Liberal Modern Orthodox Rabbi Rips into Leading Zionist Orthodox Rabbi over Enabling of Child Sex Abuse

By Shmarya Rosenberg
Failed Messiah
August 21, 2013

http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/failed_messiahcom/2013/08/liberal-modern-orthodox-rabbi-rips-into-leading-zionist-orthodox-rabbi-over-enabling-of-child-sex-abuse-345.html

Rabbi Michael Melchior

"…[W]hat more needs to happen before Religious Zionism, Bnei Akiva Yeshivas and Yeshivot Hesder will no longer consider [Rabbi Haim Druckman] suitable to lead them. Is it possible to enter the month of mercy and forgiveness, and the Days of Awe and claim to The Almighty that we have done all that we must do in order to set an example for, and to protect our children?”

Writing on his Facebook page, former MK and cabinet minister Rabbi Michael Melchior ripped into Rabbi Haim Druckman, a former member of Knesset who heads Israel’s state conversion authority and the Bnei Akiva system of yeshivas, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Druckman is both an enabler of and an apologist for Rabbi Mordechai Elon, who was convicted almost two weeks ago of sexually abusing a minor who was his student.

Druckman previously viciously attacked Elon’s victims and publicly endorsed Elon. Despite that behavior, Druckman was awarded the Israel Prize. Melchior was the lone Zionist Orthodox/Modern Orthodox rabbi of note who publicly refused to congratulate him.

Then after Elon was convicted almost two weeks ago, Druckman invited Elon to continue to teach a weekly class at Druckman’s yeshiva despite that conviction.

Melchior, who is also the former chief rabbi of Norway and an alumnus of the Zionist Orthodox flagship Yeshivat HaKotel in Jerusalem, wrote that he was “not at all surprised” by Druckman’s invite to Elon, adding “what more needs to happen before Religious Zionism, Bnei Akiva Yeshivas and Yeshivot Hesder will no longer consider this person suitable to lead them. Is it possible to enter the month of mercy and forgiveness, and the Days of Awe and claim to The Almighty that we have done all that we must do in order to set an example for, and to protect our children?”

Elon was convicted on two counts of indecent assault by force against a minor and could serve up to seven years in prison. He was once the one of the most prominent rabbis in Zionist Orthodoxy, serving as Yeshivat HaKotel’s rosh yeshiva (dean).

Elon’s family is extremely powerful and politically connected. His late father was a former justice on Israel’s High Court of Justice and other family members hold important positions politically and religiously in Israel.

No senior Zionist Orthodox rabbis – except for Melchior, who is an outlier – have publicly criticized Druckman for his latest actions.

Melchior’s remarks in full:

Some time ago I received a call from someone asking me to add my name to a long list of prominent people in congratulating Rabbi Haim Drukman for receiving the Israel Prize, and I refused. Rabbi Drukman – Head of Bnei Akiva yeshivot and institutions, who for a long time has been considered the undisputed leader of religious Zionism – receives the Israel Prize, and I refuse to contribute my support!

Several people called me to clarify that the list would include representation from across the religious Zionist spectrum, including many leading names in Israeli society, and I was the only person who refused to sign.

I explained that despite good deeds to Rabbi Drukman's credit and his extensive educational achievements, I could not join hands in any way whatsoever with this person who time after time covers for, protects, and constantly defends someone who harms our youth. I believe that anyone with an ounce of morality within him – whether it is a public personality, educator or common citizen- has the obligation to protect the victims of harrasment. This is especially true for a man who stands at the head of an educational empire which is meant to teach the values of our Torah.

I was therefore not at all surprised to read that Rabbi Drukman continues to invite Rabbi Moti Elon, , to teach young men in his yeshiva in Or Etzion, even after his conviction in court, and the important and thorough work done by the Takana Forum. (The Takana Forum is a vitally important group that is made up of prominent personalities with the objective of fighting sexual abuse in the National Religious sector in Israel).

I wonder, what more needs to happen before Religious Zionism, Bnei Akiva Yeshivas and Yeshivot Hesder will no longer consider this person suitable to lead them. Is it possible to enter the month of mercy and forgiveness, and the Days of Awe and claim to The Almighty that we have done all that we must do in order to set an example for, and to protect our children?

Is it not said that in a place where God's name is being desecrated, we do not give respect to Rabbis? In this instance, when a Rabbi is an icon, I ask what could be a bigger desecration of God’s name than to pay tribute to a man that has turned a blind-eye to harm done to innocent children?