What can we do to address and diminish abuse? In recent years, thanks to intense efforts by activists and increased awareness of communal leaders, the Jewish community has worked to increasingly engage in building healthier and safer cultures for all its members. As individuals and as communities, there is still much work to accomplish, as abusive practices can often exist subtly and perniciously. This month, we explore the question of abuse in our communities, as we learn about the pragmatic and particular changes that we can make in our lives to build a safer Jewish world for all.
Central Questions
Although there has been much news on the topic, there has been a dearth of scholarly material investigating sexual abuse within the Jewish clergy. Tempest in the Temple brings together fifteen practicing rabbis, educators, pastoral counselors, sociologists, mental health professionals, and legal advocates for abuse victims, each of whom offer insights into different facets of the problem. This book has three sections: The first describes rabbis who “break their vows” by abusing others, the second outlines community dynamics surrounding abuse, and why victims are often ignored or cast off, and the third deals with how Jewish communities can overcome stigma to deal with clergy abuse. This book deals with scandals with clarity and precision, to ensure that Jewish communities build a better, safer future.
