How Many Survivors Did HaRav Dovid Cohen Turn Away?
Lo ta'amod al dam re'echa. We are forbidden to stand by and do nothing!
I keep hearing about cases in which survivors of childhood sexual abuse went to Rabbi Dovid Cohen for help. Each of these cases Rabbi Dovid Cohen stated that he didn't believe the survivors or that the cases were unsubstantiated.
Rabbi Dovid Cohen is the halachic advisor (advisor on Jewish law) at Ohel (a mental health center in Boro Park). I think it's also vitally important to note that there have been many complaints about Ohel over the years regarding the training and education of those who work in their programs for survivors and offenders. I've also been told that if a therapist at their agency suspects a child is being abused, they need to get the ok from Rabbi Cohen prior to making hot-line reports.
Many Victim Advocates like myself have been saying over and over again that our rabbis DO NOT have the education or training to collect forensic evidence nor know how to conduct victim sensitive interviews. Our rabbis NEED to be working as if they are all mandated reporters. Meaning if they SUSPECT a child is being abused and or neglected -- they pick up the phone and make a hot-line report.
We all NEED to start demanding that when a rabbi hear disclosures they IMMEDIATELY help those who have been "allegedly" victimized contact child abuse hot-lines and or make police reports. Let those who are trained conduct the investigations. The way cases have been handled in the past NEEDS TO STOP TODAY!
The goal is to protect our children from ANY POTENTIAL HARM!!!
Here's a list of some of the cases in which Rabbi Dovid Cohen said were unsubstantiated. If you know of more please post them:
- Simcha Adler
- Yohannan Berkowitz, PhD
- Rabbi Lewis Brenner
- Rabbi Ephraim Bryks
- Rabbi Moshe Eisemann
- Rabbi Eliezer Eisgrau
- Shmuel Juravel
- Rabbi Solomon Hafner
- Rabbi Yaakov Menken
- Rabbi Avrohom Mondrowitz
- Rabbi Ben Zion Sobel
- Rabbi Mordecai Tendler
- Rabbi Matis Weinberg
READ THIS TOO!
Was HaRav Dovid Cohen Threatened?
posted by Jewish Survivors at Tuesday, August 01, 2006
5 Comments:
I went to Rabbi Cohen with the case of Yenti Frost. It didn't end there. Even after doing as I was told I was sent away.
I know other kids are being abused by her, but we can not protect them if no one listens.
Frustrated blogger
Why do people say go to Rabbi Cohen he understands these things if he just sends you packing?
I'm so confused!!!
Please help!!
Because "it's how it's been done".
Why change a system if it works for those with power?
Don't you get it?
"It's the good ole boys club."
can you repost this or something so people will see it again.
It's getting old.
I'm interested to see if anyone
has any additional names.
I went to Rabbi Cohen too!!
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