The Jerusalem Post Decides: Woman Is Guilty, Chareidim Blinded By Loyalties
The following article, titled “The Haredi Distrust,” was written by Alisa Ungar-Sargon and appears in The Jerusalem Post. The article provides an accurate portrayal of the way the secular media is covering the ongoing sga of the woman from Meah Shearim who was arrested for allegedly starving her child. We present the full text of the article here for readers to gain an idea of the way the chareidi community is portrayed, regardless of whether the woman is indeed innocent or not:
With the haredi woman suspected of starving her three-year-old son, the evidence from doctors, social workers, and police appears to leave little room for doubt regarding the severity of the situation. The woman was allegedly a danger to her child, and thus measures were taken to protect him from further harm.The facts are presented; the evidence is concrete. Yet there are people rallying to her defense who are convinced of her innocence. They call the whole situation a blood libel, a condition of malicious slander and a vengeful nature. Whether or not her actions were intentional does not change the effects, yet the haredim purport to be certain. How can a community be so confident that she is not guilty when everyone else is resisting their every claim?
The question relates to many tensions involving the haredim that have been present for decades. The relationship between the vocal haredi community and the Israeli institutions is notoriously unstable, as indicated by riots and other aggressive protests that spring up every so often against municipal and government policy. According to Aharon Rose, an expert on haredi customs and history at Hebrew University, this antagonism is a symptom of a deep-seated distrust and suspicion on the part of the haredim. In the case of this convicted woman it manifests itself as a denial of reality, he says.
The general animosity between the haredi and secular communities is rooted in the State of Israel itself. While none of the haredim support the state, the mainstream sects at least cooperate with it and agree to participate in the elections.
Gilad Malach, a Hebrew University PhD student in Public Policy, estimates that the radical haredim, members of the Eda Haredit group, make up a mere 5% of the community. They too refuse to recognize the state, and unlike their brethren will not cooperate with it.
Dr. Tamar El-Or, professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Hebrew University, explains the frequency of the extremists’ outbursts. “Every year, usually every summer, there are riots,” she says. “It’s nothing new.” She attributes it to the fact that the more significant problems are not being confronted since no one is brave enough to approach them. Hence, the riots centering on issues like [toeivah] and parking lots being open on Shabbat are reflections of more serious problems that are not being taken care of by the leaders of Orthodoxy or by the Israeli institutions.
Dr. Yehuda Goodman, a lecturer and anthropologist at Hebrew University, explains that the tendency to riot is a part of the haredi identity. “They feel it’s invading and corrupting and fighting to break down their way of life,” he says. The haredi community is not just a ghetto, set up to keep out those who would threaten their way of life, Goodman says, it must also fight and maintain the superior stand they feel that they have over the secular world. He explains that the haredim need these fights as a part of the formation of their identity, in finding a symbolic place to fight the social other.
However, there is still the question of percentage. The Eda Haredit, and especially the woman’s sect of Neturei Karta, is clearly outnumbered by the more mainstream haredim. How is it possible that these radical few can have such an impact on their society?
Professor Ira Sharkansky of the Hebrew University political science department writes, “When one of the communities finds an issue that excites others, the whole ghetto is likely to respond. None can remain behind on an issue that gains traction as defense of Judaism. The woman charged with abusing her child is an example. She had starved her three-year-old boy to the point where he was severely undernourished and weighed only 15 pounds. She was affiliated with one of the smallest and most extreme of the congregations, but the involvement of the police and municipal social services with a pregnant woman was enough to recruit others. The protest spread when the police arrived with their truncheons and horses to clear the streets.”
While this opinion is generalized and based on a theory of adrenaline, it follows along with others’ explanations of the haredi mainstream’s silent compliance and inactiveness. The collective reasoning for protesting against the woman’s conviction, however, cannot be based solely on a snowball effect.
Goodman points to the dishonor that would follow on the heels of abuse accusations. “It’s a terrible issue of stigmatizing the entire haredi community,” he says. “… It’s much more intense because it’s not a huge community, and people know each other personally - it’s an attack on their specific group. It’s not the general haredi fight as they understand it.” The haredim are wary of secular media painting their family life as dangerously irresponsible, saying that their family units are too big, he adds.
Malach agrees with this assessment, saying, “Even though there are parts of haredi communities that don’t like the points argued for parking and the woman, they’re not sure she’s right; despite that they wave and go in the way that ‘We are haredim, so we have to defend ourselves; this is an attack against our community.’”
The haredi way of dealing with psychological disorders or abuse is as low-key as they come, kept under private control when possible and dealt with in spiritual ways when not. The fact that this woman’s actions are being splashed across public media is a breach of their communal privacy, and, as they would have it, fodder for the secular opposition. Public accusations reflect upon them directly, so they will take to the streets no matter what.
Whether or not the haredim actually believe in the woman’s condemnation is irrelevant at this point. They can testify for her character and they can portray her doctor as evil incarnate, but it is immaterial since their loyalties would not allow them to operate any other way. They will argue for her since to them, she represents their community to the outside world.
{The Jerusalem Post}
{Matzav.com Newscenter}
18 Responses to “The Jerusalem Post Decides: Woman Is Guilty, Chareidim Blinded By Loyalties”
2. Comment from yona matz’ah
Time July 16, 2009 at 1:48 PM
I suggest that NO ONE leave a comment to this piece.
3. Comment from Shalom, Cherry Hill
Time July 16, 2009 at 3:02 PM
To Yona Matz’ah– why not?
4. Comment from Anonymous2
Time July 16, 2009 at 3:26 PM
I was just shown a HORRIBLE picture! A “Charedi” man walking down the street giving the finger to someone. How are we as religious Jews suppose to explain THAT to our goyish co-workers and neighbors? I support the resident’s of Meah Shearim and Geuluah to voice their opinions over what may or may not be an injustice (I take no position on way or the other as I have no first hand knowledge) but the above is a true Hillul Hashem. Lines are being crossed (yes on both sides). Their is no excuse EVER for frum Yidden to make sure gestures. What will the secularist say when they see it? Are we not Am HaKodosh? I hope this man’s passion’s got the better of him and he regrets his actions. We must be better that the secularist. Protest! Fine! But do so as befits sons and daughters of Yisroel.
5. Comment from Rachel R
Time July 16, 2009 at 3:36 PM
The lady is being incarcerated until she consents to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, which so far she has refused to do. (I believe this is under the advice of her lawyer.)
According to the sources I read, she would then be permitted to return home under supervision, since she is not regarded as posing a danger to her other children.
I suspect that someone may be encouraging her to “hold out” since this represents such a marvelous opportunity to justify “defying” the State. Unfortunately, videos (which I have seen) of bochurim in up hats throwing rocks at police and throwing around and burning trash containers neither prove nor disprove the claims of the social workers.
The lady should be evaluated and sent home. This is a private tragedy for the family and the “activists” should keep their opportunistic love of burning trash cans out of her life. She is herself a victim - of the unscrupulous activists of her own community.
6. Comment from s.a.d.
Time July 16, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Is it so impossible that a chareidi woman has the disorder? Are we untouched by the same mental illnesses that occur in every segment of society? I guess rioting shows we’re not crazy.
7. Comment from ?????
Time July 16, 2009 at 3:59 PM
this whole thing is absolutely retarded! why would people throw rocks at the city of jerusalem which is trying to save the life of a blessed child?! do you think that busting traffic lights makes the world a better place???? take your cockamamie shenannigans and flush them down the toilet!!!! better save a life than endanger hundreds of others!!!! g-d save us all!
8. Comment from Waiting…
Time July 16, 2009 at 6:19 PM
I’m waiting for a comment condemning the acts of the Israeli Police, Hadaasa Ein Kerem Hospital Staff who [as I’ve heard Mis-diagnosed this Child with Cancer R”l and made this Child Suffer from the Cheamo Therapy…
Rachel R. Keep on Bashing your own Brothers and sister based on reports you’ve read!!
What are your Sources? the secular Media..??
Maybe you should be Mekabel to learn 3 Halaches Daily in the holy Sefer Chofetz Chaim?
When I first heard the Story, I was first Searching for the Mother’s part of the Story.
Do you know this Mother Didnt move away from her Boys bed in the Hospital for the last 8 months??
Whats that hard to understand that the Dr.’s @ the Hospital are looking to coverup their MisDiagnosis?
Just 1 answer: שנאה מקלקלת את השורה
your deep hate to the Chareidim in Meah Shaarim dosn’t let you think Straight…
9. Comment from Refuah Shaleima
Time July 16, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Sounds like a lot of the Comentators on Matzav.com suffer from a severe Anti-Chareidy-Syndrome.
10. Comment from crazy
Time July 16, 2009 at 8:13 PM
there is too much hate lets love each other. love what a beutiful thing la la la la lets just drinkk a lechjaim to that!
11. Comment from ruth
Time July 16, 2009 at 10:31 PM
“Whats that hard to understand that the Dr.’s @ the Hospital are looking to coverup their MisDiagnosis?”
If you learned your three haloches chofetz chaim per day, you would be aware that this also is lashon hara.
Where do you have the proof that there was any misdiagnosis? You just repeat hearsay…
12. Comment from Medical errors
Time July 16, 2009 at 11:22 PM
This child is the victim of medical negligence by egotistical hospital staff who are doing everything in their power to portray this incredible mother as “mentally ill” in order to avoid the awful coverage of their errors with all the ramifications.
This is not the first time in history that powerful individuals have slapped the “mentally ill” label on the innocent, even incarcerated them, to avoid getting into trouble. A frightening but all too true phenomenon.
13. Comment from Waiting…
Time July 16, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Dear Ruth
I personally learn Chfetz Chaim 3 Halaches Daily.
Sorry about that, But on a Chiloni there’s no Isur to talk Loshon Hora, as the Chofetz Chaim writes that a Apikores or a Mimer lduver Echod is not in the Klal of עמיתך
Check it out before you comment.
Btw I dont understand how some comentators here always defend the Israeli Govt. instead of fellow Yidden [even if you dont agree with their Shitas…
14. Comment from Don’t Wait…
Time July 17, 2009 at 2:06 AM
Wait, I think you may not understand what Munchausens syndrome is nor by proxy. In this case, the patient (this woman) is mentally unstable and creates scenarios that force people to misdiagnose. It happens all around the world. She provides the doctors with enough information that is truly puzzling to them and then continually baffles them as the results don’t align with expectation. When this is the case, the doctors don’t just give up and walk away, they continue to increase the severity of the treatment in an attempt to get the right results. In this case chemo was an option… the doctors took it.
What everyone is not realising is that the authorities are trying to get her and her family help. She needs meds, the family needs support - the protesters don’t provide either. If this were to happen in the US,Canada, France, Belgium, Brazil, UK or Australia no one would say a word. The Charedim would NOT be breaking down the walls and setting the street alight -> they would be working with the authorities as a community to understand what they as a group could do to help
15. Comment from proud Hadassah clinician
Time July 17, 2009 at 2:24 AM
Waiting…
I take personal offense that you are implying that the doctors at Hadassah should be considered Apikorsin. I work at Hadassah, am shomer torah umitzvot, as are many, many of the staff there including many of the doctors. We are sometimes forced to make difficult decisions including calling in social workers and reporting suspected abuse, but that doesn’t make me an apikores, and I agree with Ruth that more care needs to be taken in leaving comments in general that we are not being lax in Hilchot Loshon Hara.
16. Comment from wonder why
Time July 17, 2009 at 7:35 PM
Waiting- 99% of secular Jews today are not apikorsim or mumrim, they are tinokos shenishbu.
17. Comment from preying on the gullible
Time July 19, 2009 at 10:37 AM
To the Haddassah staff member above, who likely wrote the misinformation about Munchausen by proxy as well…
This is a devious campaign to smear a woman in order to protect the skins and careers of hospital. You are likely the “witness” blogging on other sites as well.
You might fool some gullible people, but you cannot fool anyone professionally familiar with Munchausen by proxy. Children of mothers of this disorder do NOT get misdiagnosed with cancer- cancer is not a diagnosis like OCD or Autism, it is tested beyond doubt way before chemo is administered. You are desperately attempting to sell a wild story; I assume you yourself are personally implicated, and have a lot to lose. This case does NOT fit the profile of Munchausen by proxy, and the claims sound ridiculously silly.
Hopefully, the hospital will ‘fess up, and abandon their plan of destroying a devoted mother.
18. Comment from Leonard
Time July 21, 2009 at 6:02 PM
There is a lot of noise but very little light. Hadassah says the child never was treated for cancer. Munchausen’s mothers try to get their child diagnosed as sick so they can get the sympathy. The behavior of those who riot is a chilul hashem and I cannot understand those who make excuses for destroying property and harming the entire neighborhood by their actions. Ungar Sargon explains it well, the only question is how a group of nice Jews raised such wild children. These riots are by children who use it as an outlet for their frustrations. It is a sign of a problematic community.
1. Comment from Anonymous
Time July 16, 2009 at 1:35 PM
If the woman is indeed “sick”, with Munchausen by Proxy, then she is not a criminal, and should not be incarcerated. I do not know if this syndrome is curable or not, but, she should be treated as a normal human being who is sick. Maybe she should have access to her child with supervision, then they’ll see if her child is getting better. If her child does not improve, then , maybe her child really is sick as she claims.