April 3, 2008
Briefs: U.S. House recognizes Jewish refugees from Arab lands, Woody Allen sues American Apparel
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"Any construction in the settlements, including the settlement blocs and East Jerusalem, simply reinforce the opinion of Palestinian extremists who see this as 'proof' that Israel does not truly want peace, that there is no use to talk with Israel, but instead, one has to fight Israel with force," the report said.Fifth Sex Suit Filed Against N.Y. Yeshiva
A fifth lawsuit was filed against a New York yeshiva alleged to have covered up the molestation of several students by a rabbi. Two Miami attorneys filed the $10 million suit Monday against Yeshiva-Mesivta Torah Temimah in Brooklyn alleging that their client, identified only as John Doe No. 6, was abused on multiple occasions as a student in the mid-1990s by Rabbi Yehuda Kolko. The suit claims that the yeshiva's head administrator, Rabbi Lipa Margulies, who is also named as a defendant, should have been aware of credible accusations against Kolko for at least 25 years prior to the plaintiff's alleged abuse. Several former students have accused Kolko, a former teacher and assistant principal at the school, of sexual abuse.
At least four other pending lawsuits have alleged that the school knew of Kolko's activities and took no action to protect the students. Kolko was the subject of a 2006 story in New York magazine, which said that molestation of young boys by rabbis was a "widespread problem" in the ultra-Orthodox community. He is also facing criminal charges brought by the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office.
Jewish Artist Missing in Berlin
German police are searching for a Jewish artist who was tried in Russia for one of her exhibits. Police have been searching for Anna Mikhalchuk, 52, since her husband reported her missing late March 21, the Berlin Tagesspiegel newspaper reported. She disappeared after going shopping that day, the paper said. Mikhalchuk moved to Berlin last November with her husband, philosopher Michail Ryklin, 60, who is on an academic fellowship. Both are known as outspoken critics of Vladimir Putin, the outgoing Russian president who will remain a key member of the government as prime minister. Police have posted a description of Mikhalchuk, with a number for the public to call with tips.
Mikhalchuk, who also is known by her professional name, Anna Alchuk, was tried in Moscow in 2003 because of her exhibit "Attention, Religion," which was attacked and destroyed, reportedly by right-wing nationalists. She was acquitted on charges of "insulting the religious feelings of the Russian people." Ryklin told the Tagesspiegel two years ago that his wife was subjected to anti-Semitic taunting by public observers of the trial, who cursed her as a "Jew" and said she should leave Russia. Although there have been death threats against her on the Internet, the couple apparently felt safe enough in Berlin to have their name on their mailbox, the paper reported.
Briefs courtesy of Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
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