Tel-Chai Nation

Some Haredi rabbis in America have set a positive example:

More than 100 haredi rabbis in the US have signed a public letter stating that it is an obligation of Jewish law on all Jews to immediately notify the police when a reasonable suspicion of child abuse exists, Jpost reports.

The letter addresses the need to uproot the existence of child abuse and prevent its negative affect on Jewish community.

“We, the undersigned, affirm that any individual with firsthand knowledge or reasonable basis to suspect child abuse has a religious obligation to promptly notify the secular law enforcement of that information,” the declaration reads.

“These individuals have the experience, expertise and training to thoroughly and responsibly investigate the matter. Furthermore, those deemed ‘mandated reporters’ under secular law must obey their state’s reporting requirements.”

The rabbis said in their declaration that “lives can be ruined or ended by unreported child abuse, as we are too often tragically reminded” and cited the biblical injunction “Do not stand by while your neighbor’s blood is shed,” as the basis for reporting suspected cases of abuse.

That line comes from Leviticus. I hope this will serve as a good example for why it's awful to sit around in Kitty Genovese syndrome when people are being victimized behind the scenes.

Labels: haredi corruption, misogyny, United States