Wednesday, July 21, 2021

The Woman Spearheading the Fight Against Sexual Assault in ultra-Orthodox Society

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium.MAGAZINE-the-woman-spearheading-the-fight-against-sexual-assault-among-haredim-1.5455644 

 Attorney Rivka Schwartz remembers vividly the first time she ever heard about sexual abuse within the family. She was 16 at the time, attending summer camp. She and one of her best friends – also a Haredi, or ultra-Orthodox, girl from Bnei Brak – were having trouble falling asleep. They talked well into the night, and Schwartz’s friend revealed something that astounded her.

31 comments :

  1. And here I am recalling Rav Avi Shafran's essay 15 years ago insisting there is no such thing or if there is, it's vanishingly rare.

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  2. Indeed. The level of communal self-delusion in our communities is staggering. Perhaps that's the biggest chiddush of all amidst this whole topic...? Definitely puts into perspective the remarkable tzidqus of folks like her who work to undo it.

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  3. Ultra-Orthodox society has perhaps the lowest sexual harassment/assault incidence rates compared to any other segments of general society.

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  4. ...he proclaimed regarding this choice population, reasoning forth so very easily on a historical total absence of reliable data concerning that relevant population, happily striding thus through life with confidence as bold as his unapologetic ignorance.

    -- an excerpt from my forthcoming pulp novel. Thanks for helping to supply the dialogue!

    (Did you even read the article?! ...oh, never mind! Please don't "break character"....)

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  5. I was making a general comment that your misplaced sarcasm has no bearing upon. As far as the article, it is behind a paywall. Nevertheless, the publisher has a repugnant history as an antisemitic rag constantly raging against anyone too Jewish for their tastes.

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  6. On the contrary, sounds like my sarcasm was perfectly placed.

    And I guess the answer is a clear "No, didn't read it". Judging from your comment, I'm not surprised. But of course you add, "...But who needs to read such trash?!" LOL. That ol' ad hominem argument.... If someone doesn't like me, then they can't have a valid complaint against me, since I expect them to complain; so any complaints I dismiss out of hand with, "Well, what'd you expect from such a hater?"

    Reminds me of when 3-decade-plus veteran former CIA Director, nonpartisan, wrote a NYT Op-Ed criticizing the 2016 presidential candidacy of Trump. The NYT was of course only too happy to give his opinion a platform. But what got me was the stupider-than-fiction sevara -- if you could call it that -- of the yeshivish amongst us in response, who immediately without thinking reacted to that news by saying, "You can't trust what you read in the NYT!" LOL!!!

    Um... right.

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  7. “The Woman Spearheading” I love reading Ken Follett, The Evening and the Morning, Viking, 2020. A fictional historical novel little over 1,000 years ago England and France, just before the horrific crusades. Follet goes into modern topics plenty on women’s rights etc. Allow me my letter today to the NYS court of Appeals:
    “1.I request permission to submit these papers concerning my Motion for Leave to Make a Motion dated July 19, 2021 Return Date August 2, 2021. I'm attaching an affidavit of service proving I mailed by UPS true copy to Susan and to TIAA.
    2.I claim today that Rigler/Rothbart exceeded their authority when they imposed a freeze on my TIAA pension (1994-1997) and also in their fake/phony 1995 Rigler Order of Separation. I claim today TIAA exceeded their authority when TIAA followed the Rigler/Rothbart 100% freeze order. Courts have to treat parties in divorce matters as people. I have standing to make complaints to SCOTUS and to the NYS Court of Appeals because of ERISA: I'm getting only 45% of my pension since early 1994 with Susan getting 55% since early 1994. I made extensive complaints to the late Judge Kaye who asked Judge Pesce to investigate. Rigler/Rothbart fined me $20,000. Garson/Rothbart fined me $5,000. Judge Prus took my name out of property records my house 498 East 18th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11226. Who lives there now? There is a reign of terror/abuse for men in divorce matters in NYS.”
    Passiac Friend, IsraelReader, Garnel, KA, DT—do I have supporters that there is reign of terror/abuse in divorce matters in NYS? Mendel Epstein et al Rabbi Ralbag did their vigilante stuff thinking the whole country was behind them.

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  8. Jewish vigilantism has nothing to do with corrupt judges in the secular court system. Don't conflate the two issues.

    Were you subjected to Jewish vigilantism to "convince" you to give Susan a Get, or did you give it from your own free will?

    Did you settle all financial matters before giving Susan a Get, or did you first give her the Get, and then try to get a fair deal in secular court, with regard to financial matters?

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  9. It goes beyond delusion. It's the aggressive response to any suggestion it's there. That Shafran article was an attack piece on a woman who'd done a decent study on the subject. "How dare she even want to study something that barely exists!?"

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  10. Proud Conservative MomJuly 22, 2021 at 7:05 PM

    Are you referring to the late Chief Justice Judith Kaye of the NYC Court of Appeals?

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  11. Yes, but again from a proper analytical perspective, his entire argument is flawed.
    The researcher is dealing with anecdotes from people who left the community. And what about him? Does he have any data? Well no, the Gedolim probably told him it doesn't happen so that's all the evidence he needs.

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  12. IsraelReader (ProudConservative agrees) “Jewish vigilantism has nothing to do with corrupt judges in the secular court system. ” No. Jewish vigilantism = vigilantism law enforcement undertaken without legal authority by a self-appointed group of people. "the message here is not to encourage vigilantism"

    Hard to enforce court decisions that the recalcitrant husband divorce his wife. Many say bravo the vigilante to the recuse. Lots of court decision are hard to enforce. Hard to enforce the decisions of the Jerusalem Court in its role in my 2/17/1993 divorce in Rabbi Ralbag’s Brooklyn court.

    Jewish vigilantism praises corrupt judges that rule in their favor. See Court Scandal Embroils B’klyn Jews By Eric J. Greenberg May 2, 2003 “In a landmark decision, Garson invoked the 1983 New York State Get Law and ordered the husband to pay his 22-year-old wife of four months the sum of $500 a week in permanent maintenance because he refused to "remove a barrier to her remarriage" by denying her the get. "For the get issue, that was a great decision," said Susan Aranoff, director of Agunah International Inc., a women’s advocacy group.The International Council of Jewish Women also hailed Garson, who became a judge in 1998.”

    Gerald Garson felt it safe to take money to help women. Why? Garson viewed himself like a vigilante that people love. Times are changing. Law is the law. No one today likes perjury and stealing.

    I’m discussing perjury and false documents to steal my house and pension. I’m not discussing Jewish vigilantism. Its against federal law to steal a person’s pension. The is the only reason my SCOTUS docket numbers are still open (with public view). Follow IsraelReader and ConservativeMom ?

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  13. Proud Conservative MomJuly 23, 2021 at 2:04 AM

    As usual, very well done!

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  14. Proud Conservative MomJuly 23, 2021 at 2:45 AM

    I cannot edit my typo in my prior posting because it is in pending.
    It should have said NYS not NYC.
    I remember her well.

    What @IsraelReader was essentially saying, is that you were mixing apples with eggplants.
    He is correct in how he responded to your prior posting.

    I am an Orthodox Jew and a Reaganite Conservative, who was a paralegal for over twenty five years.

    As per the Torah, corruption is forbidden.
    I take my "marching orders" from HASHEM (the Almighty G-d of Israel).
    If I need to ask for Halachic (Jewish law) guidance, on an out of the norm issue that arises, I query my Rabbi.

    My G.P.A. was 3.9.
    I am a very intelligent person and understand what I read.
    There was no cause to be obnoxious ("got that")?

    I don't know you personally.
    I'm not saying you are lying.
    I never assume ANYTHING.

    I knew Judge Eric Prus from when he was a law clerk.
    If he is corrupt, that is very disappointing.

    I am sorry that you had this happen to you.
    That is awful...

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  15. “The Woman Spearheading the Fight” I decided to be blunt and disrespectful to the NYS Court of Appeals. I’m not a lawyer. IsraelReader (ProudConservativeMom agrees) shoots at me red herring questions:
    “Were you subjected to Jewish vigilantism to "convince" you to give Susan a Get, or did you give it from your own free will?
    Did you settle all financial matters before giving Susan a Get, or did you first give her the Get, and then try to get a fair deal in secular court, with regard to financial matters?”

    This is my letter today:
    “4.The late Judge Gerald Garson made horrific rulings. See Court Scandal Embroils B'klyn Jews by Eric J. Greenberg May 2, 2003
    In a landmark decision, Garson invoked the 1983 New York State Get Law and ordered the husband to pay his 22-year-old wife of four months the sum of \$500 a week in permanent maintenance because he refused to “remove a barrier to her remarriage” by denying her the get. “For the get issue, that was a great decision,” said Susan Aranoff, director of Agunah International Inc., a women's advocacy group. The International Council of Jewish Women also hailed Garson, who became a judge in 1998.
    5.Gerald Garson felt it safe to take money to help women. Why? Garson viewed himself a vigilante that people love. Times are changing. Law is the law. No one today likes perjury and stealing.
    6.Rigler/Rothbart made horrific rulings, such as the supposed 1995 Rigler order of separation which Judge Prus refuses to allow me to see a copy of. Garson/Rothbart made horrific rulings such as fining me \$5,000 and claiming Ian Anderson lacks authority to represent me. Judge Prus made horrific rulings such as the QDRO will not be changed and be under his control. Numerous horrific rulings in my case, such as awarding Susan the William Richardson $10,000 check payable to me. A neighbor died childless willed $10,000 to me. Judge Prus made horrific rulings. Judge Prus feels safe from my complaints because Judge Prus considers himself a vigilante that people love. Mendel Epstein et al and Rabbi Ralbag considered themselves vigilantes that people love. Judge Wolfson jailed Mendel Epstein 10 years and granted immunity to Rabbi Ralbag for his testimony to convict Mendel Epstein et al.
    7.I'm discussing perjury and false documents to steal my house and pension. I'm not discussing Jewish vigilantism. It’s against federal law to steal a person’s pension. This the reason my SCOTUS docket numbers are still open (with public view).”
    Thanks KA for the uptick. PassiacFriend, IsraelReader, Garnel following?

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  16. “The Woman Spearheading the Fight Against Sexual” wow 16,000 pageviews it’s me, thank you God. Thank you ProudConservativeMom “Are you referring to the late Chief Justice Judith Kaye of the NY state Court of Appeals?” This is my letter today:

    “3.I'm hereby making application to Ms. Janet DiFiore, Chief Judge of the NYS Court of Appeals. I request her to look into the fake/phony 1995 Rigler/Rothbart order of separation. She has authority to do so. The late Judge Kaye asked Judge Pesce to look into the insulting references that my daughters born to my present wife, Yemima, are illegitimate. The submitting of a fake/phony court document attacks the integrity and public respect of the court: a grave offense, a serious crime. I have nothing further to add on this matter besides SCOTUS #'s 20-8096, 20-7892, 20-6525, 18-9390, and 18-7160 and NYS CoA Motion numbers 2021-359, 2021-54, 2020-352, 2019-266, and 2018-840.
    4.Ms. Janet DiFiore, Chief Judge of the NYS Court of Appeals has authority to request a judge in the Brooklyn civil court to get a copy of the supposed 1995 Rigler/Rothbart order of separation. This was about the same time of the Judge Pesce 9/13/1996 (cc Judge Kaye) letter. In fairness I'm entitled to see a copy of the supposed 1995 Rigler/Rothbart 1995 order of separation. Highly suspicious that Judge Prus and my opposition adamantly refuse to allow me to see a copy of the supposed 1995 Rigler/Rothbart order of separation. Without the supposed 1995 Rigler/Rothbart 1995 order of separation there would be no basis to grant my opposition a civil divorce 9/10/2013 since Attorney Popkin said in 1993 that I divorced Susan.
    5.I attach: Exhibit A Judge Pesce 9/13/1996 (cc Judge Kaye) and Attorney Popkin 3/24/1993 (cc Judge Rigler)”

    Yes, ProudConservativeMom, I’m referring to late Chief Justice Judith Kaye of the NY state Court of Appeals. I quote the US Supreme Court rules. Friday July 16, 2021 Rachel at the NYS Court of Appeals told me I could write letters, but not make phone calls, click. Ann at the same court told me the day before I could call every day if I want. I don’t know if I have a number at the court, so, today, I filed a request to open a case. I’m making application that the lady chief judge get me a copy of the fake/phony 1995 Rigler/Rothbart order of separation. This is the Rothbart in the Garson/Rothbart $5,000 fine and the Garson/Rothbart denying Ian Anderson authority to represent me.

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  17. Thank you Gerald

    I'm sure you have come across the 80/20 rule or Pareto principle in economics.
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle

    It's my observation that in frum society or yeshivas it also applies.

    Only 20% of yeshiva intake is of interest to career rabbis. They are best in learning and potentially the ones who become rabbis or lamdanim. Also, financially. 80% of income will come from a small number of donors. Eg 20%.
    The rest are just cannon fodder.
    This rule was exemplified by rabbi dessler' in his infamous comments about 1000 must be destroyed to produce 1 gadol.

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  18. As usual you are misrepresenting facts

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  19. "He said that Rav Dessler doesn’t mean that it is certain that people will go off the derech because of this approach – but only that it can happen. "


    OK, so in any other circumstances this would be "yehareg vlo yaavor"

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  20. As usual, you misunderstood what I said.
    Pareto principle is an economic concept.
    I said that a) yeshivas (at least those involved with modern jews) take a greater interest in the 20% of students (candidates for lamdanim) , and those with rich families.

    B) that this principle was exemplified by rav dessler.

    All you have managed to argue is that in the post war period, this approach was justified.

    But, actually, at very least it was a violation of veahavta l'reacha kmocha.

    Chazon ish took this approach towards seculars. Not convinced he took it towards religious or even modern. Rav Goldvicht was invited by kby to be their rosh yeshiva. He asked advice, the Brisker rov said no, the Chazon ish said he should teach them.

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  21. This was said about women being drafted in the army, about going to YU. The risk of becoming secular was given a yehareg vlo yaavor by the same people who oppose university education.

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  22. So how does that support your claim?

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  23. What is being claimed by ronny greenwald is that to make an omelette, you need to crack eggs. But the same eggs cannot be cracked, even to save lives - according to some hareidim thinking.
    rav Shternbuch's comments actually support my claim - that this approach is a violation of halacha. He understands it for what it is. Rabbi greenwald is a media spin doctor, a PR guru, not an honest voice.

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  24. “The Woman Spearheading the Fight Against Sexual” wow 18,340 pageviews it’s me, thank you God. I received letter from the NYS CoA dated July 15: “The Court of Appeals is a court of strictly limited appellate jurisdiction which reviews orders of other statutorily prescribed courts and tribunals.” Here’s my new motion today:

    “3.I'm hereby making application to Ms. Janet DiFiore, Chief Judge of the NYS Court of Appeals. I request her to look into TIAA paying 55% of my pension to my opposition with no end in sight in violation of ERISA. She has authority to do so. Public knowledge of an ERISA violation condoned by NYS courts attacks the integrity and public respect of NYS courts. I have nothing further to add on this matter besides SCOTUS #'s 20-8096, 20-7892, 20-6525, 18-9390, and 18-7160 and NYS CoA Motion numbers 2021-359, 2021-54, 2020-352, 2019-266, and 2018-840.
    4.Ms. Janet DiFiore, Chief Judge of the NYS Court of Appeals has authority to open an investigation if TIAA is violating ERISA. In fairness I'm entitled to present my views that TIAA is violating ERISA, a federal law.
    5.I attach: Exhibit A Judge Leonard B.\ Sand March 6, 2009 dismissing my complaint of ERISA violation.
    6.Judge Sand ruled that federal courts lack jurisdiction to order TIAA to stop violating ERISA. I'm not a lawyer. Courts can always open an investigation into blatant crimes and misdeeds. This is critical for public acceptance of the authority of courts. This is critical for public acceptance of TIAA paying out pensions to NYS citizens. The more time passes and TIAA pays 55% of my pension to my opposition the more the public sees public disregard of ERISA and a failure of NYS courts to reign in TIAA's misdeeds. Alas, I'm in urgent need of my full pension. I get no response from TIAA or from my opposition.”

    No I don't like the letters I get from the NYS Court of Appeals. My main hope is SCOTUS.

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  25. What was the outcome of that conversation with Rabbi Greenwald? Are there people discussing this somewhere and making decisions on those points he raised? Or was this just a philosophical musing between you and him from "the outside?"

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  26. Considering you have published a large part, it is no longer private.

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  27. The courts do respond to me. Allow me my SCOTUS Petition for Application to the Chief Justice today:
    “3.I'm hereby making application to John G. Roberts, Jr., Chief Justice of the United States. I request him to look into TIAA paying 55% of my pension to my opposition with no end in sight in violation of ERISA. He has authority to do so. I have nothing further to add on this matter besides SCOTUS #'s 20-8096, 20-7892, 20-6525, 18-9390, and 18-7160 and NYS CoA Motion numbers 2021-359, 2021-54, 2020-352, 2019-266, and 2018-840.
    4.John G.\ Roberts, Jr., Chief Justice of the United States has authority to open an investigation if TIAA is violating ERISA. In fairness I'm entitled to present my views that TIAA is violating ERISA, a federal law.
    5.Appendix A New York State Court of Appeals letter July 15, 2021 states: July 15, 2021 Gerald Aranoff 8 Miriam Haneviah Street Bnei Brak, Israel 51583 Dear Mr. Aranoff: I return enclosed your motion dated July 12, 2021, which seeks ``leave to make a motion.'' The Court of Appeals is a a court of strictly limited appellate jurisdiction which reviews orders of other statutory prescribed counts and tribunals. No statutory provision or procedure exists that would allow the Court to entertain a motion for the relief sought in your papers. If you have or obtain an order from the Appellate Division that you have not previously asked the Court of Appeals to review, you may serve and file a motion in compliance with the Court's rules of Practice to seek leave to appeal from that order. Very truly yours, Heather Davis Deputy Clerk RMM
    7.Appendix B Judge Leonard B.\ Sand March 6, 2009 dismissing my complaint of ERISA violation. Judge Sand ruled that federal courts lack jurisdiction to order TIAA to stop violating ERISA. I'm not a lawyer. Courts can always open an investigation into blatant crimes and misdeeds.
    2.Reasons for Granting the Petition The Court granting me my petition will help root out fraud in NYS civil courts. See Court Scandal Embroils B'klyn Jews by Eric J.\Greenberg May 2, 2003. This is critical for public acceptance of the authority of courts. This is critical for public acceptance of TIAA paying out pensions to NYS citizens. The more time passes and TIAA pays 55% of my pension to my opposition the more the public sees public disregard of ERISA and a failure of NYS courts to reign in TIAA's misdeeds. Alas, I'm in urgent need of my full pension. Public knowledge of an ERISA violation condoned by NYS courts attacks public respect of NYS courts.”

    SCOTUS has a rule that permits making application to John G. Roberts, Jr., Chief Justice of the United States. Wish me luck. Thanks KA for upticks. IsraelReader, are you following?

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