership…works perfectly, nice picture of the Holy Man himself…….
you have zero credibility, and that is a pity because you might have been telling the truth about his actions….but with whoppers like this one, and then your clearly delusional rantings, who knows and who cares?
no one responsible can side with you now given the rack record of false statements..if it comes down to nothing more than your word against his, you lose easily…not because he is a rabbi but because you have proven to be inaccurate raving lunatics living in adelusional diatribe…..pity
March 7th, 2006 at 3:30 pm
Everyone please don’t listen to this nut…you can click on his link and go to leadership and you will see it’s under construction or just type it in yourselves.
It’s people like this wacko that enable such a sick predator.
The page is down because he is being removed immediately.
March 7th, 2006 at 3:33 pm
The only thing apparent is that Diogenes is incapable of understanding what “clicking refresh” is. Currently, the page is gone replaced with the message “under construction”.
Will it return? Stay tuned …
March 7th, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Actually, we have been proven to be very rational that is why The RCC kicked him out 9 months ago, call Rabbi Union. That is why he resigned within weeks of the board phoning us and now that more women have gone to the board has has been removed this week. YIPPIE!!!!! I was tipped off about it yesterday and didn’t want to say too much but he is out, FACT he is out. Go cry to your shul about it because they believed our “rantings” and got is straight for the first time in 20 years.
Maybe you should stay home little boy (Raz) you might have your feelings hurt over shabbos.
March 7th, 2006 at 3:54 pm
“nice picture of the Holy Man himself…”
What a piece of garbage you are to say such a thing about a child molester. First, the photo isn’t even there anymore…so you are seeing things that don’t even exist, but that’s common for a cult member.
Second, he is hardly a good looking man. Looks like Manson.
Holy????
It’s holy to molest 16 year-olds and congregants????
Odd. I thought it was against the law.
March 7th, 2006 at 4:30 pm
“sorry, ladies, you have zero credibility…which is a pity, because had you acted more responsibly he would be gone now…no one serious can believe a word you say”
After 20 years of telling our story everyone does believe us. The one who
should have been responsible, who should NOT have cheated on his wife, lied to his community and shtuped congregants and minors, is your GREAT HOLY RABBI, ARON TENDLER!!!!!!!!!
I am convinced from the stupity, anger, sarcasm and rage in some of these e-mails that Raz, KNH, SZ, Victims Advocate and Diogenes are one in the same…too many similarities. Let’s just ignore them all. Aron is gone, we have been vindicated and that’s all that matters.
March 7th, 2006 at 5:31 pm
In some states there NO such thing as a statue of limitation with crimes against children.
Does anyone know if this is true in California? If it is, criminal charges may still be able to be pressed against Aron Tendler.
March 7th, 2006 at 5:42 pm
We are going to pursue him and the enablers through the civil courts…although apparently there are new laws that if you were a minor and were too scared to go public at the time, there are ways to get around the statute.
March 7th, 2006 at 7:49 pm
It’s official, Aron is out…letter went out today.
What do you have to say now…Raz and all you other jerks????
March 7th, 2006 at 7:56 pm
Diogenes,
What was that you were saying? We were lying, can’t be believed he really is still your rabbi…check your mail if you really are a member. He’s gone!!! off your site and gone for good. To all you jerk offs who called us names and liars and didn’t believe us…
VINDICATION!!!!!!!!
Oh, and that beer you offered jackass (Raz)…drink it alone your a sick human being. Aron’s gonna need one though, maybe you can join him.
March 7th, 2006 at 8:16 pm
I got the letter, Rav Aron Tendler has resigned effective immediately.
There is going to be a revolving list of interim Rabbis.
It references new matters.
March 7th, 2006 at 8:16 pm
Diogenes has posted else where in this blog, that he/she still attends KNH. (S)He’s part of the few jerks left in that synagogue that has treated rasha Tendler I’s survivors miserably and still do.
Best thing is to ignore such jerks.
Could you forward or post the SZ email?
March 7th, 2006 at 8:26 pm
It’s not an e-mail it was sent to their homes. Then why was he carrying on about the site?
March 7th, 2006 at 8:39 pm
New Hempstead News has already confirmed that the RAT got axed!
See ...
March 7th, 2006 at 8:43 pm
Steven,
Do you have anything to say? You didn’t believe us either and cut Luke down for him believing us. You were pretty sarcastic about the whole thing.
March 7th, 2006 at 8:57 pm
Victim - It’s not a question of not believing you. I never spoke to you and don’t know who you are. It’s a question of what was and has been credibly reported, and I was never sarcastic about the situation and would not be. I am highly concerned about the issue of clergy abuse and consider it the top priority of Jewish journalism.
March 7th, 2006 at 9:32 pm
I think Steven’s point was that the servants of the community did not do well on this story.
Luke Ford, in essence, gets the credit for doing the legwork when there are plenty of others paid to do it. The LA jewish community is not a page six gossip mill, it is a large populace that deserves good and readable (very important - see last week’s journal was like reading a czech phonebook) coverage.
The Jewish Journal obviously had a story in the mix, written by Amy Klein, who actually writes well when she does not espouse her world view.
Their failure to release it until after the fact begs the question, quis custodiet et custodiens.
Sure, our institutions have administrations, shul boards, RCC, etc., but these institutions are made of humans like all of us. With respect to clergy misconduct, the learning curve is steep and all of these watchmen must now learn what zero tolerance means, however, in the meantime, the community may need a legitimate muckraker (vicki polin excluded) to spur the watchmen. Do we trust the Journal to serve that role. I give it a major thumbs down.
March 7th, 2006 at 9:35 pm
I would note that SIW was the first to post about women coming forward about rasha Tendler I at a Makor program a year and a half ago and has done some great reporting in this area, including exposing convicted child molester “Rabbi” Ozair AKA the Kabbalah Coach in the Forward.
March 7th, 2006 at 10:01 pm
If early reports are accurate and SZ plans to also make a public apology to rasha Tendler II’s survivors as well, then they will have set an example that KNH continues to refuse to follow, by actually starting in the path of teshuvah, a path they will hopefully follow to completion. Hopefully, other institutions and leaders will follow that example.
The current comments in the other threads by posters claiming to be KNH members demonstrate that KNH and its remaining members have no intention of doing any teshuvah anytime soon. They have no shame, even attacking rasha Tendler II’s survivors.
Hopefully, this marks a turn for the better in the leadership of the California Jewish community. Hopefully, those who protected rasha Tendler II actively or through their silence for decades at the expense of far too many will be also be removed.
Hopefully, KNH will go broke and all assets will go to the survivors and they get dispersed throughout the world so they can never come together as a group together.
Our thanks should go out to the brave survivors of rasha Tendler I and II who have helped make our community safer through their courage in speaking out.
As to those still in our community that prey on the vulnerable, take heed, your days are numbered too.
March 7th, 2006 at 10:01 pm
“We can’t assume they are telling the truth” Steven’s words and yes, I take great offense to this and that is why I initially spoke on this blog. Assuming we were lying…why would we have a poem that was written 20 years ago? why would we tell our story for 15 years over and over? Why would we lie? Well finally someone other than The RCC has done something about it. But, it’s not enough. Shalom should go as well and YULA should be held accoutable for the last 20 years worth of victims. One shouldn’t presume that because it’s Luke we must have been lying…regardless of his leg work, it does not alter our words and we never lied he was just the only one to listen. And there is nothing wrong with Vicki. Why do orthodox jews always have to pick on people that try and save people from your rabbis? It just doesn’t seem right.
JWB- I don’t know of these other stories Steven wrote, I can only comment on the above statement.
March 7th, 2006 at 10:06 pm
JWB- What other threads?
March 7th, 2006 at 10:10 pm
I wonder if RAZ and KeNeineHora will show their faces here now?
March 7th, 2006 at 10:16 pm
I just wanted to thank all of the survivors for coming forward and telling the truth about their experiences of this alleged sex offender. You are all hero’s! You are helping to prevent anyone else from being harmed.
I know how difficult things have been for you, my hope is that life will only get better for you from here on out. Remember you are not alone, and that The Awareness Center will do what ever we can to provide you the support you need as things move forward.
I also want to say that the family members of this “alleged” sex offender will also need a great deal of support from the community.
Please read this article. I think it could be helpful: ...
March 7th, 2006 at 10:22 pm
I believe SIW was critical of the way it was reported, desiring more precision in the reporting, I don’t think his intention was to attack your credibility.
I may be at odds with SIW at times and often don’t agree with him (or his criticism of Luke in this case), but he certainly has demonstrated courage and sensitivity when it comes to this issue, where his colleagues in the Jewish media have not.
You can check his articles on the Awareness Center website on the rasha Ozair, rasha Matis Weinberg and rasha Mordecai Tendler webpages.
>Why do orthodox jews always have to pick on people
>that try and save people from your rabbis? It just
>doesn’t seem right.
Ms Polin, Rabbi Blau, Rabbi Dratch and many others were attacked in the same way other heroes have been attacked who also came forward against clergy abuses. Ask anyone in SNAP or any such organization that dealt with the Catholic Church. They had identical smears and harassment campaigns. As did the courageous survivors, like yourself, who came forward.
The other threads I am referring to are the rasha Tendler I (Mordecai) threads.
March 8th, 2006 at 1:30 am
While pleased to be rid of Aron Tendler, I reiterate my deepest concern regarding the women who “outed” him, and concur with the sentiments of most of the membership that they now represent (and ALWAYS represented) a cancer equally dangerous to the shul and the community. They are not “survivors”. They are not “heroes”. There are definitely words to describe them, but our kids read this blog as well on occassion.
We live in an orthodox community ruled by halacha. Let us not succumb to any of the nonsense that peaks into our culture and minds via TV and the countless other nonsenses of contemporary American society eating away at the fabric of our religion and basic values.
The rabbi has been removed, and with good cause.
That stated, we firmly believe that women are accountable for their sexual activity from bas mitzvah, and clearly YULA girls and adult women in the community are as far from being anyone’s victims as can ever be defined. These women are simply …….. well, suffice it to say there is no place for them in this or any other orthodox, halachic community based upon their own actions
It is imperative now that Aron Tendler has been removed that we refocus our efforts on seeing these women removed completely from this and all other orthodox communities. The precedent of potentially treating them as victims or survivors is simply cancerous to our basic beliefs.
March 8th, 2006 at 1:40 am
Oh shut up you freak of nature. Now it’s good that he is gone? Which one is it? It’s comments like that that should embarass your children, you diot/Nazi. His victims are at your shul and will stay there and there aint nothing you can do about it. The board said they would apologize to us and they will. No one wants these women gone you moron. Bat Mitzva?…are you out of your mind? A 16 year old girl boards in his home and he molests her and that’s her fault. You’ll be outing 50% of the women in your shul because they all slept with him you idiot. I am going to print your post and send it to Jack and make sure your shul sees it…they will utterly be embarassed and hopefully hunt you down, ASS. Your cancerous and it’s why there are so many victims because of people like you who protect sick men like Aron. You can’t even admit that you made an ass out of yourself here today on this blog…so now your coming after us even though it’s your shul and rabbi that’s cancerous. Why don’t you leave with him. No one is on your side.
March 8th, 2006 at 1:43 am
I have had many calls today telling me exactly that, thanking me and that I am a hero and to make sure that the victims go after all of you on a civil level to make sure all of you enablers go down as well. So yes, we are all heros for finally standing up to that prick after 20 years of his taking advantage of us and using his position in the community to get in our pants.
How do you know what your community is thinking, you didn’t even know he was out today? IDIOT.
March 8th, 2006 at 2:27 am
Diogenes, remind me not to send you any tinfoil hats in you shalach manos, you are insane.
There are rules in California, and “deena demalchuta deena.” A person under 18 is not able to consent and sexual acts done with them are potentially criminal in nature.
I am a member and the accusers do not constitute a cancer equally dangerous to the shul as the offender. I am not sure how you can even assert such moral relativism, but you sound much worse that Prince Alaweed saying that after 9/11, the US “should re-examine its policies in the Middle East and adopt a more balanced stand toward the Palestinian cause.” The perpetrator of a wrongful act is not sanitized by a “but he had his reasons” mentality. I will let others flame you, but to blame the women who were inappropriately dealt with for the perpetrator’s acts is something not even the SZ board could stomach.
With that kind of outlook, I do not want my daughter going to any school on which you are of any responsiibility.
Kids are kids. They do stupid stuff.
A rabbi is a rabbi. If he is fooling around with girls, he cannot be a rabbi and I do not care what these girls did or did not do.
March 8th, 2006 at 2:29 am
Victim - you said
“You’ll be outing 50% of the women in your shul because they all slept with him you idiot”
Your kidding aren’t you?
March 8th, 2006 at 4:10 am
Diogenes really believes the ... he/she spouts. Diogenes claims to be a member of KNH and it appears that this hatred of survivors reflects the beliefs of many of the few remaining members. That’s right the abuse of women by their rabbi has impacted on their weekly kiddush and now they direct the worst of their venom against his survivors.
It is to be put simply outrageous and reflects why KNH must be sued and hopefully will shortly be owned by rasha Tendler I’s victims.
But on a positive note the Jewish Journal has FINALLY exposed SOME of the corruption in regard to the decades of cover up by the leadership of the Jewish community and rabbonim of California. When I learned of this a year ago, I was enraged and determined to see all involved exposed. Now it is clear that WILL finally occur.
Folks, it is time to clean house in our institutions. Many in leadership positions would be well advised to LEAVE now. You failed us, utterly, now you must go.
To quote from an article by Rabbi Dratch:
The Mishnah, Avot 4:4, reminds us that sequestering a hillul Hashem will always be unsuccessful: “Whoever desecrates the name of Heaven in private will ultimately be punished in public, whether the desecration was committed unintentionally or intentionally.” Hence, a conspiracy to conceal information about abuse will ultimately be made public, creating an even greater hillul Hashem. The greater severity of the hillul Hashem in concealing the information can be further supported by the Talmud, Yoma 86b, which maintains that “one should expose hypocrites to prevent the desecration of the Name. (See also Hilkhot De’ot 6-8) Rashi explains that the reason for this disclosure is that people, thinking that this person is righteous, may learn from his behavior. Rambam is of the opinion that after unsuccessful attempts to correct the matter privately, public remonstration and broadcasting of the outrage is required. There is no concern about the hillul Hashem of exposing the offense.
Those remaining in my community who continue to prey on the vulnerable and innocent, let me be clear, you are next, you will be exposed. Your time is over. We will no longer tolerate you with our silence, not one minute more.
Read the Jewish Journal article a few days early at: ...
Excerpts:
…
But in a March 6 letter to congregants, shul president Jim Kapenstein and board chair Yacov Yellin wrote that Tendler would be stepping down immediately in light of “new matters which had recently been brought to our attention.�
…
Separately, The Journal has learned that Tendler was once accused of inappropriate conduct at the Yeshiva of Los Angeles (YULA), an Orthodox high school in Pico-Roberston where he had worked from 1980 through June 1999, first as a teacher and then also as a principal. The 1987 investigation was inconclusive, but Tendler transferred from the girls school to the boys school, which is located on a separate campus.
…
For their part, YULA officials declined to speak for attribution, but a source close to the administration recounted events surrounding the 1987 Tendler investigation in a prepared statement provided to The Journal.
While Tendler was at YULA “there was a charge regarding inappropriate behavior, not sexual relation[s],� the source said.
“Immediately upon receiving the report,� according to the statement, “the school administration requested that a nationally renowned investigatory lawyer come to Los Angeles and conduct a thorough investigation.� The results of the three-day investigation were “inconclusive.�
….
THE COVER UP IS OVER!
Aron should have been reported to the police in 1987 and investigated by professional forensic investigators TRAINED and EXPERIENCED to conduct such investigations. Instead, they violated these educators and community leaders violated their legal and ethical obligations towards the children they were susposed to protect. They CHOSE not to report CRIMINAL activity to the proper authorities. These educators, rabbonim and community leaders conducted a white-wash investigation by an “investigatory lawyer” they brought in and then moved rasha Tendler II to the boys school. They chose to protect the kavod of a rasha instead of the kavod of the Torah. God damn them all. Their job was to protect the vulnerable and the innocent NOT the powerful and the evil. God damn each and every one who was involved in this white-wash. May every one of them be exposed and removed from community leadership.
NEVER AGAIN!
March 8th, 2006 at 5:27 am
first, I am quite certain that I speak for the VAST majority of the shul in the utter repulsion this women represent to us. I am quite certain that I speak for the VAST majority of orthodox jews when I describe them as absolutely guilty of complicity in morally heinous acts and knowing elected to violate all basis of halacha.
The debate until now has necessisarily been focused on Aron Tendler. Now that he is gone, the debate about the women and their direct culpability in these chilul hashem can take its rightful center stage. There is no doubt that they are morally contemptable creatures that have no place in our society. None. They were responsible for their actions after bas mitzvah, particularly the YULA girls and the adult women.
Don;t give me the dina demalchuta dina nonsense, it has no more application than the fact that in California one can keep a store open on Saturday, or that seafood restaurants exist. Every woman over 12 knows and is responsible to be shomer shabbos and kosher irrespective of the local law. Sex is not a grey area.
There is no such nonsense of claiming “victimization” in judaism at the ages, and under the yeshiva backgrounds, of these women. LET US SAY THAT LOUD AND CLEAR NOW THAT TENDLER IS GONE AND ADDRESS THIS OTHER CANCER THAT HAS ENGULFED OUR COMMUNITY FROM THIS SORDID AFFAIR.
Let us rid ourselves of these women, as permanently as publicly, as we did a Rabbi who disgraced his pulpit.
March 8th, 2006 at 6:30 am
Wow, Dyogenes, what a freak!
Hmmm…”Improper relationship”…”not sexual relations”…where have I heard those words before?
March 8th, 2006 at 7:36 am
Dyogenes just reflects the opinions of many of those left at KNH, trying to hold onto their sick and dying synagogue, abandoned by anyone with a shred of decency, long ago. Something to consider when their synagogue goes out of business, don’t let them hold any positions in your institutions. They are the ones that have refused to do teshuvah to the survivors, they are the ones we need to “rid ourselves of”
“permanently as publicly”.
The couragreous survivors of both rasha Tendlers must be treated as heroes.
March 8th, 2006 at 8:58 am
Bottom Line –these women are, at best, Professional Victims, and there is a very small group of women acting as enablers for them to attempt to avoid even the most basic responsiblity for their outrageous actions, sins and flat out chilul hashem…none of this could be discussed until Aron Tendler was gone…..but now let us voice this loudly, and let us voice it as the overwhelming majority in both shul and the entire orthodox world….these women knowing violated all halacha and common decency and restraint because of a knowledge that in a corrupted LA environment they can always beg away from any responsibility for their actions, and find at least a small group of female enablers who will permit them to walk away from any and all responsiblity…why not sin under those circumstances?
So there is no misunderstanding, let us say loudly and decisively — you have completely mistaken the community support to date as being on your behalf. Nonsense. Our support was for the removal of an aduterous rabbi. Now that he is gone, it is time to address the cancer that you represent, and that Vicki Polin (a topic unto herself) and JWB and others attempt to bring into our community. NIMBY.
These women need be thrown out with the trash — and that is the sentiment of EVERY married woman in the community. Your 15 minutes of fame and community support are over. Thanks for your efforts in ridding us of an adulterous rabbi. Now be sure to be on the NEXT bus out of town after his…..
March 8th, 2006 at 9:42 am
The only person or group Diogenes/Dyogenes represents are the koolaid drinkers at KNH who will hopefully lose the roof they are drinking their koolaid under.
March 8th, 2006 at 10:03 am
JWB, you are truly disgraceful…..first, no one can question that I have sought the removal of Aron Tendler, so there is no basis of any attack, much less some bizarre reference and lame one
bottom line– you are total pond scum, jwb, and you serve no purpose except to highlight scandal in the community for your own enrichment (as in wealth and fame), and you convince these gullible girls to come forward and you will make them heroes.
They are not heroes, they are whores. And you are not a legitimate whistleblower, you are a fame seeking, wealth seeking parasite sucking blood out of the community.
The rabbi was adulterous, and the community handled it well, and he is gone. Do not ever suggest these women are not fully responsible for their actions now…..you told them they would be heroes, or at least receive sympathy from our community?
Ladies, you have been lied to once again, this time by the feminist empowering lobby just as you were lied to by the adulterous rabbi
Judaism is based, above all else, on assumption of responsiblity for ones actions, particularly the bad ones when they occur….these women are as guilty as attempting to dodge their responsiblity as was the rabbi, and need be gone from our midst at once along with the rest of the trash that has besotted our community from this sordid affair –and that starts with JWB and the Vicki Polins (plural out of respect for her multiple personalities and identities)…..victims our ass….these women were knowing whores and harlots who gambled that in LA today the American lunacy of Professional Victim would overcome 3,000 years of explicit halacha in terms of their roles in this sordid mess
March 8th, 2006 at 10:10 am
It’s the married women that support us because he made all the married women so uncomfortable with his flirtations, and you are right we will become center stage in a civil suit against the enablers. This is far from being over. It’s kind of funny…no mention of Aron still being on his site? No admitting how wrong you were???…denial??? Aron was in denial for years as well. He thoguht he would never be exposed. You should get into some anger management courses…you sound nuttier than Rub Aron. One line on Aron’s illegal acts, not halacha, illegal and paragraph after paragraph on us horrible women who made him go after us…YOUR WACKED!!!
March 8th, 2006 at 10:26 am
Diogenes/Dyogenes sole purpose is to smear and harass survivors of his/her Tendler in order to discourage lawsuits against KNH. Although, I do not know if Diogenes/Dyogenes is related to or simply friends with one or more of the idiots who co-signed KNH’s mortgage, hopefully they are, and will shortly lose their shirts as KNH further disintegrates.
Pay Diogenes/Dyogenes no heed. The survivors are heroes, those who support them are heroes.
Diogenes/Dyogenes and the rest of the koolaid drinkers at KNH along with Team Tendler and their KNH edifice will soon be relegated to their proper place, the dustbin of history.
March 8th, 2006 at 11:12 am
Putting it all in perspective, Praise The Lord We Aint Irish — Two Tendlers was more than enough for American Jewry….102 more priests suspected, and it is a matter of fact headline given the numbers already exposed
102 Irish Priests Suspected of Abuse
By SHAWN POGATCHNIK, Associated Press Writer 42 minutes ago
The Roman Catholic archdiocese of Dublin said Wednesday that 102 of its priests are suspected of sexually or physically abusing at least 350 children since 1940 — the biggest such admission to date in Ireland.
The office of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said it was publishing its findings ahead of this month’s expected formation of a government-appointed commission to investigate the history and handling of such abuse in Ireland.
This predominantly Catholic nation has been rocked by waves of church sex-abuse scandals since 1994.
The archdiocese said it conducted a two-year review of the personnel files of more than 2,800 priests who have worked in the Dublin archdiocese, either as parish priests or in religious orders, during the past 66 years.
It found that eight priests in Dublin were convicted of abuse, while 32 priests have been sued for damages by 105 victims at a cost to the archdiocese of $7 million. That figure includes about $2 million in legal bills for both sides.
But the report said costs were expected to increase significantly because 40 cases remained unsettled, while church authorities had positively identified at least 350 abuse victims and “a possible further 40 persons who may have been abused but who it is not yet possible to identify or trace.”
Martin, a veteran Vatican diplomat appointed here in 2003, said he believed the archdiocese would have to sell off some of its properties to cover the mounting compensation bill. He called that a necessary sacrifice to right past wrongs, as much as was possible.
“It’s very frightening for me to see that in some of these cases, so many children were abused. It’s very hard to weigh that up against anything,” Martin said.
“On the other hand, I know that the vast majority of priests don’t abuse, that they do good work, that they’re extremely upset and offended by what’s happened.”
___
On the Net:
...
March 8th, 2006 at 12:01 pm
>Putting it all in perspective
You are the great minimizer aren’t you?
Why don’t you compare the Catholic population to the Jewish population? The ratios we have aren’t so great.
Most studies indicate a 2-3% incidence across the population, regardless of socio-economic status, education and religion.
March 8th, 2006 at 4:55 pm
Diogenes / Victim’s advocate / RAZ / Haman Harasha ect..,
Clearly you are a VERY SICK INDIVIDUAL:
* a Sadist
* a Women Hater
* With a Multi Personalities Disorder.
Don’t speak for me and other people in the community. These women who have suffered the abuse ARE our sisters/daughters/students - B’NOT ISRAEL, a part of us:
* Believable
* Honorable
* Innocent
* DESERVING OUR RESPECT AND SUPPORT!
I hope someone who knows your identify will expose you. The victims sould report you to the police. The charges: Intimidation of witnesses. You are trying to UNSUCCESSFULLY to scare them from testifying, by threats of expulsion from the community and calling them “whores”. STOP the WITCH HUNT You Sicko! Every time you wrote, you could not stop yourself from stating that from age 12 a girl is a woman and therefor it’s not abuse… PEDOPHILE yourself - go get help!
March 8th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
So there is no misunderstanding, from age 12 every bnos yisrael is halachically responsible for upholding her moral stature……there is no exemption for American law granting an additional 6 years grace period for her decision to knowingly participate in evil and sin…that does not alter the responsibility of the rabbi or whomever in seducing women under 18–and that clearly constitutes a pedophilic act in the law — but it by no means makes these women victims. They were willing participants under all halacha.
In response to Zipi Alderstein and others who have posted, that is exactly the point I am making. These women knowing violated all halacha relying upon the perverted -and perverted is the proper term both morally and sexually -values that you espouse that absolve them of all rights and responsibilities. Why not, therefore, sin? There are no consequences at all….halacha takes a backseat (much like these women enjoyed) to La-La Land lack of morality.
Sorry, this is not what we have taught our daughters. Let us now pronounce loudly what could not be said before while the matter of removing Aron Tendler was the priority of all — these women are absoulte harlots and whores, and celebrating them –much less even tolerating them — in our community and shul is not even a possibility for consideration.
We can start an entire new thread on the reaction these women are now going to face from those of us who are married wives and mothers.
And when did all the victims become underage by American law? The accusations involve almost exclusively grown adult women who certainly are responsbile for their actions under halacha as well as American law. Now you are permitting them to hide behind exceedingly dubious claims of one (posibly two for arguments sake) YULA girls from years past? Aron Tendler was thrown out for acts of willing sexual impropriety, and not a minute too soon….but it takes two to shtup, sister……where we come from that is called a harlot and a homewrecker, hardly a victim in the least…but in your perverted world there is literally no action that cannot be transformed into victimization the minute a man is involved…we are ALWAYS innocent little things that are absolved of all responsibility for our actions
And I do speak for the vast majority of the mothers in shul. Let’s see just how many supporters these harlots find in shul NOW, or in the greater orthodox community. Who gives a damn about witnesses? You are so caught up in the rediculous American cultural nonsense that you have thrown away all halacha and jewish values. And you sold these delusional girls as big a bag of lies as Aron Tendler did, promising them the ability to repeatedly commit ultimate sins secure that there are no consequences at all, and that they can pose as Professional Victims. Sorry, not in halacha. Not in Judaism. That is only on Ricki Lake and Oprah. Let’s make these harlots into real halachic examples for our true bnos yisroel, and insure that the cancer they have brought to our community is amputated here and now — and that is always a tad painful but necessary to save the greater body.
And we will leave an entire row of seats reserved for Vicki Polin in shul, so that all of her personalities and identities can sit together. That is called hachnosas orchim.
March 8th, 2006 at 5:59 pm
Diogenes: why dont you come out and say all that stuff in public under your real name if you feel so strongly about it?
March 8th, 2006 at 6:19 pm
Dear vindicated victims,
Don’t worry about those who call you names. They are trying to intimidate you. SHAME ON THEM! You deserve credit for not giving up your Kavod and fighting for it 20 years. I am pleased to read that SZ has offered you an apology. Your next battle should be with the SWC/YULA Archdiocese who switched and bated you for all that time.
- The heads of YULA knew, they are admitting it in their statement.
- They DID NOT report it to the state as required.
- INSTEAD they called a big lire, sorry for the typo, lawyer from back
East… I wonder who is he related to? Cause he couldn’t find out the
truth… Strange it wasn’t so hard for all of us to see the COVER-UP.
- You were their students and under their care when you were victimize.
HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE …At this point apologies are not enough and
a beat over due, Don’t you think?
Personally, I hope that they will be OUSTED from their positions, just as was done to their colleagues in the Catholic Church.
March 8th, 2006 at 6:27 pm
it’s only one guy who has split personalities and keeps calling himself the same name…as you can see one disappeara and another enters. Jewish law is not our concern the American law is and I just got off the phone with a prominent lawyer who is looking intto taking this case and from what he just said, 16 is the law, Einstein. Kind of funny, just yesterday you were defending him and now you say he was wrong. Are you skitso? Your shul has been phoning me left and right to thank me for getting rid of him, wives and mothers who think he is sick and wished it had been done years ago. So not sure what shul your attending but it aint the one in Valley Village. You really should out yourself…your the guy who caps his posts on NHN? Aren’t you…the rage is very familiar.
March 8th, 2006 at 6:41 pm
Here are some catchy signs for a YULA/WIESENTHAL rally.
NO TIME FOR THE VICTIMS - TOO BUSY FUNDRAISING?
No TOLERANCE for THE ENABLERS
@
THE MUSEUM OF TOLERANCE!
HUMAN RIGHTS… MY FOOT!
REMEMBER???
March 8th, 2006 at 7:20 pm
Amy’s story was so lame. She has had knowledge of this for two months and did nothing and suddenly Aron is out and she jumps on the story the day of to look like she was on it all along. Her boss went public last week tos ays he was no longer on teh story everyone is so full of it. What she wrote isn’t even accurate about YULA and how he is “regarded”…he is regarded to be a piece of crap. What an embarassment that paper is. Suddenly she has a quote from YULA after neglecting this story for 2 months. We really need a goy to deal with this how unfortunate.
March 8th, 2006 at 9:11 pm
Survivor,
I know what you mean, but it’s a start. At least they are saying there was a serious problem attached to the fact he resigned. It sickens me to say that this is a major article for that paper. They normally don’t write about things like this.
They try to sugar coat the jewish community. They like fiction.
March 8th, 2006 at 10:24 pm
Diogenes / Victim’s Advocate / Haman / Vay’zata / Bilam’s Ass /Ash’m'dai,
all SAME THING.
You call the victims Whores??? Cancer???
I have a short response to you:
Y O U R M A MA !
To the rest of the readers,
I think we need to ignore him. Don’t write to him any more.
March 8th, 2006 at 10:40 pm
With all due respect,Why moderate? If it’s good enough to call the victims such slurs it’s good enough for his mother.
March 8th, 2006 at 11:23 pm
REPRINTED FROM CANONIST MORDECHAI TENDLER THREAD V:
Ronnie Schreiber Says:
March 8th, 2006 at 5:59 pm
I continue to be troubled by the notion of women who have continued consensual relationships to be considered “victims� or “survivors� in that it infantalizes women and makes them incapable of being independent agents, responsible for their own actions.
Are the Tendler brothers m’navlim or worse? Probably. But it takes two to tango and the same number for blow jobs. Imagine that, a person in a position of moral authority uses their charisma and that authority to pursue selfish goals. I’m shocked that such a thing happens. Shocked, I tell you.
And all the folks saying that the “victims� husbands want to wreak violence upon Mort and Aron, just remember, as long as the focus is on the Tendlers’ misdeeds, their “victims� don’t have to account for their own behavior.
As for the emotional neutron bomb of calling AT a “child molester� because he had the hots for a 16 year old, well I guess that makes millions of teenage boys and former teenage boys to be child molesters. A sixteen year old female may be legally a child in some jurisdictions (though the age of consent in some states is as low as 14), but biologically once a female has gone through puberty it is 100% normal for any adult male to find her sexually attractive. It might be immoral by our current social standards, but it’s not pedophilia or child molestation. Read The Memoirs of Glucke of Hamlin, the diary of a Jewish woman in the mid 1600s in central Europe. I believe all of her daughters were married at 14 and 15.
There are many truths involved here. One is that some clergymen hit on their female congregants. Many, perhaps most, pulpit clergy are charismatic folks who like people, so the temptation is there. However, if you ask honest and morally decent clergymen who don’t fool around the truth, they will tell you that they have also been hit on by some of their female parishoners. It’s considered a vocational hazard. The difference is that the clergyman cannot use the “he tricked me and abused his authority� defense with his spouse and employers.
So fine, fire Morty and Aron, but don’t think this is just about perverted rabbis.
March 8th, 2006 at 11:59 pm
Um, where do i send the cognac too, or can i just email you a gift certificate?
For the record I am not Diogenes. I was only against you all so long as you remained anonymous and powerless and clueless. Once you got a lawyer and got a supreme authority involved, you won. I commend you and I am glad to see Rav ARon gone.
YOu had inside information as to the tempo of the moves here. I had faith in my shul board, who need a serious crash course in crisis management. I thought that the two lawyers would be wise enough to realize that you do not try and defuse a bomb that already went off, and that you do not rely on “new matters” to justify a change of heart, when the only thing new was outside pressure.
If you were underage and sexually propositiioned by Rav Aron, you are not to blame. He should have elected out of the rabbinate if that was his game.
I congratulate you on working the system to your advantage.
March 9th, 2006 at 12:50 am
Thank you RAZ for that posting and clearing up the nonsense that anyone that disagrees with the feminist PC need be outed, insulted and discredited. I certainly have been a constant advocate of removing the adulterous rabbi, yet seem to have earned the wrath of the feminist PC for being a mother and wife willing to state the obvious in the name of halacha.
At least others like Ronnie Schreiber have now added their voices as well as true neshei chayil who are now voicing real concern over letting these women off the hook as some sort of Professional Victims, much less heroes. This violates everything we believe in and halacha stands for.
As victim at 6:27 notes (talk about multiple personalities, one woman writing as if she is really many different “victims”) :
“Jewish law is not our concern the American law is”
what more eloquent statement could exist for why this woman should never be permitted in our shul or community again? She has, indeed, proven our case in her own words.
RAZ, I appreciate that you and others may find the very firm and absolute halachic position expressed by Ronnie Schreiber, others and myself somewhat contradictory to your American values. We all live in conveniently compartmentalized existences in which we keeps certain matters very American and certain matters very Halachic. Occassionally, such as in dealing with these harlots, we can;t compartmentalize and need to choose.
The purpose of Modern Orthodoxy is not the empty ritual for 2 hours a week in shul plus a nice social kiddush espoused by many women, who then go home and fully identify with Allie McBeal, Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives. There are times to state loudly that Halacha says no, and we are not abiding simply by the minimum standards of America but by Halacha. That is how I raised my children, particularly my daughters. That is how most of us raised our children, particularly our daughters. There can be no shelter in our shul for these women who knowingly participated in adultery and sex with a married man –rabbi or accountant is no longer relevant–certainly for the Professional Victims that were adult and of an age of consent.
Do you agree that the adult women involved are equally culpable and the community. now rid of the philandering fool, need now address them as a cancer equally pernicious in our midst?
Do you agree, as a parent of a 17 year old boy, that if your son gets caught in the backseat of a car with a 16 year old YULA girl she is certainly No Innocent?
Do you agree, as a parent of a 16 year old girl, that if your daughter ever got caught with ANYONE after $100,000 of yeshiva education for 12 years , be it a young boy or her teacher, that she had violated every standard of the religion and your family?
The Feminist PC lobby now wants to paint these women as Professional Victims. There is nothing more dangerous to us as mothers and neshei chayil than permitting this cancer into our families, shul and community.
In response to victim 6:27, sorry– here we don;t care about the minimum standards of American law and culture. This community cares about Halacha.
March 9th, 2006 at 1:19 am
If the case was a 16 year old having an intimate relationship with a 17 year old. That would have been a totally different discussion. The two young people are equally involved in an inappropriate relationship. You are absolutely right the parent should ask: how could this happen after all money and Jewish Education afforded to the kids.
BUT THIS IS NOT THE CASE HERE:
This is a case of an adult and underaged kids. This is not a consensual relationship. The adult should know better. For this reason he is considered an abuser.
In past generations the marriage age was 12 and on. True. BUT THE TIMES HAVE CHANGED and it is illegal today.
March 9th, 2006 at 1:20 am
I highly doubt your someone’s mother but bitch does define you. Anyways to Ronnie and the Tendler post…you can’t compare a horny 16 year old boy to a rabbi, you moron. You people are just nuts and I have no interest in going to your shul, I don’t even daven. After your religious community protected a child molester for 20 years it’s pretty hard to believe in Judaism so don’t worry my weekends are spent with goyim who don’t molest 16 year olds and have gentle souls. And althoguh i have been invited to come there and discuss what your sick rbabi did to us, the thought of you is to repulsive. He use dhis postion to take advantage of women. A 16 year old boarding in his home does not deserve to be assaulted you nutcase. Women who went to him for counseling because there husbands were ignoring them doesn’t give him the right to do what he did. It’s called “abuse of power” and it’s illegal. Screw your halacha, i’ts illegal and your rabbi’s don’t deserve to be treated any differently than the priests. Deny his guilt and once proven he is a sicko then attack the vitims…”he’s out now and let’s focus on the girls”…how about let’s focus on making sure he never hurts another woman again and that his enablers pay? NO, you can’t handle that…let’s just go after the 100 women he went after…it’s our fault…not his.
March 9th, 2006 at 1:21 am
“The Feminist PC lobby now wants to paint these women as Professional Victims. There is nothing more dangerous to us as mothers and neshei chayil than permitting this cancer into our families, shul and community.”
Your so full of it wench.
Aron is a professional predator.
March 9th, 2006 at 1:30 am
Victim 6:27pm,
I am a first time contributor, and a father and husband in shul.
I feel for your pain and sympathize with your plight. I disagree with Diogenes referring to you as a whore or a harlot. That was inappropriately harsh language for the circumstances.
But I also agree almost 100% with what has been said by the women in the shul, notably Ronnie Schreiber, Tendler Truths and Diogenes.
I do not believe you have been receiving any phone calls of congratulations from anyone in shul. You are trying to blow as much hot air here as you did when you were willfully and knowingly blowing a married man…..I don’t think you are delusional in thinking you have support in our shul, I think you recognize that your statement is a flat out lie
Look, the rabbi is gone and no one denies it is good riddance. All concur that it took a continuous stream of complaint on the part of the few women involved to remove him. But almost all of them came forward and admitted to be consenting adults in an adulterous affair with the rabbi, of all people. They did not ask for our sympathy, pity or support. They did not portray themselves as victims of anyone or anything. It was that testimony that proved convincing to the shul members and the board, eventually.
You have consistently blown hot air and attempted to represent support that never existed. We are grateful the rabbi is gone, and that we can move on with our lives and our shul. But I agree there is no place for you sitting within a country mile of my children and family in our shul ever again.
Above all else, since you are the one who made it an either/or proposition for us, I choose halacha over American values. Every time, about every topic. And I know that I certainly do speak for all the men who come to minyan every day, twice a day, and their families –not just those that show up shabbos morning for an hour and a half and then mingle for kiddush. We really are living completely different religions under the same roof. There is no longer any place for tolerating your type of religion in our shul, very well described as “compartmentalized” . That is an inevitable consequence of this affair (pun intended).
In fact, there has not been a single member of the shul who has posted here or anywhere else supporting you in the post-rabbi’s dismissal era. You cannot get a single woman from SZ to post by name that they approve of what you did –because while we are all grateful that you admitted to your sin of adultery and rid us of this putz, we must also deal with the consequences of your admission. All you keep bringing back are the same out of town professional victims supporters, including Viki Pollin of all people. Aren;t you embarrassed to even be associated with her by now? You bring us the jewish whistleblower? that’s all you;ve got to support you, not a single soul in shul has called you –at least not in a positive and supportive manner. Time to admit the truth, and to stop trying to blow us the way you did our former rabbi.
Thanks for all you did, now go far far away from our families and SZ.
March 9th, 2006 at 1:37 am
Let me try and clarify my point with this addition From the Torah:
“Lif’ney Iver Lo Tasim Mich’Shol”
You shall not place an obstacle in front of a blind person.
The blind person is the underaged person, too young and blinded by the authority figure.
The adult is the person placing an obstacle that causes the blind person to trip.
March 9th, 2006 at 2:59 am
as a final remark for this evening, tomorrow is a minor fast day (taanis tzadikim) that marks the tragedy of the breaking apart of Beis Shamai and Beis Hillel, and the tragic effect it has had on all of us to this day….there are also those who say as many as 3,000 talmedei chachomim died at the outbreak of the machlokes..actual battle between the two camps
let us now turn our attention towards repairing our shul and its cohesiveness, and bringing the warring factions back together under one roof, and selecting the right rabbi who will be all embracing and inclusive rather than one who espouses fear, hatred and a divide to conquer attitude towards his own shul members
victim, once again thanks for helping remove this putz even if you refuse to accept any responsibility for your actions as a willing adult in adultery….I respect your decision to walk away from yiddishkeit…now respect ours to maintain our halachic standards over your American values and the goyish friends that you proudly proclaim to prefer to SZ…..and just keep walking away
March 9th, 2006 at 10:33 am
How the hell do you know who it talk to daily on the phone? Why do people like you even talk? You are the same SZ as before. You say it’s good he’s gone yet you have been defending him for months. I am no victim (as stated on here already) I speak for the victims that’s the difference. Whatever i did with Aron I admitted to and I told the board that, and they called me jerk off and I didn’t have to talk them, but I did, even though they ignored 8 of us going public 2 years ago. At least you guys finally admit that there was no NEW information as stated (and lied) by the board in that long over do pathetic letter they sent out. There was no new information just an enormous amout of pressure from very high powered organizations to get rid of him. there were 16 year old victims that DID come forward so there goes your stupid theory, SZ and all your other names.
I told everyone I was a willing participant but he still had no business approaching me for 10 years and lying to me about many things and talking against us to each other and to men who were interested in us, and at the same time telling us he loved us and trying to get us in bed. I never touched him and never wanted to. So he was wrong. He is a Rabbi runnnig a shul and he was wrong. He used his power to get close to us and take advanatge of us. Still, I don’t feel like a victim at all I wouldn’t give him the pleasure, and being that I had a major role in his demise, clearly I now have the power.
So dont worry about me being at your lame shul even though I have been invited continuously, and they almost begged me to show up these last weeks and tell everyone what Aron was doing, but I declined. Yes, your members hate him, the women despise him and their husbands want to kill him and they phone me daily to thank me. I wonder if your even a member…you can’t keep your posting name accurate so who knows how many people live inside of you. Your a husband, a father, a wife which one will it be today?
March 9th, 2006 at 10:40 am
Diogenes, if my 16 year old daughter was messing around with her Rabbi, I would have a stern discussion with her, but it would be after i served 10-15 years for cutting said Rabbi’s pecker and head off with a slingblade.
As for the victims, to be quite honest, here is my view:
If you went to Rav Aron for marital counseling as an adult, and there was hanky panky, you should check your hormones. If this happened once, and Rabbi admitted to it and did some form of Teshuva, I would keep him on, humans are humans and no law was broken and there was no true victim - I lose money in business all the time for stupid decisions, I am not a victim. If it happened again, he woudl have to go, but I do not know that i would offer zero tolerance because a consenting adult should know better.
If the stuff at YULA is true, there has to be zero tolerance and the Rabi has to go because I have a daughter and, if there is not zero tolerance, I will find a place to send my daughter where there is such as a private nonsectarian school and have her tutored Torah by a female or teach her myself. That is a victim, a girl underage in a powerless situation. Diogenes obviously never did anything stupid when he was a child. I smoked dope, crashed my car, did a few lines, spent an afternoon in prison (scapling tickets right in front of wrigley field - stupid), had “unorthodox” sexual experiences - i imagine if a female teacher tried to get me in the sack, i would have dove headfirst. It is called being an adolescent, you shoudl try it, it is kind of fun.
March 9th, 2006 at 11:49 am
“In fact, there has not been a single member of the shul who has posted here or anywhere else supporting you in the post-rabbi’s dismissal era.”
There are about 5 people on here from your shul. And I wish you to get blown by your uptight wife and then maybe you won’t be so angry.
The only women that blew Aron were YOUR shul members, I thankfully did not have to endure such an unpleasant act. Your postings are being forwarded to the shul and to your laywers at Disney. You will be exposed. And being that you say you are representing your shul, you are actually putting them in a liable situation everytime you post…it’s called slander.
Who knows, maybe you are Aron…I wouldn’t be surprised…lots of rage cuz I brought him down after all these years.
The first time I ever spoke to Vicki in my life was this week. And the victims sites have bene positng on this issue for a lot longer than I have been around. So once again talking out of your Grande ASS.
Your so orthodox yet your commenting on blow jobs on a blog…another jewish hypocrite…shocking!!!
Thank god for NON jewish men, what would us jewish women do without them?
March 9th, 2006 at 12:39 pm
RAZ–
“regretably”, both my children, husband and I have led much more standard tracks of orthodox life than you, but I see your point and agree…except that in halacha a rabbi would not be entitled to a second chance at all, even though you are willing to offer him one.
But the cases before us were almost exclusively of adult women looking for means to circumvene the most basic responsibilities in life, and that should also receive a zero tolerance from the shul and entire community now that the adulterous rabbi is gone…we are obliged to voice loudly our concern for the protection of traditional Jewish family values above all else
March 9th, 2006 at 12:51 pm
Diogenes, Man, Women or alien whateer you are.
You seem like most to miss the essence of Judaism…acceptance of all. Not to judge people because they aren’t as orthodox as you. I come from a family more orthodox then the Tendlers (and with more values) and my zaidie was one of the most religious men on this planet and he accepted people and their flaws. he treated goyim like he treated jews he didn’t believe that we were better than everyone.
YOU are the reason people hate jews because you think your better, not only than goyim but better than other jews but actually your a mad person filled with rage and judgement and you need psychiatric help…or perhaps just a good shtup from your spouse, if you really have one.
March 9th, 2006 at 1:41 pm
Posted on another site by a member and PRO us, so there, you miserable bitch.
“There is no L’havdil in this case- as Aron, or his brother, or any Rov involved in such shame is no better than pedophile priest in the Catholic Church. Because Rabbi and Priests are “Men of God” the breach of trust to both the victim and community is great. The victims rely on this loafty status of the Rov and Priest to seek counsel, to get enlightenment, to get pointed in the right direction. The last thing they would expect of these representatives of God, these role models, these keepers of God’s law and ehthics, is to be molested in breach of His commandments. The community is in equal disbelief that a Rov or priest can so debase themselves in the face of everything they represent and stand for. The community is then also a victim because their trust in the loafty status of a Rov or Priest blinds them to the reality pain of the victims’ experience at the hands of these “holy” people. And so, it is easier to victimize the victims then deal with the truth of what was done to them, until it is too late. Bein Adom L’Chaveiro among the community is destroyed. The outcome is sad for both the victims and the community. It is unfortunate that a Rabbi cannot be defrocked as can priest. Perhaps, it is time to institute this and remove the title of Rabbi, which means and represents so many ideals, from men like the brothers Tendler.”
March 9th, 2006 at 2:33 pm
Looks like the letter was released to Amy @ JJ by the shul, what a bunch of wusses/p******, I figured Amy was sitting on the story for a reason, I guess she is a coward and was placating to them.
March 9th, 2006 at 4:26 pm
KOL KOREH TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY:
After Purim comes Passover….
This was certainly a major V’ NA HA FO CH’OO - Turn of events…Dramatic and Traumatic. The Villain exposed and gotten rid of. Healing time is due. Uniting and working together, for a better community: in our homes, our Shulls and our kids schools.
But before Passover we are required to GET RID OF THE CH’OMETZ FROM OUR COMMUNITY.
* It’s time to do a major clean up in this city’s Jewish institutions.
* EXPOSE and DISPOSE of all the self appointed corrupt “leaders”.
* We want to be FREE. Free of cover-ups, special favors and dirty politics
.
* TIME TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES and if needed literally come out with
MOPS and BROOMS protesting and ridding ourselves of this SH’ MUTZ !
* Stating to all the Hier powers in our city!
NO MORE TOLERANCE TO COVER UPS!!!
GET OUT OF TOWN WHILE YOU CAN !
NEVER AGAIN!!!
NOT ON OUR KIDS BACKS!!!
SILENCE NO MORE!!!
YI CH OOS = A LICENSE FOR CORRUPTION?
March 9th, 2006 at 6:30 pm
FROM THE CANONIST TENDLER THREAD V:
bozoerrebbe Says:
March 9th, 2006 at 3:45 pm
Not living in Monsey and not knowing any of the people involved I have no dog in this fight, other than my simultaneous revulsion at what significant parts of orthodoxy have become and my sick fascination for a really juicy sex scandal.
Which, I think, is symptomatic of the scandal itself. A failure to exert free will. I can’t control my own urges, so I can’t really stand in judgement of the Tendlers and the women they attract and apparently predate as well because when I stand before God I’ll have plenty of my own shit to account for. Though I can’t judge them, it seems to me that halacha is halacha. We live in an age where nobody takes personal responsibility and much of this case is troubling, besides just the misbehavior. There is a current of feminist victimology that tries to shout down anyone expressing very real concerns that Tendler’s actions weren’t the only misdeeds.
Just because some feminists convinced state legislators that clergy have special powers over women and just because some psychologist says such a relationship can never be consensual doesn’t take away free will. Purim is approaching and we continue to discuss the halachic problems related to adultery arising from Esther’s relations with Ahasveirosh.
Adultery is a serious thing.
Of the hundreds of mitzvot, God says that we can break 610 but that three must be safeguarded to the point of death. Saying that these women violated a major precept of Judaism should be obvious. Those who accuse others of “blaming the victims� are embracing the values of Desperate Housewives, not Torah.
Like I said, I have no personal stake in this scandal, and please spare the boilerplate about pastoral sex is never consensual. If this was a female Conservative or Reform rabbi who was shtupping the husband of the Sisterhood president none of the folks here now defending the women would call that husband a victim.
March 9th, 2006 at 6:52 pm
Dear “Victim”,
My apologies, but I simply cannot call you a victim except in the most sarcastic expression of the term.
I am impressed with your declared yichus. Your grandfather sounds like he was truly a great tzaddik and a great man. Clearly, you honor him every Shabbos that you are mechalel shabbos getting shtupped senseless by goyish men. Some olam habo for this wonderful man. What a waste of his lifetime’s efforts.
We stand for Torah True living, not wanton assimilation with the bizarre social and legal mores of California. If anything, we spend half of our time protecting our children and sheltering them (and our marriages) from the cancer the local influences represent to Torah True living.
You are no victim, simply a woman who has devised a manner to delude herself into violating every basic precept of both halacha and decency and then claiming an exemption from all responsibility. It is infantile, it is irresponsible, it is antisocial, and it is a danger to any community and social order –certainly a halachic social order.
I agree with the argument expressed earlier that if it was a conservative/reform female rabbi and someone’s husband, as a reverse example, no one would claim he was a victim of anything after firing the rabbi. This is not feminism. This is not a victory in our struggle for equality. This is an abomination and you abuse it as a free ticket to pervert all memory of that sainted man and everything he, and we, stand for. There is no place for you in our community, or any other moral social order.
Make no mistake about it, you have not walked away and rejected us. You have come to the clear recognition that you can never sustain a level of personal dignity and morality to keep up with the moral demands of a proper community –any proper community– and have therefore given yourself a free pass to fall apart completely. What a waste of not only your life, but all your wonderful grandfather ever held dear.
And why, may I ask, have you no response except to consistently refer to me as a bitch? That is now the limit of your intellectual capacity?
Thank you for your fifteen minutes of fame, and for ridding our community of an adulterous rabbi — that was a terrible experience for us all. I urge you as a sister in halacha, as a sister in Torah True feminism, to refocus your life now and at least attempt to regain a shred of your self esteem and honor, if not your morality and Judaism.
Willful Adultery with men of power and prestige is not the way to go — and you clearly avoid any discussion of whether these other goyim shtupping you senseless are married. The answer is obvious. You have become a vengeful cancer of many an unsuspecting woman’s marriage, Esther likely being one in a long line that is only first beginning in earnest given your present rage.
Proudly expressing your getting shtupped senseless on Saturdays by goyim is not the way envisioned by your tzaddik grandfather. And comig up with no better retort to women upholding Torah True values (I count five separate mothers/wives who called you out in one form or another just today on this blog alone) than “bitch” does nothing for his neshama in olam haba either.
There is always time for teshuva, but inclusion in any community can only come after the teshuva is completed –wasn;t that your entire argument against the rabbi? In your case you refuse to even begin the painful process of cheshbon hanefesh for your actions.
March 9th, 2006 at 7:09 pm
Power, Rabbi Tendler is no powerful man actually quite weak and pathetic to take advantage of 16 year olds. Actually BITCH, I have been celibate for 2 years so let’s hear the next bullshit out of your mouth. I would love to meet you face to face sir/mam but I’m sure you are too weak. Speaking of my 15 minutes of fame, this si going to be On Bill Rilley and a civil lawsuit is in the works, so this aint going away and yes, I left your sick fake world of hypocrites and non jewish men are so much more wonderful then the geek you are married to who has left you so unhappy!!! Go raise your children stop posting your a pathetic mother or father or creature. Aron is gone and their aint anything you can do about it. And your shul from what i hear is fighting each other daily on your new rabbi, what are you goign to do when your shul is on CNN as a community who enabled a predator, send them to this site and point to me, your going to have to do a lot more than that. Keep referencing the word victim as i have stated over and over I am no victim. Can you read?
I AM POWERFUL AND I TOOK DOWN ARON TENLDER, AND IT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MY LIFE.
I have a feeling you are quite jealous of me because your rage is a little sick and misguided. Please send your chldren away so they dont’ have to be raised by the likes of you. Oy, your poor children.
Again, would love to meet face to face C**T. Name calling seems to be the way you like to go BITCH. Go hide now behind your halacha, I love how jews use the torah to sin and call people names.
March 9th, 2006 at 7:24 pm
Actually, if you can read, everyone has been telling you off for days. I get it now…your blind or just blinded by relaity. FOOL.
Anti You:
Zipi Adlerstein
Fact Checker
Ranana May
Kol Koreh
Erez Cooper
Eliyahu Hatishibi
JS
JWB
& even Raz…
It’s not looking very good for you sweetie.
March 9th, 2006 at 7:42 pm
“The couragreous survivors of both rasha Tendlers must be treated as heroes”
Accepting that their accusations against the Tendlers are true, may we assume the their orgasms were courageous, that their arousal was heroic?
Simply put, these women did stuff that Judaism considers to be bad. No amount of feminist victimology or therapeutic kultur that empowers them as survivors can change the fact that they willingly had sex with a man while they were married to another man.
It would be interesting to find out just who or what started this chain of sex fiends in the Tendler-Weinberg families.
March 9th, 2006 at 7:53 pm
JWB
hint, hint, hint
Sorry, your intended recipient has too much mail storedin his mailbox.
March 9th, 2006 at 7:56 pm
I posted this else where, and I want to post this again here.
Enough of those who attack survivors and rape victim advocates, let’s get back to the real issue, which is Aron Tendler and the Jewish Journal.
What I’m really concerned with is what we can all do to help the survivors of Aron Tendler. They are the ones who deserve all the positive attention we can provide them. They are the true heros when you stop and think of it. I want to do what I can to honor their courage for coming forward and doing what they are do to protect anyone else from being harmed in the ways they were.
I don’t think saying “Thank you� is enough.
Please let us all know what else we can do for you.
March 9th, 2006 at 8:00 pm
They are true, that’s why they are both finished…HELLOOOOO?????
I don’t know of anyone who had orgasms from this man so you’ll have to find someone else to talk to about that. He was married and cheated for years and took advantage of women who came to him for counseling and were 16 years old, but I guess repeating that to the same person over and over is kind of silly.
March 9th, 2006 at 8:03 pm
I’ll send you the name of a lawyer in the near future and you can post it on your sites to look for other victims of Arons’ over the last 20 years.
March 9th, 2006 at 8:17 pm
Dear Victim,
a. You are correct in your assumption. I believe you, support you and
totally disagree with Diogenes attacks on you. I choose to ignore his
hateful nonsense rather then give him credibility by debating him.
b. I can understand why you are angry to say the least… with the
community after all you went through. If it helps any, this the reason
for my interest in you. I am trying to be as supportive as possible.
I beg of you not allow your abuser to steal you away from us. He had
his way with you that is terrible enough. Please don’t give him your
Identity and your soul / Neshama, too. You are cutting yourself off is
Kllal Israel is no revenge on him. it is an act of desperation and
self- mutilation in your part. You are right: You are strong and you won.
Don’t throw it all away just to spite the above idiot. From the Goyim
you will find self respect and peace of mind? Surly NOT. Rather,
embrace your Grandfather the Tzadik memory and follow his ways.
Don’t let this bad experience drag you down. IT IS OVER! YOU WON!
Don’t dedicate the rest of your life to hate and self-distructivness
COME BACK HOME, YOU ARE NEEDED HERE
Love,
&
Best Wishes,
Zipi
March 9th, 2006 at 8:32 pm
(2nd copy the lines got mixed up in the former version, Sorry!)
Dear Former Victim,
a. You are correct in your assumption I believe you, support you
and totally disagree with Diogenes attack on you. I choose to
ignore his hateful nonsense rather then give him credibility by
debating him.
b. I can understand why you are angry to say the least… with the
community after all you wet through. if it helps any, this the
reason for my interest in you. I am trying to be as supportive
as possible. I beg of you not allow your abuser to steal you a
way from us. He had his way with you that is terrible enough.
Please don’t give him your Identity and your soul - Neshama,
too. You are cutting yourself off Kllal Israel is no revenge on
him. it is an act of desperation and self mutilation in your part.
You are right. You are strong and you won. Don’t throw it all
away just to spite the above idiot. From the Goyim you ill find
self respect and peace of mind? Surly NOT. Rather, embrace
your Grandfather the Tzadik’s memory and follow his ways.
Don’t let this bad experience drag you down.
IT IS OVER! YOU HAVE WON!
Don’t dedicate the rest of your life to hate and self-distructivness
COME BACK HOME, YOU ARE NEEDED HERE
Love,
&
Best Wishes,
Zipi
March 9th, 2006 at 8:32 pm
Zipi,
I appreciate your sweet words but I left this religion a long time ago and am at peace (despite this ugly situation) and you are right, talking to him/her is a waste of time and energy and I will no longer respond. I have found my own spiritual way that works for me, goyim are people too (lol) and a lot more accepting, spiritual, kind and real and that seems to work for me. Don’t worry.
Thank you again.
March 9th, 2006 at 8:44 pm
“But I also agree almost 100% with what has been said by the women in the shul, notably Ronnie Schreiber, Tendler Truths and Diogenes.”
Ummmm, while it might be fun spending time on the other side of the mechitza, should I get out to LA anytime soon, I’m not one of the “women in the shul”. I’m not a member, don’t live in California and, oh, I’m not a woman either. I just don’t spell my name with Y.
March 9th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
if you are a survivor of Rabbi Aron Boruch Tendler, please read this: ...
March 10th, 2006 at 1:18 am
apologies for misinterpreting your identity, Ronnie…..I had presumed it was a nom de plum like all others here
I think there has been enough fun and games of rabbis/men crossing to our side of the mechitza to last for many years, on both coasts, with the Tendlers..let’s leave it at that
nevertheless, your sentiments expressed were excellent and valid and I thank you for contributing them to the discussions of both communities –ours where we must now address going forward and yours where matters seem unfortunately stuck in the mud…..if anything, it is gratifying to see that both coasts share similar qualms and grave misgivings about treating the women engaged in willful adultery in any positive light once the adulterous rabbi is successfully removed
March 11th, 2006 at 12:14 pm
I’m wondering, since some of the comment threads here have a decided misandrist tone, if there have been any accusations of sexual misconduct against female Jewish educators, particularly at all-girls’ schools. We know from many recent cases over the past decade involving female junior and senior high school teachers having sex with their students that women are not immune to acting on their illicit desires. We also know that predators gravitate to single sex institutions, for example, the Girl Scouts were founded by two lesbians looking for access to adolescent girls. So why aren’t we hearing about scandals at Bais Yakovs?
Why? The Sisterhood is powerful. You think that schools that openly discourage fathers from attending conferences or have to be asked to send fathers report cards are going to let something like that out?
I’m sure every single orthodox woman here that knows of an orthodox girl or woman enticed into sex with a rabbi also knows about lesbian activity in their high school. We men, however, will never hear about it, and any scandal will be really swept under the rug.
The idea that some rabbis get blow jobs from troubled women and some yeshiva rebbes are pedophiles is hardly news. When my son went away to yeshiva (now that’s a great idea - sending adolescent boys away to be socialized by other adolescent boys) I had a serious talk with him about sexual predators, student and faculty. Among the boys in his crowd it was common knowledge that a certain midwestern yeshiva had a historical problem with pedo pedagogs.
I just wonder why we never hear about sex scandals involving girls’ schools.
March 11th, 2006 at 8:25 pm
Ronnie Schreiber, bozoerrebbe and Diogenes
Better known as:
sick, SICKER & S. I. C. K. E. S.T !
You are drooling all over the Internet, Wipe off your mouth, Please…It’s disgusting. All that talk about women’s sexuality, really warped.
March 12th, 2006 at 9:03 pm
If the allegations are true I urge the victims to stop waisting their time on this blog and go to the police, sue personally or go to every rabbinic court they can find.
If however the allegations are not true, it is my hope that they suffer the fate that they accuse the rabbi of doing so they will know how it truly feels to be a victim.
March 12th, 2006 at 10:30 pm
Do any of you people know who Luke Ford is???
The man cavorts with pornographers.
I’m not saying that the allegations made against Rabbi Tendler are not true, but there is something wrong when credence is given to an alledged orthodox jew, who has admitted to having a problem with sex addiction.
March 13th, 2006 at 12:24 am
2 more stories about the our community at Luke Fords blog: (The Jewish
Journal missed them too)
1)
About Yoav Boteach and a Palimony suit the largest ever in the history of California. Is he related to that Kosher Sex author Rabbi Shmuli Boteach?
2)
Rabbi Hagai Bazri married a second wife with a rabbinical Permit. he is also a son of a big Dayan in the Rabbinical Court in israel.
March 13th, 2006 at 1:38 am
1) Aron’s survivors have gone to the rabbinical authorities and community leaders and are believed.
2) Aron is not believed.
3) Aron is no longer on the RCC or in SZ.
4) Aron is supported by no respected rabbinical organization in the US.
5) Luke Ford is the man who showed more compassion to the victims of child molester Aron Tendler and more moral outrage than all of LA’s Orthodox leadership combined.
6) Despite the nonsense spouted in this thread, if a young woman follows the psak of her Rebbe or Rosh Yeshiva on a matter and it turns out the psak is wrong, she is not punished and has not sinned. Only the Rebbe or Rosh Yeshiva who misled her has. Aron is the monster who will burn for all time. Aron’s survivors are heroines for exposing the hypocrite and preventing others from being led astray and suffering the same abuses.
March 16th, 2006 at 7:32 pm
what happened to this place is it shut down??? why???
March 17th, 2006 at 10:46 am
it was shut down by jewish whistleblower due to his anger at ramaz.
March 17th, 2006 at 2:43 pm
???
I repeat:
What happened to this place is it shut down??? why???
March 18th, 2006 at 2:53 pm
As Reported by Luke Ford himself:
Rav Aron Tendler Moves His Considerable Assets So They Can’t Be Attached
Facing a lawsuit for misbehavior, Aron has moved the ownership of his Valley Village home and his other assets into safe places.
How’s Aron doing? He’s fine. Almost nobody at his shul Shaarey Tzedek is shunning him. He’s widely loved. He has a devoted following.
Just the facts, ma’am….the reality is that no one but 2 ranting lunatic women on this blogsite have anything bad to say about this man, and their accusations went from serious to absurd the more they posted
Both SZ and Rav Aron move on, still very much together apparently, and quite nicely…even admitted by Luke Ford himself
the very paranoia that suggests this site was closed down is indicative of the mindset of these women…..no one is here anymore because the everyone has made their personal assessment of both sides, and you were found lacking by all….so much for your prior claims of support from “all the shul”…..nearly all the shul, in reality, was at Rav Aron’s shiur this week
Just the facts, ma’am
Sgt. Joe Friday
March 18th, 2006 at 3:05 pm
Luke Ford continues his reporting on Aron Tendler and SZ:
“I’m a lousy reporter. I’m as thick as a brick. I detected nothing during my time at Shaarey Zedek. I detected no dissension, no anxiety and no gossip. Instead, the shul reminded me of Young Israel of Century City. The pews were constructed the same. The manners were the same. The people were the same (filled with self-contained concerns).
It was just the type of shul I’d like to join if I lived in the neighborhood. It was bursting with kids. (The average age of adults was about 40.) It should live and be well.
Whatever his flaws, Rav Aron Tendler has helped mold something beautiful.
The relationship between a pulpit rabbi and his congregation is different in each shul. People who are Orthodox from birth (FFB - Frum From Birth) tend to treat their rabbis more cavalierly. They’re already learned in Judaism. They don’t need a rabbi as badly as someone new to the religion, so they can go their own way and pick and choose between rabbis and act as their own rabbi.
Newcomers to Judaism burn with fervor even if they can’t recite kiddish (blessing over wine). They’re strict. They put the rabbi on a pedastal. They may frequently consult with him and ask his advice. They view the rabbi as Hasidim view their rabbi — as their direction connection to God.
FFBs look at a rabbi who has behaved improperly and they are able to say, ‘Cut him loose. We’ll get another one.’ BTs (baalei teshuvot) may have a closer connection to their rabbi and are more defensive of him because they’ve invested so much in him.
Shaarey Zedek is largely BT and such firebrands rise to positions of leadership (even if they are not skilled in elementary Jewish rituals).
There’s a lack of appropriate screening for sexual predators in the Orthodox rabbinate. It’s just been assumed that anyone who wants to become an Orthodox rabbi is not a sexual predator, but it turns out (in my view) that as many Orthodox rabbis are sexual predators as secular plumbers.
If a kid is caught eating traif (non-kosher food) or breaking the Sabbath or he can’t learn a page of Talmud, he’ll be screened out from becoming an Orthodox rabbi. But with this sexual problem, there’s no programmatic screening out.
Aron Tendler probably felt a lot of pressure to become a rabbi. Either that or a lawyer and Aron is not the smartest guy and he would not have made a great lawyer. He was raised to be a rabbi. That’s all he knows.
The Valley Village shul is to the religious right of the Modern Orthodox shuls in Pico/Robertson where girls having a bat mitzva are allowed to address the congregation. SZ seems to be moving more to the right each year.
Shaarey Zedek was a friendly place ten years ago. Aron was in his prime. He would shake hands with everyone. The knock on Rabbi Sugarman was that he did not have people skills. He’d walk by people and not say hi because he was in his own world. Rav Aron would always go out and say hi until the last few years when he became inaccessible.”
Even Luke Ford, who was the prior champion of innuendo regarding Rav Aron, has done a complete about face after soul searching. He is to be praised for publicly admitting his earlier rash assessment of the situation. Not that this will return Rav Aron to his pulpit, of course….once the cancer of loshon hora spreads, there is no cure
Just the facts, Ma’am
Sgt. Joe Friday
May 23rd, 2006 at 10:39 pm
After following this blog for a couple of months (has it really been that long, i might be wrong) I have come to conclude:
The “victim” (and I do agree with the many others who say she is responsible for her actions, however not like a regular adult would be) is not very good at expressing herself and I find it hard to understand what she has a problem with. She says shes not religious, so why does she care so much? If its all about the civil lawsuit, then I do understand, but she likes “shtupping the goyim,” so what was so bad about the rabbi?
Aron Tendler definitely abused his power and regardless of whether the allegations are true, should be stripped of his position and title. A representative of torah should never have allegations as such against him. Regardless of whether they are false. I don’t remember ever hearing such allegations about any of the other Torah greats. Allegations are a clear indication of some form of misconduct, even if it was only something as simple as flirting.
Assuming that the allegations against him were true … nobody really knows what they are…. oral sex with 16 year olds? - I dont call that adultry, especially if u consider that jewish men can have more than one wife. There are issues of nida, yichud, spilling seed, and negia, but we all have desires that are hard to overcome and I wouldn’t go nuts over his failings. The fact that he was a leader means that there are serious trust issues…. but at the end of the day I’d say he shouldn’t be a rabbi, but hes not a “predator.” If it was actual intercourse w/ married women, well thats defenitely an adulterer!
The big problem I have with all this is the negation of anything positive this man has done - and he has done a lot. Just because he did x and y doesnt mean that when he said it is completely and totally wrong to talk during davening, that he was wrong. I understand that it can be nearly impossible to have him give you mussar at this point, but dont throw away the previous mussar lessons (you should have) gotten from him.
Additionaly, I dont understand why the shul is blamed so much by the victim and some others. How is it that we the congregation are responsible for the few people who made the (and might I say very reasonable) decision to ignore one or two non-religious ?girls? possibly slandering a well respected scholarly rabbi? Maybe they should have investigated more, however, that doesn’t make us “enablers.” If you really want to blame someone, you can blame yula for not taking care of this problem many years ago (assuming of course that that is true). At this point, the facts are all unsure, and there could have been much more damage since then.
The credibility of a women/girl full of hate against judiasm and our community is quite uncertain. I personally would believe aron tendler before I would believe her. Of course I don’t have any facts nor any information, but based on what I’ve read, the “victim” is not so credible. I am quite certain she will respond with a barrage of immature responses to me doubting her credibility, but frankly what I’ve heard from aron tendler (that is torah) was verified countless times. What I have read at this blog has not been verified by anyone. Considering the “wonderful” legal system in america, any legal decisions will not really make much of a difference to the credibility of either party.
I forgot to mention that I am a member of the valley community and have been for the past 10 years. I have been in Israel the past 5 months, so I have been monitoring the situation over the internet during this time, and I’m sure I will have a completely different perspective once I arrive in LA.
What I can say is this: I am sure the victims are frustated and angry at the lack of response to her problem when she presented it a couple of years ago. However, that doesn’t mean you can blame anyone left and right. We the community are defenitely less responsible for your issue than you yourself are. You have free will and regardless of the position you were in, you were better suited to help the situation than we the unknowing community were. Did you tell your parents about this? Did you really put in the effort neccesary to take care of this? What changed now that made you suddenly speak up? I am sure that the YULA admistration is somewhat responsible for not taking care of it then, but nevertheless, we the community are not to blame for the actiions of others. We shouldnt have to pay with our shul and our community because you were willing to have some type of relationship w/ the rabbi. You can be sure that if you do try to “make us pay” for being “enablers,” I dont doubt that the community will lash out against you as the corrupted non-bat yisrael you really are. Maybe nobody is helping you now, but be sure that we will all fight you hard then.
July 3rd, 2006 at 10:34 am
Back in the mid 80’s my family and I lived in North Hollywood, where I taught at Emek, and gave an evening Gemarah Shiur at Aish HaTorah. I knew Aron Tendler pretty well back then- he seemed to play the part of a legitimate Ben Torah (even though he wore shorts in the summer), and for the better part, was a decent fellow. Yet, one could not help but notice that doors of opportunity would simply not open fast enough for him. Such is the nature of a nepotistic leverage based on a very popular last name.
For those of you who sense a degree of Kinah (envy) in my words for having to have ‘played’ on such an uneven playing field- I can only admit to the truth. I had the dubious honor of being one of what was then called the Arba Harugei Emek (four martyrs of Emek). After signing a teaching contract with Emek, four of us Rebbeim- with our families- moved to North Hollywood, only to be shortly notified that due to factors beyond anyone’s control, those teaching positions did not exist anymore. Perhaps, someone indigenous to the Valley- and old enough- will recall that debacle. It was only by the grace of HaShem Yisborach, that I did in fact, wind up with at least a part time teaching position in Emek and elsewhere. The other three Rebbeim- not as fortunate as me- had to secure work out of California, and at their own expense, move once more. Life in the Rabbanus and Chinuch can indeed be very tough for those who lack nepotistic clout.
Most regrettably, we live in a rather superficial Dor (generation), where things like talent, ability, and sincerity are played down in favor of family connections. The result of such superficiality is that we inadvertantly place into positions of trust, pedophiles and sexual abusers from one coast to the other. For the better part, those doing the hiring, haven’t the ability to look beyond nepotistic leverage. And, to make matters even worse, the survivors of such predators are maligned and deningrated by communal leaders, in an attempt to cover up what should have never taken place in the first place.
The third Perek (chapter) of Megillas Esther- where the King appoints the evil Haman to a position of power- begins with the words ‘Achar HaDevarim Ha’Aileh’ (And it was after these events). The Gemarah in Megillah (13b) inquires after which events? And responds, “Rava stated, ‘After the Holy One Blessed Be He created the cure to the illness.’” That is, after He placed Esther into position (Queen of the Persian Empire) to thwart the malevolent plans of Haman. Perhaps, this same principle can be applied to those communal leaders in our times who cannot look beyond a last name. Perhaps, we now live in the times of a World Wide Web Bais Din, where the pedophiles and sexual abusers in whom so many place their trust, can no longer operate unseen by the masses. And perhaps, we might even learn the advantage of appointing Rabbanim and Rebbeim, who can truly be trusted.
Please pardon my ramblings.