[IMPORTANT UPDATE POSTED BELOW] 9:44PM EST 12/15/07: Dear Editor,
I’m not sure that you are going to post my letter, but I figured that I would write it anyways.
I recently came across a video on You-Tube which left me in shock, and I feel must be brought to the public’s attention.
The video is of the fifth grade class in Vien Yeshiva in Boro Park having recess. The video was taken inside the classroom. The boys are not doing anything wrong, other than just playing around in the room – as all children act during recess.
I have a few questions which I would like to share with your readership. Perhaps they have answers, or perhaps they have more questions.
1)What was someone doing inside a private Yeshiva classroom with a video camera?
2)Is someone allowed to video tape this and post it in a public forum? I know that anyone can take pictures of anyone in the street and do what he wants with it, but in the classroom of a private Yeshiva?
3)Does Vien Yeshiva (or the parents for that matter) know that their Tinokos Shel Bais Rabon are now on the Internet?
4)How do we prevent this from happening again?
5)If it was taken by a teacher, does he get fired for doing this?
6)Do we now strip-search every Rebbe & teacher & take away all cell-phones before they are allowed into a classroom?
I know that if I would see my children on You-Tube during recess at their Yeshiva, I would be outraged.
In the first video you can hear one of the kids say “hey! he’s taking a video, I can see”. In the second video (23 seconds into the film) you can clearly hear another child say “he’s taking a video – “TEACHER is taking a video”.
I think that the school should be notified, and an investigation should be made immediately. I am hoping that you will post this and immediate action taken, because I am willing to bet that the videos will be removed by the person who posted them as soon as he/she finds out that they will be caught soon.
Thanks for all your work Yeshivaworld, and hope you post this so we can prevent this from happening again.
Outraged in Boro Park.
Editors Note 12:30AM EST 12/16/07: Yeshivaworld has been contacted by the administration of the Yeshivah. They would like to assure the public that immediate action was taken regarding this incident, and they appoligize for this persons irresponsible actions.
Additionally, the video’s on YouTube are being removed.
The quick response, and actions of the Hanhola in the Yeshiva should be commended.
Let us hope that this post will set a precedent , and ensure that no child in any Yeshiva should ever have their photos plastered on the Internet.
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47 Responses
It was probably taken on a I-Phone….big deal?
no question about it, the school has to look into this, this is absolutely ridiculous.
forget the fact that the internet is dangerous and we always warn the younger kids especialy about all the dangers of using it…but here a Rebbe is ADVOCATING it, and aside from that, he put people on the internet without their permission!!
if someone would do that to me I’d flip.
the school definately has to investigate- he’s a role model to students,and pretty much just squished out every lesson about the internet that these kids had ever learned.
“…The boys are not doing anything wrong, other than just playing around in the room – as all children act during recess…”
Did I see the same video? They are acting like a bunch of vilda chayas! It is not OK to have “chicken fights” in a class room- let alone in front of sforim, you’re worried about a video??? I’m worried about the future of Klal Yisroel!
Some Yeshivas take videos to show at dinners or at fund raisers. The teacher may have been asked to get some videos and then out of the many he takes, a few are picked to be shown.
The copies of the videos may have been taken home by someone or/and sent to someone via email for any of many reasons, legitimate or otherwise, and then someone irresponsible got hold of these and posted them.
Until you know for sure, you don’t know anything.
How,
BIG DEAL!? Are you nuts??? Sorry for the question. YOU ARE NUTS!
There should be NO reason for this whatsoever. There is no reason this should be posted on the net. Either way the person used his own name posting the video so it is VERY obvious who it was that posted (and probably took) them.
May I mention that the links to these videos should not have been posted and should be taken down.
I also don’t understand why this item was posted in the first place.
The big deal, is that I would be outraged if my children ended up somehow, on the internet with all those disgusting individuals running around. Teachers should have cell phones, and I do not see anything wrong with it, but I don’t want my kids being taped by just anyone either.
I echo the above comment. What’s the big deal? The yeshiva word posts pictures and videos of gedolim. What’s the difference?
Did a\o actually check out ur info b4 u posted it. it takes not very difficult investigative skills to c that this was obviously posted by a child. 1) the video is eye level, meaning that the videoer had to have been the hieght of the children. 2) i dont know about u, but i have never seen children act like such vilda chayas in front of a teacher, let alone a rebbi. 3) in a yeshiva, children do not refer to a rebbi as ‘he’ or ‘him’. Dont accuse w\o evidence…you’ll never prove a\t, and eventually s\o who knows who took the video will probably sue. it happens all the time.
I suspect, judging from the first comment, that I may be in the minority here. However, even though thse videos show the Talmidim just behaving as kids do, nothing offensive, it is appalling & potentially dangerous that Yiddishe Kinder are on public view on the Internet.
When my grandaughter was born I wanted to email some pictures to my family overseas. My son-inlaw was adamant that he didn’t want any pictures of his newborn accessible on the Internet & refused. I respected his views & now, four years later, I can see he’s much smarter than his Shvigger!!
This is a disgrace & I have to say I agree with the writer. Poster #1’s comments are somewhat ingenuous, to say the least: it IS a big deal. It’s invasion of privacy! HOWEVER, don’t be so certain it was the Rebbe or secular teacher. Once the person is identified, some action should be taken. Meanwhile, can it be removed from youtube?
Kinda strange, after watching the video it appears to me that an adult, or defiantly someone much taller then the children is taking it. The children are defiantly identifiable and I’m sure any of them can answer your questions. The questions as to why it would be on You Tube doesn’t faze me. You and I, know that there are crazy people who put crazy things on You Tube-strange situation!
#4, educatedJew, give me a break- the kids are at recess. Recess certainly doesn’t give them an excuse to act like Vilda Chayas, as you so nicely, but this is not the situation. I watched all three videos and they are acting like children should. In front of Seforim, please! Do you want want them to play a quite game and read a book because they need to have indoor recess or do we need to cover up the Seforim with a sheet so that the children could act like children?
WHO posted it on a public forum? It was probably meant for private use,perhaps by a rebbe who wanted to show parents how their angels behave in yeshiva and the parents don’t believe the school when told.Or the parent of a student wanted to show what is going on and demand that changes be made in the school.Someone irresponsibly put it on the internet,perhaps in his anger and frustration with the lack of action to correct the bad behavior.
Dear “Outraged in Boro Park” – I’m not sure which is more scandalous and halachicaly problematic – a harmless video clip posted on YouTube, or you going on the internet to view it. Did you ask a shaila before you went on-line? How about before viewing something on such a pritzus-filled site like YouTube?
But let’s get to the heart of the matter – Does Vien have something to hide?? After hearing so many horror stories about what goes on in Yeshivos and Chadorim, I welcome all exposure. Who wouldn’t want to see a clip of their children at recess to see if (A) They are being properly and safely supervised(B) They are interacting well with other kids, and(C) that they’re happy and keeping out of trouble? Our children are in a much safer and better environment when they are being recorded at school – not worse.
shavoua tov everyone.
1- Im more outraged at how the children are behaving… well said comment #4
2- Im sure that all these kids ran to the closest computer and checked themselves out on the internet… thats including the person who took the video- this shtus is probably public information by now (no thanks to YW)
3- The gedolei hador banned all non-work internet use so therefore this footage should not have been posted on the net and I can understand how a parent can be concerned. Having said YW should have reported the story but should not of had posted links. (according to I)
4- I personally cannot find anything gross or indecent about the footage besides the kids running like wild animals and playing games that can land one of them at a hospital.
What was our outraged user doing searching videos of yeshivah kids on youtube??? stick to yeshivahworld!
It looks like the person who placed these videos on your tube took them down.
I cant understand why a teacher or Rebbe would want to do this…
Educatedjew # 4,
“Acting like vilda chayois” I am sorry, but I think you are mistaking. This kids are acting like…. kids!! THere is nothing wrong with the way they are acting. It may have been recess on a rainy day and the kids are getting a breather. You sound like my rebbes when I was a kid, taking the excitment out of yiddishkayt.
As for the actual “video” it was taken on a phone, its obvious because one of the boys says “he is taking a video, I can tell” umm, if he was holding an actual video camera, what would be the chidush??
On second watching,it seems the boys were just being healthy frum happy kids and knowing that they were being videotaped. The wrong thing is posting it.Now if it were so bad,why did YW also post it?
There is absolutely nothing offensive or innapropriate in the video. The children are acting like healthy lebedik kids! I have seen adults at weddings act the same! Stop making a big deal!!!
If your child is in it and it makes you uncomfortable, you can ask the teacher (or whoever took the video) not to do it again. There is no need to become livid!
b.h.
a gute voch
the kids are acting like normal kids, however i agree is’t very wrong to post it, invasion of privacy… the webmaster should remove the links immedietly!!!
and let the hanhala speak to the teacher
there is no lack of privacy if it’s done in the street.
that’s the law.
but i totally agree with this writer, that these were taken in a classroom.
this was a good post for yeshivaworld. please make sure that this will never happen again.
Whatever the reason, this teacher should be fired on the spot.
What kind of deranged person would do this!
If my kids were in that video I would be livid, and demand action immediately.
theyre acting like little boys
BIG DEAL
but no, it should never have been posted to begin with
and, how did YOU find them????
To all you babies:
The kids are acting like….KIDS.
GROW UP!
Anyone who writes childish comments about how these beautiful children are playing, is nothing more than an imbecile.
This is a real problem, anyone with a phone can take a short video and post it on youtube. The lack of privacy and security breach is an issue that needs to be dealt with.
The children are B”H acting like all healthy children should.
The one who took this video, and posted it on YouTube is B”H acting like a normal SICKO.
Just wanted to make my point clear.
Thank you.
I understand Bubby’s comments that people are afraid of their children being posted on the internet, with all the scary stories out there.
I would be outraged if someone suddenly called me and said, hey, turn on your computer, your kid’s class is videotaped! Its most definitely an invasion of privacy, and most parents, everywhere, would be outraged, all the more so in a private school, a yeshiva setting. True the children seem to be acting like children, absolutely normal, but if I were a parent of one of these kids, I’d be meeting with the principal of the school ASAP to make sure a) there is some kind of discipline for the person responsible for taking and posting this and b) this does not happen again in any place. Since these are all OUR children, the community should be requesting what is being done about this situation. We do have to protect our children from being arbitrarily put on the internet, if every child in every class thinks they might be filmed at any moment, this is a major invasion of privacy. Funny, but in a NYC public school, a child wouldn’t be permitted a cell phone. Should we enact similar legislation amongst our yeshivos for students AND staff? Leave your cell phones by the door or have a KOSHER cell phone with no camera or internet access?
Just a couple of kids having some fun.
Editors Note 12:30AM EST 12/16/07: Yeshivaworld has been contacted by the administration of the Yeshivah. They would like to assure the public that immediate action was taken regarding this incident, and they appoligize for this persons irresponsible actions.
Additionally, the video’s on YouTube are being removed.
The quick response, and actions of the Hanhola in the Yeshiva should be commended.
Let us hope that this post will set a precedent , and ensure that no child in any Yeshiva should ever have their photos plastered on the Internet.
DEAR FAMILIES OF NEW YORK –
I am the teacher of the classroom who is responsible for this video. I am outraged to find this posted in this way on the yeshivaworld – I had gotten myself a digital camera and wanted to make a year book my class which I could give at the end of the year. I shot a few sec. video with the intention to send to a very close friend. I received a call this evening form the principal of the school and immediately realized the this video somehow got public beyond my friend. I completely agree this was an invasion of the kids privacy and that I should have never posted this video at all. I take responsibility for me actions whatever the results may be. I have deleted the video however it takes youtube time to take it of the server. I have spent the past few hours trying to do whatever I could to have this whole post removed from the yeshiva world. I am praying it can be removed as fast as possible. I will make sure that this will never happen again. I sincerely apologize to all the parents and students who had their privacy invaded . – THE TEACHER
Moderators Note: Being that the teacher signed this comment with his real name, we chose to protect his identity and removed it.
GREAT JOB YESHIVA WORLD! ONCE AGAIN BEING AT THE FOREFRONT OF A CONCERN IN KLAL YISROEL AND CORRECTING THE MATTER IN A BAKOVODIK (RESPECTFUL) MANNER.
Thank You YW for helping to solve this matter.
#1, can’t be an Iphone. I have one and it can’t shoot video.
to whoever wrote this letter:
At the same time that you’re scrutinizing the yeshiva for allowing this, you should scrutinize YOURSELF for watching any video on you-tube. It is full of shmutz (including the treife ads and other videos placed next to your “kosher” videos) and no frum yid should go there – period.
I am a teacher and a parent. It is beyond my understanding (halachically and morally) why a person would post a letter in a public forum before calling the school involved (and preferably the rebbe).
Only after the proper channels of communication have failed is an open letter at all thinkable.
And yes, if I had contact information for the writer of the letter I would contact him or her before writing this post.
I did not see the video so I cannot comment on its content. However, these are CHILDREN, minors in the eyes of the law and therefore only there parents have a right to put their picture in public. Furthermore, it is relatively easy to get copy of a YouTube clip if you know how. That means that this clip may have been copied numerous time and therefore can now be spliced into any other video.
This is scary. We have all sorts of nuts out there & our kids’ safety should be top priority. This guy made the mistake of posting it online. But, even if he hadn’t – he has no right to take videos of kids.
No excuse for this type of stuff!
I just happen to be an attorney, and let me just tell all you people out there that what this retard did is 100% against the law.
I have also called the school and offered my assistance to them free of charge.
Things like this should never take place.
BIG DEAL???? Yes this is a big deal.
I am a parent of one of the children in the video. To say that I am outraged would be an understatement. Myself and my wife are livid over this.
Who ever says “its no big deal” obviously does not have their kids on the video.
I have spoken to a lawyer, and what this man did is totally against the law.
He need the consent of parents and the school before doing this.
Boruch Hashem the Yeshiva has taken proper action.
This whole thing is so pathetic….BIG DEAL…WHO CARES for all you peopl that need something to talk about
Wow, I thought I’d have more support. Seeing how vild people behave in their cars I’m not surprised to see them support this behavior from children in a classroom. Like I said, I am scared for the future of klal yisroel- Chilul Hashem exists between yiddin as well.
To all those who believe children are supposed act this way, I welcome you to sit in any christian private school and observe. Its time to act our role.
Leave the man alone !! He has apologised and it was obviously a misunderstanding- To all you concerned parents…. You are now doing anything to make mincemeat out of this teacher who has been teaching your kids day in day out for months… Have you ever bothered to ring him and thank him for his efforts or is it only when you get the chance to destroy someone that you all jump at him like animals let out of a cage ! !What ever happened to giving someone the benefit of the doubt? It seems to be the acceptable thing these days to do your best to destroy another yids good reputation …Usually during chazoras hashatz !!! Go get a life.
THE REAL ISSUE HERE IS THE FACT that the original poster did not do the correct thing. THIS IS COMPLETE L”H – how dare you post this in a public forum without consulting daas torah or investigating by calling up the school? you have caused an uproar, probably thousands of people will now be talking about this rebbe, he might get fired, someone might sue the school… Averah gorreres aveira! you should not have been on youtube anyway. consult a shmiras haloshen book and you will see that you are 100% wrong. I am not saying this video was correct, I certainly do not think it was, I am just saying I think it is a tremendous averah to jump to conclusions and spread this to thousands of people before you have researched it thoroughly. the real dangers of the internet are things like this- with one pressof the button someone can send l”h to ten thousand people and destroy someone’s life. MR. POSTER TO YESHIVA WORLD- you have a lot of teshuva to do
there you go.
another genius…
How do you know that Daas Torah was not consulted?
How do you know that the school was not called?
How do you know that legal action should (& hopefully WILL) be taken against this monster?
Thanks god this English teacher got fired. There can’t possibly be an excuse for this.
Forget YouTube.
I don’t wan’t to see ANYONE with a camera in my kids classrooms EVER.
There are enough sicko’s out there (vehamayvin yavin) to know why someone would take pictures of CHILDREN!!!!!!!!
It’s about time that people start caring about what “really” goes on inside a classroom.
YOU PEOPLE ARE SICK.
Yeshivaworld, ignore these people.
The school should be gebetched for taking appropriate action.
Hey everyone,
I was going to stay quiet, but to here this guy bashed like this, i must intervene. I am a current teacher at this Yeshiva, and I have been for sometime. This teacher has, until this point, done a wonderful job with his class. He is a real “computer guy” and his class and their parents were really loving his innovation and unique approach to parent-teacher communication, which he accomplished through the internet. I do deplore what was done, though I do not believe that he intended for the video to be made public. He is a really nice guy, he is NOT a “retard” and unfortunately now a good man has find a new job. Whether it was his doing or not is irrelevant. It did noone harm, nor is it able to be accessed by the general public anymore. I believe that he may have been a little naive towards the dangers of the internet; it was an innocent mistake if it was his doing. Please give him the benefit of the doubt, he has earned that much for his great work over the last three plus months.
50- He recommended that the yeshiva be notified, this means he had not done so.
mr. “setting the record straight,” –
because you are so nogah badavar, you are blinded – the poster himself wrote, ” I think that the school should be notified…and an investigation should be made immediately.”
if you understand English, that means- THE POSTER DID NOT DO THIS BY HIMSELF! I’m not saying that there is not a problem by the teacher posting this. I’m not saying that the teacher did post this at all. I’m not saying anything because I don’t know the exact details. I AM MERELY BRINGING ACROSS A POINT that the poster did not deal with this correctly. If you discover something that needs immediate attention, you do not post it on a sight like Yeshivaworld where 20,000 people are going to read it. He should’ve called vien directly. I’m not saying the teacher shouldn’t be fired, but why did he have to be publicly humiliated? “hamalbin pnei chaveiro barabim…” It is the equivalent of murder. Now everyone is talking about this man who perhaps made an innocent mistake in poor judgement.Foolish, yes. Evil, no. False rumors are circulating…now how do you expect this man to find parnassa? And this is totally being blown out of proportion. What makes you think that this was done on purpose? Daas Torah would surely never permit someone to write something like this on a public forum. They read sefer Chofetz Chaim. You do not.