Manny Waks
18/8/2016
Recently Heshy Deutsch posted a powerful YouTube clip addressing the ongoing child sexual abuse cases, cover-ups and its impact plaguing the Jewish community.
In response, prominent and respected Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein, founder and director of Ohr Naava, spoke out against the clip. When I first saw Rabbi Wallerstein’s response, I remarked that it was infuriating, but that it was also a good opportunity to highlight the ignorance, insensitivity and outright hypocrisy of some within the Rabbinate (in this case a prominent rabbi).
Today my friend and colleague, Sima Yarmush, posted a powerful and thoughtful response to Rabbi Wallerstein’s offensive remarks, which I share below with Sima’s permission:
This is my response to Rabbi Wallerstein, of Ohr Naava, after his recent video (posted in comments). It was horrifying for me to listen to and watch. Here are my thoughts about it, after I’ve had a chance to calm down and try my best not to allow myself to experience re-traumatization.
1) Belittling victims – Your tone is dismissive, disrespectful, and insulting to all victims and survivors of trauma, abuse, or otherwise. The theatrical way in which you expressed your thoughts was totally uncalled for. You should know better!
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