Mr. Mordecai Tendler (ex-rabbi) on Child Abuse

The following article was found in The Awareness Center's archives. It was published before allegations against Mordecai Tendler were made public. It definitely qualifies as being "freaky".

As we all know the majority of those who sexually perpetrate crimes against others, often have histories of being violated themselves as children. One has to wonder if this is true in the alleged cases of both of the Tendler boys (Mordecai and Aron).

LIFE IN A JEWISH ORPHANAGE: ONE CHILD'S STORY
By Mordecai Tendler
http://www.torah.com/orphanage.html
(The Awareness Center's Daily Newsletter - Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2003 3:34 pm)

Child abuse is very common in today's society and in all cultures. However, it has now become very common among the Jewish Orthodox families, which has never happened before to such a degree. These abused children are very well taught not to talk Loshon Hora (bad things about other people) especially against their immediate families. The children learn to honor their fathers and their mothers as well as other adults. A child who is physically, emotionally, or sexually abused by a parent or other authority figure, would likely not tell anyone. She is afraid to tell anyone, and keeps her emotional scars to herself. It is a HiluI Hashem (an embarrassment to G-d). In the past, child abuse was a form of discipline, but today, a parent, or any caregiver who abuses a child would end up in jail.

This story is about a Jewish-Orthodox child who was severely abused by authorities and when she complained about this abuse, she was told to listen and behave. She suffered from her injuries so badly that it put her into the hospital's intensive care and neurological unit more than once. This abuse took place in a Jewish-Orthodox orphanage, where she grew up and lived for eleven years under the supervision of a very disturbed Holocaust survivor who imagined that our heroine was her child who had been killed by the Nazis. The supervisor also instigated some counselors to use Ahuva as a human target. Ahuva channeled her energies towards constructive activities: writing a daily diary, athletics, playing the accordion, volunteering in hospitals, helping in the orphanage's infirmary, studying, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and helping other children.

The author turned her miserable life around to a very fulfilled life which gave her joy and an outlet for her pain. When Hashem (G-d) gives you a mission you find the strength to value life and not commit suicide. She wanted to live a normal, healthy, secure life with her loving mother and loving siblings, who were always there when she needed them. Her goal for writing this book is to instill her strength to those who are suffering the same fate that our heroine experienced. Her message is: love life and go on in a constructive manner. Walk with your head up high, and look for your rainbow. Amen.

LIFE IN A JEWISH ORPHANAGE: ONE CHILD'S STORY is a very poignant and emotional depiction of the trials and tribulations found by an unusual child in a series of unfortunate circumstances. This book presents the philosophical message of the ability of one's inner strength or obstinate belief to triumph over trying events. Readers can readily find this book both fulfilling philosophically and religiously rewarding.

RABBI MORDECAI TENDLER, KEHILLAT NEW HEMPSTEAD, NEW YORK