My office telephone has become like a molestation hotline.
There’s the woman molested at a bar mitzvah at age 14 by the rabbi who officiated at the bar mitzvah. He wanted to show her his Judaica in his office.
That woman is now married to a Christian and has disconnected from Judaism.
Thank you rabbi.
There’s the young man who is so disgustingly bitter at his Jewish “leaders” because they wouldn’t protect him from his molester only 10 years ago. He complains that he can still taste the rabbi’s breath in his mouth.
Thank you rabbis.
There’s the area teacher, who himself was molested and offers the names of nine of his friends who were also molested by their Hebrew school teacher.
What I get now are calls like these. No, not every day, but almost every day.
What I get are criticisms also. Comments such as the molester you wrote about hasn’t touched anyone in 15 years, why write anything?
My answer is “how do you know?”
My second answer is that besides moral justice this is also about legal justice. If we knew of a person who used a gun to shoot people fifteen years ago, but then put the gun down forever and even went to therapy for his actions, should not this person still be brought to justice for the pain he caused?
I think so.
Getting back to the woman who was molested at age 14. She is pretty certain she wasn’t the only one molested by this particular pulpit rabbi.
I think she’s probably correct.
We’ll find out.

Phil,
I’m sure it must feel great to have so many people calling you looking for help.  I bet it’s really empowering for you.  I am just hoping you are referring those who call to REAL rape crisis hot-lines or centers. 

Call MCASA.org find the closest one in your community (in Maryland)

800-983-RAPE or 410-973-4507

Phil-

Unfortunately, I have not really heard of any concrete developments or changes since the now-famous letter that went out to the community.  When pressing those considered to be insiders as to what is being done, one invariably hears something like “It’s a complex issue that we are taking very seriously.  But, I can assure you, something is being done about it”.  Now, I am not looking for a daily e-mail update on what is being done.  But, what about a follow-up letter (self initiated and not merely running scared in anticipation of a JT article) as to what taskforces have been created and who are the players.

I think that this speaks to the heart of many of the issues that we face in the community.  There is an incredible lack of openness in the way that community institutions are run, be it in the decision-making process or the financial aspects of the “books”.  It is no doubt that this behind-the-scenes approach to leadership and management has given rise to cynicism.  Without openness, there is no accountability.  And in these situations, there is the pain and frustration of the victims that it’s business as usual and nothing has changed.

It’s unfortunate that your paper has now become the “address” for people to inform.  But, those victimized have obviously not found anyone else who will listen.  If the Establishment continues to take the position of “how can we make the victim and his/her complaint go away?” instead of understanding the issue, investigating, validating etc., I would guess that the calls will continue to come in to the Hotline.