Monday, August 06, 2007

Rabbi Ze'ev Smason - Child Advocate of the Week

Victoria Polin at The Awareness Center says:

Child Advocate of The Week:
Rabbi Ze'ev Smason - Doing The Right Thing!
St. Louis, MO


Long time friend of The Awareness Center -
Rabbi Ze'ev Smason deserves an award for doing the right thing when he learned of an alleged sex offender in his synagogue. As soon as he learned of the allegations made against youth leader, David Kramer -- Rabbi Smason worked with the legal system and did what he could to protect his congregation from any more harm.

For those of you who know Rabbi Smason, next time you see him stand up and give him a round of applause! He definitely deserves it.


Click here to see the video of Rabbi Ze'ev Smason speaking on FOX news in St. Louis
Youth Volunteer Admits To Police He Exposed Himself To Child

Here's the case up on The Awareness Center's web page


Temple Youth Leader Arrested
Fox News (St. Louis)
August 7, 2007

Watch the Video

UNIVERSITY CITY, MO (KTVI-myFOXstl.com) -- A St. Louis man conducting a youth program at an orthodox synagogue in Olivette has been charged with sexual misconduct with a child.

University City Police say the man exposed himself to a little boy. David Kramer led a youth forum at the Nusach Hari B’Nai Zion Synagogue back in April and was scheduled to have another one in June and one later in August. But he was taken into police custody instead.

University City Police arrested David Kramer, 46, Friday night. According to the warrant, Kramer is charged with one count of sexual misconduct involving a child. The incident allegedly happened between January and March at an apartment complex off Olive Blvd.

"He seems to be a humble man," says Jovana Hutson, who lives in that building. Hutson says Kramer seemed like a religious man, who she often saw walking to his synagogue.

"I'm shocked just on the strength he stays across the hall, so close," says Hutson. "I mean he doesn't look like a monster or someone who could do that, but you never know these days, you never know and it's just like wow. I'm shocked. I'm really and truly shocked."

According to the Nusach Hari B’Nai Zion Website, Kramer lead a youth forum back in April entitled "Hot Topics For Jewish Teens."

The program was geared towards 12-16 year olds. Kramer's alleged victim was reportedly a 12-year-old boy. It's unsettling news for Hutson who has a little boy of her own.

"I don't have any tolerance for it and I think it’s pretty disgusting, I do. I mean it just blows me away I'm shocked and I will be informing the other parents around here."

Rabbi Ze'ev Smason said he was aware of Kramer's arrest but declined an on camera interview due to the Jewish Sabbath. However, the rabbi says Kramer was never an employee and was asked to leave the synagogue roughly five weeks ago

He wouldn't elaborate on why Kramer was asked to leave. He just said there was reason for concern.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for letting the world know about Rabbi Smason, he really is a gem.

Rabbi Smason if you read this I just wanted to thank you for being there for me when I needed a friend.

August 06, 2007 10:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Rabbi Smason is a hero!

Can you imagine what would have happened if he tried to handle this on his own or with in the orthodox circle of St. Louis? How many children would have ended up being molested?

Thank you Rabbi Smason for being a mench -- for beinga REAL RABBI!

August 07, 2007 7:32 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Rabbi Smason!

You got my vote! Thank you for caring more about children then you do about the reputation of the community. I mean letting the world know that there could be sex offenders in Jewish communities.

As we all know every community, Jewish and non-Jewish have this problem. It's even a problem with those who are racists and anti-Semites.

August 13, 2007 8:54 AM  

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