In an unprecedented move, Hagaon HaRav Shmuel Kaminetzky has joined together with the senior Lakewood Posek and Pediatrician to warn about the dangers of sexual abuse over the summer.
As was done last summer for the first time, HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Forscheimer, senior Posek at Lakewood’s Beis Medrash Govoah, Dr. Reuven Shanik, the leading Pediatrician in Lakewood, Rabbi Pesach Krohn and others launched a hotline with recorded messages to warn and educate the community. This summer, they were joined by the Philadelphia Rosh Yeshiva, Hagaon HaRav Shmuel Kaminetzky. Additionally, there are messages from Hagaon HaRav Eitan Feiner (senior Rov in Far Rockaway), Dr. Sara Teichman and others.
The hotline – which included recordings from professionals in the field – warned parents about the obligation that a parent has to speak with their children before camp about abuse. This was done before Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkos, as well as this past Pesach.
Multiple professionals and therapists have told YWN that predators specifically prey on young and vulnerable children during the summer months, many times in camps.
The attached poster has been hung in all Shuls around Lakewood including BMG, as well as in Dr Shaniks office.
To listen to these important messages, call 641-715-3800 and enter code 811504#.
This is the fifth time that the Lakewood community has publicly addressed the dangers of sexual abuse and protecting children.
The first event was organized three years ago by Amudim, and was attended by well over 1000 people, including noted askanim, roshei kehillah, the poskim of Beis Medrash Govoha and with the hishtatfus and brocha of the roshei yeshiva, and roshei mosdos.
It is now clear, that thanks to the Amudim event, this topic is now being dealt with head on, as opposed to the way it was addressed for decades. The awareness that the Amudim event generated went a long way in providing the necessary information and resources to prevent these problems from occurring, and if Chas V’shalom they do, how to properly deal with it al pi Da’as Torah.
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11 Responses
It would’ve been a nice opportunity, once the rabbonin were already working together with Dr Shanik, to make a statement about the importance of vaccinating.
too geshmack #1: In fact, HaGaon HaRav Shmuel shlita HAS spoken regarding the importance of that topic.
It would also be nice if an apology could be made to the decades of campers who were subjected to abuses that the leaders claimed didn’t exist
Too geshmak: there weren’t enough vaccinating statements from drs & Rabbonim? The anti vaxxers are sick, selfish people and no amount of statements will help
If this topic discussed year after year, it means people who abusing (may abuse) our children continue to work at summer camps… Who and why allow them to work with our children?
What is wrong with you people? Number one this has nothing to do with vaccines. For God’s sakes there’s a hundred articles on Yeshiva World about vaccines. Go post about vaccine somewhere else. Number to what kind of dumb question is it why they keep letting abusers work with our children…? Do you think they know who the next person is that’s going to sexually abused a child?? Seriously!! There is very little adult oversight in Sleepaway Camp. The ratio of legal adults to Legal minors is ridiculously low. Sometimes the counselor and the JC are not legally adults themselves. so the fact is that the rabbis are speaking up. For years and years the rabbis receive criticism, appropriately, for turning a blind eye to the reality of sexual abuse in our community. Now let us praise their willingness to make amends and speak up at out about the truth which is that we have to educate our children. Parents who do not speak to their children because they are too uncomfortable, are murderers! Those children will never speak up and come forward to their parents, because they know that their parents are not accessible. it should be mandated by every camp both sleepaway and Day Camp, that parents sign a document that they have vaccinated their children…. I mean spoken to their children about sexual abuse. Okay that was just a joke. Not really a mistake. I’ll post my opinions on vaccinations on another YW article where it belongs.
cv,
doubtful
Very well done. Copied posted and sent to whatsapp,facebook, and our Shul group email.
Let’s also remember that most abuse happens by someone the child knows and trusts and this is very often a family member like an older brother, a cousin, uncle. or anyone for that matter etc.
To be frank i have seen all types so please remember that this summer awareness is a great springboard for all year long.
And please do not be naive, and say “it cant happen to my child”
We speak to our children all the time, my wife & I, especially before camp about talking to strangers AND inappropriate touching. We got guidance HOW to say it and it is done modestly, yet sternly, child-friendly and we make sure they understand and encourage them to ask anything. The more we hide behind shame and uncomfortable yet vital topics, that will inevitably be the kids’ feelings if Gd forbid it ever happens. We don’t succeed as parents, nor is it right, to hide behind our feelings of shame or behind immodesty when there’s a real danger that has lifelong effects. Without discussing this I leave my kids unprotected, vulnerable and ignorant. And ignorance is not bliss. It could be murder.
Why do you need rabbonim and a doctor? Pashut call the police.
Why do you need rabbonim and a doctor? Pashut call the police. They are equipped to handle the problem