Trial Set For Shliach’s Abuser
After shocking many with his revelation of abuse as a child, Shliach Rabbi Avremi Zippel will face his abuser in court next week • Full Story
SALT LAKE CITY — A judge on Monday scheduled a trial for a former nanny accused of abusing a Utah Orthodox rabbi when he was a child — a case that has led many to disclose their own stories of abuse to the faith leader.
In February, when Rabbi Avrohom “Avremi” Zippel came forward both in a courtroom and in the Deseret News, “I did it kind of to get it off my chest,” he recalled Monday.
“It ended up being a far more supportive and empowering experience than I ever could have imagined.”
The 27-year-old Utah Chabad emissary acknowledges the case is far from over. A five-day trial will begin Oct. 28 for Alavina Fungaihea Florreich, 69, who has denied allegations that she abused him repeatedly over a decade in his family’s Salt Lake City home. Her attorney, Jonathan Nish, declined comment Monday.
In the two months since he came forward publicly, Rabbi Zippel has heard from several from within Utah and the Jewish community — and others outside — who told him they also were abused by a caregiver but previously had not told anyone. His story has resonated with men in particular.
“I felt that the vulnerability that I decided to show in light of this has been well-received by other men, you know. People have appreciated it and felt able to open up about it. I think blessedly our culture is changing, slowly, in terms of the stigma of abuse, in terms of the stigma of male victims of abuse, and I think that’s a blessing. If your actions can shine a light, then that’s the responsibility that you have.”
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One needs to remember that in our judicial system one is innocent until proven guilty. All these stores have told one side of the story. It will be interesting to see what is revealed from the other side of the story