Article on Falsely Accused Washington Hebrew Congregation Preschool Teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DP here and I wonder if his ex is friends with the primary accusers? How far did her hatred go?

I hope his current synagogue is warm and supportive towards JS. I don’t know if it would be appropriate for a spiritual leader to offer public comments of general support, but it would help raise awareness.

I'm thankful be was never wrongfully convicted but the lack of conviction makes it an even trickier "news" story or synagogue story now-

Funny this description of him makes it seem like he'd fit in great at my 3 year oldest Jewish preschool.

[Anonymous]

Not in the position to give a whole lot until household paychecks resume, but I read the piece in full and felt compelled to give at least something right now. Bumping the go fund me here for anyone who may feel similarly: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-jordan-silverman-rebuild-his-life

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP here and I wonder if his ex is friends with the primary accusers? How far did her hatred go?

I hope his current synagogue is warm and supportive towards JS. I don’t know if it would be appropriate for a spiritual leader to offer public comments of general support, but it would help raise awareness.

I'm thankful be was never wrongfully convicted but the lack of conviction makes it an even trickier "news" story or synagogue story now-

Funny this description of him makes it seem like he'd fit in great at my 3 year oldest Jewish preschool.

Poor guy--I doubt he'd ever want a position in teaching again. One crazy family making false accusations and your life and your family's life is ruined. Honestly, that article made me realize how risky teaching is as a profession.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not in the position to give a whole lot until household paychecks resume, but I read the piece in full and felt compelled to give at least something right now. Bumping the go fund me here for anyone who may feel similarly: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-jordan-silverman-rebuild-his-life

+1 Barely $4000 raised for someone who had his life wrecked by a virulent family, who presumably has suffered no consequences despite indications from the school that they themselves were abusing the child in question. In contrast, the DC guy who threw a Subway sandwich at a police officer has raised $6 million for his defense/living costs

[Anonymous]

Just to state the obvious, never, ever, ever take a job like this if you are a man.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not in the position to give a whole lot until household paychecks resume, but I read the piece in full and felt compelled to give at least something right now. Bumping the go fund me here for anyone who may feel similarly: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-jordan-silverman-rebuild-his-life

+1 Barely $4000 raised for someone who had his life wrecked by a virulent family, who presumably has suffered no consequences despite indications from the school that they themselves were abusing the child in question. In contrast, the DC guy who threw a Subway sandwich at a police officer has raised $6 million for his defense/living costs

Subway sandwich guy made national news. And for other political reasons prob raised a lot of funds.

Wow, I am shocked. My child was at WHC preschool and camp then. Had just transitioned out that prior summer. Were only there a year so not really a part of the community. I remember the hysteria. I wasn't in the loop as I didn't know the families or JS. Feel terrible for JS, DJ, and the head rabbi who suffered a small stroke over the ordeal.

Hope "Jenny" is ok, would be in middle school now no?

Best wishes to JS in rebuilding his future. Maybe should write a screenplay for a movie or a Netflix type series.

[Anonymous]

Just found out about the GoFundMe and donated. Thanks for organizing this Marc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just to state the obvious, never, ever, ever take a job like this if you are a man.

That’s ridiculous. It’s important for men to be in roles as teachers and caregivers. They just need to be careful at private schools with power imbalances with rich parents who are unwilling to defend their teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just to state the obvious, never, ever, ever take a job like this if you are a man.

That’s ridiculous. It’s important for men to be in roles as teachers and caregivers. They just need to be careful at private schools with power imbalances with rich parents who are unwilling to defend their teachers.

The satanic abuse craze of the 1980s (thanks Janet Reno) had absolutely nothing to do with rich and powerful parents. Cost-benefit is completely imbalanced. Just leave these jobs to women.

[Anonymous]

Not buying this at all. Police failed to press charges? What are the families saying? Is it only this substack that exonerates him?

This sounds suspicious. I mean, how many child abusers are actually convicted? Barely any.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Knew him before the WHC awfulness. We could never figure out why the ex had such incredible vitriol towards him and why, when it was so clear that he deeply cared about his boys and being a father, she continued to fight for sole custody. We have plenty of friends who divorced, but never have I seen a dad who fought so hard to stay engaged with his kids. The only reason we could think of was that he “out momed” her and that’s why she hated him.

He was definitely a fish out of water here and I know people didn’t understand why he was so involved with the PTA etc. Sadly, he operated in a more female space and most people here (men and women) didn’t know what to think of him. If he’d come across as gay, I think people probably would not have given him a second thought. But a straight dude who is highly engaged with kids stood out big time here and there were many who quietly questioned his motives. The fact that he was a photographer also raised red flags for people because he was already different and people were trying to figure him out. Not his fault, but I do wish in hindsight I’d been able to sort of give him a “hey you aren’t in Burly anymore bro” heads up because I genuinely do not think he understood how he was being perceived in the DMV (or maybe he didn’t care?).

Robert and Allison clearly drove the witch hunt and they had the power and influence and money to do it. I’m not sure we’ll ever know if they were acting out of genuine concern for their child or if JS was a convenient scape goat to distract from something that was happening at home. When I read this article I thought of the expression “sometimes the best defense is offense.” Jenny was having issues and they needed an outside source to blame. They didn’t like JS and they were able to flex on the most basic of parental fears because he is so different than the standard DC dad/male.

It’s a very sad story and there are no winners here.

It was odd that his ex had such hatred towards him. And for years.

My cousin's ex wife went at him with the exact same hatred and vengeance and turned his two kids against him. He bankrupted himself fighting it. No one in the family could understand as we had been close to her and nothing but kind. Fast forward 20 years, and she was diagnosed with severe and debilitating mental illness, and her obsession with taking down her ex (in hindsite) was the first hint of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not buying this at all. Police failed to press charges? What are the families saying? Is it only this substack that exonerates him?

This sounds suspicious. I mean, how many child abusers are actually convicted? Barely any.

Do the families know?

I have so many questions regarding this article. Both about the parents and JS. Some things make perfect sense, other parts of the article I really question.

Though as someone mentioned, this particular forum does in fact seem pretty pro JS, probably not the place to ask legitimate questions.

I also agree with the user who said the analogy of satanic panic is wrong. It is definitely more about rich well connected DC elite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not buying this at all. Police failed to press charges? What are the families saying? Is it only this substack that exonerates him?

This sounds suspicious. I mean, how many child abusers are actually convicted? Barely any.

Do the families know?

I have so many questions regarding this article. Both about the parents and JS. Some things make perfect sense, other parts of the article I really question.

Though as someone mentioned, this particular forum does in fact seem pretty pro JS, probably not the place to ask legitimate questions.

I also agree with the user who said the analogy of satanic panic is wrong. It is definitely more about rich well connected DC elite.

The original thread wanted his head on a platter!

I was not aware it was this person at the time, because my kids are older and we never used this preschool. But the current thread made me realize that I know this guy! I don’t think he would ever harm anyone, let alone a small child. When we worked together, he seemed a genuinely warm, caring and authentic person, without the usual barriers that sophisticated urban people build around themselves. I can totally see how someone might think that was weird, but to me he seemed sincere, instead of someone who is nice because they’re looking to groom your kid.

Please don’t think DCUM is just one organism. We all have different opinions. I’m sure plenty are still suspicious: it would explain the relatively low total for the GoFundMe. I donated $100.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember when the story first came out, although we didn't have kids there or attend that synagogue.

It's tragic that this man's life has been destroyed, his relationship with his kids irreparably ruined, all due to gossip. The main characters who started this, "Robert" and "Allison" in the story, are the ones who should be prosecuted.

The story is silent as to whether "Robert" the WHC parent who hurled the accusations at the preschool teacher was ever investigated himself for when a different preschool teacher reported to DC Children's and Family Services that his daughter drew a picture showing daddy with a snake between his legs. I hope that little girl got some help and is away from the people who hurt her.

I believe in karma. I feel like anyone reading this article who ran in those circles at the time could probably figure out who “Robert & Allison” are. Whether they (allegedly) did something or not, maybe they’ll suffer some sort of reputational damage from those that know them.

Small consolation, I know, but I’d be giving them some serious side eye after reading this article.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember when the story first came out, although we didn't have kids there or attend that synagogue.

It's tragic that this man's life has been destroyed, his relationship with his kids irreparably ruined, all due to gossip. The main characters who started this, "Robert" and "Allison" in the story, are the ones who should be prosecuted.

The story is silent as to whether "Robert" the WHC parent who hurled the accusations at the preschool teacher was ever investigated himself for when a different preschool teacher reported to DC Children's and Family Services that his daughter drew a picture showing daddy with a snake between his legs. I hope that little girl got some help and is away from the people who hurt her.

I believe in karma. I feel like anyone reading this article who ran in those circles at the time could probably figure out who “Robert & Allison” are. Whether they (allegedly) did something or not, maybe they’ll suffer some sort of reputational damage from those that know them.

Small consolation, I know, but I’d be giving them some serious side eye after reading this article.

I think "side eye" is small potatoes compared to the preschool teacher losing custody of his kids, when by all accounts he was a dedicated parent. Plus apparently multiple WHC families participated who were "friends of Robert and Allison" participated in the vandalism of the teacher's car and home.