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January 5, 2001/Tevet 17, 5761, Vol. 53, No.14
Skeptics say O.U. changes not enough
JULIE WIENER
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
NEW YORK - With a new president and plans to overhaul the organization, the Orthodox Union is trying to restore its credibility after a report found "profound errors of judgment" in the way O.U. leaders dealt with a top professional accused of sexually abusing scores of teens.
However, judging from the responses at the organization's biennial convention the weekend of Dec. 30 in New York State, it appears that the plans will not be enough to satisfy all constituents.
At a heated session on the issue, Harvey Blitz, the O.U.'s new president, called the alleged behavior of longtime youth leader Rabbi Baruch Lanner a "stain and blemish" on the group that "we're going to work hard to remedy."
Lanner is accused of sexually assaulting at least 26 teenage girls and physically assaulting many boys. A summary of an O.U. report on the charges was released Dec. 26.
Blitz had been scheduled to succeed Dr. Mandell Ganchrow as president of the O.U. before the scandal arose.
The report also noted a larger problem of "poor management practices" in the Orthodox Union. Blitz said the O.U. would appoint review committees in the areas of structure and governance; the National Conference of Synagogue Youth, the O.U.'s youth group; personnel; and finance.
Blitz said the Lanner report would be his first priority as president.
The bulk of the criticism at the convention came from synagogue members in New Jersey, many of whom allegedly were victimized by Lanner or knew his alleged victims.
Outside this core, the O.U.'s constituency - members in almost 1,000 Orthodox synagogues throughout the United States - appears divided as to whether the organization's current plans are sufficient.
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