Homelessness - Survivors of Sexual Violence

Many survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and also sexual assault will some time in their life become homeless.

Many survivors of incest runaway from home -- if they don't have a friend or family member to run to, they end up sleeping in parks or on the street.

Many survivors who are excommunicated from their families or communities, especially if this happens in their late teens or early twenties, may be faced with homelessness.

Why does this happen?
What are we going to do to help?
Would you let someone in a crisis situation stay in your home? What if you don't know the person?

We need to talk about this.

Learning To Trust

How do you learn to trust after everything in your world feels like it was shattered?

How do you know who you can share personal things about yourself?

What would you do if those personal things you shared with a trusting friend was shared with others?

How do you know who you're friends really are?

Jewish Survivors Growing Up In Foster Care

It was brought to my attention that we should start talking about survivors who grew up in foster care, and also survivors wanting to become foster parents. Adoption is also another important topic we should discuss. I found a link on The Awareness Center's site on these topics, but a lot of the links don't work.

If you grew up in foster care, what was it like?
Did you ever think of becoming a foster parent?
Do you think you would go through with it?

Survivors Becoming Parents by: Naomi

As a parent I am constantly doubting myself. Friends and Therapists tell me I am doing a wonderful job but I have no self confidence. I am always afraid that I will abuse my kids without realizing it. My parents are clueless about the emotional abuse they inflicted on me. How do I know I won't say or do something that seems ok, and then years later find out that I was clueless too? Intelectually I realize that I am a very mindful parent but emotionally the ever present feeling that I might hurt my children too haunts me.

When my oldest was born there were times that I could not allow myself to be alone with him. I was afraid I would hurt him. Having complete power over someone so helpless scared me.
The other night I felt so trapped and angry because the noises my child was making in his sleep triggered me. They remind me of noises I heard while I was being abused.

I'm wondering how other survivors cope with parenting issues? What do you do that helps? What do you do when your child triggers you?

Is This Just A Problem For Incest Survivors?

All too often you hear stories about survivors of childhood sexual abuse getting revictimized as adults. The statistics are high for incest survivors to become rape victims when they get older. This is true for both male and female survivors. We also know that most sex offenders go after people they already know. Stranger rape is not as common as date rape.

My questions to everyone is why do you think it is that incest survivors and survivors of childhood sexual abuse bring those who offend into their lives? Why is it that we are attracted to women/men who have "Bad Girl/Boy" behavior? What can we do to protect ourselves from being hurt in the future?

Does Rabbi Michael Ozair Really have a Smicha (ordination)

I was just at Jewish Whistleblowers blog. If you have time go there and read what he has on the case of Rabbi Michael Ozair.

If you have comments about this go to the Jewish Whistleblowers site.

Tell me why - By Naomi

Tell Me Why?
© (2005) Naomi

Tell me Tatty, why did you do this to me?
My stomach turns over at the thought
My holy of holies, you made impure
You violated.

Tatty, you’re my father,
why did you do this to me?
I you with a deep loathing hatred.

Who can understand a man
who would violate his own daughter?
I can’t get it out of my mind.

I myself
I feel so awful and gross
Like your hand is still between my legs
and there is nothing I can do about it.
I feel a helpless rage
desperately trapped in your abuse.

I’m afraid to get married.
How can I trust any man when my own father violated me like that?
I want to run through the streets screaming crying and shouting
don’t hurt me don’t hurt me I’m a child!
Love me! protect me!
don’t touch my privates
get away!
I’m a blazing churban.
A pile of charred debris.
A broken self.

A destruction that began
when you started touching me.
Manipulating my young body.
destroying my soul.

You d me Tatty. You raped me.
How could you?
What should I do with this broken,
burnt little who’s tears are drowning me
as she cries for someone to save her?

She feels you still
hurting her down there.
I you for what you did to her to me.
I want to kill or die . . .

Rate This Blog!

Just curious if everyone who reads this posting will make a comment and let me know how you think this is going, what you like, what you don't like, and topics you think we should cover.
You can post anonymously.

Also forgot to ask, what do you think of our new look? Can you still read things?

Does God Have A Place In Your Healing?

Just because you are Jewish doesn't necessarily mean that you practice Judaism. I thought it would be important for survivors who are observant and survivors who aren't to communicate. Why don't we ask questions of each other?

For those who have a solid background in Judaism, how does God enter into your healing?

For those who aren't have never thought about their Jewish identity, what is your perception of spirituality? Is it a part of your healing process? If so, how?

Life Changing Events

As we know if there is some sort of life changing event happening, it would be perfectly normal for you to reevaluate your life.

Survivors of Childhood Abuse and Neglect will end up revisit their abuse histories during these times. The question is how can you do this in a way that's healthy and healing?

Some example of events can include getting engaged, getting married, birth of a child, serious illness or accident, death of someone close to you, etc.


With life changing events you may be asking yourself some of the following questions:

1. If you are getting married, can you invite your family to the wedding?
2. If you are about to have children, will you feel safe having your parents around if one of them was your offender?
3. If you had a serious accident or have a serious illness, would you tell your family members? Would you feel safe with them making decisions for you if you are unable to?
4. A relative you care a great deal for passes away. Going to the funeral will mean that your offender will also be there. Would you emotionally be able to attend?

Your Parent Who is also Your Offender is Seriously Ill -- What Do You Do?

Whether it's your mother or father, when a family member is serious ill all sorts of emotions come to the surface. What happens when that parent is also someone who molested you as a child. What do you do?

Imagine how complicated this can be if you as a survivor hasn't had contact with your family for many years. Do you go to your parents bedside? Do you attend a funeral if they pass away? How do you decide what the right thing for you to do is?

If you have been through this, or have thought about it, please help others and let them know what you did, or what you think you would do. We don't have to deal with these kinds of issues alone anymore.

Is Honesty Always The Best Policy?

Being a survivor can make your thoughts and feelings confusing. Sometimes being honest about ones thoughts and feelings can be problematic. At times those who you care about and love, don't want to know when they ask you for your "honest opinion" about things. It may appear that they are striking out against you. It can be scary for someone who is a survivor -- always fearing you will be attacked again.

Being a survivor and having people in your life who will be honest and truthful are vitally important, but what do you do when you really don't want to know the truth about something you asked about?


Hon-est (From the American Heritage Dictionary)
1. Marked by truthfulness and integrity; upright. 2. Not deceptive or fraudulent; genuine 3. True: not false: honest reporting 4. Frank and straightforward; sincere 5. Without disguise or pretense: honest pleasure.

Truth
1. Conformity to knowledge, fact or actuality; veracity. 2. Something that is the case; the real state of affairs. 3. Reality; actuality. 4. A statement proven to be or accepted as true 5. Sincerity; honesty.

The Courage of Being Proud To Be A Survivor Of Sexual Victimization (Incest, Rape, Sexual Assault, Sexual Abuse)

Surviving abuse is not an easy task. Many of us our haunted by our PTSD symptoms. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. But from these symptoms many of us develop wonderful skills. Survivors often have a heightened awareness of things. Many of us are dedicated readers, and researchers. Many of us become doctors, lawyers, psychotherapists, accountants, parents, teachers and rabbis. Think about what positive ways being violated made you a stronger person?

Do you think that people like Oprah Winfrey, Joan Biaz, Carlos Santana, would be who they are today if their childhoods were not challenged in the way they were?

I know this may sound strange, but think about it. Maybe we should make a list of famous survivors we all know?

Survivors and Multiple Health Issues

So many survivors I know have various health problems. Here's some links that discuss some of the issues.

Sexual Abuse May Affect Health for a Lifetime

History of sexual abuse and obesity treatment outcome

APA: Childhood Sexual Abuse, Family Violence Up Risk of Eating Disorders, Especially Bulimia Nervosa

Sexual Abuse Linked to Smoking in Women

Historical Sexual Abuse and Current Thyroid Axis Profiles in Women with Pemenstrual Dysphoric Disorders

Early Physical and Sexaul Abuse and the Course of Bipolar Illness

Sexual abuse, physical abuse, chronic fatigue, and chronic fatigue syndrome: a community-based study.

Is it OK to use a Mikvah as a healing tool for survivors of sexual violence?

1. Is it OK to use a Mikvah as a healing tool for survivors of sexual violence?

2. Do you think it would be helpful?

3. Would your rabbi understand and or approve?

No Ordinary Bath: The Use of the Mikvah in Healing From Incest

By Yonah Klem

A Ritual of Healing from Sexual Violence

By Rabbi Amy Eilberg

A Ritual for Healing from Childhood Sexual Abuse

By Tzeviya Rivka

Abortion Ritual

By Rabbi Geela Rayzel Raphael

Mikvah's Around the World

Should I sit shiva for abusive parents (who are still alive)?

If you are an incest survivor and needed to end your relationship with your parents, did you ever consider sitting shiva for them?

What do you think about the following article?

Should I sit shiva for abusive parents (who are still alive)?

Suing Your Rabbi: Clergy Malpractice in Jewish Law

Do you think you could ever sue your rabbi if he sexually assaulted you or one of your children?

Suing Your Rabbi: Clergy Malpractice in Jewish Law
http://www.jlaw.com/Articles/clergy_malpractice1.html
By Rabbi Mark Dratch

Welcome Our New Volunteer: Naomi

I wanted everyone to welcome Naomi. She's going to help come up with ideas of things for us to talk about. She's also a survivor, and a poet. I can't wait until she posts her newest poem.

How Do You Decide To Press Charges Against Your Offender

Many survivors of various forms of sexual violence have to make some tough decisions.

1. How do you know if you should press charges against your offender?
2. How do you decide if you should bring a civil suit?
3. What will be the financial and emotional cost to you if you do either one?
4. What are the benefits of doing either one?

Let's talk about it.

Rabbi Marc Gafni Update

There's some interesting information on Luke Ford's web page on the Gafni case. I don't feel comfortable cutting and pasting the entire article on to this blog, so I'm going to suggest you go to his site and read it for yourself.

I'll admit I'm apprehensive in suggesting that too, because Luke has been known to write about other issues on his site which are not seen as appropriate for many of the readers of this blog. Luke changed his format and so I can't just send you a link to the particular article he wrote. Luke, if you read this, please go back to your blogging format. It makes my life easier.

Go to: Lukeford.net
Read the posting titled: Jewish Defense Organization (JDO) Vs. Terrorist Lawyer Lynne Stewart, Marc Gafni

I'm really trying not to make this blog about Luke Ford, but what he's been writing the last few days is totally amazing.

Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Saul Berman Ride To The Rescue Of Sexual Predators - By Luke Ford

I think it's important that we all thank Luke for writing this. I agree with him on this.

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Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Saul Berman Ride To The Rescue Of Sexual Predators
By Luke Ford
http://www.lukeford.net

We live in a dark and crazy world where rabbis who confess to committing rape are sometimes exposed by members of the Jewish community such as The Awareness Center.

But fear not. Rabbis Telushkin and Berman (on the Left end of the Orthodox spectrum) have been working hard over the past eight months to see to it that Jewish clergy who use their religious office to sexually abuse the underage and vulnerable are no longer humiliated publicly by having their picture and stories told on the Internet.

I for one don't want to live in a world where a rabbi can't diddle kids to his heart's content without fear that somebody might write about them.

Kudos to Telushkin and Berman for supporting sexual predator Marc Gafni and doing everything in their power to see to it that future Gafnis do not have to face the humiliation of having their actions exposed to the world.

Kudos to Telushkin and Berman on behalf of sexual predators everywhere.

Kudos to Telushkin and Berman for protecting the powerful and seeking to rip away the last bit of protection for those abused by Telushkin and Berman's rabbinic peers.

Won't somebody please think of the children? What kind of example are we grown-ups? We have evil gossip in our community. The reputations of sexual predators are being smeared right and left. Let us all make common cause with rabbis Telushkin and Berman so that their fellow rabbis can f--- kids for free.

Whenever I feel discouraged about the priorities of our rabbinic leaders, I like to reread this letter in The Jewish Week following its mild and partial expose of that wild and crazy guy Marc Gafni:

To the Editor,

Words can elevate and words can destroy.

There was a time when the Jewish community too glibly and carelessly disregarded words of accusation of sexual abuse against clergy. That was clearly wrong, and Gary Rosenblatt of The Jewish Week helped to correct that. The pendulum has now swung to the opposite extreme, as evidenced in Rosenblatt’s column (The Re-Invented Rabbi, 9/24/04).

The column reports an allegation concerning a relationship from twenty-five years ago – when Rabbi Mordechai Gafni was 19 and 20 and not yet a rabbi – in a situation where he had no pastoral relationship with the person in question. Rabbi Gafni has a completely different account of what happened which was not clearly related in the article (including the fact that nothing even vaguely resembling sexual relations took place).

Furthermore, we can attest first hand that several years ago Rabbi Gafni made serious attempts to contact this woman in a therapeutically-mediated context—to clarify the huge gulf in their understandings of what happened and, if necessary, to apologize for any way in which she felt hurt. This offer was rejected and the decision was apparently made that the press was a more appropriate vehicle for conversation.

The story also reports unsubstantiated allegations which are twenty-years old. The story critically omits the fact that the professional to whom Rabbi Gafni (then Winiarz) was responsible at the time conducted an investigation, and drew the following conclusions in a formal report which was accepted by his superiors:

“I’ve known Rabbi Winiarz for the past six years, and I believe I speak of his character from a position of knowledge and reliability… In his work as director of Jewish Public School Youth, allegations were made as to his improper conduct with a teenage girl and a young female adult [referred to in the article as Judy and Susan]… For several months, in the spring and summer of 1986, I delved into the accusations and had numerous conversations with a number of people who were associated with Rabbi Winiarz both professionally and personally. I also talked to the accusing parties as well as members of their families, rabbis close to them and agency personnel involved in the work of JPSY. I also, of course, spoke at length to Rabbi Winiarz about these matters. It was my conclusion, based on clear and compelling reasons, that the accusations were not true and were not substantiated. I might add that this was also the view of a clinical psychologist who interviewed Rabbi Winiarz and the teenager after the alleged incident.”

We have collectively looked at this issue again in the last six months, and come to a similar conclusion. Further, Rabbi Gafni has long expressed his desire to meet with any of the parties who feel he has wronged them—even when he has a completely different account of the situation.

We, like Gary Rosenblatt, have struggled with the question of what gravity to assign to persistent rumors. Our conclusion differs from that of Mr. Rosenblatt. We have collectively, over many years, spoken to virtually everyone who would speak to us who was directly involved in order to examine the accusations against Rabbi Gafni. We have found them totally not convincing. Further, there is simply no evidence that Rabbi Gafni’s public role constitutes a risk to Jewish women, or to anyone for that matter.

We pray that this unfair scandalous moment will soon be forgotten and that Rabbi Gafni will be able to free his spiritual energy and formidable intellect in order to help build Jewish consciousness and commitment.

Rabbi Saul J. Berman, Director of Edah
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of Jewish Literacy and The Book of Jewish Values
Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, Congregation Nevei Kodesh, author of With Roots in Heaven and
The Receiving

Curious about the exact number of kids a rabbi like Gafni should be allowed to rape before he loses his position as a Jewish leader, I left messages October 21, 2004, with rabbis Berman and Telushkin on their home phone numbers to talk about their defense of Gafni and their attacks on The Awareness Center. They've yet to return my call.

(I favor the number four. That way you don't jump all over a good guy like Gafni who's had a few indiscretions.)

But don't think for a second I feel neglected. No, I get warm and fuzzy when I treasure the rabbis' kind and thoughtful comments behind my back about my journalistic techniques.

It is important in these troubled times that we neither expose sexual predators nor assist their victims. No, we should follow the example of Telushkin and Berman (mavens of media studies) and focus our energies on a careful analysis on the background of a blogger in Los Angeles who allows victims of sex abuse to tell their stories (after fact-checking them).

I'm glad to know Berman and Telushkin are going to shut me down. It's only right. Who wants somebody writing without permission, without the proper credentials, without the proper servility to those with power and money?

Words That Hurt, Words That Heal: How to Choose Words Wisely and Well.

Please stop me before I expose another rabbi-predator. The reputation you save, dear rabbinic reader caught in the cross currents of truth, might be your own. Best to join forces with your peers and preserve your privileges.

Finding Safe Journalists To Share Your Story

The following comments were made on one of the postings. I thought it was important for us to discuss.
***********************************

When talking to a journalist it's vitally important for the individual to be able to understand my right to privacy. It's great that the individual everyone seems to keep bringing up, understands confidentiality.

Yet, there's something else to look at. I've looked at his blog, his web page, and the posting to his old blog (Protocols). I personally don't feel comfortable sharing the intimate details of my abuse with a man who writes about his sexual fantasies publicly. I don't know if this makes any sense to anyone else, but I wonder if I told him about my violation if it will turn him on? My fear is it will.

Anonymous said...

That's a legitimate concern, and I hope he reads that and addresses it here.

The First Female Rabbi

A friend sent me the following article. I know it has nothing to do with sexual abuse/assault. I just thought it was important and wanted to share it with everyone.

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A Forgotten Pioneer of Faith
By Louise Scodie


On December 27 1935, in Offenbach in Germany, a thirty-three-year-old woman called Regina Jonas became the first ever female rabbi.

Her story in itself is remarkable; the way in which her story has remained relatively hidden only serves to highlight the sad and surprising fact that, nearly 60 years after Regina's death in Auschwitz, one woman's amazing achievement can still go unnoticed and unappreciated.

Born in Berlin in 1902, Regina attended the city's centre for Jewish studies - the Hochshule fur die Wissenschaft des Judentums - and qualified as a religion teacher, one of the few acceptable careers for women at the time. Yet this was not enough for Regina, and so she made an unprecedented decision to become a rabbi. Unsurprisingly, she met with considerable opposition.

Although Regina completed her course requirements - including writing her rabbinic thesis on women's ordination - the Talmud professor, Chanoth Albeik, refused to sign her ordination certificate. Undeterred, the ambitious scholar ploughed on relentlessly until Rabbi Max Dienemann, a liberal-minded rabbi who worked in Offenbach, ordained her in 1935. Thus history was made, and the way was paved for future generations of women rabbis.

Rabbi Jonas went on to work in Berlin's Jewish community, giving sermons, lectures and carrying out pastoral duties. That she continued to carry out her rabbinical duties after she had been deported to the Czech Ghetto Theriesenstadt, in November 1942, is a further testament to her undoubtable strength of spirit and commitment.

Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah, rabbi of Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue, who conducted research into Regina's life in the early 1990s, describes her as "the missing link in a broken chain". Regina's death at the hands of the Nazis not only spelled the end of a promising career, but it also hindered the general progress of women in the rabbinate. Indeed, Sarah believes Regina's story gives us "another way to look at the devastating legacy of the Holocaust".

She explains: "If the Shoah had not happened, and the Hochshule hadn't been closed down, who knows how many more women would have become rabbis before the ordination of Sally Priesand in the USA in 1972?"

Indeed, Regina Jonas may have been the only female rabbi of her time, but she was not the only woman who studied at the Hochshule. According to the school's annual report of 1932, she was one of 27 female students out of a total of 155.

Had these other women been allowed to progress under normal circumstances - as opposed to the Nazi regime - they might well have followed Regina's path.

Furthermore, the fact that Regina's inspiring story remains largely unknown highlights the lack of progress for women, despite the many apparent advances towards equality. Sarah recalls that when Regina's documents were unearthed in East Germany following the fall of the Berlin Wall, and her ordination certificate was presented to the Leo Baeck College, only a handful of people were present. The presentation, made by Hans Hirshberg and Dr Hermann Simon, director of Berlin's Central Jewish Institute, to the college principal, Rabbi Professor Jonathan Magonet, was "buried away before the main events of the evening."

For her, this lack of recognition of one woman's pioneering achievement proves that "to say women have achieved equality is a travesty - society is allowed to forget women like Regina."

This is especially sad when we consider that Rabbi Regina Jonas truly was a pioneer - she ventured into a land which was unchartered for women, fought those who opposed her fearsome ambition and great spirit and challenged the patriarchal society which would not countenance the existence of a working woman rabbi.

Indeed, right until her death, Regina never stopped fighting, or failed to inspire people and carry out her rabbinical duties.

An excerpt from one of her sermons given in the ghetto shortly before she was transported to Auschwitz in October 1944, serves as a poignant reminder of just how great her spirit and belief was: "Wherever one steps in every life situation, bestow blessing, goodness and faithfulness. Men and women, women and men have undertaken this duty with the same Jewish faithfulness.

“This also serves our testing Theresienstadt work - may it be a blessing for Israel's future and humanity."

Finding A Good Therapist

Many survivors struggle trying to find help. Finding a therapist is NOT an easy task. Just because someone is a psychotherapist, doesn't mean they have the education or training to work with survivors. Just because someone has experience working with survivors, doesn't mean that the therapist will be good for you as an individual.

How do you find a good therapsist? How do you know if the therapist you have is good for you? How do you know if you are making progress?

Pornography and Sex Trafficking

In an earlier posting we were talking about Pornography. I think it's important for us to discuss the similarities between Pornography and Sex Trafficking, and how the two often go hand in hand.

I just came across the following web page. I thought it was interesting, and wanted to share it with you. It's for an organziation called: Captive Daughters.

My hope is that the more we explore these issues, the more that others will gain a better understanding of why Pornography is just NOT OK.

Is This Blog Helpful?

I've been doing this blog for several weeks, and am curious if this blog is helpful to anyone? Please let me know if you read it? If you do, what do you think about it? What would you change or add?

History of Child Abuse, Neglect and Sexual Abuse/Assault Laws

From The Awareness Center:


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History of Child Abuse, Neglect and Sexual Abuse/Assault Laws

The majority of individuals are unaware of the story of Mary Ellen, a nine-year-old girl from New York. If it wasn't for a nurse who was working in her neighborhood, we might not have the laws on our books that we have today. The nurse did NOT sit back and do nothing. She responded. She didn't take NO for an answer. She didn't sit back and wait for someone else to do something.

Back in 1874 there were NO laws on the books to protect children, yet there were laws on the books to protect animals. Because Mary Ellen was a member of the animal kingdom, the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animal was able to do something to protect her from any more harm.

When the story hit the news media there was a public outcry for there to be change in the way children were treated. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was formed, and by 1900 there were 161 such groups in the U.S.

It's unbelieveable that it wasn't until 1968, when Dr. C. Henry Kempe and Ray E. Helfer's book The Battered Child was published, that people began to be aware of and believe that parents and caregivers truly could and did physically abuse their children. Please note that it wasn't until almost 20 years later that the world started to pay attention to the whole issue of sexual abuse/assault of children (and adults).

Be aware it wasn't until 1983-84, in Illinois the Confidentiality of Statements Made to Rape Crisis Personnel granted absolute privilege to sexual assault victims. This act was important because it meant that anything a rape victim said to a Rape Crisis Counselor or Legal advocate was absolutely confidential. This meant that no court could supena records of victims.

In 1984 several very important acts were also implemented. In Illinois, the Violent Crime Victims Assistance Act was signed into law. This basically provided victims of all crimes, including survivors of sexual violence free counseling and advocacy. This same year the federal governement, signed into law the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), it was at that time states received notice of future funding for victims services.

It's important to keep all of the relatively new history of how our society has dealt with criminal sexual acts. It helps to understand why it is so important for organizations like The Awareness Center to exsist.

We all have to be thankful to the nurse who cared enough to do something about Mary Ellen, back in 1874.

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Being Public About Being Sexually Assaulted -- How do you find the BEST way for you to do it?

Having a blog for and about survivors of sexual violence can be complicated.

How do you know how much to share about your own personal life? How much do you keep private?

How do you encourage survivors to speak out, but also protect them at the same time?

Let's talk about how you know what and what not to share on line, to your friends, to reporters.

How do you decide if someone is trustworthy to share your life with?

If you decide to go to a newspaper with your abuse history, how do you find one that you feel comfortable with? Guess, the question really is -- how do you find a journalist who is worthy of telling your story to?

Understanding Pornography

I don't want this to get ugly, and I know how quickly it can. But I think it's important for us to have a conversation about pornography.

Yes, it's true that both men and women like to look at pornography. I remember being about 9 years old and sneaking to look at my uncle's playboy magazine. I remember looking through National Geographic Magazines to see the naked people. I was young and curious. Is that natural? Normal?

I remember over hearing my uncle talking about Playboy. He said he bought the magazines for the articles -- not for the pictures.

Is the pornography of the 1960's - 70's different then the pornography available today?

One of the problems with pornography is the fact that many of the young women and men who are photographed are being exploited. Many of these individuals are barely over 18 (or have fake ID's). The majority of individuals who get involved are survivors of childhood sexual violence. Many got their start after running away from home and get lured in.

When someone earns a living off of young adults taking their clothes off and having sex to be photographed -- I personally have a serious problem with it.

I don't want to throw stones at any one person. The problem is one in our society. One that our entire society need to address.

HEADLINE NEWS: Yori Is Being Banned From Posting On A Blog That Is For Jewish Survivors Of Sexual Violence

Because this blog is for and about Jewish Survivors of Sexual Violence, I found it imperitive to delete messages I believe are posted by someone who is dedicated to harass those of us who are dedicated to healing.

Yori, you have your own blog -- this blog's NOT for you!

Lanner Appeal Decision - By Murray L. Sragow

Lanner's Appeal decision was announced today. I do not yet have all the details, but I am told the following so far:

1. Lanner's appeal was successful only in removing one of his seven year sentences, that being the one for sexual assault. Since he was to serve them concurrently, however, this does not reduce the jail time he should expect.

2. The decision has not been published.

3. Lanner is continuing his appeal. The Supreme Court must decide whether top hear his appeal in 45 days, otherwise the ruling of the appeals court stands.

4. Lanner has petitioned to remain out of jail in the interim, as he is in poor health and has been well behaved since his conviction.

Murray L. Sragow

Who said this? Luke Ford or Michael Ozair?

Read this profile. Rabbi Michael Ozair
Can you tell me if this is Luke Ford saying this? or is it Ozair saying it?
http://lukeford.net/profiles/profiles/michael_ozair.htm

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Rabbi Michael Ozair was a former teacher of mine who was particularly skilled at reaching out to non-Orthodox Jews. I went to a dozen of his classes, so I must've gotten something out of them. I wouldn't be bothered by his crime (as long as the sex was voluntary and with a post-pubescent girl) except that he was married, and an employed Jewish teacher. I believe he was twice voted teacher of the year at Shalhevet High School before he was fired in the summer of 2000 (before the sex scandal broke) for allowing some senior students on a field trip to Mexico to buy a couple of beers on July 4th.

What's the big deal here? If we restricted Kabbalah coaches to those who have not commited sex crimes, there would not be enough to go around in Hollywood, let alone the wider world.

I say, those who have not had oral copulation with a 14-year-old-girl, let them throw the first stone.

A lot of these ninth grade girls are going on 28 and very willing, if you know what I mean, and a teacher has to take to sewing his pants shut before he goes over the Cuckoo's nest.

At least he wasn't priestly and making it with a boy. Give him points for that.

Jewish Male Survivors of Sexual Violence

When I look at pictures of the Kotel, and I see a sea of men, I wonder how many of them were sexually abused as children. They say that one out ever 5 men were victimized. I've heard Vicki Polin say a number of times, "if there's a minyan of 10 men, the odds are that at least 2 of them are survivors."

Keeping this in mind, where do they go to get help? Why is it that they aren't speaking out? Demanding that changes be made? Why are they so afraid to say they were victimized as children, and that it's time for it to stop?

If you a man, and also a survivor, let's hear from you. What can our communities do to help you? What can we do to help you heal?

Under talmudic law, the sexual use of girls over the age of three was permissible?

I just picked up an old book. One of the first books that discussed child sexual abuse.

"I Never Told Anyone" by Ellen Bass and Louise Thornton. Published in 1983.

Is there any truth to what the following two paragraphs are saying?

-----------------------------
(page 34)

In biblical times, sex was sanctioned between men and young girls. Under talmudic law, the sexual use of girls over the age of three was permissible, provided the girl's father consented and appropriate moneys were transferred. Sexual intercourse was an acceptable means of establishing betrothal, and the use of both women and girls was regulated by a detailed set of laws reflecting the property status of females. Women and girls were owned, rented, bought, and sold as sexual commodities. As long as these transactions were conducted with proper payment to the males, rabbis and lawmakers approved.

The sexual use of girls under the age of three was not regulated legally, as these children were considered too young to be legal v virgins, and were therefore without monetary value. Sex with girls under the age of three was not subject to any restrictions. As in hunting, it was open season. Boys under the age of nine were also fair game. Though sex between adult men was severely punished, men could -- and did -- use young boys at will.

Don't Forget About Rabbi Michael Ozair

I was just going over some of the old cases that I've read about. Does anyone know what convicted sex offender Michael Ezra Ozair is up to? I just looked up his web page. He's still the one and only Kabbalah Coach.

http://kabbalahcoach.com/

You can read all about him at:
http://www.theawarenesscenter.org/ozair_michael.html

Any News On The Tendler Affair?

I was just talking to a friend of mine on the phone. Was curious if anyone heard anything? Is the case of rabbi Mordecai Tendler going to slip through the cracks? Is the RCA (Rabbinical Council of America) doing anything more -- besides handing confidential information over to the alleged offender?

I also hear rumors about a case brewing regarding his brother in California. Does anyone know anything about it? Or is "silence golden"?

-----------------------------

During the question-and-answer session of a Makor forum on rabbinic abuse, (back in December, 2003) several female health-care professionals in the audience spoke with passion and frustration about a well-known rabbi in their local community whose affairs with women in his office, they said, have gone on for years.

The speakers said they felt stymied as to how to take action against the unnamed rabbi, who is highly respected, and help the women involved, who are too embarrassed to speak out.

Several sources have informed the Forward newspaper that a number of women have told friends and Jewish communal figures that Rabbi Mordechai Tendler, who is married with eight children, had propositioned them while serving in his role as either rabbinic counselor or religious arbiter."Rabbi Tendler denies all of the allegations that are being made in their entirety," the spokesman wrote in a statement sent to the Forward. "No misconduct was committed by him."

Rabbi Tendler is the founder and religious leader of Kehillat New Hempstead, a Modern Orthodox congregation near Monsey. According to the Foward article: Sources familiar with the situation say that the RCA has solicited the services of a private investigations firm from Texas to probe the allegations against Tendler."We take all these allegations very seriously and certainly don't want to whitewash it," said Rabbi Kenneth Auman, president of the RCA. "On the other hand, we also have to bear in mind the protection of the accused, and therefore I would prefer to wait with a statement, until we hear the final report."

According to sources of The Awareness Center the RCA hired Praesidium, Inc, which is a risk management company that was also used by the catholic church.

Rabbi Mordechai Tendler is a a grandson of the late Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, the Orthodox world's most respected religious arbiter for much of the 20th century

Is The Jewish Community Of Baltimore Protecting Sex Offenders or Backing Innocent Men Falsely Accused?

Let's talk about a few individuals in Baltimore.

Let's start off with Rabbi Eliezer Eisgrau. Read up about him at:
http://www.lukeford.net/profiles/profiles/eliezer_eisgrau.htm

One of Eisgrau's biggest supporters is Rabbi Yaakov Menken (owner of www.torah.org).

Read what Luke wrote about him at:
http://www.lukeford.net/profiles/profiles/yaakov_menken.htm

Protecting Sex Offenders? Why We Do It?

I'm always stumped when a group of people rally behind someone who is an alleged sex offender. Just look at the case of Rabbi Mordechai Gafni. I read what's on The Awareness Center's web page. I just don't get it. He confessed to having sexual relations with a 13 year old girl. He was 20 at the time.

If a 20 year old man had sexual relations with my 13 year old daughter I would be outraged. I would do anything and everything to make sure he's behind bars. I don't care if he called it a loving relationship. My daughter is way to young to be involved with a man that much older then her, besides the fact that she is to young to be dating a boy her own age!

It makes no sense to me why Rabbis like Saul Berman, Arthur Green Joseph Telushkin and Rabbi Tirzah Firestone would support him? Why is it that they can't see what I see? Why is it that I can't see what they see? Will someone explain it to me?

I read the articles on The Awareness Center's site and I wonder how can anyone support Gafni? He even lied about being an Oxford Scholar.

Alleged Sex Offender Operated a Mikvah Out of His Home (Rabbi Ephraim Bryks)

Rabbi Ephraim Boruch Bryks has a mikvah operated out of his home:
see:
http://www.queensvaad.org/mikvah/
Name: Mikvah of Kew Gardens
Address: 84-33 116th St. Kew

http://www.google.com/search?sa=X&oi=fwp&pb=f&q=%22(718)+849-0065%22+ny
and
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&pb=f&q=%22ephraim+bryks%22+ny&pb=f

Jewish Whistleblower

Rabbi Saul Berman - Outspoken Leader on Business Ethics?

Rabbi Saul Berman, director of the liberal Orthodox group Edah and generally an outspoken leader on business ethics, did not return numerous calls for comment. Kushner's brother-in-law, Murray Laulicht, is the board president. An administrator at Edah declined to comment on Kushner's own connection to the organization.
...

Maybe people should be more concerned with an organization like Edah which won't comment on its connection to a pornographer and trafficker of prostitutes (or condemn his behavior publicly) then a Luke Ford who is open about his past and present.

Comment from: Jewish Whistleblower
http://jewishsurvivors.blogspot.com/2005/02/what-do-we-do-about-luke-ford.html#comments

How Do You Find A Rabbi That's Safe?

I was just reading BatDina's blog called Beach of Yellow. She posted an extremely important list called:
"Twisted Mind".

Please go and read it. You can find it by just clicking on the title of this posting.

The items she lists in her posting are things she experienced with her offender. The problem is that the lines she heard are way to common.

Do rabbis who are sex offenders have a book on how to manipulate and assault men and women? The lines these so call rabbis feed their victims are unreal!

Many of us are either taught or made to believe if someone is an ordained rabbi, then you should just trust them. . . NO one teaches us that TRUST has to be earned.

Does it really make a difference if a rabbi is part of any rabbinical organization?

The reality is that the only thing that rabbinical organizations can do is terminate the rabbis membership. So then what? The alleged or convicted offender can still lure in unsuspecting victims. They still hold the title of "Rabbi". How can we protect our selves from the few rabbis who sexually exploit and abuse anyone they can?

Why is it that it's only The Awareness Center, Jewish Whistleblower (Blog) and Luke Ford who are brave enough to post the names of those who are potentially dangerous?

Why isn't any of the rabbinical organizations doing it? Why isn't any of the Kiruv or other Jewish organizations doing it? Don't they care that Jews are being sexually victimized? What will it take to make things change?

They have to stop bringing these issues to a committee to discuss the issues and act proactively. They need to do it NOW!

Rabbi Ephram Bryks . . . Principal of a school? He's allowed to supervise children?

How can it be that someone who has so many allegations against him be the principal of a yeshiva? How can it be that the state of New York would allow this? Click on the title of this entry and you will find the following information:


The New York State Administrators Listing for Public and Non-Public Schools and School Districts
District: NYC GEOG DIST #28 - RIC #3
SCHOOL: YESHIVA BERACHEL DAVID-TORAH HS-QUEE
Code: 342800229718
Record Type: Non-Public Grade Organization: Special School

Chief School Officer: PRINCIPAL-RABBI EPHRAIM BRYKS Mailing Address: 150-62 78TH RD FLUSHING, NY 11367 Phone: (718) 849-4140


Learn more about Ephraim Bryks by goint to The Awareness Center's web page: http://www.theawarenesscenter.org/bryks_ephraim.html

Want to know about Rabbi Ephraim Bryks? Read the book "The Primrose Path"

Just click on the title of this posting and it will take you to amazon so you can order a copy.

This children's book about rabbinical child abuse has been banned in many Jewish school libraries. What can we do to change that? Our children deserve the right to be aware!

Editorial Reviews
When fourteen-year-old Debbie moves to a new town and Hebrew school following the death of her grandmother, she begins to be uncomfortable with the overly familiar behavior of the Rabbi principal.

Call to Action: Asking Herzlia-Adas Yeshurun Synagogue to have the plaque removed honoring Rabbi Ephraim Bryks

Call to Action: Asking Herzlia-Adas Yeshurun Synagogue to have the plaque removed honoring Rabbi Ephraim Bryks .

Contact Information:

Rabbi Tzvi Muller at Herzlia - Adas Yeshurun Synagogue

620 Brock St., Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R3N 0Z4

Phone: (204) 489-6262 Fax: (204) 489-5899

email: herzlia2000@yahoo.ca

This Yom Kippur marked the 11th anniversary of the suicide of Daniel Levin an alleged victim of Rabbi Ephraim Boruch Bryks (http://www.theawarenesscenter.org/bryks_ephraim.html). It is a difficult time in particular for his family and friends as Daniel's alleged abuser has never been brought to real justice (if such a thing is even possible at this point) and continues to thrive and work with women and children, not in some small Jewish community but in the New York Orthodox Jewish community.

The Winnipeg Jewish community and Bryks' former Orthodox Union affiliated synagogue, Herzlia Adas Yeshurun (the site of Daniel's abuse), continue to refuse any acknowledgment or responsibility. No apology, no compassion. A plaque honoring Rabbi Ephraim Boruch Bryks remains on the synagogue's "Tree of Life." All Daniel has is a tombstone in a cemetery.

The Awareness Center Has A Call to Action asking everyone to contact Herzlia Adas Yeshurun and ask them to remove the plaque, and perhaps replace it with a plaque honoring the memory of Daniel Levin (see contact information above). For more information regarding the Bryks case, go to: http://www.theawarenesscenter.org/Bryks_Ephraim.html

Sincerely,

Vicki Polin, MA, ATR, LCPC

Executive Director - The Awareness Center

What's Happening With Rabbi Ephraim Bryks? Does Anyone Know What He's Up To These Days?

Here's a case we can NOT forget about.
http://www.theawarenesscenter.org/Bryks_Ephraim.html

Rabbi Ephraim Boruch Bryks principal Yeshiva Berachel David Torah High School Queens, currently serves time as a member of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens (Rabbinical committee that makes important decisions within the community). As of today, there has been no public statement made concerning his decade long membership on the Vaad Harabonim of Queens. On May 27, 2003, he resigned his membership in the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), after being involved for a quarter of a century.

Anyone with relevant information regarding the open case in Canada is encouraged to contact the Winnipeg Police at their main phone number: (204) 986-6037.

Anyone with relevant information in the United States is encouraged to contact their local police department and their local District Attorney's office, NYPD Switchboard: (646) 610-5000 Queens District Attorney's office: (718) 286-6000.

Rabbi Ephraim Bryks is originally from Denver, Colorado. In this case, accusations about his inappropriate behavior with children started surfacing in the 1980's. These accusations also included making sexual advancements to women in his congregation. When his alleged victims disclosed their experiences to a rabbinic leader in their community, they were basically told to keep silent. The rabbi advised them not to go to the police or child family services. He told them to deal with the allegations internally with the synagogue board. The children were not offered psychotherapy to help them cope with their alleged victimization. Unfortunately a teenager who didn't have the coping skills to deal with his memories ended up committing suicide.

Over the years Rabbi Ephraim Bryks has left a trail of alleged victims from such far-away places as Winnipeg, Canada. He is currently located in New York City. There are no documented cases or public information regarding any victims in New York, yet he has been let go by schools (one characterized as firing), but the schools will not discuss the matter.

For years alleged victims have been going to rabbinic leaders in their communities looking for guidance. For years rabbinic leaders have found it more important to protect an alleged sexual predator over protecting our children.

49 year-old Rabbi Ephraim Boruch Bryks will continue to run Yeshiva Berachel David in Queens until the end of the 2003 school year. No public statement has been made concerning his decade- long membership on the Vaad Harabonim of Queens. Rabbi Bryks was a member of the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) for over a quarter of a century before his May 27, 2003 resignation. Ads in The Jewish Press indicate that Rabbi Bryks is currently working as a mortgage broker for a company he runs out of his home called REB International LLC.).

Should Survivors of Sexual Violence Become Therapists and Work Then With Survivors?

It's interesting to know that some people are shocked with the notion that someone who was sexually victimized would go into the mental health profession and dedicate their lives to helping other survivors. Would you be shocked to know that recovering alcoholics and drug addicts often go back to school and become rehab counselors? Should we be outraged that they would think they would be able to understand and relate to others who have had similar experiences?

We also have to consider that there are people out there who believe if you have PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) or any other related symptomology, that you are considered mentally ill. How can someone who in their eyes become therapists if they have a mental illness?

How do you feel about someone who was a witness to a murder. As they got older they decided to go into law enforcement. Should we ban those individuals from doing work that has meaning to them?

I think it's important for all of us to discuss these issues once and for all.

Getting Coverage From The Jewish News Media

Do you think there is any way we can encourage Jewish Journalists to write a story about the number of Kiruv workers, who do more then Outreach?

April is Sexual Violence Awareness Month. Maybe this year will be different and the taboo about not talking about child sex abuse and sexual assault of adults will be discussed openly.

Kiruv Workers Who Are Alleged or Convicted Sex Offenders

What do we do about Kiruv workers (those who do Jewish Outreach), who manipulate the men and women they work with for their own personal pleasure?

What do you do when someone uses their power and authority and create chaos in the lives of those who desperately need someone they can trust?

Who were / are the masters in the Kiruv arena who did this? I'll provide you a list of some of them. the problem is that for many no newspapers ever wrote articles about them. Survivors have been afraid to bring criminal or civil charges up against them. The fears are real because many of them act as thugs.

I can only name those where there is public documentation already. Some I'm just listing as "Unnamed". Go to The Awareness Center's web page, and look at their entire list, let me know if I missed any:
http://www.theawarenesscenter.org/clergyabuse.html


List of Alleged or Convicted Sex Offenders who did / do Kiruv Work

1. Case of Rabbi Ephraim Bryks (Winnipeg, Canada, New York, NY)  (Accusations about sexual inappropriate behavior with children started surfacing in the 1980's. Rabbi Bryks is currently a member of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens. The Vaad is a Rabbinical committee that makes important decisions within an orthodox community.)

2. Case of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach (Accused of several cases of child molestation, and sexual assault of young adult women)

3. Case of Rabbi Mordechai Gafni (aka: Marc Gafni, Mordechai Winiarz/Winyarz, Marc Winiarz/Winyarz)  (Accused sexually abusing teenage girls, attempted sexual assault of a young adult, and also accused of cult like practices).

4. Case of Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg (St. Paul, MN) (Accused by a sexually exploiting a female congregant while counseling her for more than two years).

5. Case of Rabbi Steven J. Kaplan (Saskatoon, Canada) (Allegations, detailed in court documents, that he lacked proper ordination, sexually harassed female congregants and committed adultery with one of them).

6. Case of Rabbi Robert Kirschner (San Francisco, CA) (Accused of sexually exploited or harassing three congregants and a synagogue employee)

7. Case of Rabbi Ze'ev Kopolevitch (Jerusalem, Israel)  (Convicted of molesting students at Rosh Yeshiva, Netiv Meir yeshiva high school)

8. Case of Rabbi Baruch Lanner (New York, NY)  (Convicted - child molestation.  Sentancing still pending after 2 years)

9. Case of Rabbi Michael David Mayersohn (Westminster, CA)  (Accused of "groping" a female congregant who was undergoing pastoral counseling with the rabbi, due to marital problems. The rabbi is also accused of tring to "convince the congregant to have sex with him" in a second meeting. The female congregant refused).

10. Case of Rabbi Shalom Nagar - AKA Shlomo Nagar (Ariel, Israel) (Arrested for allegedly raping a woman who had turned to him for advice.  Nagar, married with children, has served for many years as the chief rabbi of this mainly secular town, the largest Jewish settlement in Samaria)

11. Case of Rabbi Haim Pardes - Former President of the Tel Aviv Rabbinical Court (Israel)  Convicted of sexually blackmailing" and performing "licentious acts" with women who sought his counsel in a synagogue. Pardes was sentanced to six months in prison and given an 18-month suspended prison sentence and fined 25,000 shekels ($12,500).

12. Case of Rabbi Charles Shalman (Buffalo, NY)  (Accused of sexual misconduct toward female congregational members)

13. Case of Cantor Michael Segelstein (Las Vegas, NV)  (Accused of attempted rape; Chabad)

14. Case of Rabbi Ze'ev Sultanovitch (Jerusalem, Israel) (Accused of sexually molesting a number of adult yeshiva students at the Merkaz Harav Yeshiva)

15. Case of Rabbi Mordecai Tendler (AKA: Mordechai Tendler) (Monsey, NY) (Accused of innappropriate sexual behavior with women in he counseled that had gone on for years).

16. Case of Rabbi Isadore Trachtman (Chicago, IL and Jerusalem, Israel) (Accused of cultic type practices and sexual offenses)

17. Case of Rabbi Eliyahu Tzabari - Former chief rabbi of Ganei Tikva, Israel  (Charged with sexually abusing a women with whom he counseled).

18. Case of Rabbi Ivan Wachmann - Manchester, England  (Accused of sexual misconduct with women from his Manchester synagogue)

19. Case of Rabbi Matis Weinberg (Baltimore, MD, Santa Clara, CA and Har Nof, Israel)  (Accused of cultic type practices and sexual offenses)

20. Case of the Unnamed Kiruv Worker in Baltimore, MD

21. Case of Several Kiruv Workers in Jerusalem, Israel

22. Case of the Unnamed Kiruv Worker in Monsey, NY

23. Case of the Unnamed Kiruv Worker who has lived in London, Enland; Chicago, IL; and now in Istanbul, Turkey.

24. Case of the Unnamed Kiruv Worker in Pasaic, NJ

Is it ever to late to try to connect with God?

So many survivors of childhood sexual abuse/assault have difficulties trusting. They want to trust but either don't know how, or are afraid to just let go and trust. The same can be said about those who were violated as adults, but at least when the abuse comes from outside the home there's a chance that the survivor will have a positive role model of who and what God is.

Usually one of the stages of healing a survivor of childhood sexual abuse goes through involves trying to find a way to explore their own spirituality. As we all know the major problem has been survivors have difficulties finding someone that feels safe enough to open up with, and share a side of them that feels extremely vulnerable.

But what happens if this person they find and trust violates that trust? Will the survivor ever feel safe enough again to try to find someone else? Will anyone believe the survivor if they tell anyone that they have been revictimized?

Years pass and they still feel alone and terrified to share. Does there ever come a point that someone is too old to make the connection?

Sex Abuse Victims Seek Pulling of Super Bowl Ad

For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005
 
For more information:
Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP President 312 399 4747
David Clohessy of St. Louis SNAP National Director 314 566-9790 cell, 314 645 5915
Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP Outreach Director 314 862 7688

Sex Abuse Victims Seek Pulling of Super Bowl Ad
 
It Shows Priest Fondling Truck, Eyeing Girl, & Posting “Lust”
 
New Spot “Trivializes” Child Molestation Crisis, They Say
 
SNAP Says Female Victims Are Most Offended
 
A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is urging Ford/Lincoln to not air a planned Super Bowl TV ad that they say trivializes and exploits the Catholic church sex scandal and offends females who have been molested.
 
Leaders of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) are urging the company to withdraw the spot, which features a priest in a Roman collar longingly rubbing his hands over a new truck, looking at a shy young girl, and posting the word “LUST” on the church marquee.
 
(To see the ad: http://www.superbowl-ads.com/2005/videos-2005/lincolnLT.html)
 
"It trivializes childhood sex crimes by trusted clergy and exploits a horrific trauma," said Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP founder and president. "We are appalled at how insensitive this ad is. It just rubs salt into an already very deep and still hurting wound for many of us."
 
Joining their concern are officials from a New York-based grassroots activist organization, a former prosecutor, and therapist.
 
“Are there no limits to what advertisers will do for commercial gain?” asks Irene Weiser, founder and executive director of StopFamilyViolence.org “To capitalize on the lifelong suffering of sexual abuse victims and the scandalous cover-up by church officials in order to sell a truck?  This advertisement goes beyond insensitive – it is sickening.”
 
“Because much attention has focused on assaults against boys, girls and women who have been sexually attacked and exploited by clergy already feel very marginalized and ignored,” said Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP’s Outreach Coordinator. “This ad will only deepen their pain.”
 
“Provocative themes in Super Bowl ads are not new but this ad is designed to sell trucks by mocking and exploiting the sexual abuse of children,” said Wendy Murphy, former sex crimes prosecutor and professor at the New England School of Law in Boston. “This isn't just about pushing the envelope on bad taste, it is about a company making profits on the backs of the thousands of children who've been raped and sodomized by trusted priests.  The public has an obligation to protest this outrageous ad by refusing to purchase Lincoln products and by letting Lincoln know in any way they can that this ad will not be rewarded.”
 
"People who are recovering from the effects of abuse often feel that the world around them triviliazes their suffering, and that the perpetrators are glamorized, while they are ignored and blamed," said Dr. Joyanna Silberg, a psychologist who specializes in therapy with abuse victims. “This commercial seems to glamorize the priest and his inappropriate sexuality using that to enhance the glamor of the car. It thereby could be seen as insulting to both victims of priest sexual abuse, and priests with integrity."
 
Silberg is also the executive vice-president of the Leadership Council on child Abuse & Interpersonal Violence.
 
SNAP is the nation’s largest and oldest support group for clergy molestation victims, with more than 5,000 members. It is based in Chicago.
 
For more information about the ad, please go to SNAPnetwork.org or StopFamilyViolence.org
 
SNAP plans to write Ford/Lincoln today voicing their outrage.
 
http://www.adweek.com/aw/creative/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000781441
 
Priest Learns Lesson in Lust in Lincoln Ad
February 01, 2005
By Kevin Ransom



A priest admires the Mark LT a little too much.






DEARBORN, MICH. Ford Motor Co.'s Lincoln division will run its first Super Bowl ad in more than 10 years during the Feb. 6 broadcast of this year's pigskin extravaganza, as it launches an integrated marketing campaign for the 2006 Lincoln Mark LT luxury pick-up truck with a 30-second Super Bowl spot, the company said this morning.

The spot, "Charity," depicts a clergyman who discovers an unusual tithe in the collection plate--the keys to a brand new Lincoln Mark LT. The minister then checks out the vehicle in the church parking lot, falls in love with it, then comes back to earth when the owner of the truck indicates his daughter mistakenly tossed his keys into the plate. The spot ends with the minister putting the letters "LT" on the church marquee to spell out next week's sermon topic: "LUST."

The ad, which will debut during the first half of the game, was directed by Tarsem Singh (director of the Jennifer Lopez thriller, "The Cell"), and utilizes Cassandra Wilson's version of the Billie Holiday classic, "Guilty." The track was produced by Don Was and was recorded specifically for use in the spot.

The campaign also includes print ads in both pre- and post- Super Bowl editions of USA Today and Sports Illustrated.

"Charity" will also run online, beginning on Super Bowl Sunday, on www.lincoln.com. The Web site offers viewers a chance to pre-order the Mark LT, which will be available in dealer showrooms later this month. The Web site will also feature online film vignettes of people daydreaming about the Lincoln Mark LT. The online videos were created by Derek Cianfrance, an independent filmmaker worked on Lincoln's "Meet The Lucky Ones," online campaign.

Lincoln is also sponsoring the Sports Illustrated Super Swimsuit Party in Jacksonville, Fla., on Feb. 5. Two Lincoln Mark LT vehicles will be on display along the red carpet leading up to the party. The Lincoln Mark LT Chopper, crafted by Orange County Chopper, will be displayed inside the party. The Mark LT Chopper will also be featured on Discovery Channel's "American Chopper" on February 14 and 21.