Thread by @PosenIzzy

THE CHAREDI #METOO MOMENT: ANALYSIS
If you've been living under a rock, see a summary of the tragic events of this week in the thread attached. In this thread we'll try to understand what happened since and why they unfolded in the way they did. /1

https://twitter.com/PosenIzzy/status/1475480779035709447

No community is immune from bad actors who will exploit the circumstances for their own harmful desires. But the way in which it happens in a given community is unique. In charedi society there are unique factors that shape how abuse happens and is dealt with. /2

Some of the relevant factors are: sexual taboo, concentrated power and trust in authority, the role of the press, "loshn hora", and the lens of sin. We'll look at each of these in more detail. But first some caution: /3

For years there has been a narrative that "this doesn't happen in our community". But not talking about it does not mean that it does'nt happen. Sadly I have too many friends who were victimised. We all do even if they don't always say it: /4

https://twitter.com/PosenIzzy/status/1475818349955325954

On the other hand, this doesn't mean that the charedi community is uniquely evil in this regard and that the whole system needs to be torn down. Change needs to happen and will happen, but it will happen in a culturally sensitive manner. More below. /5

Sex and sexuality is completely absent from the charedi vocabulary. This makes covering such a story very awkward. If sexual abuse has to be mentioned, it's done euphemistically. This isn't going to change any time soon. Whoever thinks otherwise doesn't understand this society/6

Tragi-ironically it was Walder who managed to warn kids about the dangers of predators in one of his stories, using age-appropriate and culturally-senstivie language. Charedi society will learn to do this. Here is an example from the @Mishpacha_M editorial this morning: /7

In an unprecedented move, the Mishpacha - a bona fide charedi magazine - calls for charedi society to 'mature' in how it talks about abuse and to listen to and believe victims. It pledges to convene panels and publish further columns dedicated to this issues. /8

Unlike in our liberal and highly individualistic western society, charedi society puts communal cohesion, rather than individual rights, at the forefront of societal norms. Additionally, unquestioning trust is placed in the rabbinical leaders, whose words are considered divine./9

Far from "speaking truth to power", the role of the charedi press is to reinforce the communal and rabbnically-sanctioned value system. If this means sometimes bending or hiding truth, so be it. Hebrew speakers can watch this brilliant series for more:/10 kan.org.il/program/?catid…

It's thus no surprise at all that on the day of Walder's death the Yessed Ne'emon - the hardcore charedi paper that Walder wrote for - reported that he "suddenly" died weeks after taking a temporary break from work. The Pravda-style article eulogised him as if nothing happened/11

"Loshn hora" is saying negative things about a fellow Jew. It is strictly forbidden. Journalists who uncover scandals are often seen as committing this severe sin. This contributes to a culture where speaking out about an abuser is stigmatised. /12

In this very poignant picture a hand with a wrist band reading "I do not listen to loshn hora" is seen silencing a victim. Many charedim and ex-charedim put this picture on their stories yesterday in solidarity. /13

There is another disturbing factor involved: failing to see sexual abuse as an interpersonal transgression at all! Attached is guidance from rabbi Edelshtein, one of the most respected and authoritative "gedoilim" (spiritual leaders). Let's unpack:/14

https://twitter.com/yaircherki/status/1475562563651915784

He says that public shaming is more sinful than adultery and calls those who have caused Walder's death (i.e. the journalists) murderers. Further guidance is given to teachers by one of his disciples "to talk to kids only about interpersonal matters". Here's interpretation: /15

There are two categories of sin: against God, and against man. In the eyes of the rabbi this whole saga is about the sin of adultery, which is a sin against God. But sins against man are worse - here the sin of public shaming. /16

If kids ask about this incident, the lesson to them should be ONLY about the dangers of loshn hora, public shaming, which Walder was the victim of. There should be no mention of Walder's sins which were just between him and God. Unbelieveable! /17

Walder wasn't just accused of adultery, but of peadophilia & rape. In the rabbis' eyes this is just sins against God. The only human victim here is Walder. That the rabbinical establishment is so out of touch with the reality of the unimaginable pain of victims is outraguous./18

But not all rabbis responded this way. Much more compassionate and humane guidance has been going around from other promient rabbis. We are yet to see the full range of coverage in the charedi press, which I assume will be quite polarised.

@YWN for example published this. (Keep in mind that online charedi publications cater to a more liberal audience. This article may not reflect the mood on the street and certainly not what you'll read in the charedi print-press.) /20
theyeshivaworld.com/news/featured/…

There is the feeling that this time it is different. This is a wake up call and a time for change. I don't think that things are just going to go back to normal now. This has shaken up the community and it looks like there is lots of will for change: /21

https://twitter.com/alexfleksher/status/1476228504605892613

In the meantime people are hurting, traumas have been reawakened and sadly more life has been lost. Many of us have spent the last few days looking after vulnerable friends. Please check in with yours. #FrumPeopleToo /22

https://twitter.com/MeyerLabin/status/1476546861851095043

And on top of all the tragedy for the victims, all charedi kids have suddenly lost their favourite author, who knew how to speak to them and whose books inspired them. They lost him under murky circumstances that they don't fully understand. /23

Thousands of charedi families will sit down this shabbes to read the papers. Most will read about an ordinary week in politics and the world and not much besides. But this was no ordinary week. It was just too extraordinary to make it into the papers.
ונמחה דמעה מעל כל פנים.
/END

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