Action Needed - Case of ex-Rabbi Moshe Eisemann
Alleged Child Molester - Ex-Rabbi Moshe EisemannFrom The Awareness Center's Daily Newsletter:
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Please make the phone calls regarding Moshe Eisemann. The only way to make change is if everyone participates and puts pressure on Ner Israel, Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer and Artscroll to do the right thing.It's important to be aware that Phil Jacobs and the Baltimore Jewish Times were limited in what information they made public when they published the story on Moshe Eisemann. Several of the survivors did not want to be interviewed for fear of retaliation. It's vitally important for each survivor to have choice, because while they were being abused choice was taken away from them. The problem is that when survivors choose not to be public it makes it difficult to make changes in hopes of protecting any more innocent children and adults from becoming the next victim of a sex crime.
The other dilemma faced by the Baltimore Jewish Times was that some of the information they were privy to was confidential and could not be published.
Many people have asked why we are asking that Eisemann's writings should be banned. One response is that many years ago Rabbi Moshe Feinstein made a decree that the songs written by Shlomo Carlebach after he went off the derech (path), should no longer be song, yet his older songs were ok. The same decree should apply to the writings of Moshe Eisemann.
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posted by Jewish Survivors at Sunday, November 18, 2007
20 Comments:
Another author who Artscroll calls a "scholar of note"
http://theunorthodoxjew.blogspot.com/2007/11/leib-tropper-and-his-ejf-eternal-jewish.html#c8454710489685238257
Leib Pinter has been aptly described as the "Energizer Ganev".
He was behind super-frauds in the 1970s that landed him in prison. He collected grants for a "yeshiva" bigger than Lakewood that never existed. He bribed a corrupt Senator who was also jailed and as reported by the NY Times and former Congresswoman Holtzmann, sold (kosher-labeled) treif meat & cheese sandwiches to Jewish school children which clearly makes him a chotay umachtee es horabim who we should be mevazeh in public.
Leib Pinter was later involved in a suspicious "heist" of gold & jewelry. Investigators could not prove it was staged to bring criminal charges but his claim was dismissed by the insurance company.
Pinter is under a Federal court order that he not own any camps which is why his Camp Horim is under someone else's name.
Leib Pinter & his brother Shmelka are currently on trial for a Ponzi scheme that led to Federal agents raiding & shuttering Pinter's Olympia Mortgage. Besides looting in excess of $100 million the court is hearing evidence that they assisted Ron (Yaron) Hershco's scam to target gullible minorities. The Pinters & Hershco ran a classic mortgage fraud of sucking away people's life savings before foreclosing on their house under fraudulent circumstances.
Leib Pinter lives around the corner from Mirrer yeshiva yet he almost never stepped foot in there for decades. One day, he just started hanging around and raising money for them. This was conveniently right before he wanted to make his son Moishe the 9th grade rebbe. Moishe Pinter's shver, Rabbi Herzl Kranz is another scam artist with a history. Moishe himself is an officer of Olympia Mortgage.
Leib Pinter is published by Artscroll as a "scholar of note". Pinter has a number of relatives with cozy jobs at Artscroll.
Oh, you mean that the JT and Phil could not publish all their evidence but they're saying "trust me, we know!"
Worst possibly journalism! If you have no proof then you have no article. If you cannot publish your proof, then you have no proof.
Spare us. Unbelievable how you feel you have the right to do what you do. Arrogant.
One response is that many years ago Rabbi Moshe Feinstein made a decree that the songs written by Shlomo Carlebach after he went off the derech (path), should no longer be song, yet his older songs were ok. The same decree should apply to the writings of Moshe Eisemann
Funny how people who don't care about Halacha find themselves awash in Rabbinic Response Literature
To Anonymous November 18, 2007 11:11 PM,
It's funny that you are forgetting that the Eisemann story has been up on UOJ's Blog and The Awareness Center's web page for over a year. One has to wonder why you are only attacking one of the most ethical journalists that writes for a Jewish paper? Is it that you feel threatened? Are you one of the folks (or do I say Mafiosos) that have been covering up on Eisemann's crimes for years?
It's obvious you understand nothing when it comes to reporting on sex crimes. My wish for you is that no one you love or care about is ever a victim of someone like Eisemann.
Two points:
A) As far as I am concerned, Rabbi Eisemann has been exonerated. Let me tell you my bit. When the Jewish Times article came out, the story about a student sitting on his desk during class while he patted him from behind sounded fishy to me. I was able to find out when Zev Simanowitz was in his class and to locate three former students who were in the class that year (none of them in Baltimore).
I asked them if it happened. Each one of them, separately, responded to me as if I were asking about an alien abduction. One of them got very upset at me that I could even ask such a question seriously. Another of them said that, if a rebbe was in the room, it never happened that a bochur would sit on the rebbe's desk. Period. During shiur, such an idea would be "totally ridiculous." And the idea of him caressing some bochur's backside is "beyond totally ridiculous." This is what the second one told me.
The one who got so upset asked me, "No one really believes these shtusim, right?"
B) The following is my opinion, take it or leave it. The first story you have on this blog today is about Mondrowitz. He is a real hard-core molester. He is a danger if he is not locked up. Right now, the persons trying to get this animal extradited need people's help. If I were new to this whole subject and I saw the first piece on this blog, I might be motivated to respond to the Calls for Action about Mondrowitz. But by the time I would come to the second piece, about Rabbi Eisemann, I would be thinking to myself: These might be a bunch of crazies; I'm not going to join forces with them. And I wouldn't do anything about Mondrowitz. And if he escapes extradition again, his future victims would definitely hold it against you.
To the Two Point Blogger:
Tell me why Eisemann suddenly resigned? Was it because of poor health? Was he secretly planning on resigning?
No he was not exonerated at all. Three of the men who were sexually violated by him presented evidence to Hopfer. Hopfer realized he had no choice but to tell the folks at Ner Israel to retire him. The decision to keep this information quiet is appalling. It's obvious that the rabbonim at Ner Israel and the Vaad care more about protecting their image and assets more then they care about protecting children.
The rabbis in the charedi community of Baltimore have a long track record of denying those who were violated the opportunity of using the secular court system.
Those who were sexually abused knew if they reported crimes to the police that that their family members would suffer. What you call the administration at Ner Israel, I call a bunch of bully's and thugs!
Eisemann and Mondrowitz are two birds of a feather. I believe both are serial child molesters.
The only difference is that Eisemann is a bit more sophisticated then Mondrowitz.
Eisemann thinks he can get away with his crimes, but soon enough those he victimized will have enough strength to report the crimes to the police. Times have changed and Eisemann will soon not be allowed to hide behind the doorsteps of Ner Israel.
With all due respect...
The statement equating Rabbi Eisemann with Mondrowitz is delusional and completely insensitive to every victim of Mondrowitz. It is a slap in their faces, and more.
Have some heart. And some common sense.
I agree with the Two Points guy. You are doing a disservice to victims by making baseless accusations. You're hurting as many people as the molestors.
Let us not forget that the reason Modorowitz was caught origionally was that he also molested Italian children. The Italians were not afraid to go to the police. The Jews are. THAT is the big difference between Eisemann and Mondrowitz! As far as interviewing people who were in the class...Children see what the rebbe tells them they are seeing. Why not interview the survivor instead! And I too am dissapointed in the BJT article on Eisemann. It is weak, and publishing weak articles on this topic may do more harm then good. Wait until you have a strong article Phil!
Actually your statements are slaps in the face to all of those who were raped by Eisemann.
The survivors know the truth as do the rabbonim of Baltiomre. I wonder what it will take for dudes like sheftie neuberger, yaakov hopfer and moshe heinemann to speak out and say that they know the evidence and that they have a serious problem.
If anyone else is harmed by Eisemann they will be held accountable for his actions! Soon enough those who have been victimized will start speaking out publicly. It may take them several months to have the courage, yet they will.
Listen - the article about Rabbi Eisemann proved nothing. NOTHING.
A decent journalist would never have printed such nonsense. If you have proof - share it. Give us a chance to decide on our own. Don't tell everyone that "I have a secret that I can't tell you" - just trust me. That's ridiculous. The article is trying to convict him in the public eye with no presented proof. In a real court - a judge would be furious for wasting the court's time.
Secondly, I know RABBI Eisemann and RABBI Hopfer and RABBI Heinemann (a little respect please - at least be diplomatic).
I know Rabbi Eisemann for many years. None of this is true. If you believe he is guilty based on any of the stuff Phil wrote or on the Awareness Center, then you're plain and simple just outright gullible. Do you really believe that Rabbi Eisemann put his hand into someone's pants IN the Bais Medrash in front of all? That was printed on those sites. C'mon! If you can believe that then you can believe all of the nonsense on these sites.
Thanks for the blessing that the children should never be molested by him. I'll offer a more useful blessing - that you should never be falsely accused.
I believe that Moshe Eisemann molested several boys over the years. Actually I believe that Moshe Eisemann molested hundreds of boys during the time he has been a rabbi. I also believe that his cousin -- Moshe Eisemann of Vineland, NJ was also a child molester.
Moshe Eisemann of Baltimore is not a stupid man. There's reasons why he has been hiding out at Ner Israel for so many years. He knows that Ner Israel is a haven for pedophiles.
Back in the 1950's there were many cases of pedophillia going on there. Then we have HaRav Ruderman's grandson, Matis. How many boys did he molest on campus?
Eisemann knew that the status quo of dealing with cases at Ner Israel was to blame the children he victimized. Shame and silence is the norm there.
He's no better the Mordechai Gafni, or Avrohom Mondrowitz. Actually he's most likely more like Ben Zion Sobel.
Because YOU believe RABBI Moshe Eisemann is a molestor does not mean he is a molestor. I know Rabbi Eisemann for over 30 years. I was a student and had a close relationship with him for 8 years.
I was in his house many times. I spoke to him in private settings in his office and in his house for a collective of hundreds of hours. Never did he do anything to indicate he is a molestor. He used to put his arm around my shoulders and sideways hugged me when I was depressed and needed encouragement. He would pat my upper back. There was never any KOL (rumors) in yeshiva about this at all at the time (late 70s and 80s).
I believe Sadaam Hussein is still alive. I believe the World Trade Center buildings never fell. I hope you never become a judge or for that matter I hope you never serve on a jury if you believe matters of such importance with little or no convincing proof.
I knew Mr. Moshe Eisemann (blame me all you want for being politically incorrect, but I am not going to call him "rabbi" anymore) for almost as many years as you did, the "Anonymous" defender @ November 21, 2007 12:22 PM. (BTW, why don't you reveal your real name? Unlike us, you have nothing to fear - Ner Israel Rabbinical College may even offer you a staff position on its campus, unless, of course, you already have a makom there and wrote your comment from the Bruce Markowitz' office during your lunch break as part of your Eisemann-PR campaign!).
I have personally seen Mr. Moshe Eisemann inappropriately (to say the least!) laying a hand on a student right in the Bet-Medrash, in the presence of the holy Torah and Hashem's Shekinah!
That was a real shock for me. A minute ago I would NEVER! believe him to be a child molester. Furthermore - I would be the first one to defend him against such "false" accusations! However - אין לדיין אלא מה שעיניו רואות (בבא בתרא קלא:א) "The judge is constrained by what his eyes see" (Bava Kama 131a).
I'll tell you the truth - I didn't want to believe what I saw. My Lubavitcher friend told me that he had the same feelings when the last Lubavitcher Rebbe (whom he believed to be the Messiah) died. He couldn't believe it, he was broken, he thought that Hashem was about to make a miracle for the Rebbe to come back. Reality is a cruel thing. It blinds some people, but it also offers the gift of sight to others...
I started to observe Mr. Eisemann more closely. I noticed that he is not omnivorous like the other child molesters. When it came to his victims, he never rushed after every kid Mondrowitz-like. As an elegant professor of Ethics, he had his preferences. So it proves nothing if he never caressed you, you simply were not the one he sexually desired, that's all. But I do know people who suffered greatly at the hands of Mr. Moshe Eisemann.
Last week, Andrew Buerger wrote in the BJT that "Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged molesters we've brought to the public eye." There is much more going on now in Baltimore than you, dear "Anonymous" defender of Moshe Eisemann, know. The era of Moshe Eisemann's impunity is almost over.
Obviously you haven't spoken to the people he did molest...come to think of it, even if you did, you would probably not believe them. This is exactly what is so difficult to deal with about molesters. They are NOT monsters and often do good for many...and this can not be discounted. Just as no one has a right to discount your positive experience with Eisemann (Can you prove that your experience was positeve?) You have no right to discount others negative ones. Talk to Rabbi Hopfer he knows what Eisemann did and believed the survivors enough to ask the Yeshiva to "retire" Eisemann. Your beloved rebbe has done many good things...molesting some of his students was not one of them.
You know I personally do not like the Baltimore Jewish Times for a few reasons.
1. How many years has it taken them to write these stories? I know for a fact that Phil Jacobs has been sitting on the Eisgrau story for close to ten or more years. It's not like it's been a deep dark secret that the community has a problem.
2. It's interesting how Phil Jacobs is taking all the credit for exposing sexual abuse in Baltimore. If I remember correctly The Awareness Center has been doing it for the last five or six years.
3. Why is the Baltimore Jewish Times continuously promoting programs associated with Jewish Family Services and also Jewish Big Brother / Big Sister? If I remember correctly Aviva Weisbord is the head of the program. She's part of the problem. Phl, don't you remember how she lacked the professionalism to keep confidentiality with the Eisgrau daughter?
Weisbord has access to every person mental health records who goes to Jewish Family Services. My bet is that when ever anyone makes an allegation of sexual abuse she is notified and makes sure she notifies the rabbonim of our community.
I was just on the awareness center's page on Eisgrau. It looks like they have had that case up on their web page since 2005.
In the article "Letter from A concerned member of the Baltimore community" it says
The charges brought against Rabbi Eisgrau by his student were formally investigated and later dropped because of insufficient evidence. In the words of the investigator, Detective Richard Hardick, he was "stonewalled" by the community. Concerned and aware members of our community (including myself) who have tried to speak out about the potential danger to our children have been threatened with loss of their job, membership to shul, and even personal safety. Rabbi Eisgrau's rav has advised rabbi Eisgrau's other children to excommunicate their sister unless she agrees never to speak out about her experience. This, in my opinion, is a horrible chillul Hashem and abuse of rabbinic authority.
Phil Jacobs knew this and still has not written about it. What's he waiting for?
I forgot to add that Eisgrau's wife's maiden name is Eisemann.
I personally feel that Andrew Buerger should be paying The Awareness Center for the research they have been doing on the topic. They are the only organization that has the integrity to speak out and make things happen.
Vicki Polin may not be liked by some of the most powerful rabbonim in Baltimore. The real reason is because she is not allowing the mafia to shamed and blamed victim/survivors anymore.
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