JCW
A large crowd from the Miami Jewish community gathered at the JLC in Miami Beach on Sunday evening for an emotionally charged evening to raise awareness for child abuse in the Orthodox Jewish community and learn what Jewish Community Watch (JCW) is doing to combat it.
The crowd heard from rabbis, survivors and therapists. By the end of the evening, which many described as ‘raw’, ‘vulnerable’ and ‘emotional’, over a dozen victims of abuse stood up and publicly acknowledged their abuse – some for the very first time.
The MC for the event, Rabbi Schneur Kaplan introduced the opening speaker, Rabbi and Licensed Therapist Chaim Drizin. Rabbi Drizin shared some of his experiences working with victims of abuse referred to him by JCW. Drizin also discussed some lesser known facts about the types of homes victim of abuse often come from.
Founder and director of Jewish Community Watch, Meyer Seewald detailed how after the death of his best friend at the age of 17, the father of his friend set up a youth group and built close relationships with a number of young boys who he then took advantage of.
When Meyer, who himself was a victim of abuse, discovered the depth of the abuse in the community he realized that his mission in life was to battle CSA. “We must unite to confront this evil amongst us,” said Seewald. “We are slowly coming together to end the cover up; we are sending a message to survivors that they are not alone and that we stand with them.”
The next speaker, Dr. Norman Goldwasser spoke about the deterrent power of the “Wall of Shame” on JCW’s website where confirmed abusers names and photos are posted. He recounted a number of occasions where the fear of being listed on the Wall of Shame had caused abusers to agree to participate in breakthrough therapy sessions with their victims.
Miami businessman and philanthropist Eli Nash had many in tears as he shared his story of the horrific abuse he had suffered from age 8 to 11 – he spoke about the lasting effect it had on him into his adulthood. With the help of extensive therapy and the support of JCW he had confronted his abuser and began to heal. He is now a leading supporter of JCW and a voice against CSA.
“There is no middle ground,” said Mr. Nash. “You either publicly stand with the victims of abuse or you allow victims to continue to suffer. When an adult is taking advantage of a child, if we do nothing, an adult continues to take advantage of the child.” He declared that he will no longer be ashamed and urged others in the crowd who had been abused to stand. Over a dozen people stood up to thunderous applause from the audience.
A short film produced by JCW entitled “Speak up” was shown and as the evening wound down, kosher restaurateur Baruch Sandhaus who was sitting in the audience took the podium and revealed that he too had been abused decades before. “Be ‘alivers!’ by you being here, by continuing with your life you have proven yourself stronger than those who hurt you. You have the power to live successful and meaningful lives,” he said.
One of the attendees, Shainy Toron-Federman, posted afterwards on JCW’s Facebook page.
“Last night’s event was probably the most important one I’ve ever been to. The honesty, rawness, humanity and bravery that was shown by every single speaker and survivor affected me so deeply I really can’t describe it. Eli, Meyer, and Baruch–who were so courageous in sharing their stories straight up just saved countless lives. I have never been prouder to be Jewish than I was last night, when we all stood together and (sent a message) to the abusers and cowardly murderers who will never again lay a hand on anyone with the help of JCW.”
A similar event will be held on September 15th in Brooklyn New York. Visit www.facebook.com/JewishCommunityWatch.Org for more information.
This is what it is! Unfortunately there r still Rabbonim in our communities that r protecting the perpetrator by keeping them in their jobs and re- victimizing the victims by doing that and by not acknowledging their pain. All Rabbonim and Mechnachim that are wondering why our children are ” GOING OFF THE DERECH” have to stop and think : WHAT ARE WE DOING TO SHOW OUR KIDS THAT YIDISHKEIT AND TORAH IS A SAFE PLACE!!!!? Start treating the perpetrator as he shud be treated , like a criminal, no matter what his last name is and who he married… Read more »
The evening was so inspirational, and powerful. I cried most of the time. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the audience. AMAZING! JCW you are doing great things! Hatzlacha in Brooklyn on Monday night! You’ve got a great lineup!
Unfortunately some institutions still have the motto that if we don’t talk about it then the problem will just go away. Rather than give your child the tools to recognize bad elements and inappropriate behavior around them. There’s no such thing as full proof prevention. But what is important is that kids feel they could trust their parents and communicate with them. The best way to heal is to start talking about it. And the only way that can happen is if we have a transparent and honest community
that is great so why do we not have implemented in the chabad schools and camps
The information is out there. There are other Jewish frum organizations that provide child safety prevention to parents and schools. The problem is that these organizations are not always welcomed in camps or schools and have to fight just to get people to listen. Check out magenu.org a Brooklyn based child safety program. They are underfunded just as jcw. They did a training workshops by my kids school for the kids, teachers and parents. Every parent should demand that their school or camp have them come train their staff and students. It’s done in a very informative, tznius and age… Read more »
I never realized how important this organization is until this event or understand just a bit of the feelings that a child of abuse goes through – it is so important for every parent, educator and especially victims to be at this event.
You will walk away with enough awareness and information to possibly save your childs life and support an organization which willl prevent the atrocities that many of crown heights youth went through
I never realized how important this organization is until this event or understand just a bit of the feelings that a child of abuse goes through – it is so important for every parent, educator and especially victims to be at this event.
You will walk away with enough awareness and information to possibly save your childs life and support an organization which willl prevent the atrocities that many of crown heights youth went through
What a great event keep up the good work keeping our kids safe
There is only one way to stop the cycle of abuse that is education. We can make as much noise as we want and scream about abuse from the last 100 years but if we do not educate the children to know what abuse is and if there is a case of abuse that they should report it and get help then we are part of the problem JCW has done much for abuse but they are doing nothing about educating the children at school the people that show up at these events already know about abuse its the children… Read more »
It’s sad that ANYONE …ANY CHILD gets abused
Go Sir Nash 🙂
This is so so so special to me as a survivor. Thank you Mayer, Eli and all those who are courageous enough to be vulnerable and fight evil. Hashem should bentch you.
THIS IS JUST PLAIN AND SIMPLE:
SAVING LIVES
SAVING DIGNITY
DOING IT THE WAY IT NEEDS TO BE DONE
there are alot of us behind you and the entire world wants this. HaKadosh Boruch Hu wants this. May you all heal, and be blessed, and have optimal success, and may this be the only kiddush HaShem we have to make. This is the right time to be mesiras nefesh on this. All our brachas go with you, and go from strength to strength
Eli, Meyer and Baruch… you guys are awesome! This removes the stigma like nothing else ever could. You have saved lives… k’peshuto.
Eli nash u r one of the strongest ppl i know keep up the good work.
ur amazing …
And for all u nay sayers out there go get a life.
don’t wait till its ur kid to wake up!
let this be the end of this terrible suffering
This is really great- there should be talks like this all over Jewish communities, its time to heal!
Its sad that it took a well known Philanthropist to announce that he was a victim for JCW to start getting mainstream recognition. Hopefully all of Crown Heights will embrace the mission of saving our kids.