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Sexual abuse occurs within families and also within institutional settings, and involves an abuse of status and power. How can families confront and heal from instances and cases of sexual abuse? How must Jewish leaders and rabbis confront abusers within their own ranks, as well as their victims and victim's families? How can a deeper exploration of gender issues help us address and understand the issue of abuse in the Jewish community?
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Blau, Rabbi Yosef
"Abuse of Power," Blau, Rabbi Yosef. , 2004.
Synopsis: This is the outline of Rabbi Blau's speech on sexual abuse, which was given at JOFA's 2004 International Conference on Feminism and Orthodoxy.
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Blau, Rabbi Yosef
"Confronting Abuse in the Orthodox Community," Blau, Rabbi Yosef. NEFESH, 2003.
Synopsis: Rabbi Yosef Blau addresses the response to sexual abuse within the Orthodox community.
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Cohen, Debra Nussbaum
"Orthodox Group Expels Rabbi," Cohen, Debra Nussbaum. The Jewish Week, 2005.
Synopsis: This article covers the reaction to the expulsion of Rabbi Mordechai Tendler from the Rabbinical Council of America for alleged "conduct inappropriate for an Orthodox rabbi." JOFA commented on the allegations and expulsion as follows:
In light of the recent allegations against Rabbi Mordechai Tendler of conduct inappropriate for an Orthodox rabbi, JOFA condemns any behavior, by any leader, that takes advantage of women. The charges are particularly distressing considering that Rabbi Tendler, a strong advocate for agunot, was in a position of trust for many women at a time when they were particularly vulnerable. We applaud the Rabbinical Council of America for taking these issues seriously and instituting formal procedures to deal with them.
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Freni, Danielle
"Jews Who Abuse: Dating Violence on Campus," Freni, Danielle. Hillel Campus Report, November, 2007.
Synopsis: The article discusses abusive relationships among young people on campus, and educational programs aimed at responding to this problem.
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Greenberg, Blu
"The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: A Jewish Perspective," Greenberg, Blu. The World Conference on Religion and Peace: Mulitreligious Response against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, August 1996.
Synopsis: Greenberg discusses the Jewish halakhic sources that condem the sexual exploitation of children. She argues that the restrictions governing sexuality and sexual behavior in Judaism as well as the importance placed on children in Jewish tradition suggest that such exploitation directly contradicts Jewish values as well as Jewish law.
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Greenberg, Blu
"Religious Leadership and Traffic in Women," Greenberg, Blu. Sexual Trafficking: An International Horror Story, 2000.
Synopsis: Greenberg discusses the sexual trafficking of women and offers insight into why religious leaders aren't taking a greater stand to eradicate it. She points out that it violates three core principles of Judaism: sexual trafficking as proscribed by the Torah, rules preventing female slaves from being treated as sexual property, and the law against kidnapping. She suggests several concrete activities that the religious community can implement in order to help prevent this problem as well as aid the victims it still creates.
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Lowenstein, Sharon
"Confronting Sexual Abuse in Jewish Families," Lowenstein, Sharon. Moment, 15:2, April 1990, 48-53.
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Rachel Yehuda, Michelle Friedman, Talli Y. Rosenbaum, Ellen Labinsky, and James Schmeidler
"History of Past Sexual Abuse in Married Observant Jewish Women," Rachel Yehuda, Michelle Friedman, Talli Y. Rosenbaum, Ellen Labinsky, and James Schmeidler. American Journal of Psychiatry, 164, November, 2007, 1700-1706.
Synopsis: The authors examined instances of past sexual abuse and related demographic characteristics in the self-reports of a select group of married observant Jewish women. The article provides statistics and offers conclusions based on a questionnaire that was responded to by 380 Orthodox Jewish women. It was found that while observant Jewish women live in a culture defined by a high degree of adherence to specific laws of conduct, including rules designed to regulate sexual contact, sexual abuse of various types still exists among them. This article generated a lot of discussion and controversy, and a well-referenced link is also be included on this page.
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Klafter, Nahum
"Sexual Abuse in the Orthodox Community: Discussion of the Recent Controversy" by Klafter, Nahum. From the Hirhurim Blogspot
Synopsis: Dr. Klafter provides a well-referenced and balanced critique of the article (linked to on this page) by Rachel Yehuda, Michelle Friedman, Talli Y. Rosenbaum, Ellen Labinsky, and James Schmeidler, "History of Past Sexual Abuse in Married Observant Jewish Women."
hirhurim.blogspot.com/2008/01/sexual-abuse-in-orth ...
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Synopsis: JSafe: The Jewish Institute Supporting an Abuse-Free Environment works to promote a Jewish community in which all of its institutions and organizations conduct themselves responsibly and effectively in addressing the wrongs of domestic violence, child abuse and professional improprieties, whenever and by whomever they are perpetrated.
www.jsafe.org
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Blau, Yosef and Mark Dratch
"When Authority Breaks Down: The Abuse of Power," Blau, Yosef and Mark Dratch. JOFA 5th International Conference. 2004.
Synopsis: This session explores several issues such as: how should we train rabbis and other authority figures in the proper boundaries? How do we train them to deal with a breach by their colleauges? How should we think about these issues in the context of Orthodoxy where authority figures are almost always male?
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Klitsner, Judy
"The Politics of Gender in Confronting an Abusive Rabbi," Klitsner, Judy. JOFA 5th International Conference. 2004.
Synopsis: This session explores one woman's personal experience of abuse by a Rabbi and discusses how male/female dynamics and politics affect the responses of victims of abusive Rabbis.
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Lenk, Marcie and Amy Weinstein
"Abuse of Children and Teens at Orthodox Institutions: Communal Responsibility," Lenk, Marcie and Amy Weinstein. JOFA one day conference, New York. 2001.
Synopsis: This session explores how Orthodox feminists can best respond to sexual, physical and emotional abuse in our institutions and what actions can be undertaken to detect, counter, and prevent abuse.
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Polin, Vicky, Michael Salamon, and Na'ama Yehuda
"Shattering the Silence: Childhood Sexual Abuse," Polin, Vicky, Michael Salamon, and Na'ama Yehuda. JOFA 5th International Conference. 2004.
Synopsis: This session explores key indicators of child sexual abuse and techinques to help the community recognize and diminish cases of abuse.
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Lev, Rachel
Shine the Light: Sexual Abuse and Healing in the Jewish Community. Lev, Rachel. Northeastern University Press, 2002.
Synopsis: A survivor of sexual abuse herself, psychotherapist Lev synthesizes her own experience with those of other Jewish survivors of sexual abuse to shed light on how it is experienced and how it impacts Jewish self-identity and connection with community.
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New sources are continually being added to JOFA.org. Check back often!
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