PSA - Sex abuse at Washington Hebrew

[Anonymous]

As a concerned WHC parent, let me urge everyone who has ANY information to please contact the detective. Even if you feel that it may not be very important, I think you can let the police decide. I am convinced that truth will come to light eventually but we also would like to have the investigation conclude soon and not drag on for more than a year. I can see that teachers who have concerns may not feel comfortable to speak up, parents who have left may feel this is nolonger their business etc. Please EVERYONE who know anything contact Detective Buc. If the teacher is innocent, the sooner this is concluded, the better. Alternatively, the sooner the police is able to do an arrest, the better. The stakes are high for the WHC community and for kids everywhere else.

[Anonymous]

I agree.

As WHC parents, please also come forward to the Detective with any and all thoughts/ concerns over the last couple of years or now.

Nothing is too small to mention. The Detective is easily accessed by email. For the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How long has the perpetrator been employed there?

Anyone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How long has the perpetrator been employed there?

Anyone?

This had already been addressed by previous posts, if you are a concerned party, you may take the time to read. It is also in the official communications from the school and Temple. 2016 but he was active in the community long before in different capacities. If you have information no matter how old, it may be relevant. If you want to know if you were safe, not sure you can easily determine.

[Anonymous]

A thought on DJ: she has always been nice, professional and accommodating with everything we have asked. We never complained about the teachers, as a leader and manager she HAD to stay behind her team. If she has made a huge judgement error, she is paying dearly. I am sure she is tormented every day by what is happening and will continue to be for a long time or forever. Noone can keep the job after an incodent like this and I am sure she knows, I am not sure if she was told already. Let us leave her in peace to keep the wheels in the school moving - not sure those other people there can - while the investigations is going on.

[Anonymous]

PP here: I forgot - I do have something to say to the non-WHC parent/s who shame and lecture WHC parents for their anger (which I also feel often and I try to rationalize it and focus on what is the best for my child vs what to do w my emotions). Seriously? If you have your popcorn and wish to be a spectator or you have a noble goal and want to learn for the benefit of your kids schools and community, go ahead. Do not dare to come in and shame those who are at their darkest hour!

[Anonymous]

If DJ/school was aware of specific and legit concerns back in 2016, then yes, I hold them responsible and am furious! While I have no reason at this time to believe my child was harmed, my child was under the direct care of this suspect multiple times after 2016. It makes me sick to my stomach. And my child was 3-4 during these times. How would I even know if any harm was done???

I’ve spoken to detective about my concerns about this but I have no evidence or specific reason to believe my kid was harmed so I don’t have much to add to the case. I never saw anything and my kid hasn’t told me anything that would cause concern. It’s just hard as a parent knowing I left my kid under the care of this person. It’s a helpless feeling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If DJ/school was aware of specific and legit concerns back in 2016, then yes, I hold them responsible and am furious! While I have no reason at this time to believe my child was harmed, my child was under the direct care of this suspect multiple times after 2016. It makes me sick to my stomach. And my child was 3-4 during these times. How would I even know if any harm was done???

I’ve spoken to detective about my concerns about this but I have no evidence or specific reason to believe my kid was harmed so I don’t have much to add to the case. I never saw anything and my kid hasn’t told me anything that would cause concern. It’s just hard as a parent knowing I left my kid under the care of this person. It’s a helpless feeling.

In the same boat here... If you want to talk off line, let me know! Maybe we can be of comfort to each other...

[Anonymous]

This is all so heart wrenching. Why does this keep happening? Aren't these schools learning anything??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to the meeting this morning. Rabbi Shankman did a fine job listening, taking notes, and walking the fine line about what she can and can't say. The bottom line is that the investigation is ongoing and contact the detective with questions. While the situation is incredibly frustrating, there is little that can be shared at this point.

For how long?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is all so heart wrenching. Why does this keep happening? Aren't these schools learning anything??

To my knowledge, this has happened at some of the most elite schools in this city: Beauvoir, Sidwell, Charles E Smith, just to name a few. I spoke at length with DJ and the wonderful Susan Sherman about this situation. They told me that they have learned that people who commit these crimes aspire to blend in yet be charismatic. They earn your trust, then abuse it. They look for opportunities, and then use the trust they built to manipulate staff and admin. This could happen anywhere. I am not desensitized, and I am not suggesting that you or anyone else become decensitized, I am just trying to explain why this “keeps happening.” People are sick...and I personally think that they are born that way. No matter how high you build your walls, they will find a way to get through if they so desire. It’s unfortunately what [might] have happened to WHC, but it honestly could have happened anywhere. If this person is in fact guilty, it was just by chance that he targeted WHC. And food for thought, if he taught at schools before WHC, whose to say that he didn’t perpetrate students there as well? Maybe he did and because he didn’t get caught, his confidence grew and so he abused the students at WHC...

Again, all conjecture until the investigation is finished. Perhaps the fact that it has taken so long means that there isn’t substantial evidence. Let’s hope so...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all so heart wrenching. Why does this keep happening? Aren't these schools learning anything??

To my knowledge, this has happened at some of the most elite schools in this city: Beauvoir, Sidwell, Charles E Smith, just to name a few. I spoke at length with DJ and the wonderful Susan Sherman about this situation. They told me that they have learned that people who commit these crimes aspire to blend in yet be charismatic. They earn your trust, then abuse it. They look for opportunities, and then use the trust they built to manipulate staff and admin. This could happen anywhere. I am not desensitized, and I am not suggesting that you or anyone else become decensitized, I am just trying to explain why this “keeps happening.” People are sick...and I personally think that they are born that way. No matter how high you build your walls, they will find a way to get through if they so desire. It’s unfortunately what [might] have happened to WHC, but it honestly could have happened anywhere. If this person is in fact guilty, it was just by chance that he targeted WHC. And food for thought, if he taught at schools before WHC, whose to say that he didn’t perpetrate students there as well? Maybe he did and because he didn’t get caught, his confidence grew and so he abused the students at WHC...

Again, all conjecture until the investigation is finished. Perhaps the fact that it has taken so long means that there isn’t substantial evidence. Let’s hope so...

Really hope the police look at his prior place of employment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all so heart wrenching. Why does this keep happening? Aren't these schools learning anything??

To my knowledge, this has happened at some of the most elite schools in this city: Beauvoir, Sidwell, Charles E Smith, just to name a few. I spoke at length with DJ and the wonderful Susan Sherman about this situation. They told me that they have learned that people who commit these crimes aspire to blend in yet be charismatic. They earn your trust, then abuse it. They look for opportunities, and then use the trust they built to manipulate staff and admin. This could happen anywhere. I am not desensitized, and I am not suggesting that you or anyone else become decensitized, I am just trying to explain why this “keeps happening.” People are sick...and I personally think that they are born that way. No matter how high you build your walls, they will find a way to get through if they so desire. It’s unfortunately what [might] have happened to WHC, but it honestly could have happened anywhere. If this person is in fact guilty, it was just by chance that he targeted WHC. And food for thought, if he taught at schools before WHC, whose to say that he didn’t perpetrate students there as well? Maybe he did and because he didn’t get caught, his confidence grew and so he abused the students at WHC...

Again, all conjecture until the investigation is finished. Perhaps the fact that it has taken so long means that there isn’t substantial evidence. Let’s hope so...

You're delusional. Perps go where their chances are best to abuse. Look at MCPS vs Fairfax. Some heads are quick to report to police, while others are slow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all so heart wrenching. Why does this keep happening? Aren't these schools learning anything??

To my knowledge, this has happened at some of the most elite schools in this city: Beauvoir, Sidwell, Charles E Smith, just to name a few. I spoke at length with DJ and the wonderful Susan Sherman about this situation. They told me that they have learned that people who commit these crimes aspire to blend in yet be charismatic. They earn your trust, then abuse it. They look for opportunities, and then use the trust they built to manipulate staff and admin. This could happen anywhere. I am not desensitized, and I am not suggesting that you or anyone else become decensitized, I am just trying to explain why this “keeps happening.” People are sick...and I personally think that they are born that way. No matter how high you build your walls, they will find a way to get through if they so desire. It’s unfortunately what [might] have happened to WHC, but it honestly could have happened anywhere. If this person is in fact guilty, it was just by chance that he targeted WHC. And food for thought, if he taught at schools before WHC, whose to say that he didn’t perpetrate students there as well? Maybe he did and because he didn’t get caught, his confidence grew and so he abused the students at WHC...

Again, all conjecture until the investigation is finished. Perhaps the fact that it has taken so long means that there isn’t substantial evidence. Let’s hope so...

You're delusional. Perps go where their chances are best to abuse. Look at MCPS vs Fairfax. Some heads are quick to report to police, while others are slow.

If we were to accept your theory, why would the perp have assumed WHC would have been slow to report? Again accepting for the moment some of the criticism of DJ as valid, how would a pedophile, trying to find a "safer" environment to prey on kids, know that DJ would be slower to report concerns?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all so heart wrenching. Why does this keep happening? Aren't these schools learning anything??

To my knowledge, this has happened at some of the most elite schools in this city: Beauvoir, Sidwell, Charles E Smith, just to name a few. I spoke at length with DJ and the wonderful Susan Sherman about this situation. They told me that they have learned that people who commit these crimes aspire to blend in yet be charismatic. They earn your trust, then abuse it. They look for opportunities, and then use the trust they built to manipulate staff and admin. This could happen anywhere. I am not desensitized, and I am not suggesting that you or anyone else become decensitized, I am just trying to explain why this “keeps happening.” People are sick...and I personally think that they are born that way. No matter how high you build your walls, they will find a way to get through if they so desire. It’s unfortunately what [might] have happened to WHC, but it honestly could have happened anywhere. If this person is in fact guilty, it was just by chance that he targeted WHC. And food for thought, if he taught at schools before WHC, whose to say that he didn’t perpetrate students there as well? Maybe he did and because he didn’t get caught, his confidence grew and so he abused the students at WHC...

Again, all conjecture until the investigation is finished. Perhaps the fact that it has taken so long means that there isn’t substantial evidence. Let’s hope so...

You're delusional. Perps go where their chances are best to abuse. Look at MCPS vs Fairfax. Some heads are quick to report to police, while others are slow.

Maybe you’re the delusional one! How do you think they know which school system is best? Is there a ranking of some sort that I’m unfamiliar with? I’m unfamiliar with MCPS vs Fairfax. Enlighten me. And if you could also speak respectfully, that would be cool, too.