From the Examiner:
Saturday, May 25 -- Rabbi Aryeh Dudovitz (AKA: Larry Dudovitz) was arrested on charges of molesting a teenage boy back in 2006. Yesterday Dudovitz plead guilty.
This is a case in which took nearly six years for this convicted sex offender to be prosecuted due to pressure from various rabbonim in Chicago. It is important to note a select few were instrumental in having this case prosecuted. In the Jewish orthodox world instead of calling the police immediate when there are allegations of sex crimes, it is common place to contact a local orthodox rabbi for advice in how to proceed.
The Rabbinical Chicago Rabbinical Council created the Ad Hoc Bait Din of Chicago, which is a special religious court to handle such cases. This special Beis Din was aware of the allegations against Dudovitz for nearly six years, yet according to reports the rabbonim never done anything to warn parents living within the orthodox Jewish community of any potential dangers Rabbi Aryeh Dudovitz posed to children he came in contact with.
Back in 2000, the Ad Hoc Beit Din of Chicago set up guidelines aimed at protecting children, stating that no perpetrator was allowed to teach or tutor children, nor enter any school building at any time. It also stated that offenders were allowed to enter any mikvah (ritual bath) anywhere in the world at any time, enter a Jewish Community Center (JCC) building, attend celebrations. Even though the Ad Hoc Hoc Bet Din was aware of the allegations, many community member felt that this special religious court violated their own guidelines regarding the Dudovitz case.
A spokes person from The Awareness Center, which is the international Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Assault; stated that the organization wanted to thank the survivor in this case for his bravery and tenacity for coming forward to have this case prosecuted, along with his family and friends for showing him all the love and support needed.
Prior to working in Chicago Rabbi Aryeh Dudovitz was the director of the Chabad of Northwest Indiana, located in Munster, IN for several years.
If you or someone you know was sexually abused by Rabbi Larry Dudovitz or any one else, it is asked that you call The Child Advocacy Center in Chicago immediately at: 312-492-3700
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