When Rabbis Abuse: Power, Gender, and Status in the Dynamics of Sexual Abuse in Jewish Culture

Barry Freundel. Steven M. Cohen . Marc Gafni. Moti Elon. Larry Bach. Jonathan Rosenblatt. Shlomo Carlebach. Len Robinson. Malka Leifer …..

“As long as sexual abuse takes place in our community spaces, nothing in our culture can be trusted. And no place is truly safe. This should alarm anyone who cares about Jewish life, not just those who have been abused.”

The Jewish community has been rocked by shocking stories about rabbis and other community leaders sexually abusing their congregants, their students, or their coworkers. And the question on everyone’s mind is: How is this happening?

With a portrait of high profile figures, including their personality types and tactics, Dr. Sztokman’s analysis is grounded in interviews with 84 abuse victims/survivors, Jewish communal professionals, and volunteers. The book documents how communal settings are ripe for abuse, how abusers coopt Jewish values as a grooming tactic, how high-profile abusers often receive high-profile support, and how the search for support and accountability often doubly victimizes the abused.

Dr. Sztokman concludes with sweeping recommendations for social and cultural change, reminding us that we are not free to desist from action, especially not now.

“Elana Sztokman has done a great service to Jewish life with her meticulous and moving book. She shines a light on communal structures, organizational hierarchies, and Jewish cultural tendencies that too often silence victims and allow offenders to get away with their transgressions. The book should move us to action so that the leaders of our communities, synagogues and institutions will be held accountable to our professed ethics and ideals.”
Rabbi Daniel Pressman
Chair, Va'ad Hakavod (Ethics Committee), Rabbinical Assembly

Elana Sztokman's book is an invaluable tool with which to dismantle the structures of Jewish patriarchy and unmask the shame and secrecy that enable sexual abuse and protect offenders. A must-read for anyone who cares about the safety and well-being of every member of the Jewish community.
Letty Cottin Pogrebin
Author of Shanda: A Memoir of Shame and Secrecy .

This is one of the most important books for the Jewish world in years... an essential read.
Elad Nehorai
Writer, activist, and founder of Hevria

“A comprehensive study of sexual and gender abuse in the greater Jewish community... a timely and important book.”
Rabbi Dr. Reverend Haviva Ner-David
Author of Dreaming Against the Current: A Rabbi's Soul Journey

Dr. Elana Sztokman's powerful book..... [is] critical reading for all Jewish leaders.”
Rabbi Rachel Grant Meyer
Educator, artist, writer, and founder of rabbae jewels

When Rabbis Abuse should be mandatory reading for all institutional leaders.
Asher Lovy
Director of Za’akah

“A deep, probing, and intricate look at our culture.... It should be required reading for rabbinic students and their mentors, and anyone at all in a Jewish community could benefit”
Dr. Sarah Ruth Hoffman
Epidemiologist, blogger, advocate, and survivor of sexual assault by her rabbi.

“Dr. Sztokman’s research brings to light the dirty little secrets in Jewish communal life that no one has ever wanted to talk about...’”
Naomi Eisenberger
Executive Director of The Good People Fund and co-founder of Ta’amod: Stand Up!

“I nsightful and thought-provoking...”
Shana Aaronson
Director, Magen for Jewish Communities