RCA Says Rabbi Belsky Clarifies His Position In Letter To Them

6/23/2013

The Rabbinical Council of America has released a statement saying that both the President and Executive Vice-President of the RCA met with Rabbi Yisrael Belsky to hear, first-hand, his views on the case of Yosef Kolko—-who recently pleaded guilty to molesting a young boy—-and that they were pleased to hear that, despite his personal feelings that Kolko is innocent, Rabbi Belsky “favors” the reporting of abuse cases to civil authorities without seeking prior rabbinical permission.

Released on the RCA website (http://bit.ly/10c6NK3), the RCA expresses its “appreciation” to Belsky for complying with their request that he state his views in a follow-up letter to be made public.

The RCA goes on to say that, while it disagrees with Belsky’s views on the Kolko case, Belsky’s “clarification” of his views will go a long way towards helping victims in the future.

13 Comments

lakewood resident

6/23/2013 03:18:36 am

Quote "despite his personal feelings that Kolko is innocent"
REALLY HE PLEADED GUILTY !!! if you are innocent you don't plead GUILTY !!!!!

JoS

6/23/2013 06:10:17 am

lakewood resident, "If you are innocent you don't plead guilty" shows lack of knowledge of the US criminal justice system

I'm not commenting on whether he's actually guilty or not, but it happens every day in this country that innocent people plead guilty for a variety of reasons.

lakewood resident

6/24/2013 12:14:39 pm

"lakewood resident, "If you are innocent you don't plead guilty" shows lack of knowledge of the US criminal justice system"
Really what justice system would you rather be tried in some third world country where you are guilty and must prove your innocence .I tired of people who keep bashing our justice system ,why don't you move then to where you think its better .
AGAIN I WOULD NEVER PLEAD GUILTY IF I WERE INOCENT PERIOD ..................................

Yerachmiel Lopin link

6/23/2013 06:03:44 am

How will any fututre victims be helped by the RCA kashering someone who kashered two generations of Kolkos and won't even admit he is wrong after the conviction. How will victims be helped by defedning R. Belsky who had the chutzpah to accuse Rabbi S of being a molester.

This is foolish!

sushi

6/23/2013 06:29:07 am

the rca is led by known liars.you can't trust anything they put out.

Chaim

6/23/2013 07:32:26 am

Taking a Plea Bargain is Not Proof of Guilt, Todays Legal Climate is Very Vindicative with Prosecuters trying to Build Careers and score Brownie Points even when they know the Accused is Inoccent The Judicial System in America Is Corrupt and Out of Control all Based on Personal Intrests and Public Opinion, as of Late The Munkatcher Rebbe Shlita Has Been Advising Yidden Who Come To Hiim With Help Regarding Piyon Shvuyen To Allways Take a Plea Bargain Even If You are Innocent as a Chariedi Yid Cannot Get a Fair Trial In Todays Judicial Climate and it is better to Get Probation or sit in Jail For 2-3 Years Than Being Locked up for Life even if you are Innocent

lakewooder

6/23/2013 11:24:46 pm

sorry he PLEADED GUILTY that is an admission of GUILT PERIOD ...................

Yerachmiel Lopin link

6/24/2013 01:55:39 am

The Munkatcher Rebbe gave that advice to Baruch Mordechai Lebovits, someone who was publicly identified as guilty of many acts of molesting by Rav Chaim Flohr of Monsey, Rav Yechezkel Gold, (former Satmar Dayan of Monsey), the vaad hatznius of Williamsburg, the Vaad of Boro Park, and Dov Hikind. He should have pled guilty and taken a 2 year sentence. Now he has already served a year of a 10-32 year sentence and will be tried again. Now he will be lucky to get a plea bargain offer of 5-7 years.

Chareidi

6/25/2013 08:02:23 am

The World we Live In Now is, That When It Comes To Allegations of Child Molestation you are '"Guilty" Until Proven Innocent

lakewooder

6/25/2013 12:29:08 pm

NO If you plead guilty then there is no question that you are any more ~ you just admitted to being guilty!!!!

Yerachmiel Lopin link

6/30/2013 07:56:52 am

No! You are charged until you are acquitted or convicted by trial or plead guilty.

Chaim

6/27/2013 03:23:21 am

I Need To Clarify That i am Not Claiming Kolko is innocent it.Like everyone else i only Know what I read in the Papers or Heard on the street, I was Simply stating That at Times an Innocent Person May Take a Plea Bargain even if He or She Did Not Commit The alleged Offense simply not take the chance of being Convicted and Face a Far More Harsher Punishment. It Happens in Traffic Court every Day People take Plea Bargains even when they are in the right as there is no Gaurantee they will win the case.

Yerachmiel link

6/30/2013 08:00:29 am

Yes, many of us plead guilty to traffic tickets rather than fighting them in court because it is too much trouble. But would you plead guilty to 7 felony charges of child sex abuse to avoid a trial, especially when you have a fully paid for legal defense. He changed his plea after two more witnesses came forward. I feel for him because he was probably started on his terrible path by his uncle Yiddi. But children must be protected.

RCA Says Rabbi Belsky Clarifies His Position In Letter To Them

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