Call To Action: Cantor Assembly and Allegations Professional Sexual Misconduct
Please Forward
The Awareness Center, Inc. has been made aware of a situation in which a Cantor was fired from a synagogue last year. This Cantor remains a member in good standing of a professional Cantorial organization.
The Awareness Center has had many communications with the Cantor Assembly, regarding this case.
As we all know, Cantors do not have the education, training or experience in investigating allegations of sexual abuse, sexual assault, professional sexual misconduct, and or sexual harassment. For that reason The Awareness Center, Inc. has been asking the Cantor Assembly to hire an individual, organization or agency to conduct a professional investigation into the serious allegations.
Today The Awareness Center received a letter from the Cantor Assembly's attorney.
Please follow this link and read the letter, and then either call or write the President and Executive Vice President of the Cantor Assembly, and their legal representative.
We ask that everyone tries to help educate these individuals of the importance of hiring an organization that has the education and experience to conduct the official investigation. We also ask that you help explain to them the ramifications of allowing an individual who might have violated halacha (Jewish Law) and the Cantor Assembly's own code of ethics remain a member in good standing.
Below you will find contact information, and also a section of the Cantor Assembly's Bylaws that address the process for termination.
(FYI: Other Cantors who have been in the news)
Contact:
Cantor Stephen Stoehr - President
ssstoehr@aol.com
(847) 498-4100
Cantor Stephen Stein - Executive Vice President
caofficestein@aol.com
(330) 864-2105
Herbert S. Garten - Attorney at Law
HGS@fedgar.com
(410) 539-2800
-----------------------
Cantor Assembly - Bylaws
IV Termination of Membership
4.1 Continual Compliance to Standards
A member once elected must continue to meet enunciated standards for membership and comply with such standards of ethical, moral and professional conduct promulgated by the Executive Council.
4.2 Violations of Ethical, Moral and/or Professional Standards
When a member is accused of having violated standards of ethical, moral and/or professional conduct, such violation will be investigated by the Ethics Committee which will report its findings to the Executive Council.
4.2.1 All Charges involving ethical, moral and/or professional misconduct must be made in writing to the President of the Cantors Assembly.
4.2.2 Members accused of having violated standards of ethical, moral and/or professional conduct shall have the opportunity to defend themselves before the Ethics Committee and shall have the right to representation by legal or other counsel.
4.2.3 If disciplinary actions are deemed necessary, the Ethics Committee will make a recommendation to the Executive Council. If, in the judgment of the Executive Council, the charges have been substantiated, the Council, upon two-thirds vote, shall impose appropriate discipline or penalty, including "suspension" or "expulsion" from membership.
4.2.3 (1) "Suspension without prejudice" may be recommended by the Ethics Committee. A member suspended without prejudice may be reaccepted upon meeting the requirements for membership once again, and must apply for readmission by addressing a letter to the President stating the reasons for such request. The President will report to the Executive Council for approval or rejection of the request for readmission. A member who has been suspended without prejudice for longer than two years may be required to submit to the examination by the Membership Committee. Outstanding debts to the Cantors Assembly must be paid at the time of application for readmission to membership.
4.2.3 (2) The term "expulsion" shall apply to a member who has failed to comply with the standards of the calling of the Hazzan. A member who is "expelled" may apply for readmission not earlier than one year from the date of expulsion. Such a member shall follow the procedures for application for membership as set forth in Article III of these bylaws. In addition, such member shall address a letter to the President stating the reasons for such a request. A member who has been "expelled" for two years or less may be readmitted without examination. A member who has been "expelled" for longer than two years may be required to submit to examination by the Membership Committee. Outstanding debts to the Cantors Assembly must be paid at the time of application for readmission to membership.
4.2.3 (3) A member who wishes to temporarily leave the Assembly to pursue another career may ask for a "leave of absence." This member may be reaccepted upon meeting the requirements for membership once again, and must apply for readmission by addressing a letter to the President stating the reasons for such request. The President will report to the Executive Council for approval or rejection of the request for readmission. A member who has been "on leave" for longer than two years may be required to submit to examination by the Membership Committee. Outstanding debts to the Cantors Assembly must be paid at the time of application for readmission to membership.
4.2.4 Any member who has failed to pay dues for a period of twelve (12) months may be suspended from membership by the Executive Council until satisfactory settlement is made.
The Awareness Center has had many communications with the Cantor Assembly, regarding this case.
As we all know, Cantors do not have the education, training or experience in investigating allegations of sexual abuse, sexual assault, professional sexual misconduct, and or sexual harassment. For that reason The Awareness Center, Inc. has been asking the Cantor Assembly to hire an individual, organization or agency to conduct a professional investigation into the serious allegations.
Today The Awareness Center received a letter from the Cantor Assembly's attorney.
Please follow this link and read the letter, and then either call or write the President and Executive Vice President of the Cantor Assembly, and their legal representative.
We ask that everyone tries to help educate these individuals of the importance of hiring an organization that has the education and experience to conduct the official investigation. We also ask that you help explain to them the ramifications of allowing an individual who might have violated halacha (Jewish Law) and the Cantor Assembly's own code of ethics remain a member in good standing.
Below you will find contact information, and also a section of the Cantor Assembly's Bylaws that address the process for termination.
(FYI: Other Cantors who have been in the news)
Contact:
Cantor Stephen Stoehr - President
ssstoehr@aol.com
(847) 498-4100
Cantor Stephen Stein - Executive Vice President
caofficestein@aol.com
(330) 864-2105
Herbert S. Garten - Attorney at Law
HGS@fedgar.com
(410) 539-2800
-----------------------
Cantor Assembly - Bylaws
IV Termination of Membership
4.1 Continual Compliance to Standards
A member once elected must continue to meet enunciated standards for membership and comply with such standards of ethical, moral and professional conduct promulgated by the Executive Council.
4.2 Violations of Ethical, Moral and/or Professional Standards
When a member is accused of having violated standards of ethical, moral and/or professional conduct, such violation will be investigated by the Ethics Committee which will report its findings to the Executive Council.
4.2.1 All Charges involving ethical, moral and/or professional misconduct must be made in writing to the President of the Cantors Assembly.
4.2.2 Members accused of having violated standards of ethical, moral and/or professional conduct shall have the opportunity to defend themselves before the Ethics Committee and shall have the right to representation by legal or other counsel.
4.2.3 If disciplinary actions are deemed necessary, the Ethics Committee will make a recommendation to the Executive Council. If, in the judgment of the Executive Council, the charges have been substantiated, the Council, upon two-thirds vote, shall impose appropriate discipline or penalty, including "suspension" or "expulsion" from membership.
4.2.3 (1) "Suspension without prejudice" may be recommended by the Ethics Committee. A member suspended without prejudice may be reaccepted upon meeting the requirements for membership once again, and must apply for readmission by addressing a letter to the President stating the reasons for such request. The President will report to the Executive Council for approval or rejection of the request for readmission. A member who has been suspended without prejudice for longer than two years may be required to submit to the examination by the Membership Committee. Outstanding debts to the Cantors Assembly must be paid at the time of application for readmission to membership.
4.2.3 (2) The term "expulsion" shall apply to a member who has failed to comply with the standards of the calling of the Hazzan. A member who is "expelled" may apply for readmission not earlier than one year from the date of expulsion. Such a member shall follow the procedures for application for membership as set forth in Article III of these bylaws. In addition, such member shall address a letter to the President stating the reasons for such a request. A member who has been "expelled" for two years or less may be readmitted without examination. A member who has been "expelled" for longer than two years may be required to submit to examination by the Membership Committee. Outstanding debts to the Cantors Assembly must be paid at the time of application for readmission to membership.
4.2.3 (3) A member who wishes to temporarily leave the Assembly to pursue another career may ask for a "leave of absence." This member may be reaccepted upon meeting the requirements for membership once again, and must apply for readmission by addressing a letter to the President stating the reasons for such request. The President will report to the Executive Council for approval or rejection of the request for readmission. A member who has been "on leave" for longer than two years may be required to submit to examination by the Membership Committee. Outstanding debts to the Cantors Assembly must be paid at the time of application for readmission to membership.
4.2.4 Any member who has failed to pay dues for a period of twelve (12) months may be suspended from membership by the Executive Council until satisfactory settlement is made.
posted by Jewish Survivors at Thursday, November 10, 2005
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