The following letter is published with the kind permission of David Morris - someone who really cares and has accomplished much - and with whom I agree with more than I disagree. The views don't necessarily represent my views - but I think they are an important basis of discussion. [there were reports of infection by malware of the letter that I took from David Morris' blog - I think I have succeed in removing it but please let me know if I haven't]
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The Meisels Seminaries - The Letter Never Written
THIS LETTER WAS NOT WRITTEN NOR SENT OUT BY PNIMIM, BINAS BAIS YAKOV, CHEDVAS BAIS YAAKOV OR KESER CHAYA SEMINARIES
However, if it had been, I believe this situation would be far better today, than it is.
See previous postings here on Tzedek-Tzedek, Frum Follies (in the CBD corner), Daat Torah (in the IBD corner) and other fine blogs.
This is a suggested model for such situations in the future.
You are invited to suggest improvements either on-line or by email to me offline- David Morris
However, if it had been, I believe this situation would be far better today, than it is.
See previous postings here on Tzedek-Tzedek, Frum Follies (in the CBD corner), Daat Torah (in the IBD corner) and other fine blogs.
This is a suggested model for such situations in the future.
You are invited to suggest improvements either on-line or by email to me offline- David Morris
I believe that such a letter would have promoted safety and responsibility, in a way which would have given the parents the confidence they need and are entitled to that these Seminaries will be safer for their daughters in the future, than they were in the past.
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Date of Letter: [Within One Week of the Seminaries becoming aware of the Chicago Beit Din’s investigation and findings].
To our staff, students and parents,
We are writing to you in the most regretful circumstances in a timely fashion in order to put you all in the picture, in the interests of the safety of our students, and transparency and accountability before the parents.
We have just been informed by the special Chicago Beis Din (CBD) that the founder and proprietor of our seminaries, Rabbi Elimelech Meisels, has been investigated by the CBD, further to complaints the Beis Din received from pupils of the seminaries. These complaints concerned serious allegations of unwanted sexual contact by Rabbi Meisels.
As a result of the investigation, the CBD has made this announcement:
We first wish to share our deepest regret sincere grief should any of our staff have participated, wittingly or unwittingly, directly or indirectly in any abuse. We feel the pain of the alleged victims and we feel proud that these girls have had the courage to step forward in order to protect others girls.
We reach out and strongly encourage others who have endured any kind of abuse, or were witnesses to the same, during their time at our seminaries, to take this step also.
As a result of this CBD announcement, we have immediately taken the following steps:
1. Regretfully, we have discovered that there is and never has been a Seminary Protocol Concerning Abuse Prevention & Reporting in any of our seminaries. We have therefore referred this important matter of omission to Such & Such Organization, which is an independent non-profit agency and they will establish these protocols in all our seminaries. The S and SO will be acting under The Committee (see below). Deadline for implementation: 15th August, 2014.
2. In the absence of this protocol, we have formed an independent expert committee (“the Committee”) consisting of Rabbi X, Social Worker Y, and Lawyer Z.
This committee has been vetted by both the CBD, the Israeli Beit Din (IBD) referred to in the CBD’s declaration and Such & Such Organization; they have concluded that the individuals and collectively the Committee is of the highest professional and ethical reputation and can be relied upon to be independent and to protect the safety & confidentiality of anyone who refers to them.
The committee’s contact details are: XXXX
In light of the Committee’s immediate advice and instruction:
3. Rabbi Meisels has been requested by the Committee and has committed to take immediate leave of absence and will only return to a role in the seminaries in future in the event that he is entirely vindicated of wrong-doing. Rabbi Meisels has agreed to have no further contact, immediately and until further notice, with anyone associated with the seminaries, including governors, staff, pupils and parents. (For administrative purposes Rabbi Meisels will communicate via the IBD).
4. Any other member of staff who is suspected of participation, collusion or turning a blind eye to abusive behaviour will be placed on immediate leave, pending conclusion of the investigation.
5. The Committee has contacted the Israeli police to brief them, with a view to the police investigating and addressing any aspects of this case which are or could be criminal by nature. We strongly encourage anyone with information which may be helpful to this police inquiry to contact: Detective Plonit (who is a female investigator,experienced with crimes of this nature) contact details XXXXX. If you are in doubt as to whether the information you possess is significant in this context, you may contact The Committee for their expert confidential advice and counsel. 6. Regarding issues of finance (dinei mamon/civil) in Israel, the IBD has graciously made themselves available to accept and judge claims either presented jointly or separately; the IBD will be operating officially as Arbitrators. The IBD has given assurances that they are impartial and will deliver their judgments, according to halacha and which will also be legally binding upon the parties, and in a timely fashion. IBD contact details: 7. Regarding issues of financial damages (dinei mamon) in the USA, the above is true for the CBD. CBD contact details. These are the steps which have been taken in immediate response to to the declaration of the CBD. Enrollment for Next Academic Year: Moving forward, our objective is to ascertain that the schools will be safe, beyond all doubt, for you (our pupils) and your daughters in the coming academic year, commencing 1st September 2014.
We understand that you have legitimate concerns about whether your daughters should attend our seminaries in the coming year, and we will make every effort to address these concerns in our ongoing communications.
You are invited to discuss these concerns with the Committee by email or by phone (Committee contact details and hours of availability)
We fully understand if you chose to find alternative educational institutions for your daughters for next year, as is your right, and we will be entirely helpful in this regard.
1. Regretfully, we have discovered that there is and never has been a Seminary Protocol Concerning Abuse Prevention & Reporting in any of our seminaries. We have therefore referred this important matter of omission to Such & Such Organization, which is an independent non-profit agency and they will establish these protocols in all our seminaries. The S and SO will be acting under The Committee (see below). Deadline for implementation: 15th August, 2014.
2. In the absence of this protocol, we have formed an independent expert committee (“the Committee”) consisting of Rabbi X, Social Worker Y, and Lawyer Z.
This committee has been vetted by both the CBD, the Israeli Beit Din (IBD) referred to in the CBD’s declaration and Such & Such Organization; they have concluded that the individuals and collectively the Committee is of the highest professional and ethical reputation and can be relied upon to be independent and to protect the safety & confidentiality of anyone who refers to them.
The committee’s contact details are: XXXX
In light of the Committee’s immediate advice and instruction:
3. Rabbi Meisels has been requested by the Committee and has committed to take immediate leave of absence and will only return to a role in the seminaries in future in the event that he is entirely vindicated of wrong-doing. Rabbi Meisels has agreed to have no further contact, immediately and until further notice, with anyone associated with the seminaries, including governors, staff, pupils and parents. (For administrative purposes Rabbi Meisels will communicate via the IBD).
4. Any other member of staff who is suspected of participation, collusion or turning a blind eye to abusive behaviour will be placed on immediate leave, pending conclusion of the investigation.
5. The Committee has contacted the Israeli police to brief them, with a view to the police investigating and addressing any aspects of this case which are or could be criminal by nature. We strongly encourage anyone with information which may be helpful to this police inquiry to contact: Detective Plonit (who is a female investigator,experienced with crimes of this nature) contact details XXXXX. If you are in doubt as to whether the information you possess is significant in this context, you may contact The Committee for their expert confidential advice and counsel. 6. Regarding issues of finance (dinei mamon/civil) in Israel, the IBD has graciously made themselves available to accept and judge claims either presented jointly or separately; the IBD will be operating officially as Arbitrators. The IBD has given assurances that they are impartial and will deliver their judgments, according to halacha and which will also be legally binding upon the parties, and in a timely fashion. IBD contact details: 7. Regarding issues of financial damages (dinei mamon) in the USA, the above is true for the CBD. CBD contact details. These are the steps which have been taken in immediate response to to the declaration of the CBD. Enrollment for Next Academic Year: Moving forward, our objective is to ascertain that the schools will be safe, beyond all doubt, for you (our pupils) and your daughters in the coming academic year, commencing 1st September 2014.
We understand that you have legitimate concerns about whether your daughters should attend our seminaries in the coming year, and we will make every effort to address these concerns in our ongoing communications.
You are invited to discuss these concerns with the Committee by email or by phone (Committee contact details and hours of availability)
We fully understand if you chose to find alternative educational institutions for your daughters for next year, as is your right, and we will be entirely helpful in this regard.
If you wish to apply for a refund of your deposits, please contact the CBD (for those who paid the Pnimim USA non-profit) or IBD (for those who paid Israeli Amuta). An application form for refunds is available on the website:... The Batei Din have indicated a response time of approximately two weeks to respond to your request. You may may submit applications until 15th August for your deposit to be returned.
Summary: These are the allocation of responsibilities.
a. The Committee - professional issues relating to the alleged abuse
b. Israeli Beit Din (IBD) - financial issues (dinei mamon) in Israel
c. Special Chicago Beit Din (CBD) - financial issues (dinei mamon) in the USA
d. The Police (Israel) - criminal issues in Israel
e. The Minhalim - implementation
We are making every effort in these extraordinary and regretful circumstances to prioritize the uncompromised safety of our students, particularly for the coming academic year and ongoing, and we would appreciate your expression of confidence by continuing the enrollment process for 2014/15.
Summary: These are the allocation of responsibilities.
a. The Committee - professional issues relating to the alleged abuse
b. Israeli Beit Din (IBD) - financial issues (dinei mamon) in Israel
c. Special Chicago Beit Din (CBD) - financial issues (dinei mamon) in the USA
d. The Police (Israel) - criminal issues in Israel
e. The Minhalim - implementation
We are making every effort in these extraordinary and regretful circumstances to prioritize the uncompromised safety of our students, particularly for the coming academic year and ongoing, and we would appreciate your expression of confidence by continuing the enrollment process for 2014/15.
We will report our next steps on a scheduled bi-weekly basis. (In the case we have further urgent information to relay, we will contact you whenever required).
Once again, we express our deepest pain and sincere support for any student who may have suffered inappropriate behaviour while a student in our seminaries.
Signed:
Four Principals
Representative of CBD
Representative of IBD
Representative of The Committee.
Once again, we express our deepest pain and sincere support for any student who may have suffered inappropriate behaviour while a student in our seminaries.
Signed:
Four Principals
Representative of CBD
Representative of IBD
Representative of The Committee.
Isn't this pretty much what was done?
ReplyDelete1-2) protocol for future - IBD posted that they are consulting with professionals
"we are doing a broad range of research and talking to professionals" (from one of the letters)
3)meisels leaving- done
4-5) can't be done until CBD provides IBD with evidence.
6-7)isn't that the main reason the IBD was put together?
conference calls and emails for questions- been posted numerous times.
so the only problem with the seimnaries right now (according to David Morris) is a public apology, and the fact that they aren't returning deposits until the dispute is settled.
okay.
The seminaries are hachicly legally entitled to a mutually accepted beis din or zabla to hear the case and issue a psak whether or not they are obligated per halacha to give a refund. They can't be forced to give a refund without a mutually accepted beis din ruling to that effect.
ReplyDeleteMy two cents here (which are not based on any experience, proper knowledge or even understanding.)
ReplyDeleteBack in May the CBD set a whole bunch of conditions with Meisels. They did not go public. How about if that point, the seminary would send out a letter as above with one omittance - they omit his name. Instead, they write "a formerly very important, inspiring .... member of our seminary" (or something similar). Every student at the seminary will immediately know exactly who's being referred to. In this way, we validate all those to whom their emotions won't allow them to believe it (Like the die-hard Halpern and Weinberger fans). And then the letter would continue with the clear acceptance of the facts and requests for students help, and commitments to help all the students in every way.
Is there a need to mention his actual name - or is it enough to make it obvious to all students and staff - but leave enough room for those die-hard students to hold on to their imaginary Super Rabbi?
The B"D would still hold on to the ability to go public, if need be.
They should also force the pervert to hand them a bunch of money to be put in escrow.... which the perv would lose if he ever tries to defy any of the B"D's conditions.
Question: is "unwanted contact of a sexual nature" the same as "unwanted sexual contact"? I.e., is it unwanted hugging? (Either way, its impermissible.)
ReplyDelete"Is there a need to mention his actual name - or is it enough to make it obvious to all students and staff - but leave enough room for those die-hard students to hold on to their imaginary Super Rabbi?"
ReplyDeleteI don't get this approach. If he is guilty, then his die-hard students need to be convinced that he is in fact guilty of these actions. Why preserve a facade, especially in this case when it could one day lead to further victims.
No this was not done.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most critical aspects of this letter is the willingness to put people on leave UNTIL it is confirmed that they had no involvement and that they didn't turn a blind eye. (see # 4 )
As well, this letter is acknowledging that some prospective parents may not be satisfied with this, and rightly so, and it is saying if you want to send elsewhere we support that as well. (which is different than the IBD response (which basically was "you force us to acknowledge that we have a major problem but it is painful for us to admit that so lets come up with a fake solution that does not address the root causes and does not protect our girls in the future and pretend we have no more problem - and anyone who doesn't like our solution it is assur to switch to a different sem and it is assur for another sem to accept them.)
Let me pose a question: if a leading staff member at a seminary -- the founder -- was discovered to have attempted to indoctrinate students in a Goyish religion, wouldn't the outcry be to shut the place down and string the founder up? Sexual misconduct at a Seminary is not on this level?
ReplyDeleteRecall, if you will, that if relations with a Nidah is not Die and Don't Transgress, it's mighty close, and if the alleged activity didn't go over the cliff at the school, the participants were still dangling on the precipice.
So I say stuff the safety talk, that's Olam Hazeh, important enough, but whats about Olam Haba?
This school is an Institute Nidachas and should be plowed under.
"Dear Parents,
"We messed up BIG TIME. We don't have the resources to give you back you money, and we will have to repent every day of our lives, and only our deaths will be true Kapara, if even then.
"Come, take your daughters home. We failed.
"In the Greatest Shame Possible,
"Your Disgraced Staff"
I clicked on the link in the letter and ended up at a porn site.
ReplyDelete"You must be a minimum of 18 years of age (or 21 years of age in some jurisdictions) to enter this site."
S A Y S I T A L L !
Probably should have been posted/sent, but I can tell you why it wasnt done. Any lawyer will tell you..... Never admit guilt unless that is you last option and are willing to pay-up. While emotionally we would love to hear them admit that they were wrong, if they do they will have a tremendous financial liability (as they can be sued in secular court... right now thats very iffy) and they could be forced to close anyway. So if I were advising them it be to remain silent while BD sorts this out.
ReplyDeleteWhy preserve a facade, especially in this case when it could one day lead to further victims.
ReplyDeleteDid you read my last paragraph? I'll post it again:
The B"D would still hold on to the ability to go public, if need be.They should also force the pervert to hand them a bunch of money to be put in escrow.... which the perv would lose if he ever tries to defy any of the B"D's conditions.
If he is guilty, then his die-hard students need to be convinced that he is in fact guilty of these actions.
OK, and how do you accomplish this? Have Berland's fans been convinced? No, they have just reacted with hating all those who attacked him.
Have Halpern's fans been convinced? No, they have just reacted with hating all those who attacked him.
Have Motty Elon's fans been convinced? No, they just reacted by hating all those that attacked him.
On and on...
Why not figure out the best approach forward. What to do at this point. What happened happened. You cannot turn back the clock and undo what happened or didn't happen.
ReplyDeleteTsk tsk. Someone doesn't have an internet filter.
ReplyDeleteAnd a good thing, too; otherwise I would be deprived of your snarky comments.
ReplyDeleteThis is true only for 'Any other member of staff who is suspected of participation, collusion or turning a blind eye to abusive behaviour" as said in number 4, above.
ReplyDeleteRight now, no one is being accused. well the CBD is saying that "there are staff members" but they are not saying WHO, and they aren't saying what happened, so.....
Oh you're making me blush. And nice use of snarky, I haven't heard that word for years.
ReplyDelete