Chaim Levin wins $3.5M molestation lawsuit against his cousin Sholom Eichler

Chaim Levin, who won $3.5 million in his lawsuit alleging his cousin molested him when he was a child, says he hopes his case would help other victims in the insular Jewish community. 'I get to be the voice for many who don’t have a voice, and that counts for a lot,' he said.

A Brooklyn court on Wednesday awarded $3.5 million to a Jewish gay activist who sued his cousin for allegedly molesting him for several years when he was a boy.
Chaim Levin, now 24, claimed in a Brooklyn Supreme Court lawsuit that he was repeatedly molested by his first cousin Sholom Eichler at a synagogue, at a relative’s home and at an upstate bungalow where the family vacationed.
Levin contended that between 1996 and 1999, he was forced to perform oral sex and was once sodomized with a pen by Eichler, starting when he was 6 years old.
The abuse mostly occurred at Eichler’s home on Eastern Parkway and the synagogue Vishnitz, on Montgomery St. in Crown Heights, according to the suit.
“It was pretty brutal. It was killing me, but I was too afraid to tell anyone,” Levin said.
A court referee ordered Eichler to pay Levin $1 million for pain and suffering and $2.5 million for future pain and suffering due to the repeated assaults, said Levin’s lawyer, David Krangle.
Eichler’s family owns Brooklyn’s largest Judaica store, but it’s unclear whether Levin will ever get the money awarded. The alleged abuser, who did not dispute the charges against him, moved to Israel shortly after the lawsuit was filed.
His lawyer did not return a call seeking comment.
The statute of limitations prohibited Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes from taking action, a spokesman said.

Israeli prosecutors are also looking into allegations that Eichler molested Levin during a family trip to Jerusalem for a relative’s bar mitzvah in 1999, Israeli records show.
In 2004, Levin told a family friend about the abuse. The friend then brought the allegations to the dean of his yeshiva.
“The rabbi said he’d tell my parents, but that he would not disclose who the perpetrator was,” recalled Levin.
Levin welcomed the award, saying he hoped his case would help other victims in the insular Jewish community.
“I get to be the voice for many who don’t have a voice, and that counts for a lot,” he said.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/activist-wins-3-5m-molestation-suit-cousin-article-1.1371092#ixzz2W72aI0xK

Obama snoops on All Americans, except Mosques

Homeland Insecurity:
 The White House assures that tracking our every phone call and keystroke is to stop terrorists, and yet it won't snoop in mosques, where the terrorists are.
That's right, the government's sweeping surveillance of our most private communications excludes the jihad factories where homegrown terrorists are radicalized.
Since October 2011, mosques have been off-limits to FBI agents. No more surveillance or undercover string operations without high-level approval from a special oversight body at the Justice Department dubbed the Sensitive Operations Review Committee.
Who makes up this body, and how do they decide requests? Nobody knows; the names of the chairman, members and staff are kept secret.
We do know the panel was set up under pressure from Islamist groups who complained about FBI stings at mosques. Just months before the panel's formation, the Council on American-Islamic Relations teamed up with the ACLU to sue the FBI for allegedly violating the civil rights of Muslims in Los Angeles by hiring an undercover agent to infiltrate and monitor mosques there.
Before mosques were excluded from the otherwise wide domestic spy net the administration has cast, the FBI launched dozens of successful sting operations against homegrown jihadists — inside mosques — and disrupted dozens of plots against the homeland.
If only they were allowed to continue, perhaps the many victims of the Boston Marathon bombings would not have lost their lives and limbs. The FBI never canvassed Boston mosques until four days after the April 15 attacks, and it did not check out the radical Boston mosque where the Muslim bombers worshipped.
The bureau didn't even contact mosque leaders for help in identifying their images after those images were captured on closed-circuit TV cameras and cellphones.
One of the Muslim bombers made extremist outbursts during worship, yet because the mosque wasn't monitored, red flags didn't go off inside the FBI about his increasing radicalization before the attacks.
This is particularly disturbing in light of recent independent surveys of American mosques, which reveal some 80% of them preach violent jihad or distribute violent literature to worshippers.
What other five-alarm jihadists are counterterrorism officials missing right now, thanks to restrictions on monitoring the one area they should be monitoring?

Ezra Friedlander spits in the Torah's Face and vote for a gay mayor

This is the "gay lover's" endorsement!

New York - In less than 90 days from now, New York City will vote in the Democratic Primary for mayor.
Elections are about determining the future of our city and our ability to enjoy the quality of life, however we choose to live. Elections for mayor should be based on whoever best fits the criteria as outlined in the city charter.  I will cast my ballot for NYC Council Speaker Chris Quinn and I urge the members of our community to do the same.
The dialogue so far in our community has not concentrated enough on the issues that truly matter. We should focus on choosing a mayor who possesses the following attributes: smart, sensible, stable, strong, and sensitive. Christine Quinn is just the candidate who has these qualities of an ideal New York City mayor.

Most candidates for public office will promise everything to everyone and ultimately make no one happy. Those who do not make empty promises satisfy more people because they are true to their word. The old saying of “promise less and deliver more” seems appropriate here. When candidates are sincere, they may give statements you do not want to hear, however, you can believe they will deliver on commitments they do make.
For me, the turning point in deciding to write this op-ed was precisely when Speaker Quinn decried the pandering of the other candidates. It was precisely what she was not promising that convinced me that when she does make a commitment, you can bank on it. I have known Quinn since her earliest days in the New York City Council prior to her becoming speaker and her record exhibits that she is sincere and dependable.
What should be most important to you as a voter, is a mayor who empathizes with the constituents. Christine Quinn’s record of public service and not her personal life demonstrates that she has the unique insights to understand the challenges and particular needs of the Orthodox Jewish Community.
There is a notion that those in public life need to mirror their constituents. This belief is a fallacy of the highest magnitude. Many people before me have made the argument that it is in the community’s best interest not to have a member of our community in the oval office (or for that matter, city hall) but rather one who can best govern in a way that addresses the real concerns of our community. One may argue the pros and cons of this approach, but my point is that you don’t have to be a card carrying member of our community or subscribe to our tenets to represent us well.
Let me be clear. Torah values must be part and parcel of our daily existence. It is the only map a religious Jew must call upon to navigate the complexities of daily life. Torah values belong in our home and in our interactions with one another. Torah values belong in the way we conduct business as prescribed in the highest ethos of Jewish Law; and in the way we want to educate and raise our children. And yes, Torah values should play a central role in how we present ourselves to secular society every day and on every issue.
However, in that same secular society, it is unrealistic and frankly short-sighted to expect those in government to live by those same high Torah standards we as religious people set for ourselves. Those who want to raise the banner of Torah values in a political context ultimately dilute Torah values and the ability for our community to engage effectively in the political world.
You may hear a radically different perspective from those with their own agenda but as one who deals with elected officials every single day for over two decades, voters who care about their community and the many challenges facing us, would be wise to at least consider a different opinion.
Politics is not the Bais Medrash. None of the serious mayoral candidates reflect our lifestyle, nor do they have to, in order be effective advocates for our community.
To all those trying to inject Torah values into this campaign or any political campaign, recent history shows,  though you may have the community’s best interests at heart, your efforts are counter-productive and damaging.
Historically, the vast majority of American rabbinical leadership did not inject religion or express the opinion that secular public officials in a democratic society adopt a Torah position or platform. Nor did the rabbinic leadership personally raise the issue of religion and politics even when they interacted with those running for or sitting in elected office. It is only a relatively new phenomenon that we use a moral or religious litmus test before considering a candidate for office.
Once we fuse religion and politics and use religion as the only litmus test to support or oppose a particular candidate, it could lead to a dangerous downward spiral that completely closes government’s door to our needs and concerns. Don’t believe it? It’s already happening.
Once we mix religion and politics, every religious viewpoint will have a right to air their beliefs in the political discourse. This country has a very strict interpretation of separation of church and state. For us, the word Torah is warm, welcoming, and sacrosanct; but perhaps the viewpoint of other religions is not so welcoming or interested in our way of life. Hence, it is in our self-interest not to allow anyone to dictate their religious principles on others.
Our overriding concern should always be to protect our right to conduct our lives in the religious fashion which we hold dear. It is the very reason our ancestors came to these safe shores. Furthermore, as an electoral minority, forcing our viewpoint upon others will only be counterproductive. It’s about the numbers and on a Citywide or statewide basis; we simply don’t have the numbers to dictate to anybody.
The role of government in regards to religion is to allow us as individuals to raise our families in the religious tradition with which we wish to convey. To that extent we want government’s cooperation, nothing more. We also should not want to impose our religious beliefs on secular society.
I am convinced that Christine Quinn as Mayor of New York City will not only be sympathetic to the unique challenges facing our community, but will surpass all expectations. That is because a mayor who is strong and sensitive as Christine Quinn has proven herself to be understanding of the needs of our community and supportive of us.  Her strong leadership in the City Council and her ability to work with Mayor Bloomberg is indicative of her ability to govern effectively.
It is very easy to be a steadfast ideologue unwilling to compromise, and a hero to a very narrow constituent base. However, a real leader like Christine Quinn understands the need to be effective so that government can be a catalyst for good, even if imperfect. Christine Quinn also understands how to stand up for those who need a strong advocate.
I am convinced that Christine Quinn as Mayor of New York City will not only be sympathetic to the unique challenges facing our community, but will surpass all expectations. That is because a mayor who is strong and sensitive as Christine Quinn has proven herself to be understanding of the needs of our community and supportive of us.  Her strong leadership in the City Council and her ability to work with Mayor Bloomberg is indicative of her ability to govern effectively.
It is very easy to be a steadfast ideologue unwilling to compromise, and a hero to a very narrow constituent base. However, a true leader like Christine Quinn understands the need to be effective so that government can be a catalyst for good, even if imperfect.
Christine Quinn also understands how to stand up for those who need a strong advocate.
I am convinced that Christine Quinn will understand the struggles of a middle class Orthodox Jewish family in our community. She can relate to a special needs child whose parents are fighting the bureaucracy and need to get their child approved in an appropriate school setting.
Christine Quinn will ensure that Yeshiva kids have their transportation needs taken care of, recognizing the safety concerns of a late dismissal. Christine Quinn demonstrates that she understands the challenges of the middle class by public stating that city fines should be a warning only for the first time with any financial consequences, providing that it is a non-emergency related.
Christine Quinn understands the importance of preserving communities and due to her experience as housing organizer. Christine Quinn understands the invaluable communal infrastructure that the Orthodox community has built in NYC and our commitment to this city. Her blueprints for creating affordable housing will help our community continue to flourish and grow in New York City.
When it comes to politics, I always keep the following expression in mind, “Don’t be right, be smart.” I urge you to understand, don’t be right. Elections are not about being right on every issue; start thinking smart. Elections are about being able to deliver for our community, children, and continuity. Christine Quinn as mayor will achieve all those objectives.
Ezra Friedlander is CEO of The Friedlander Group a NYC and Washington DC public policy consulting firm.

5,000 Yeshiva Students will now enroll in East Ramapo Public Schools to teach them a lesson

The Advocate, a Monsey based newsletter, reports that Yeshivah parents will enroll their children into the Public School System of East Ramapo this coming fall, thereby increasing the budget. The rough estimate is about 5,000 yeshiva students that would enroll, leaving school officials scrambling for resources. This would require 175 new classrooms, and 200 new teachers would be needed. Special classes like ESL, would also be required for the school year.
It was reported that if every private school student enrolled in the public schools, the budget would be increased an additional $525 million. Another half a billion would need to be allocated to house the students in buildings.

Islamists kill 14 year-old because he insulted Mohammad, 'he wouldn't give the Prophet a free coffee'

An Islamic group shot dead a Syrian 14-year-old boy in front of his parents for blasphemy after overhearing him say he 'wouldn't even give the Prophet a free coffee.'
Mohammad Qataa was shot in the face and neck a day after being seized by members of an Al Qaeda-linked Islamist group in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
A photo released by the Observatory showed Qataa's face with his mouth and jaw bloodied and destroyed as well as a bullet wound in his neck.

A picture taken from a video uploaded on YouTube by the Aleppo Media Centre allegedly shows 14-year-old Mohammad Qataa (right) who was killed by insurgents for apparently insulting the Prophet Mohammad

An image grab taken from Syria's official television channel al-Ikhbariya reportedly shows the body of 14-year old Mohammad after he was shot dead

Today it emerged Qataa was working as a street vendor in the al-Shaa district of Aleppo when three members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, a militant group that started off known as the Nusra Front, overheard him arguing with a friend over a bill.

 

It is thought the boy had given his friend a coffee which the friend wanted to pay for later.

'Mohammad Qataa was working at his street trolley and remarked to his friend that even if the Prophet Mohammad came down he would not give him credit,' said Rami Abdulrahman, who heads the UK-based human rights group, told The Times.
The three fighters overheard and accused the teenager of blasphemy and insulting the prophet.
The gunmen took Qataa on Saturday and brought him back alive in the early hours of Sunday to his wooden stand, with whiplash marks visible on his body.

This picture from a video released by the Aleppo Media Centre reportedly shows Mohammad's parents who watched as their son was shot dead in the street by an Al Qaeda-linked group

Qataa's parents said the youth had taken part in pro-democracy demonstrations in Aleppo

The gunmen belonged to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, a militant group that started off known as the Al-Nusra Front (file picture)

People gathered around him and a member of the fighting brigade said: 'Generous citizens of Aleppo, disbelieving in God is polytheism and cursing the prophet is a polytheism. Whoever curses even once will be punished like this.'
'He then fired two bullets from an automatic rifle in view of the crowd and in front of the boy's mother and father, and got into a car and left,' the report said.
Abdulrahman said the boy's mother had pleaded with the killers, whose Arabic suggested they might not be Syrian, not to shoot her son.
'The Observatory cannot ignore these crimes, which only serve the enemies of the revolution and the enemies of humanity,' said Rami Abdulrahman.
Qataa's parents said the youth had taken part in pro-democracy demonstrations in Aleppo.

Egyptian 13 year girl dies during "bris", no word whether "meziza pe'peh" caused it!

Thirteen year old Egyptian girl Suhair al-Bata’a died Thursday during a circumcision operation, also known as female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice decried by human rights groups and the World Health Organization.

The girl’s father, farmer Mohammed Ibrahim who had intended for his daughter to have the procedure, told al-Masry al-Youm, “We left our daughter with the doctor and the nurse. Fifteen minutes later, the nurse took my daughter out of the operation room to a nearby room, along with three other girls whom the doctor was circumcising.”

“I waited half an hour, hoping that my daughter would wake up, but, unfortunately, unlike the rest of the girls, she did not,” he recounted.

The girl’s mother, Hasanat Naeem Fawzy, said, “I want nothing but to hold the doctor accountable and to have justice for my daughter,”

According to Al Arabiya, Egyptian police are investigating and have summoned the doctor and ordered an autopsy.

It further reports that the same doctor two years ago circumcised Suheir’s older sister.

A health inspector’s report attributed the cause of the death to “a sharp drop in blood pressure resulting from shock trauma,” according to the family’s lawyer, Abdel Salam.

Egypt Independent writes: “Forensic doctors reported her death was caused by an overdose of anesthetic drugs.”

Egypt’s National Council for Women called it a criminal act of “extreme savagery.” It is calling on the government to investigate and punish those responsible for al-Bata’a’s death.

The United Nations’ Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and Population Fund (UNFPA) issued a joint statement condemning the practice, calling al-Bata’a’s death a “sad illustration of the terrible consequences that female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has on the girl child.”

 

“On multiple occasions it has been clearly demonstrated that there are no medical or religious justifications for such a practice,” the statement said. “This violation of children and women’s rights should be stopped once and for all.”

Human rights activists have for years warned that female genital mutilation is a “harmful practice.”

The WHO calls it “a violation of the human rights of girls and women,” while Human Rights Watch writes: “FGM is a medically unnecessary and irreversible procedure that damages the health of millions of girls worldwide.”

A 2008 study found that 91 percent of Egyptian women between the ages of 15 and 49 underwent FGM, while 74 percent of girls aged 15-17 years have undergone the procedure which since 2008 has been illegal in Egypt, according to Egypt Independent.

Egypt Independent explains that the “phenomenon has continued unabated in some poorer communities, which see it as a sanitary, physically-beneficial practice.”

According to  Human Rights Watch, FGM is practiced in more than 27 countries, mostly in the Middle East, Africa and some parts of Asia, specifically Malaysia and Indonesia.

"Massive" Protest was very tiny, Media totally ignored the Protest! B"H!

The "Massive" protest went out with a wimper, according to Police estimates barely 5,000 "chillul Hashemnikers" showed up. 50,000 were expected. The Media by in large ignored this event...
thank G-D..
Satmar can't make an event without bashing other Talmidei Chachomim like Rav Shteiman Shlita! And now that it is over, The Satmar Brothers can continue to go after each other's throat again.Menachem Begin said it best, when asked during the  the Iran/Iraq war, whom he favors, he answered, "I wish them both success." Amen!

Rabbi Noach Oelbaum, and Rabbi Moshe Meiselman , join the fanatical Satmar protest against Israel

R' Oelbaum upper lever to the extreme right, Rabbi Moshe Meiselman on the lower level on the left!

Rabbi Noach Isaac Oelbaum, Rav of Khal Nachlas Yitzchok of Kew Gardens Queens joined in the Chillul Hashem protest against the State of Israel.... one can clearly see Rabbi Oelbaum holding his hand over his mouth. I wonder what his congregation in Kew Gardens think of their Rabbi joining the Satmar feuding brothers in condemning Israel...
One can also see Rabbi Moshe Meiselman,rosh yeshiva of the Yeshivas Toras Moshe, a small American yeshiva in Jerusalem, I wonder what the donors of his yeshiva will say when they see this picture of their Rabbi joining self hating Jews!

Satmar insults the Gadol Hador Rav Steinman at the protest

The Sign denegrating Rav steinman stood in front of all the above Rabbis

Satmar Protester talks to Non-Tznisdik Girl, all in the name of G-D

To fight the State of Israel, one is allowed to violate the Torah and talk to girls not dressed Tznisdik. In all Satmar establishments, in Williamsburg and Monroe, there are signs that customers must dress modestly, but not when it comes to fight other Jews!
See Satmar Protester talking to scantly clad "shiksis"...
Even Korach refused to look at "Oin ben peles's" wife  because she had her hair uncovered... but not these baalai machlokas!

ultraorthodox Jewish rally in Foley Square Manhattan NY, against the secularization and army service conscription for Haredi Jews in Israel. photo by Stefano Giovannini



RCA is "Moche" the huge Chillil Hashem taking place in lower Manhattan

Discusting Poster against the Eretz Yisroel

The Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), the largest Orthodox rabbinic group in North America, deplores the attempt of a small but vocal group to undermine the image Americans have of strong, unshakeable, wall-to-wall Jewish support of Israel.
Two chassidic communities well known for their rejection of a Jewish state have agreed to a joint rally in Manhattan on Sunday, June 9.
Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, RCA President, said, “It is an insult to the memory of the Satmar Rov, ob"m, that his disciples a generation later would take to the streets to publicly aid the many enemies who stand ready to destroy, G-d forbid, the Jewish State - and all Jews. For all his well-known opposition to a secular state, he always put the protection of Jewish lives first. It is unthinkable that as the largest Jewish community in the world deals with a nuclear threat from Iran, a military front opening with Syria, and the mushrooming of global anti-Semitism, that he would have countenanced aiding and abetting our enemies.”
Rabbi Mark Dratch, Executive Vice President of the RCA, added, “We call on all Jews, Orthodox and not, to redouble their efforts to explain to their fellow Americans their commitment to the Jewish State and its central position in their thinking, even when they find fault with certain positions of its government, as happens with the policies of any true democracy.”

Michael Koplen runs for Ramapo Town Supervisor!

By Sandy Eller for VIN
As the FBI continues to investigate possible corruption in the town of Ramapo, an Orthodox Jew has accepted the Republican party’s nomination to run for the position of Ramapo Town Supervisor in the upcoming November election, an office that has held by Democrat Christopher St. Lawrence for over twelve and a half years.
Michael Koplen is a practicing local lawyer who has served as a county legislator, assistant county attorney, civil court arbitrator and deputy mayor of the village of New Hempstead.  Koplen, a 28 year resident of New Hempstead, located just north of Monsey, has been elected as a village trustee three times and has served in that capacity for the last eleven years.  Koplen is also the founder and director of the Washington Online Learning Institute, an online paralegal college.
“There is a pressing need for leadership in Town Hall,” Koplen told VIN News.  “The town is a financial mess and you have a situation where people are at war with each other and there is a lot of resentment and hostility.  St. Lawrence and his crew have no credibility and cannot repair the damage that has been done. “
FBI agents conducted a raid on the Ramapo Town Hall on May 16th, as previously reported on VIN News.  While the reason for the raid is still unknown, St. Lawrence has been involved in several potentially controversial issues and has long been accused of catering to the Orthodox community in exchange for their vote.
Koplen dismissed the notion that religion played any role in his nomination.
“I think the party approached me because of my record as a legislator, a county attorney and as a trustee of the village of New Hempstead,” said Koplen.  “I want to get my message across and have people see my competence and experience, not what religion I practice.”
The 59 year old father of five acknowledged that religious tension runs high in Ramapo.
“There is incredible hostility directed at the Orthodox community and it is all St. Lawrence’s fault because he has been ignoring everyone else in the town,” explained Koplen.  “I am part of the Orthodox community and am sensitive to their needs but I am not going to pander to the Orthodox community or any other special interest group.  It may have worked for St. Lawrence but his time has come and gone.”
High on Koplen’s list of priorities is resolving financial issues at Provident Bank Park, a minor league baseball stadium in Pomona, built by St. Lawrence in 2011.  While residents voted against issuing a bond to pay for the stadium, St. Lawrence issued a different bond which was not subject to public referendum in order to finance the project after failing to find private investors.
“71 percent of the voters voted against floating bonds to build the stadium and St. Lawrence pulled some kind of financial shenanigans, circumventing the will of the people as if their opinion didn’t count,” said Koplen.  “Anyone doing a financial analysis of the project would see that the stadium would lose money, saddling taxpayers with the bill.  I really can’t understand what his motivation was to go out and bury taxpayers with a huge bill for a stadium they voted against.  Something funny is going on here and it is a very expensive joke.”
Koplen is confident that his background in bankruptcy law can help him find a way to help alleviate the situation, calling it a “terribly unfair burden to taxpayers.”
While Ramapo has typically been a Democratic stronghold, the Republican Koplen is convinced that political affiliation is a non-issue.

“It is tough running as a Republican in Rockland County, but I think party won’t count as much as leadership, integrity and experience.”

Massive "Chillul Hashem" planned for tomorrow by the Satmar "Rabbi Brothers", Lakewood will not attend!

The feuding Teitelbaum Brothers decided to team up to fight the State of Israel in a massive protest tomorrow at the Federal Plaza Center in lower Manhattan.

 I had the opportunity to read the Hebrew Haaretz, and I read the Satmar "Der Yid" and  "Der Blatt" this week, and I was amazed that the two Satmar newspapers, and the  Hebrew radical leftist newspaper, had the same exact views about Israel!

Haarets is fighting for a leftist 20 year-old conscientious objector by the name of Blanc,who has refused to serve in the Israeli military for political reasons and is now the national poster for the left...
Blanc, is not religious and has no moral positions based on religious belief. He is not a pacifist. He explains quite candidly that the reason he refuses to serve in the Israeli military is because he is opposed to the "occupation." In other words, he wants an exemption from military service because he disagrees with national policy on ideological grounds. Blanc has been arrested 10 times and jailed for his refusal to serve...

So my question is: What is the difference between the Satmar "shita" and the Israeli Leftists?
Both don't want to serve in the army, both hate Israel, both are against the "occupation." Both don't believe in the Rabbinical Bais Din Process, the Satmar Brothers are currently in secular courts in complete defiance of the 3rd Rashi in Parshas Mispatim.
So where is the difference, since both defy the Torah openly!
Both have no issues with making a Chillul Hashem!

Satmar's biggest complaint against the State of Israel is the claim, that the State "antagonises the goyim." But satmar constantly antagonises the goyim in Williamsburg, Monroe, and Monsey!

Reading Der Yid and Der Blaat this week was like reading the Nazi newspaper, Der Shturmar!

Thank G-D, Lakewood and all Litvisher Yeshivos are staying away because of strict orders of two sane Gedoilie Hador, Rav Chaim Kanievsky and Rave Shteinman, that said that this protest will cause a huge Chillul Hashem!

Billboard in Brooklyn reminding Torah Jews that having a job is a Torah obligation

 In an effort to raise awareness for the need to provide yeshiva students with a proper secular education, a Brooklyn based organization is spreading its message in a very public forum - a billboard placed on the Prospect Expressway.

The billboard, which proclaims the obligation of parents to provide their sons with a trade, bears the words “It’s your mitzvah. It’s the law,” referencing the Department of Education requirement for private schools to supply students with an education that is “substantially equivalent” to that offered by the public schools.  Located on the Prospect Expressway near 4th Avenue, the billboard was paid for by YAFFED, Young Advocates For Fair Education.

“From the age of fourteen, many yeshiva students are cut off completely from any form of secular education,” Naftuli Moster, founded of YAFFED, told VIN News.  “Regardless of how you want to teach it, English, science, math, geography and physical education are all things that need to be taught.”

Moster, a 27 year old Brooklyn resident who attended the local Belzer high school, found himself woefully unprepared when he enrolled in college.

“I had no idea what I was doing,” recalled Moster who eventually went to Touro University’s Machon L’Parnassa and just graduated from college with a degree in Psychology.  Moster hopes to pursue a masters degree in social work and dreams of becoming a psychologist and serving both members and former members of the chasidic community.  He admits that he never envisioned himself as the founder of an organization.

“Imagine if thirty years ago someone had stood up and taken a stand on this issue,” said Moster. “People like me wouldn’t be facing this struggle and hopefully thirty years from now the problem of young men being completely unprepared to 

support their families will no longer exist.”

YAFFED’s goal for now is to raise awareness among community leaders rabbanim and parents.

“Many of our rabbis are living a pretty comfortable life, being provided for by their chasidim,” explained Moster.  “It is hard for them to put themselves in the shoes of someone who needs to provide for a large family. We want people to speak up, to demand better education from their leaders.  We want our young men to have a bright future.”

Moster acknowledged that many in the chasidic community may be concerned that they may face retribution if they ask for yeshivos to provide a secular education.

“We need to get our leaders together and perhaps devise a curriculum that could be acceptable to all parties,” said Moster.  “While some of the yeshivos may be reluctant at first, if they see that large groups of parents are ready to transfer their sons to another yeshiva that is willing to provide a secular education, they may decide to reconsider.”

Moster hopes that the billboard, which was timed to be in place during a period when many people are traveling in and out of Brooklyn and will be in place until July 4th, will attract attention and become a topic of conversation.  The cost of the billboard was sponsored by an private donor and Moster hopes that more individuals will come forward to finance similar signage in the Williamsburg area.

“Products and candidates are sold on billboards, why not an idea like this?” queried Moster. “There is no doubt that this gets to people.  Our message is straight out of the Gemara and so many people fail to realize that giving our children a strong education is something that we should be doing.”

Satmar controls the Brooklyn DA, makes sure that the brothers that bullied Weberman's victim, goes scott free!

Protest against Frum Rabbis that support gay candidates for mayor,

"Holy" Rabbonim  who hate each other will unite to fight the State of Israel, but will have no problems endorsing gay and "gay supporting" candidates for mayor. Finally there is a small group that is exposing these "Rabbinic  Hypocrites" ..see www.unitedtosaveamerica.blogspot.com

The Two Satmar Brother Rabbis that hate each other, will unite to protest against Israel

Wow! Parshas Korach all over again!
Two brothers that are in Secular Court fighting over $$$$$$$$$$$$, and who hate each others guts, will unite to fight against Israel... How nice!
The Zalmanites and the Aharonites, have united to stage a large anti-Israel demonstration to be held this Sunday at the Federal Plaza Center in Lower Manhattan.
During a time where all nations of the world are ganging up on Israel, two leaders of thousands of Satmar Chasidim decide to make piece so they can join the rest of the goyim to attack Israel!
Waiting for Moshiach???

Child Rapist Rabbi Grynhaus arrested in Israel

"Groiser" Rabbi Grynhaus

Update! Israel has denied Grynhaus citizenship and will deport the "chazir."

Authorities have confirmed that Todros Grynhaus, a suspected sex offender wanted for jumping bail in Salford, UK, has been arrested by Israeli police.

The JC.com (http://bit.ly/XPbMwz) is reporting that Greater Manchester Police, who had been seeking the 48 year-old Grynhaus since he jumped bail two weeks ago, confirmed that the man they believe to be Grynhuas has been arrested in Jerusalem where he was allegedly living under a false identity.

Grynhaus, the son of a very influential Rabbi who is in charge of the department of ultra-Orthodox Judaism in London that certifies kosher food, was charged in December with six counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual assault against three minors, all under 15.

Grynhaus entered a ‘not guilty’ plea at his December hearing. Bail conditions stipulated that he surrender his passport and report to the Salford police station every Wednesday—a condition that was relaxed in order to allow him to visit his family in London.

Multiple unconfirmed reports said that Grynhaus then fled the UK using the passport of another hasid, given to him by a wealthy member of Britain’s hared community.

There will now be a process to ensure Grynhaus’ return to the UK, but police said it was too early to say whether extradition will be requested under the current bilateral agreement between Israel and the UK.

Rabbis ban Israeli Parade because of Gay participation, but they have no problem with endorsing Gay candidates!

The following article was submitted to YWN by the writer, Alan Betsalel Friedlander. It has not been edited in any form by YWN, and presented in its entirety below:

The Celebrate Israel Parade is an event attended heavily by Modern Orthodox Jewish attendees. A group listed only by its initials as a participant in this year’s parade participants list actually has a hidden agenda. In a brazen attempt to force Orthodox Jews to accept their way of life at the Torah’s expense, the understanding that was maintained for two decades has been overturned, without asking for Rabbinic authorization.

In the 1990′s Rabbi Aharon Soloveichik, Zt”l (OBM), protested against showing tolerance toward homosexuals as a public marching group at the Celebrate Israel Parade. Up until last year, his advice had been heeded. Avi Goldstein brought this to the attention of the community this year and so many leading Rabbis have signed a letter that proclaims:

”Any participation in any event that includes so called “Orthodox” groups, who in any way condone or support toevah (abomination), or a deviant way of life, is asur (forbidden). Whoever is a participant or spectator is an assistant to a sinful matter. Such a brazen public chilul HaShem (desecration of the Divine Name) needs to be denounced.

Co-Signatory Rabbi Yehuda Sheinkopf said the following: “We could not let this group march under a banner of Orthodoxy without a response that this is not Orthodoxy, is it contrary to the Torah. These rabbis feel that it must be known that to join with such a group is assisting their agenda which is contrary to the Torah.”

Rabbi Yisroel Belsky gave a heter (leniency) if due to the short notice for someone who feels committed to the event what should they do so they can still attend without violating halacha. The answer was on condition that they protest the participation of the forbidden group(s).

If you wish to protest this event, the 2013 Parade occurs this Sunday, June 2, from 11 AM to 4PM in Manhattan on Fifth Avenue from 57th Street to 74th.

Due to the late nature of disclosure, this list of signatories (in alphabetical order) is still being populated even as this story goes to press.

Rabbi Yisroel Belsky

Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz

Rabbi Eliezer Ginzburg

Rabbi Yosef Rabinowitz

Rabbi Aharon Moshe Schechter

Rabbi Moshe Scheinerman

Rabbi Avrohom Schorr

Rabbi Yehuda Sheinkopf

Charedi Rabbi: The Jewish Community Should Deal With Molesters Just Like Murderers

from the Jewish home LA:

Rabbi Avrohom StulbergerThe recent guilty plea of an Orthodox Rabbi to molestation charges in New Jersey as well as the District Attorney’s expressed hope that this case will encourage other parents of abused children from the Orthodox community to come forward to report crimes, beg the questions that have bothered me for years : Why is there such a reticence on the part of Orthodox Jews to put these perpetrators behind bars?

Why are threats of retribution aimed at the victims and their families if they report these crimes, when logic dictates that our wrath should be aimed at the abuser and not at the abused?

I recently read an article in the L.A. Times about Phil Jackson’s new book, and what he says in it about Kobe Bryant. Jackson writes that he harbored a deep underlying hatred for Bryant the year that he was accused of sexual assault, because Jackson’s daughter was a victim of a similar assault years earlier. That episode, therefore, hit Jackson close to home. It struck me clearly that the mere fact that Jackson had a daughter wasn’t enough to affect him deeply. The basic feelings of empathy and compassion that dictate revulsion at the mere mention of such a heinous crime were apparently beyond even beyond Phil Jackson’s capabilities.

I am not here to criticize Jackson, but could it be that we the chosen people, are mired in the same place? Do we hear the words “abuse” and “molestation”, shake our heads and move on?

Do we, Heaven forbid have to feel the pain personally before we react the way a parent of a victim would? Let me make a suggestion: let us rename these people “murderers” instead of molesters. From a religious point of view , that is exactly what they are. Killing one’s souls, in Jewish law, is at least as destructive as killing one physically.

In addition when a Rabbi or other religious authority figure invades a child’s world with abuse, he shatters the positive association with Torah that so significantly contributes to the child’s spirituality. When we compound the tragedy with intimation and cover-up, we bear the guilt of both pushing the knife into the hearts of the victims, and becoming accessories to the future murders of innocent neshamos.

I am not being overly dramatic. Listen to the mental health professionals and hear how much of a struggle it is to rebuild theses victims’ self- esteem and trust. Can a Jew come to love Torah when its representative has so ravaged his inner peace and self-worth?

The Torah commands us not to stand by idly as our fellow Jew’s blood is being spilled. This Halacha clearly encompasses more than actual blood: one’s mental and spiritual health are within its purview as well. Factoring in the intimacy issues that abuse raises later in life, the damaged caused is incalculable. Arguably, there is no greater single threat to a chid’s emerging Ruchnius than suffering the pain of sexual abuse.

So let’s stop focusing on the sterling reputations of perpetrators and their family members, who inevitably rally to the molesters side. Let’s stop nonsensically pretending that we are turning innocent people over to the KGB or the Gestapo. Let’s stop listening to the empty promises that it won’t happen again. Instead, let’s start looking into these children’s hearts and let us cry at the agony that we see.

Let’s look honestly at the fact that today as an Orthodox community we cannot manage our own house, and cannot promise that there will be no more victims. We don’t have the power. We don’t have the authority. And sadly, I fear that we don’t have the empathy.

Rabbi Avrohom Stulberger is a prominent Charedi Rabbi and noted speaker. Rabbi Stulberger has been the Dean of Valley Torah High School for 27 years. Serves as the President of the Yeshiva Principals council of LA and has served on the Halachic Advisory Board of Aleinu Jewish Family Services for over a decade.

Frum Couple indicted for killing lady and melting her body

The Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office on Thursday filed an indictment against Ze’ev and Olga Gorelik for allegedly murdering Iris Gorelik Visilib and melting her body with chemicals to cover up the crime.

The alleged murder was also shocking in the defendants’ alleged use of the Internet to research techniques for melting the body and use of Skype to coordinate the crime.

The defendants were charged with murder, destroying evidence and obstruction of justice – by melting the body.

Ze’ev and Iris were married from 1995 to 2009 and had two children. In 2007, Ze’ev left his wife and moved in with a woman named Ana Tortikovsky with whom he had a daughter in 2008. The indictment does not specify anything else regarding Ana, but it does state that in 2011, Ze’ev married Olga.

Ze’ev was obligated by court order to pay child support to Iris for the benefit of their children, and recently his overdue debt to her had reached nearly NIS 70,000. Following Ze’ev’s failure to pay, Iris filed a collection action and eventually placed a lien on Ze’ev’s salary to garnish his wages in February.

Starting on March 11, the indictment stated that Olga started doing suspicious Internet searches. First she engaged with “the chemical forum, how to melt hair.” On March 12, she did dozens of online searches about “different ways for how to melt a person’s body,” “how to hide a body,” “which chemicals are the best to melt a body in home condition” and others, said the indictment.

Later, on March 12, Ze’ev bought a series of chemicals which would later be used to melt the body at a store in Jerusalem, the indictment alleged.

According to the indictment, on April 29, Ze’ev went to meet up with Iris at her office. He and Iris then traveled to Ze’ev and Olga’s residence.
The indictment was unclear on where Olga was during the murder itself, but she was close by enough to give Ze’ev additional “operational” strategy details about which neighbors 

were nearby.

Upon entering the residence, Ze’ev stabbed Iris to death, said the indictment. Next, the indictment said that Ze’ev and Olga melted Iris’s body using a series of chemicals. The two drove and parked Iris’s car in the east Jerusalem neighborhood Beit Hanina to throw off any potential police investigation, according to the indictment.However, the next morning the police arrived at their residence to investigate that Iris was missing and arrested the two upon finding Iris’s melted remains.The state also requested to remand both defendants to police custody until the end of the proceedings. The state’s motion for remand will be heard on June 3.

Young Frum 20 year old gets a brutal beating, 1 suspect arrested, Video

One arrest has been made in the brutal Far Rockaway beating and robbery of a 20 year old Orthodox man, which took place at 9:40 PM on Sunday night, as previously reported on VIN News. In an interview with VIN News, Officer Markowski of the NYPD’s Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information confirmed a fifteen year old male was arrested at 10:15 this morning by police officer Michael Legutko and was charged with two counts of robbery in the second degree. Police are not releasing the name of the alleged attacker. Rockaway Citzens Safety Patrol coordinator Jason Shtundel praised the NYPD’s Anti Crime Unit and Deputy Inspector Kevin Mahoney for their fast response to the incident and said that further breaks in the case are expected shortly. “They have a pretty good idea of who to pick up next and we expect further arrests to be made soon,” Shtundel told VIN News. Advertisement: Shtundel credited the video footage taken from the a neighbor’s surveillance camera with being a key factor in the rapid apprehension of a suspect and stressed the benefits of installing video security systems as an important safety measure. “Not only do they help the police make arrests in cases like these, but they also act as a deterrent to prevent crimes,” said Shtundel.

$25,000.00 Reward in 1986 Chaim Weiss Murder, Scroll down for Video

The unsolved killing of a 15-year-old rabbinical student found bludgeoned to death in his dormitory at a suburban New York yeshiva in 1986 is receiving renewed attention from homicide detectives.

“There’s somebody out there that knows a secret,” said Lt. John Azzata, commander of the Nassau County Police homicide squad. “I’m looking for that person to give me that secret.”
Flanked by the victim’s father, county officials announced Tuesday they were increasing the reward for information leading to the arrest of Chaim Weiss’ killer from $5,000 to $25,000.
The announcement came at a press conference intended to spark renewed interest in the case, Azzata said, adding that police have already begun to receive telephone tips.
Interest in the case has faded in the more than quarter century since. NBC’s “Unsolved Mysteries” featured it in the early 1990s and articles about the killing have appeared in various publications, but police have yet to unravel the mystery.
Police were quick to note that the reopening of the case was not due to any new evidence that had recently come to light.

Weiss was described at the time as a bright student. He was found bludgeoned to death in his room at a religious school in Long Beach, a Long Island community east of New York City, after he failed to show up for morning prayers.
The Nov. 1, 1986, slaying shocked the Orthodox Jewish community and from the beginning, police have acknowledged having no suspects.
There were no signs that anyone broke into the room.
It was later revealed that the victim’s body had been moved to the floor from his bed, where he is believed to have been slain with a sharp, blunt object. Also, a window in the dormitory room was left open despite late autumn temperatures that hovered in the low 40s. Some have suggested the moving of the body and the opening of the window were somehow related to the young man’s religious faith.
On Tuesday, chief of detectives Rick Capece specifically addressed the Jewish community, saying that detectives were aware that witnesses may be reticent to suggest those who may have been involved in the killing without having “positive proof” of their involvement.
“We are sensitive to and respect that belief,” Capece said. “However a homicide has occurred and we need any information that can help us solve this case and bring justice and peace to the Weiss family.”
Nassau County Police are requesting that anyone who was at the yeshiva at the time of the murder to contact them at 516 573 7788.
In addition to Crime Stoppers flyers detailing known information about the case and asking anyone with any information to call Crime Stoppers or the Nassau County Homicide Squad, the police department also gave out contact information for Rabbi Shmuel Goldin of the Rabbinical Council of America.
“Given our public position concerning coming forward to authorities, particularly in abuse cases, they called and had asked me to make a public statement urging anyone with any information to come forward.  Obviously anyone with any information is obligated to speak to the authorities and tell them what they know.”
Rabbi Goldin had originally been scheduled to speak at the press conference but was unable to attend due to a communication error regarding the timing of today’s press conference.
Anton Weiss, the boy’s father, spoke briefly at Tuesday’s news conference but declined to answer any reporter questions, citing a desire to protect his family’s privacy.
He noted his son’s classmates would be in their early 40s by now.
“His classmates by now are married, are parents on their own and understand what it means to be a parent,” Weiss said. “I am appealing to you and urging you in the strongest way, if you have any information that you feel the police might need in this murder investigation, I ask you, I urge you, to please contact the police department.”

In addition to Crime Stoppers flyers detailing known information about the case and asking anyone with any information to call Crime Stoppers or the Nassau County Homicide Squad, the police department also gave out contact information for Rabbi Shmuel Goldin of the Rabbinical Council of America.