In an article in the New York Times on May 10, 2012, Agudath Israel of America reaffirmed its Council of Torah Sages policies designed to protect child molesters.
The Times quotes Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, the executive vice president of Agudath Israel of America, as stating that “You can destroy a person’s life with a false report”. Accordingly, Agudath Israel’s rabbis instruct that observant Jews may not report child sexual abuse to the authorities unless permitted to do so by a rabbi.
Rabbi Zwiebel adds that Agudath Israel’s rabbis “recommend you speak it over with a rabbi before coming to any definitive conclusion in your own mind.”
Agudath Israel’s rabbis are now instructing observant Jews not to even think for themselves when they believe a child is being sexually abused. They are instead advised to allow a rabbi to tell them what to think.
We call upon anyone concerned with child safety to call and write Agudath Israel of America and demand a public retraction of its dangerous policies.
Agudath Israel of America's Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky:
Prohibited to Report Sexual Abuse to Authorities Without Rabbinic Permission
Rabbi Kamenetsky made his statement in Brooklyn on July 12, 2011. This, while thousands of community members searched for a young Orthodox Jewish boy who had been abducted in Brooklyn, New York. The boy was found dead the next day.
The alleged perpetrator, an Orthodox Jew, had on several prior occasions attempted to lure young children into his car. No reports were made to law enforcement.
SFJ believes that the rabbinic and lay leaders of Agudath Israel of America must be held accountable.
We call upon Agudath Israel of America's leadership to immediately retract these dangerous statements.
Press play to listen to a recording of Rabbi Kamenetsky's statement.
David Zwiebel, Executive VP of Agudath Israel of America appeared on the Zev Brenner Show on Saturday, July, 23, 2011. Zwiebel defended Rabbi Kamenetsky's statement.
During the show he reaffirmed Agudath Israel of America's Council of Torah Sages policy that rabbinic permission must be obtained before reporting an Orthodox Jewish pedophile to the police.
SFJ believes that rabbinic interference in the reporting of crimes against children has cost lives.
We call upon the rabbinic leadership of Agudath Israel of America to change their policy and end their life threatening obstruction of justice.
Press play to listen to a recording of the show.
