The following was posted as a comment on UOJ.
I am not in the habit of quoting from his blog. Not because I don't approve of his goals. I do. But because I do not approve of his methods.This comment deserves to be singled out. I am proud to do so here. It is a tribute to someone I know who quietly and without pay does the work that few people are willing to do - even for pay.
He is a modest individual who shuns the limelight. He goes out, spends time, and mentors young people who have fallen through the cracks in our system. Many of them roam the streets and alleyways at night looking for – God knows what. They seek escape from a world that has ultimately abandoned them. Many - if not most - of them have been sexually abused.
He gives them hope and strength. He does so on his own without any fanfare or community support - because he cares about them. He has been there himself. He understands them. And they know that. Others have - intentionally or not - allowed these kids to fall through the cracks . He aims to break their fall. And he is succeeding. The following letter by one of his charges testifies to that. Rabbi Mordechai Finkel is a hero and I salute him!
"Until someone swims against the tide of denial, stops the flow, builds a dam, and changes the minhag child sexual abuse doesn't go away on its own."
Our Rabbi in Chicago, Rabbi Finkel told us the same thing. IT'S UP TO EACH OF US to stop the cycle of abuse. It's either your FOR it or AGAINST it. Once a victim acts on the sickness, he is NO LONGER A VICTIM, HE's A PERPETRATOR.
We took Rabbi Finkel up on his challenge to find meaning in our life. Many of us are on our way back or have already arrived. We were treated like GARBAGE by the community and the so called "Rabbis" because we were challenging the way things were done in Chicago for ages. We have our own Rabbi who went through the same treatment for turning the tide.
We are so proud to have stood up, and still stand up against all garbage thrown at us. The MORE DIRT THE RABBIS AND COMMUNITY THROW AT US, THE CLEANER WE FEEL. We won't continue the chain of abuse. Thank God he came into our lives when we finally hit bottom and strengthened us and challenged us to make a life for ourself.
IF WE CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU!! We know how bad off we were yet OVERCAME, YOU CAN ALSO!! Don't give up, you can do it. It might take a REAL RABBI to help you along, we found ours, we hope you find yours. They exist in every city, please find that man and give it a try.
STOP THE CYCLE! TAKE THE KNOCKS PEOPLE WILL GIVE YOU! IT MAY BE HARD! IT MAY HURT! BUT, WHEN YOU DO IT, THERE'S NO FEELING LIKE IT!
Rabbi Finkel thank you for throwing us a lifeline when we were about to drown. You should reap the benfits of your work and have Nachas from your kids and future generations. Working for no money shows the dedication and care you have for suffering souls. By us spreading your teachings, you have no idea how many people's lives you have touched.
SHANA TOVAH!
