A member of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee alerted us the other day about an item in the Huffington Post by Eishes Chayil, the author of the Honor Book, Hush. I’m providing the link.
Orthodox Jewish Child Abuse: Shattering a Traumatic Silence
The story is disturbing, the author valiant.
I admire Judy Brown for her honesty and the skill she used in telling her story. Our children are always in danger when they are confined within a community that teaches them to always trust people like themselves and to never trust anyone else. Many isolated religious communities, not just Jewish ones, promote the kind of culture that leaves children vulnerable. They need adults to speak up for them when they cannot.
It took a lot of courage on Judy Brown’s part to reveal her identity. She gave voice to the silenced victims of abuse. It isn’t easy to reveal the failings of one’s own religious community. I imagine she’ll continue to receive even more hate mail, but I believe only good will come from telling her story. Judy Brown is both a gifted writer and a Woman of Valor.
I agree – and I’m sure others do, too. May we all consider this when making decisions in our own lives.