In synagogue yesterday morning, our rabbi spoke on lessons to learn from events revolving around Rabbi Moti Elon, the yeshiva head accused of molesting young men who approached him for advice.

1. According to sociologist Max Weber there are three types of authority: traditional, legal-rational, and charismatic. Charismatic authority is the most powerful, yet the most unreliable and dangerous. Both children and adults need to think critically and even a bit cynically, to prevent being misled by a charismatic leader. No one, no matter how talented and sincere, is perfect.
AddeRabbi has an excellent post on charismatic rabbis and teachers.
2. The input of women is critical for discussions about complex issues within our community. Women are members of the Takana forum to prevent harassment and abuse by leaders in the religious-Zionist community.
3. Young people with questions about sexual identity are at risk for emotional problems and suicide, particularly in a religious community. The young men who accused R. Elon had asked for counseling on this issue. But homosexual tendencies should be handled within the family, with professional advice and support. One of the congregants mentioned that R. Elon had often spoken out strongly against homosexuality. Ironically, his actions may now give Orthodox homosexuals “permission” to come out.
4. All institutions should publish written rules meant to prevent harassment and abuse, including keeping a door open when a teacher meets with a student, and prohibiting physical contact. He said that in order to correct a serious problem, it’s often necessary to go to the opposite extreme.

In recent days prominent rabbi Mordechai (Moti) Elon, founder of the outreach organization Mibereshit, has been accused of sexual harassment of young men in counseling situations. The religious Zionist forum Takanah (mentioned in the case of the founder of Megeirot) learned of the allegations several years ago. In its statement, the first anyone heard of the story, Takanah described striking a deal with the rabbi who agreed to leave Jerusalem for the smaller, more isolated northern town of Migdal. He also agreed to stop counseling.

Lurker explains why covering up harassment and molestation is a bad thing. Takanah was formed to protect the past and future victims of sexual abuse and harassment. Instead they protected the powerful rabbi. As Lurker writes:

In the wake of the Haiti earthquake the Israeli press has been writing about the possibility of a major earthquake along Israel’s faultlines. But experts don’t consider it a possibility. It’s a certainty, the only question is when.

During a discussion at the Internal Affairs Committee following the recent disaster in the Caribbean country, Shapira stated, “Granted one can’t predict them or their date, but we must accept that what will kill people is not an earthquake. What kills them is the building.”

Come to an event for Israeli bloggers in Modiin

I’ve been given the run-around for several months by the internet service provider (ISP) Netvision.

In Israel, you pay two fees for ADSL: one fee to the national phone company Bezeq or cable network service for the ADSL infrastructure, and a second fee to the ISP.

Read more on The Government Helps the Little Guy (Me)…

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What Do I Write About Next?
Generating Ideas to Keep Readers Coming Back

Time and Date: Sunday, February 7 at 8:00 PM

Speaker: Hannah Katsman, A Mother in Israel

Location: Hosted by Baila in Modiin

Read more on Bloggers:Last Chance to Sign Up for Modiin Event Sunday…

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Ilana-Davita asked bloggers to highlight book reviews of 2009. Here are the reviews that appeared on A Mother in Israel 2009:

Through the Narrow Gate, a memoir by former nun Karen Armstrong.

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Jameel complained about the rejection of a public service message by moderators of the Modiin community email list. The message was from parents looking for other religious parents of autistic children interested in a residential program. The sender received the following email:

Last night I heard a talk by a woman named Tricia Martel.

Martel was living in Petach Tikva when her mother died suddenly in Manchester on a Thursday afternoon in 1976. She couldn’t get a ticket to London during the vacation season. Finally a travel agent suggested she fly to Paris on Air France, where seats were available for on Sunday’s flight.

Two Air France flights left that Sunday morning from Tel Aviv to Paris. One was a direct flight. The second stopped in Athens. Martell got on the plane to Athens.
The Hijacking

Let’s talk playdate etiquette.

• I was taught never to invite myself to someone’s house, but in Israel it’s okay for a kid to call and ask if she can come over.

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Fine-Toothed Comb

(Bonus Below: A Mother in Israel’s Ultimate Guide to Lice Removal)

“Are you going to post about the lice?,” asked my teenage daughter the other night.

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