Survivors for Justice
SFJ is an advocacy, educational and support organization for survivors of sexual abuse and their families from the right-wing Orthodox world. We offer support services to survivors, work within the right-wing Orthodox community to raise awareness of the issue and develop solutions to the problem.
You can reach us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Jewish Week Op-Ed: Rabbinic Leaders Silent On Child Sexual Abuse
by Ben Hirsch
Last week The Jewish Week reported that Gov. Paterson had allocated $500,000 to be channeled to an as-yet-unnamed organization in the Brooklyn Orthodox community. The money is to be used to help address what many now believe is an epidemic of childhood sexual abuse in the ultra-Orthodox world. While in theory we as a community should welcome governmental support to help us solve our social problems, how does one explain the apparent absence of rabbinic and lay leadership on this issue? When did protecting our children become the job of the governor and a local assemblyman? Where are the voices of our rabbinic and lay leaders? (Click here for full article.)
Breaking News: Rabbi Baruch Lebovits Convicted of Sex Abuse
Baruch Lebovits, a 59-year-old rabbi from Brooklyn, has been found guilty of eight counts of sexual abuse. Read the DA's press release here (PDF).
Related Coverage of the Story:
| • The Jewish Star - 3/10 | • NY Daily News - 3/9 |
| • WPIX 11 - 3/8 | • The Jewish Star - 3/8 |
| • NY Post - 3/8 | • Edge Boston - 3/8 |
| • KTLA - 3/8 | • NY Post - 3/4 |
| • YNet - 3/4 | • Gothamist - 3/4 |
| • NY Daily News - 3/3 | • NY Post - 1/10 |
Recent Media Coverage
On Trial: Rabbi Accused on Numerous Child Molestation Counts - Gothamist, 3/6/10
Rabbi On Trial for 'Teen Sex' - NY Post, 3/4/10
US Rabbi Charged With Sexually Abusing Teen - YNet News, 3/4/10
Brooklyn Man Testifies Rabbi Baruch Lebovitz Molested Him As Teenager - NY Daily News, 3/3/10
New State Funding For Sex Abuse Awareness - The Jewish Week, 3/2/10
Court of First Resort - Ha'aretz, 2/24/10
In Scandals, a Wake-Up Call for Orthodoxy - Forward.com, 2/24/10
Sexual Assault Punished Differently Among Religious, Secular Jews - Ha'aretz, 2/21/10
Sexual Abuse: The Orthodox Jewish Community's Devastating Secret - Telegraph, 2/23/10
Rabbi Mordechai Elon Accused of 'Long-term' Sexual Relationship With Student - Ha'aretz, 2/18/10
Israeli TV Investigative Report about Avrohom Mondrowitz - 2/11/10
Bill Would Place More Offenders On Sex Crime Registry - Times Union, 2/1/10
Haredi Entertainer Accused Of Molestation Released To House Arrest - Yediot Achronot, 1/31/10
Israel Will Not Extradite Alleged Sex Offender - The Jewish Chronicle, 1/28/10
Mondrowitz Extradition Ruling Raising Questions - The Jewish Week, 1/26/10
Lawyer Alleges Institutional Cover-Up in Mondrowitz Case - Five Towns Jewish Times, 1/21/10
Mondrowitz Escapes Another Trial - Forward.com, 1/20/10
Hakol Diburim Radio Show - Reshet Bet, Israel, 1/20/10
WPIX Investigates: A Groom's Dark Secrets? - WPIX News, 1/20/10




