Outcry

Another episode from Limmud 2025! This episode is a recording of a session presented by Asher Lovy at Limmud this past year. In this episode you'll learn the (possibly) real story of why the OU finally declared quinoa kosher for Pesach. The story starts with angry caterers desperate to provide kosher l'pesach sushi to the masses, lingers for a while on the horrific attempts by the late Torah Vodaas Rosh Yeshiva, Yisroel Belsky, to bully the victim of Yossi Kolko into dropping his case, and ends with a mysterious mission to investigate quinoa production in the Andes, and free Jacob Ostreicher from prison. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnyWhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J9HgXsOlZPhHhqsj6s7HBaWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VayGPAG59PwPAc6jzL2B

Three victims advocates walk into a conference, stop us if you've heard this one before! In this episode, Asher Lovy is joined by Shana Aaronson, director of Magen, and Yehudis Fletcher, founder and director of Nahamu, to just kibbitz about what life as an advocate is like. We ricochet back and forth from the hilarious to the horrific, and Shana gets serious about what the essence of our work is about. This episode is a little peek behind the curtain into what goes into this kind of work. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnyWhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J9HgXsOlZPhHhqsj6s7HBaWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VayGPAG59PwPAc6jzL2B

When we covered the case against Nechemya Weberman before on Outcry we didn't expect to be covering it again so soon, but a recently filed motion in Kings County Supreme Court, supported by District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, seeks to free him from his 50-year sentence. Weberman was convicted at trial for the repeated rape and sexual assault of a 12 year old girl over the course of three years who was sent to him for unlicensed counseling by the Satmar Vaad Hatznius. After she came forward to police, the Satmar community pulled out every stop to support Weberman and punish his victim for daring to report him to the authorities. After a harrowing trial, during which several people were arrested for witness intimidation for trying to threaten her, Weberman was convicted and sentenced to 103 years, a sentenced that was later reduced to 50 years. Since that time the community has resolutely stood behind him, fundraising for him, disparaging his victim, and pulling every political lever they could to let this dangerous pedophile out of prison. Those efforts culminated in the motion filed in Kings County court, which is what we're covering in this episode. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnyWhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J9HgXsOlZPhHhqsj6s7HBaWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VayGPAG59PwPAc6jzL2BSHOW NOTES:https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/13/brooklyn-eric-gonzalez-nechemya-weberman/ https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/nyregion/judge-nechemya-weberman-resentence.html https://www.thecity.nyc/2022/05/09/brooklyn-da-cumo-sentence-commute-request/ https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/brooklyn-rabbi-accused-of-molesting-girl-since-she-was-12/ https://forward.com/news/168172/inside-hasidic-modesty-patrols/ https://gothamist.com/news/fundraiser-for-alleged-child-molester-in-south-williamsburg-draws-protest-arrests https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/22/nyregion/4-ultra-orthodox-men-charged-with-trying-to-silence-accuser-in-abuse-case.html https://www.jta.org/2022/12/15/ny/satmar-grand-rebbe-visits-convicted-sexual-abuser-nechemya-weberman-in-prison 

We're taking a break from our coverage of the Judah Karkowsky trial to cover the case against Yeshiva of Flatbush and Lonny Benamy, a longtime teacher. Lonny was accused in a CVA lawsuit of grooming and sexually abusing a student at Yeshiva of Flatbush. The complaint details a system of grooming that Benamy engaged in to create a group of students who received special favor from him and use that to his advantage. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnyWhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J9HgXsOlZPhHhqsj6s7HBaWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VayGPAG59PwPAc6jzL2BSHOW NOTES:https://www.amazon.com/When-Rabbis-Abuse-Dynamics-Culture/dp/1957712015

In our continuing coverage of the Judah Karkowsky trial we wrap up with the various pretrial motions made by the defense before jury selection. In particular in this episode we get into arguments made by Karkowsky's lawyer about the validity of the case itself, and about whether or not Karkowsky's texts with Aryeh Schulman should be excluded from evidence because Karkowsky believed that he enjoyed attorney client privilege with Schulman. If you haven't listened to parts one and two of this series, please listen to those first. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnyWhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J9HgXsOlZPhHhqsj6s7HBaWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VayGPAG59PwPAc6jzL2B

In this episode we do a deep dive on one of the dumbest, most mind-bending, time-consuming arguments made by Karkowsky's lawyer during pretrial motions: The question of whether or not to allow Karkowsky to introduce a full copy of his forged transcript as evidence. But it was forged, you may ask? Shouldn't that preclude it from being held forth as an authentic piece of evidence? Nevertheless his lawyer persisted. If you haven't listened to parts one and two of this series, please listen to those first. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnyWhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J9HgXsOlZPhHhqsj6s7HBaWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VayGPAG59PwPAc6jzL2B

We are joined this episode by Yehudis Fletcher to discuss her new memoir: Chutzpah: A Memoir of Faith, Sexuality and Daring to Stay. Yehudis is the founder of Nahamu, a UK based research organization focused on the issues of forced and arranged marriage, and sexual and domestic violence. Yehudis leads Nahamu’s analysis of the harms arising from extremism in the Jewish community and shapes our advocacy and policy response.Yehudis has a background in project management and development. She is a independant sexual violence adviser, and has been battling violence against women and girls for the past decade. Confronted with either losing the faith she loved or losing herself, Yehudis made the most daring decision of all: she decided to stay. Wry and exhilarating, Chutzpah is a fearless exploration of what is possible when one person simply refuses to choose between abandoning their roots and abandoning themselves.To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnyWhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J9HgXsOlZPhHhqsj6s7HBaWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VayGPAG59PwPAc6jzL2BSHOW NOTES:https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/notorious-paedophile-allowed-live-just-31753524https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/convicted-paedophile-todros-grynhaus-owns-31834441https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Chutzpah-by-Yehudis-Fletcher/9780857529954?srsltid=AfmBOopqSA-i_MSOxIYApEPEs40Sfo_Gn5mTznDvCaVa1-iKXYAfVUFKhttps://www.audible.com/pd/Chutzpah-Audiobook/B0DY8QNXBMhttps://www.instagram.com/yehudisfletcherhttps://nahamu.org/

In our continuing coverage of the trial of Judah Karkowsky we do a deep dive on how exactly Karkowsky was caught using a forged transcript of the hearing dismissing his sexual abuse charges to try and con his way back into the Young Israel of Woodmere, and defraud the Woodmere Fire District, and County of Nassau. We also get into some of the pretrial motions that eventually became the basis for Karkowsky's appeal of his guilty verdict. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnyWhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J9HgXsOlZPhHhqsj6s7HBaWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VayGPAG59PwPAc6jzL2B

Judah Karkowsky is perhaps the dumbest criminal we've ever covered on this podcast. After getting off on a technicality for the alleged sexual assault of a child while responding to an EMS call at the Young Israel of Woodmere, Judah Karkowsky decided to test his luck even further. Karkowsky used a forged copy of the transcript of the hearing where his charges were dismissed to try and scam his way back into the Young Israel of Woodmere, and also tried using the same transcript to try and scam the Woodmere Fire Department out of $15,000,000 for firing him and reporting the alleged abuse. The plan backfired spectacularly and Karkowsky was convicted by a jury for this use of a forged instrument. In this series we're going to break down the particulars of the forgery case, do a deep dive on the trial, and discuss the people who supported his efforts. In this episode we cover what led to the charges in this case: Karkowsky's relationship with Ari Shulman, his attempt to leverage that relationship to get Shulman to unwittingly assist in his fraud against the Young Israel of Woodmere, and the ridiculous and obvious forgery that kicked this whole case off. This episode is dedicated l'iluy nishmas Rabbi Eliyahu Fink who tragically passed in a car accident in March, Ariella's aunt, Beth Goldberg, and Miriam Isserow, whose unwavering support of ZA'AKAH and invaluable leadership made ZA'AKAH what it is today. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnyWhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J9HgXsOlZPhHhqsj6s7HBaWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VayGPAG59PwPAc6jzL2BShow Notes: Karkowsky Exhibits: https://imgur.com/a/oqwkgm4

In March of 2011, Rabbi Gavriel Bidany was arrested for groping an IDF soldier on a plane to the United States. While sitting next to her he reached his hand under her blanket to touch her without her consent. In this episode we discuss what he did, the details of his case, his trial and conviction, and the many people who came to his defense and wrote sentencing recommendations on his behalf. Many of those letters mentioned his particular interest in the young girls and women in the author's families, and the surprising twist of what one of his defenders was later arrested for will surprise you! To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnyWhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J9HgXsOlZPhHhqsj6s7HBaWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VayGPAG59PwPAc6jzL2B

In our last episode we discussed Rabbi Aron Baruch Tendler and his alleged abuse of students at YULA High School. We began discussing his brother Mordechai as well. In this episode we dive into the details of Rabbi Mordechai Tendler's alleged abuses against women and his firing as rabbi of Kehillat New Hempstead. This episode discusses the specific dynamics of when Rabbis abuse their congregants, how it happens, why it's so damaging, and why it's hard to get justice for this kind of abuse. Strongly recommended reading as a companion to this episode, once again, is When Rabbis Abuse by Dr. Elana Sztockman. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnyWhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J9HgXsOlZPhHhqsj6s7HBaWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VayGPAG59PwPAc6jzL2B

In this episode we discuss two brothers, Rabbi Aron Baruch Tendler, and Rabbi Mordechai Tendler, both rabbis in an illustrious family who were accused of using their positions to abuse people. In the case of Rabbi Aron Baruch Tendler, he was accused of abusing girls at YULA High School in Los Angeles. Mordechai was accused of coercing women in his congregation into sex under the pretext of rabbinic counseling. This episode covers the story of Aron Baruch and begins the story of Mordechai. In the next episode we will cover the extensive process undertaken by the RCA to investigate the allegations into Mordechai, and the lengths to which he went to fight back against his accusers. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES:https://web.archive.org/web/20040105153320/http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/newscontent.php3?artid=8856https://forward.com/culture/5201/rabbinical-council-is-probing-claims-of-sexual-har/https://jewishjournal.com/community/12777/

In our last episode we discussed Zev Steen's arrest for the possession and distribution of CSAM as well as the rape and recording of a girl from age 2 to 8. We discussed the letter written by Rabbi Shraga Neuberger on behalf of Steen for his appeal to be granted bond after his second arrest, as well as the roles played by Neuberger, unlicensed therapist Yehuda Bergman, and CHANA clinical coordinator, Laura Greer, in covering up for Steen and then allowing him to become a teacher in Bnos Yisroel. We also discussed the statements made by Rabbi Mordechai Shuchatowitz and Rabbi Neuberger in a video submitted to the judge ahead of Steen's sentencing. In this episode we discuss the letters written by rabbis and teachers in the Baltimore community on behalf of Steen, the fallout of those letters, and what the authors of those letters have to say in their own defense. The bottom line is this: Baltimore is not safe for children. 

Zev Steen was arrested in late 2022 for possession and distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM). Authorities quickly realized that he had produced some of it during the course of sexually abusing a 2 year old girl for the next 6 years of her life. The charges were upgraded and the case was moved to federal court. That's when the insanity really started. In this episode we discuss how a high-up in Ner Israel, the Baltimore Av Beis Din, rabbonim, teachers, and therapists, both licensed and unlicensed, help protect Zev Steen from facing justice even after he admitted to having raped a child repeatedly. We discuss the extent of the scandal, how Steen managed to get and keep his job at B'nos Yisroel girls school even though Baltimore's leadership knew he was a pedophile. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES:https://hareiani.com/2024/09/25/baltimore-rabbinical-leadership-chana-clinical-coordinator-covered-for-steen-for-10-years-prosecutor/https://hareiani.com/2024/10/01/zev-steen-sentenced-to-23-years-in-fort-dix-registry-lifetime-supervised-release-following-prison/https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/oppose-pretrial-release-of-mr-william-zev-steen

Akiva Roth, son of Conservative bigwig Joel Roth, was accused in 1996 of sexually abusing a number of boys at one of their homes during a Bar Mitzvah lesson. He later pleaded to a lesser charge and managed to avoid jail time or sex offender registry. According to a report by the Forward, Rabbi Chaim Rogoff, a friend of Akiva's father and rabbi of the East Brunswick Jewish Center where Roth worked, made sure that the community knew as little as possible about Roth's arrest and conviction. The article describes Rogoff threatening a child, who himself alleges that Roth was sexually inappropriate with him, into silence about Roth. No doubt Rogoff expended much effort ensuring the rest of the community followed suit. Following his departure from EBJC and Solomon Schechter after his conviction, Roth taught at JTS for a number of years, worked at Hillel, and a few other places before securing a job at Yeshiva University. After the Forward published an article about his arrest and conviction, however, he was fired. This led to an uproar in the community which played out in the pages of the Jewish Standard. Roth was initially banned from a number of shuls in Englewood where he was living, but after a letter by the community in the Standard, and a program instituted by Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, Roth was allowed back. Goldin himself wrote a letter in the Standard, as did Akiva Roth himself, decrying the way the community was treating him. Roth, EBJC, and Rogoff are now defendants in a lawsuit filed by another alleged victim who filed suit in 2021 under the NJ Child Victims Act. What's notable about this case are the lengths to which non-Charedi rabbis went in public to protect Roth and guilt and shame anyone who tried holding him accountable or protect children in the community from him. Just goes to show, no community is immune from this. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES:https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/12/nyregion/teacher-leaves-yeshiva-amid-abuse-scandal.htmlhttps://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/character-assassination/https://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/repentance-and-reintegration-a-communitys-response/https://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/reintegration-and-repentance-a-personal-perspective/

in 2021, Judah Karkowsky was accused of sexually abusing a child at the Young Israel of Woodmere, and despite the case being dismissed for procedural reasons, Karkowsky was nonetheless suspended from the shul. Following the dismissal of that case, Karkowsky, in an effort to regain his position in shul, forged a transcript of the dismissal hearing to make it look like the judge had dismissed the case on merit grounds. He then used that transcript to try and trick the shul into allowing him back in, in addition to filing a notice of claim against his employer, the Woodmere Fire Department, to demand $15M from them for having fired him when he was initially accused. His obvious fraud was caught and following his conviction at a jury trial, he was sentenced to a year in jail. RCA Executive Vice President, and Kesher Families founder, Rabbi Menachem Penner, and his wife Adeena Penner, wrote letters of support for Karkowsky praising his character and good deeds and pleading for leniency from the judge. They also made themselves available as character witnesses on his behalf, and showed up in support of the Karkowsky family at his sentencing. In this episode we discuss this scandal, how the Penners responded, and why it's such a problem when rabbis - especially influential public figures like the Penners - engage in such public support of alleged abusers. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES:https://www.firelawblog.com/2024/06/23/ny-emt-and-commissioner-sentenced/ 

As pride month comes to a close, we tackle the issue of conversion therapy, sometimes referred to as reparative therapy. Conversion therapy is a phony, bigoted process by which a "therapist" (many of whom are not actually licensed mental health professionals) attempts to "convert" their client from some kind of LGBTQ+ identity to cis/straight. There is absolutely no research that shows that such therapy is effective, let alone possible.Aside from just being quackery, conversion therapy is often deeply abusive, involving practices that amount to sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, especially when minors are subjected to it. Despite how harmful conversion therapy is, many rabbonim and therapists continue to refer LGBTQ+ community members to these harmful charlatans.Joining us to discuss the particulars of these abuses and his own experiences with conversion therapy is Shlomo Rozenek. Shlomo is the director of development and communications for NECHAMA, a Jewish natural disaster relief organization. Shlomo grew up Yeshivish in Far Rockaway, Queens, and now lives on the Upper West Side with his husband, Mattan, and dog, Jax. His favorite thing in the world is Shabbos, and he recommends it to everyone!To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES:https://twitter.com/shlozehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferguson_v._JONAHhttps://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/21/nyregion/conversion-therapy-ban.htmlhttps://forward.com/news/421966/gay-conversion-therapist-yeshiva-university-high-school/https://www.aacap.org/aacap/policy_statements/2018/Conversion_Therapy.aspx

In our last episode covering the Gender Motivated Violence Act case against Belz and Avigdor Kupferstein, we left off with the allegations about Victor having sexually abused his and Dr. Henny Kupferstein's children. In this episode we finish discussing the complaint against him, including his call to ACS against Dr. Kupferstein for the "crime" of going to a postpartum convalescent home, Belz's role in forcing her back into her marriage with Avigdor despite knowing that he was allegedly raping her, and her disturbing experience with the Brooklyn DA's office and Henna and Asher White in particular. We are once again joined by Yehudis Fletcher, founder of Nahamu, a UK based research organization focused on the issues of forced and arranged marriage, and sexual and domestic violence. Yehudis leads Nahamu’s analysis of the harms arising from extremism in the Jewish community and shapes our advocacy and policy response. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES:While it is our general practice not to identify plaintiffs when discussing lawsuits, Dr Kupferstein expressly requested that her name be used in this episode. https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=bL0ME7UsL7tGCFyGWVCMhg==https://nahamu.org/what-is-nahamu/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/mar/29/brooklyn-da-orthodox-jews-cover-uphttps://forward.com/news/470033/for-orthodox-brooklyns-private-police-a-code-of-silence-hides-domestic/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/11/nyregion/for-ultra-orthodox-in-child-sex-abuse-cases-prosecutor-has-different-rules.html

In November of 2023, Dr Henny Kupferstein filed a lawsuit against her ex-husband, Avigdor Kupferstein, and Kehillas Belz in Boro Park, for rape, physical, and sexual assault she allegedly experienced in her marriage at the hands of her husband, condoned and encouraged, she alleges, by Dayan Cheskel Akiva Gross. What's unique about this lawsuit is how it describes, in great detail, not only the abuse allegedly experienced by Dr Kupferstein, but also the particulars of the chassidish shidduch system and how it directly contributed to the circumstances of this lawsuit. We are joined this episode by Yehudis Fletcher, founder of Nahamu, a UK based research organization focused on the issues of forced and arranged marriage, and sexual and domestic violence. Yehudis leads Nahamu’s analysis of the harms arising from extremism in the Jewish community and shapes our advocacy and policy response.Yehudis has a background in project management and development. She is a independant sexual violence adviser, and has been battling violence against women and girls for the past decade. Yehudis began writing as a child and is now a regular contributor to community papers. In 2018, her poem ‘Kinah: from a survivor of child sexual abuse’ won the Simon Rockower award. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES:While it is our general practice not to identify plaintiffs when discussing lawsuits, Dr Kupferstein expressly requested that her name be used in this episode. https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/in-bad-faith-inside-a-secret-ultra-orthodox-sect-and-the-betrayal-it-tried-to-hide/51960107/#edition=70705824&idiq=62996986https://nahamu.org/what-is-nahamu/https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=bL0ME7UsL7tGCFyGWVCMhg==

Malka Leifer is perhaps the most notorious child sexual abusers in the Jewish world. After abusing three sisters, Nicole Meyer, Elly Sapper, and Dassi Erlich, Malka Leifer fled Australia to Israel to escape justice. While Israel has an extradition treaty with Australia, they also have an accepted policy of protecting Jews from prosecution in other countries. While living as a free woman in Emmanuel, Leifer evaded extradition for nearly a decade by pretending to be mentally incompetent to stand trial. Aided by government officials in the Knesset, including health minister Yaakov Litzman, she was allowed to remain free while her victims spent years, and 74 court hearings trying desperately to have her extradited to face justice. While Leifer was ultimately extradited and convicted in Australia and sentenced to 15 years in prison, Nicole Meyer was ultimately robbed of the justice she deserved. The jury in the case found that Leifer was guilty on the charges related to the sexual abuse of her sisters, but not guilty on the charges of Nicole's sexual abuse. In this episode Ariella sits down with Nicole to discuss the case, her feelings about the verdict, her life as a survivor before and after the case, and what she's been up to following the verdict. They also discuss what parenting is like as a survivor. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES:https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/a-haven-for-paedophiles-the-ultra-orthodox-settlement-where-malka-leifer-hides-20180612-p4zkx4.htmlhttps://www.timesofisrael.com/malka-leifers-accuser-takes-solace-in-collective-win-after-partial-guilty-verdict/https://www.timesofisrael.com/litzman-gets-minor-fine-no-jail-for-shielding-alleged-pedophile-leifer-from-justice/https://www.timesofisrael.com/malka-leifer-sentenced-to-15-years-for-sexual-abuse-of-two-students/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/31/malka-leifer-how-a-long-running-child-sexual-abuse-case-tested-australias-relationship-with-israelhttps://www.amazon.com/Bad-Faith-Inside-ultra-Orthodox-betrayal-ebook/dp/B0CH33KW8Fhttps://www.instagram.com/breakingthesilencenowhttps://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleymeyer

In this episode Ariella and Sara Rosenberg (of Jewish Survivors United) discuss the history of the infamous Jewish sex-trafficking organization, Zwi Migdal, which operated globally from the mid 1800s to the mid 1900s, trafficking women and girls from eastern European Shtetls to brothels they maintained around the world. Women and girls abducted by these traffickers would be sent around the world, cut off from their families, and forced into prostitution by the men in Zwi Migdal. This episode discusses the beginnings of Zwi Migdal, the methods they used to get their victims, and the response of the Jewish community to the threat they posed. Over the course of this discussion, parts of the response of the Jewish community today to modern issues of sexual violence may seem similar to the way the community responded then, and in some ways the community then acted more responsibly than the community does today. It's important to know this history so we can recognize and combat the modern threats of sexual violence in our community. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES:https://www.abebooks.com/9780679311638/Bodies-Souls-Tragic-Plight-Three-0679311637/plphttps://www.abebooks.com/9780805238662/Prostitution-Prejudice-Jewish-Fight-Against-0805238662/plpThe following two books were not used in making this episode but are nonetheless excellent resources on this subject: https://www.amazon.com/Tmeiin-jud%C3%ADos-impuros-Historia-Spanish-ebook/dp/B07CYZMXDDhttps://www.abebooks.com/9789500727105/Infierno-Prometido-Promise-Prostituta-Zwi-9500727102/plp

In this next installment of our series on sleepaway camp and its inherent risks, we are joined by the incredible Stephen Mills, author of Chosen: A Memoir of Stolen Boyhood to discuss his experiences at Camp Ella Fohs. Stephen is a survivor of sexual abuse by the former director of Camp Ella Fohs, Dan Farinella, a social worker. In Chosen Stephen describes in vivid detail the process of how Farinella groomed him, abused him, and the devastating fallout that followed. Stephen and Ariella discuss the specific risks at Camp Ella Fohs that led to Stephen's abuse, the subsequent coverup by the camp, the decades of trauma caused by the abuse, and the process of finally beginning to heal. They also discuss the nature of trauma in general, how it forms in the body, and what it takes to heal from such a fundamental violation. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES:https://stephenmillsauthor.comhttps://ejewishphilanthropy.com/a-survivors-disclosure/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/26/books/review/chosen-stephen-mills.htmlhttps://bookshop.org/p/books/chosen-a-memoir-of-stolen-boyhood-stephen-mills/18391685?ean=9781250871152

In our previous episode we began to discuss the unique conditions at sleepaway camps that make them particular risks to children, In particular the sexualized atmosphere of co-ed Jewish sleepaway camps in the Conservative movement. Between the overemphasis on Jewish continuity through sex, and the isolation imposed on children as part of the experience, we discussed how Eddie Ward was able to abuse so many for so long and get away with it. This week we are joined by survivor/advocate David Cheifetz to continue our series on sleepaway camp with a deep dive on Camp Dora Golding. David discusses his own experiences at Camp Dora Golding, and we discuss two cases in particular, including the case of Chisdai Ben-Porat, a former CDG counselor who was convicted of sexually abusing children in 2014. We discuss the camp's response in the immediate aftermath, how the parents of the survivors reacted (and what we all can learn from them), and what considerations parents should make when/if selecting a summer camp for their own children. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES:https://www.jta.org/2013/03/28/ny/sharing-the-secret-thats-haunted-my-soulhttps://frumfollies.wordpress.com/2013/09/21/text-of-rca-speech-by-david-cheifetz-on-sex-abuse/https://www.wfmz.com/news/camp-counselor-accused-of-inappropriately-touching-boy/article_4d4700ac-ef91-5186-b033-ba2d12fe8ecd.htmlhttps://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/2014/02/25/former-camp-counselor-sentenced-in/38646322007/https://failedmessiah.typepad.com/failed_messiahcom/2013/09/camp-dora-golding-molestation-case-continues-as-camp-backs-alleged-molester-not-his-victims-567.html

Unfortunately there is no shortage of sexual abuse allegations at sleepaway camps: Camp Agudah, Dora Golding, Sternberg, Oorah Girl Zone, Magen Av, Romimu, and so many more. Whether we like to admit it or not, sleepaway camp often creates an environment where abusers can more easily prey on children and get away with it. In this episode we do a deep dive on the case against Eddie Ward at Surprise Lake Camp. Established over a century ago by the Conservative movement, and associated with USY, Surprise Lake currently faces three Child Victims Act lawsuits involving children who were allegedly abused at the camp by Eddie Ward while the camp took no actions to stop or prevent it. A significant part of the issue at this camp and many others is the hypersexualization of the camp experience by the organizers of the camp and leaders at USY. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES:https://www.jta.org/2023/03/09/united-states/investigation-into-conservative-movements-youth-programs-identifies-hypersexualized-culturehttps://www.timesofisrael.com/more-victims-lawsuits-and-mounting-anger-at-usy-after-toi-report-alleging-abuse/https://jewishjournal.org/2021/08/26/sharon-rabbi-hundreds-may-have-been-abused-by-usy-adviser/

This week we are honored to be joined by Shulim Leifer. Shulim is a community activist on behalf of survivors, who has helped numerous survivors seek justice against their abusers. He joins us this week to discuss the sentencing of former Shomrim head, Yanky Daskal. In 2017, Daskal was arrested on charges connected to his rape of a 15 year old girl placed in his care. Originally brought up on state charges, the case was soon taken over by the feds when it became known that he transported his survivor over state lines to rape her. The case dragged on for 5 years, eventually culminating in his pleading guilty to one charge of transporting a minor for the purpose of sexual abuse. In this episode, Shulim and Asher discuss their experience attending Daskal's sentencing, and do a deep dive on what led up to it, a play by play of what happened in court, and what the community's response was to Daskal's plea and sentencing. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahny

While Shlomo Carlebach was considered by many to be a beloved if unconventional saint for mid to late 20th century Jewery, he had, as was described by Lilith Magazine in 1998, a Shadow Side to him. Many prefer to ignore this part of his life, minimizing it or pretending it never happened, but Shlomo Carlebach sexually abused and harassed an innumerable amount of women over the 30 years he was active. Accounts of his abuse were only rumor during his life, whispered especially feverishly among the women in his following, but 4 years after his death, the allegations were made publicly and on the record: Shlomo Carlebach was accused of sexually assaulting a number of women, including young teenagers, during the height of his fame. Since the publication of those initial accusations, many, many more women have told their own stories, and a debate has raged over the future of Carlebach's legacy. In this episode we dive deep on these allegations and discuss how we feel about how the community should respond to them, and what effect it should have on his legacy. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES: https://lilith.org/articles/rabbi-shlomo-carlebachs-shadow-side/https://lilith.org/2018/01/youve-come-a-long-way-sister-20-years-after-carlebach-allegations-his-daughter-hears-metoo/https://hareiani.com/2014/12/07/carlebach-cosby-and-separating-art-from-its-artist/https://hareiani.com/2016/11/20/a-follow-up-on-carlebach-and-the-abuse-he-committed/https://www.scribd.com/document/671178204/Lilith-Allegations-about-Rabbi-Shlomo-Carlebach-Analyzedhttps://www.timesofisrael.com/watch-neshama-carlebach-on-thriving-in-the-shadow-of-her-fathers-mixed-legacy/https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/my-sisters-i-hear-you/

Mendy Pellin's interview with registered sex offender, Gershon Selinger, took the internet by a storm. Was it just the thing the community needed to shake it out of its denial? Was it a harmful platforming of a manipulative abuser? Is there anything to be learned from what Gershon said? As with most things, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle. Asher Lovy, director of ZA'AKAH, is joined by noted anti-abuse advocate, Chaim Levin, director of Magen-Israel, Shana Aaronson, and founder of The Bayar Group, Rahel Bayar to discuss the interview, its impact, pros and cons, and what our takeaways should be.Please note: The interview was followed by interviews with Dr Michael Salamon and Patty Fitzgerald, two experts in the field, to provide important context and framing to Gershon Selinger interview. If you haven't yet had a chance to watch those follow-up interviews, please do. Links are below in the show notes.  To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES: Interview with Gershon:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26ZXF3IKdPwInterview with Dr. Michael Salamonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJckBy2R3D8Interview with Patty Fitzgerald:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHwpNGBOc-Qhttps://crownheights.info/crime/475197/crown-heights-teacher-arrested-charged-with-child-molestation/https://www.homefacts.com/offender-detail/NY49372/Gershon-Y-Selinger.html

The Weberman trial ended 10 years ago with a conviction and sentence to over 100 years in prison, but within the Satmar community, Nechemya Weberman is still considered not only innocent, but a sainted martyr. He has had articles published in local Satmar newspaper, the community still fundraises for him, and the Satmar Rebbe himself even visited him last year in Riker's Island. Recently the husband of the survivor who put Weberman in prison, Boorey Deutsch, went on a tweet storm about the community's attitudes toward Weberman, the lengths to which they've been going to free him and convince people of his innocence, and the pain and suffering they've been inflicting upon his survivors and their families. We discuss Boorey's tweets, and revisit the case through the lens of the modern day crusade within Satmar to clear his name and make the people who put him in prison pay for putting him there. We also discuss the Yanky Daskal case, and the former Shomrim head's recent guilty plea. Daskal plead guilty to transporting a teenage girl who lived in his home across state lines for sexual purposes. The case has many similarities to the Weberman case, including a community fundraiser which was thankfully thwarted. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES: https://twitter.com/booreydeutschhttps://www.csis.org/blogs/new-perspectives-asia/social-media-misinformation-and-2022-philippine-electionshttps://www.jta.org/2023/07/16/ny/former-head-of-jewish-security-patrol-in-brooklyn-pleads-guilty-to-sex-crime-involving-a-teenagerhttps://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/former-head-boro-park-shomrim-society-pleads-guilty-transporting-15-year-old-girl

In our last episode we covered how Camp Shoresh, Beth Tfiloh, and Suburban Orthodox responded to the allegations of sexual abuse against Rabbi Shmuel Krawatsky. Rabbi Krawatsky was allegedly strongly supported by the leadership at all 3 institutions, including by alleged financial contributions and fundraising toward his legal fees. In this episode we wrap up our coverage of this case. Obviously this is an ongoing case, and as there's more news we'll revisit it in future episodes. In this episode we cover some of the details we missed in previous episodes, as well as details of how Rabbi Krawatsky's defamation cases were filed and against whom, and we get into the summary judgment ruling issued in favor of Hannah Dreyfus and the Jewish Week. Banter ends at 4:30. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES: https://www.jta.org/2018/09/27/ny/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-filed-by-baltimore-rabbihttps://www.jta.org/2018/01/19/ny/update-rabbi-accused-of-sexual-abuse-at-camp-terminated-from-baltimore-day-schoolhttps://www.jta.org/2018/01/17/ny/did-baltimores-orthodox-community-turn-a-blind-eye-to-child-sexual-abusehttps://www.washingtonjewishweek.com/rabbi-fired-from-baltimore-school-after-sex-abuse-allegations/

In our last episode we discussed the allegations of sexual abuse against Rabbi Shmuel Krawatsky, a former director at Camp Shoresh in Baltimore. We discussed the three children who came forward with allegations and the particulars of their claims. This week we get into the Child Protective Services investigations, the appeals of those decisions, and what Shoresh, Beth Tfiloh, and Suburban Orthodox did in response to these allegations, from allegedly telling Krawatsky that they supported him essentially unconditionally, to even allegedly helping him fundraise for his CPS appeals and defamation case against the alleged victims' parents through a nonprofit that was supposed to be providing charity to families in Israel. Banter ends at 3:14. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES: https://www.jta.org/2018/09/27/ny/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-filed-by-baltimore-rabbihttps://www.jta.org/2018/01/19/ny/update-rabbi-accused-of-sexual-abuse-at-camp-terminated-from-baltimore-day-schoolhttps://www.jta.org/2018/01/17/ny/did-baltimores-orthodox-community-turn-a-blind-eye-to-child-sexual-abusehttps://www.washingtonjewishweek.com/rabbi-fired-from-baltimore-school-after-sex-abuse-allegations/

We've discussed the Orthodox community in Baltimore many times on this podcast. We've detailed the various ways in which that community is uniquely dangerous to survivors of sexual abuse and children in general. From the numerous coverups that have happened over the years, to the numerous accused and convicted pedophiles who are allowed to attend community shuls, to general attitudes toward sexual abuse, Baltimore is a less than ideal place for child safety. In this episode we get into one of the most contentious cases the community has faced in recent years: the case against Rabbi Shmuel Krawatsky. Krawatsky was accused by three families of sexually abusing their children in Camp Shoresh, where Krawatsky was a division head. We discuss the allegations themselves, the alleged coverup by the camp director Rabbi David Finkelstein, and the community's response to the allegations. Banter ends at 4:30To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES: https://www.jta.org/2018/01/17/ny/did-baltimores-orthodox-community-turn-a-blind-eye-to-child-sexual-abusehttps://digitaledition.baltimoresun.com/tribune/article_popover.aspx?guid=38d68a71-5c91-4867-a9b5-b4c2da7528b8https://www.jewishtimes.com/parents-of-boys-allegedly-abused-by-rabbi-krawatsky-file-countersuit/

In our previous episodes about the Child Victims Act case against Yeshiva University for decades of sexual abuse allegedly committed during the 1960s 70s and 80s by Macy Gordon, Richard Andron, George Finkelstein, Elan Adler, Richard Ehrlich, and Marc Gafni, we discussed the history of the case, how the cases evolved over the years, the passage of the Child Victims Act, and the filing of the latest case. In this episode we complete this series by detailing the mechanics of the coverup of the abuse allegedly committed by George Finkelstein, not only at Yeshiva University, but also at his next job as principal at Scheck Hillel Community School in Miami, as well as his following job at The Great Synagogue in Jerusalem. Over and over this notorious alleged abuser was given positions of respect and authority over children, aided directly by the very administration at YU that had known about his many alleged abuses. Banter ends at 9:52. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES: https://forward.com/news/171993/yeshiva-u-rabbi-george-finkelstein-acted-inappropr/https://forward.com/opinion/172204/no-limitations-on-pain/https://forward.com/news/169470/yeshiva-claims-abuse-probe-has-wide-mandate/https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2013-03-01/ty-article/yeshiva-u-s-rabbi-george-finkelstein-acted-inappropriately-even-after-ouster/0000017f-f581-d044-adff-f7f9474a0000https://yucommentator.org/2022/01/yu-wins-appeal-challenging-anonymity-of-32-plaintiffs-in-sex-abuse-lawsuit/

In our previous episode we covered the case against Richard Andron, the martial arts teacher at YUHS who allegedly molested a number of his students and was covered up for by the administration and his alleged child molester colleague George Finkelstein. In this episode of Outcry we cover the case against Macy Gordon, described by some as the most sadistic of the child sexual abusers at YUHS during this period, and the sexual abuse he committed against his students, including one alleged incident which took place in front of a class full of children. Macy Gordon died without ever facing any consequences for his alleged abuses. He was allowed to quietly resign from YUHS and relocate to Israel where he was rehired by the Yeshiva University Israel Center. We also discuss the scholarship endowed in his name at Yeshiva University in 2002, and the honors he received at B'nei Yeshurun in Teaneck. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES:https://forward.com/opinion/168094/yeshiva-victim-overcomes-shame-to-speak-out/https://images.shulcloud.com/1268/uploads/Bulletin/2021/5-November.pdf https://www.yeshiva.co/rabbi/102

In our last episode about the child sexual abuse allegations against Yeshiva University, we covered the filing of the 2019 Child Victims Act lawsuit against Yeshiva University outlining allegations against all the named defendants, and the people involved in covering it up. In this episode we start our series of deep dives into the individual alleged abusers starting with Richard Andron. Andron was a martial arts teacher at Yeshiva University who was friends with George Finkelstein and allegedly sexually abused multiple children during his time there. We follow the course of the allegations against him, his eventual departure from YU, his time in Boca Raton, and eventually his move to Efrat in Israel. Along the way we uncover some surprising connections between Andron's case and a number of other alleged abusers, enablers, and key figures in Modern Orthodox leadership. Banter ends at 3:32.To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES:https://forward.com/news/180727/boca-raton-synagogue-demands-answers-on-accused-yu/ https://blogs.yu.edu/news/paying-tribute-to-a-karate-king-and-torah-legend/ 

In our last episode about the prolific sexual abuse committed and covered up at Yeshiva University we laid out the history of the case, previously filed lawsuits, Yeshiva University's sham investigation into these historical allegations of sexual abuse, and why the previous cases were unsuccessful. With the passage of the Child Victims Act in 2019, however, the alleged victims of Macy Gordon, George Finkelstein, Richard Andron, and others, were finally able to file their cases against Yeshiva University for knowingly enabling their abuse. In this episode we get into a little more detail about all the people named in the lawsuit, and discuss some of the disgusting tactics that have been used so far to try and intimidate the victims into silence. Among other tactics, Yeshiva University has attempted to forcibly identify the names of the John Doe plaintiffs in this case in an attempt to scare them away from suing. This is a particularly disgusting tactic especially given how much the victims have already suffered and how widely known Yeshiva University's culpability is in these cases. This case is not a question of if something happened, but how much Yeshiva University will be made to pay. They just want to make the victims suffer as much as possible before paying them what they're owed. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES: https://www.nytimes.com/1979/12/08/archives/sidney-b-hoenig-72-historian-and-expert-on-dead-sea-scrolls.html https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=Rj4gNvwSPDdmkfAMbm8Agw== https://yucommentator.org/2019/03/sex-abuse-lawsuit-yu-resurfaces-passing-child-victims-act/ https://yucommentator.org/2013/08/report-confirms-expands-abuse-allegations/https://www.linkedin.com/in/pesach-kremen-69001648?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-harris-83639928 https://www.herrick.com/sheldon-chanales/ https://tunein.com/podcasts/Jewish-Talk/Israel-National-Radio---Rabbi-Elan-Adler-p282173/ https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=IYggMgnkNAGip7glV5WG7w== https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=VvvA3ZT8fzETeqI3s/hdGg== 

Due to incredibly selfish reasons by Asher for bring unprepared for today's episode (namely, being busy in the process of getting engaged), the Yeshiva University case is temporarily out on hold while we instead provide some updates to 5 cases we've been getting a lot of questions about. In this episode we cover updates about the cases against former TABC principal Rabbi Shlomo Adelman, Mesivta of Long Beach, Michelle Masliansky of West Hempstead, Hayim Nissim Cohen of Our Unique Family, and Chevi Garfinkel. These cases tend to take a long time, but we want to make sure y'all stay up to date on the latest and understand the process of a civil case and why it takes as long as it does. Banter ends at 2:40. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES: https://hareiani.com/2022/01/20/hayim-nissim-cohen-father-of-our-unique-family-sued-charged-with-sexual-abuse-of-child/https://www.facebook.com/zaakah/posts/pfbid0tXryHLKXwxB1zUtYgeqTQp1uK8mQM9aZ2vnixgHAsj4GfsQCwui6ZKqN8XUBgnsAlhttps://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/DocumentList?docketId=rfNRr0t0CwYDpCXxBiDahA==&display=all&courtType=Kings%20County%20Supreme%20Court&resultsPageNum=1https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/DocumentList?docketId=0PmGJNpdDiObefpwubCQNg==&display=all&courtType=Nassau%20County%20Supreme%20Court&resultsPageNum=2https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/DocumentList?docketId=GrTLI4dlhJdLYpjJPCs1SA==&display=allhttps://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/DocumentList?docketId=yq9KLuXchx8LvqmSRHDMqw==&display=all&courtType=Nassau%20County%20Supreme%20Court&resultsPageNum=1

In this episode we begin our series on the decades of sexual abuse committed and covered up at Yeshiva University. Over the course of this series we'll be covering the many the abusers named in the currently active Child Victims Act lawsuits, of which there are over a dozen, and the many people who were responsible for covering it all up. Among the people named as enablers, we'll be discussing Norman Lamm, Herschel Schachter, Michael Broyde, and other higher-ups in Yeshiva University administration.  In discussing this case we'll be focusing not only on the abuse and the MOs of the abusers, but on the particulars of the coverups. Abusers seek to abuse, and they seek to do so in environments and communities where they can assume they'll get away with it. The enablers are the real reason the abuse is happening because they provide a setting for abusers in which they feel comfortable abusing knowing they'll probably get away with it. That's what Yeshiva University was from the 1960s to the late 2010s - a haven for sexual abusers like George Finkelstein, Macy Gordon, Richard Andron, and others. We'll be covering what they did and how they got away with it for so many decades. Banter ends at 5:42. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES: https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2012-12-13/ty-article/yeshiva-u-dealt-with-sex-abuse-charges-privately/0000017f-f0fe-df98-a5ff-f3ff60670000 https://ecf.nysd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_multidocs.pl?caseid=414489&arr_de_seq_nums=46&magic_num=&pdf_header=&hdr=&pdf_toggle_possible=1&caseid=414489&zipit=&magic_num=&arr_de_seq_nums=46&got_warning=&create_roa=&create_appendix=&bates_format=&dkt=&got_receipt=1 (You'll need a PACER account for this) https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=bf_PLUS_PCrQDkyYQfc_PLUS_Xi8_PLUS_miw== https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=Rj4gNvwSPDdmkfAMbm8Agw== https://verdict.justia.com/2013/09/05/sullivan-cromwell-and-yeshiva-university-issue-a-disappointing-report-on-child-sex-abuse-that-is-short-on-facts-and-long-on-public-relations

After taking  a break to allow this episode's guest to recover from COVID, and for us to discuss the dangers of letting abuse enablers like Leslie Wexner and others off the hook too easy, we're finally please to invite Detective Rory Forrestal on the podcast to discuss the law-enforcement side of CSAM cases. Detective Forrestal has decades of experience in the field, both working within and running departments across New York State focused on bringing people who produce, possess, and distribute Child Sexual Abuse Materials to justice. In this episode we do a deep dive with Detective Forrestal on what CSAM is, and bust a number of common misconceptions about it and the people who engage in its production, possession, and distribution. We also discuss the various kinds of scenarios that can be considered CSAM, how people engaging in CSAM are caught, and what avenues to justice are available to to CSAM survivors. Banter ends at 9:15. To learn more about ZA'AKAH or to donate, visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-forrestal-983b3833https://nypost.com/2006/03/07/undercover-with-online-perv-patrol-sex-predators-are-suffolk-cops-prey/https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/capital-tonight-interviews/2018/06/06/polenberg--forrestal--child-victims-act

Last episode we said we would be bringing on a law enforcement expert in Child Sexual Abuse Materials cases to answer questions about the Belitz, Steen, and Keil cases, and that's still going to happen, but unfortunately he came down with COVID and we had to push his interview off to next episode. This week we invited Sara Rosenberg, founder of the Jewish Survivors Forum, on to discuss the issue of abuse enabling, rape apologism, and rape culture in the frum community and what we can do to combat it. In this episode we discuss the response to the flashing incident that happened this past Sunday on Flatbushgirl's Instagram Live, and then we get into a discussion about abuse enablers like Leslie Wexner, why people shouldn't take money from the Wexner foundation and other dirty-money donors like Michael Steinhardt, and discuss the issue of abuse enablers in our community. This might be an uncomfortable discussion for some who have accepted money from the people we discuss in this episode, but the only way we'll ever rid our community of abuse is if we contend with the people who protect the abusers. To learn more about ZA'AKAH visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES:https://www.amazon.com/When-Rabbis-Abuse-Dynamics-Culture-ebook/dp/B0B15QQ3DX

In last week's episode we began discussing the case against Leo Keil, a Philadelphia-based pedophile who was arrested and convicted for possessing and distributing hundreds of horrific images and videos of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM) over IRC chats. Aside from just sharing these materials, Keil would hang around in chatrooms dedicated to sharing and discussing CSAM, and would actively encourage other people to sexually abuse children. This week we pick up with the prosecution's descriptions of how Keil tried covering his tracks, how he tried blaming his crimes on a brand new autism diagnosis, and how he tried to hoodwink the experts brought in to evaluate him. We also get into the community's response to his arrest and conviction, and how they failed to adequately warn their members about Keil even after his conviction. Banter ends at 8:05To learn more about ZA'AKAH visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES: https://www.facebook.com/zaakah/posts/pfbid02SsBmAueswf6681RtG9nU3STCj6QXiPKwRJh4PwuQQSTP9TwLsMEpsNZm6Zdcfm19lhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-forrestal-983b3833

In the wake of the case in Baltimore involving former TAG director and Bnos Yisroel STEM teacher, Zev Steen, being arrested for possession, distribution, and possibly creation of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM), we'll be covering a similar case involving Leo Keil, a member of the Philadelphia Jewish community who was arrested and plead guilty to possession and distribution of CSAM. Keil wasn't just a pedophile downloading and uploading CSAM, he was a real pedophile's pedophile, providing advice to other pedophiles who wanted tips on how to abuse children, support to people on the fence about pedophilia, encouraging them to consume CSAM and act on their desires, and even sending CSAM to people who identified as children online. This episode is disturbing, so it comes with a big trigger warning for CSAM and some graphic descriptions of child sexual abuse. Banter ends at 4:20 To learn more about ZA'AKAH visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES: https://www.facebook.com/zaakah/posts/d41d8cd9/4718624724911726/

Nechemia Weberman is one of the most well-known sexual abusers in the history of the Orthodox Jewish community. His trial helped start ZA'AKAH and for many was the first time they were forced to contend with the reality and prevalence of sexual abuse in the Orthodox Jewish community. Following his conviction on 87 counts of sexual abuse for repeatedly sexually assaulting his 12 year old client, Weberman and his legal team began filing appeals. In our last episode we covered the more technical aspects of his appeal. In this episodes we get into the alternate theories his appellate team presented to counter the facts and narrative of the case that resulted in his conviction. Many of these arguments were asinine, offensive, and deliberately ignorant, and we break them down and offer background and context on why they were so ridiculous. This is the final episode in the Weberman series. Banter ends at 14:26.To learn more about ZA'AKAH visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahigTikTok: @zaakahny

Weberman's sentence to 103 years of prison for sexually abusing his 12 year old client was not the end of the case. Almost immediately an appeal was filed in state court to overturn the sentence. Both his first and second appeals were denied, and he is currently appealing the decision in federal court. In this episode we get into the weeds on his appeals, what his claims are, why they're wrong, and what the judges had to say about them. Because there's so much in the appeal this will have to be another two-parter. Banter ends at 4:57. To learn more about ZA'AKAH visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahnyTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21890628-commutation-pardon-correspondence-1https://www.thecity.nyc/2022/5/9/23064328/brooklyn-da-cumo-sentence-commute-request

Modeled after the Child Victims Act, the New York State legislature passed the Adult Survivors Act in May of 2021. The new law opens a one-year lookback window during which any adult survivors of sexual assault whose case had previously been barred by the statute of limitations can sue their abuser or anyone who enabled their abuse in civil court.In this episode we sit down with Linda B. Rosenthal, the New York State Assembly sponsor who championed both the Child Victims Act and the Adult Survivors Act in the Assembly. We get into the weeds about the new law, answer some questions from our audience, and discuss the background and history of this law and the fight to pass it.The Adult Survivors Act window opens on November 24th. If anyone has any questions for us or for Assembly Member Rosenthal, email them to [email protected]. If you're a survivor and you're interested in pursuing a case against your abuser, email us at [email protected] learn more about ZA'AKAH visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahny  Instagram: @zaakahnyTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTES:https://www.zaakah.org/asahttps://www.safehorizon.org/programs/adult-survivors-act-qa/

In our last episode we covered the beginning of the Weberman trial from his arrest to his victim's harrowing testimony and cross-examination in court, the fundraiser held for Weberman that raised $500,000 for his defense, and a few of the many instances of backlash and intimidation against the victim by the community. In this episode we'll talk about the rest of the trial and Weberman's conviction and sentencing. Aside from undermining his lawyer's carefully crafted defense, a number of Weberman's supporters were arrested during the trial for attempting to intimidate the witness inside the courtroom! We also finally get into Lemon Juice and what happened with him during the trial. While Weberman was convicted and given a very hefty sentence, the backlash against the victim and her family did not end. It intensified against them and the victim's supporters. Banter ends at 3:24To learn more about ZA'AKAH visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed:Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahnyTikTok: @zaakahnySHOW NOTESAs with last episode, given the multitude of links for this episode we've linked below instead to a document containing all the show note links. Outcry Episode 4 Show Notes

A lot happened during the trial of Nechemya Weberman. A wildly successful fundraiser for an alleged pedophile, half a million dollar bribe declined and reported, 4 people arrested for witness intimidation, family retaliated against, businesses destroyed, and a victim publicly humiliated by one of the leaders of her community. But while this is certainly a story of a community unleashing hell upon a young girl who dared to report her rapist, it's also a story of her incredible courage and resilience in the face of unfathomable backlash. In this episode we cover the trial of Nechemya Weberman, from the time of his arrest to his sentencing. While Outcry generally comes with a trigger warning, this episode in particular is graphic and people who may be sensitive to hearing graphic descriptions of sexual abuse should exercise self-care. Since it was requested, the beginning banter ends at 3:00. Show Notes: Because there's so much material for this week's show notes, they're going to be linked in a Word document. Outcry Episode 3 Show Notes

In 2012 an unlicensed Chassidish therapist in Williamsburg, Brooklyn was arrested for repeatedly sexually abusing his 12 year old client over the course of three years. She had originally been sent to him by the Va'ad Hatznius, a modesty enforcement board in the Satmar community. Weberman's trial was the first time the Chassidish community in Williamsburg was really forced to contend with the issue of sexual abuse, especially given the large protest ZA'AKAH held outside a community fundraiser on behalf of the accused rapist. In this episode we cover the events leading up to the trial and give some background on the community, Weberman himself, and his victim. To learn more about ZA'AKAH visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed: Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahnyTikTok: @zaakahnyShow Notes:https://docshare.tips/my-cousin-nechemya_5827b3a0b6d87f423b8b4953.htmlhttps://nypost.com/2011/02/24/rabbi-charged-as-perv/https://www.thedailybeast.com/nechemya-weberman-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-girl-he-was-counselinghttps://gothamist.com/news/hasidic-principal-on-alleged-sex-abuse-victim-her-modesty-was-not-like-the-other-girlshttps://journalism.blog.brooklyn.edu/teen-accusing-hasid-of-sex-abuse-traumatized-witness-testifies/

In this episode of Outcry we introduce ourselves so you can get to know us a little. We are Asher Lovy, director of ZA'AKAH, and Ariella Goldberg-Kay, ZA'AKAH's TikTok manager and survivor liaison. We introduce ourselves and talk about why ZA'AKAH started in 2012, what we've been doing since then, and what our goals are for this podcasts. We touch on topics like the Internet Asifa, the now-infamous Weberman trial, and the Yossi Kolko case, as we as addressing some of our most frequently asked questions. To learn more about ZA'AKAH visit our website at https://zaakah.orgTo get in touch with questions, comments, or any other concerns related to Outcry, email us at [email protected] us on our socials to stay informed: Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahnyTikTok: @zaakahnyShow notes: https://cross-currents.com/2011/07/22/agudath-israel-statement-on-reporting-suspicions-of-child-abuse/ https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/21/nyregion/ultra-orthodox-jews-hold-rally-on-internet-at-citi-field.htmlhttp://survivorsforjustice.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=809&Itemid=193https://childusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Delayed-Disclosure-Factsheet-2020.pdfhttps://www.brown.edu/campus-life/health/services/promotion/sexual-assault-dating-violence/myths-about-sexual-assault-reports#:~:text=The%20study%20found%20that%204.5,however%2C%20it%20is%20very%20rare.

Welcome to Outcry, a podcast about sexual abuse in the Orthodox Jewish community! Outcry, the English translation of ZA'AKAH, will be covering current and historical cases of sexual abuse in the community, busting myths and disinformation about sexual abuse, providing best-practices based information for survivors, parents, teachers, and community leaders on how to prevent and respond to sexual abuse, and interviewing experts in the field about how to keep our children safe. To learn more about ZA'AKAH visit us at https://zaakah.org and check us out on our socials: Facebook: https://facebook.com/zaakahTwitter: @zaakahnyInstagram: @zaakahnyTikTok: @zaakahny