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Sunday, 30 Adar I, 5784
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Beware of Disturbances by Addict

Shmira patrol is warning residents of Crown Heights from a drug addict who is suspected in burglary and identity theft. Full Story

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Child molester
May 23, 2018 7:25 pm

So now that this individual has molested a small child.. what are we as a community going to do to keep this predator off the streets and away from our children?
I’m sorry for his family.. but we as a community must protect our children from him.

#60
May 6, 2018 2:48 pm

It’s not so cut and dry as you claim although it would be nice if it was. The main question is do they want help? If not then we’re wasting a bed in an expensive rehab facility for someone we can help. No therapist in the world can make anyone care enough about themselves to change. The only other option would be to have him forcefully committed to a mental institute but even that is tricky, he has be deemed a danger to himself and others. It’s simply a matter of the legal system reflecting a reality that addicts that… Read more »

why...
May 6, 2018 1:13 am

can’t the law mandate that someone who is dangerous not only to him/her self but to the public as well be forcefully placed in a rehab program? once in the program, the patient should be assigned a therapist that can work with him/her until the patient might genuinely wants to be helped. i suppose i’m oversimplifying the matter but i don’t get that the law to wear seatbelts, for example, is in place nationwide, regardless of what one might think of it, but a law that might help save the lives of people like this young man is not permitted.… Read more »

Kan tziva
May 4, 2018 3:25 am

Positive side is he still has a yarmulke on. Yidden are filled with mitzvos like a pomegranate no matter what. May Hashem open his eyes to get the help he needs. Stop judging the family when you are not in their shoes…

Farbi
May 3, 2018 9:03 pm

Seen hanging around 770 trying to get drinks during our farbrengan

name tehillim mother and son
May 3, 2018 5:49 pm

please lets all storm heavens daven tehillim give chairty.

Praying for him!
May 2, 2018 8:19 am

I really hope he gets better soon! (I’m not at all pointing fingers at his parents) When are WE, the teens and young adults, going to learn to not even try these drugs?! Kids, please stay away from these things! It’s really not necessary to have a good time!!! I’ve been out with friends when out of nowhere drugs appeared, it’s crazy! And parents need to ingrain into their children’s brains to NEVER touch it. It doesn’t matter if you think your kids are “better than that,” the sad truth is that we’re not. Drug addiction is a real threat… Read more »

To #48
May 2, 2018 7:02 am

Contact miriam yerushalmi
6462430842

To #48
May 1, 2018 11:04 pm

B”H your son should have a refue shleymo with G-d’s help

Please try the Neshamos helpline, as mentioned above (6465809842), or Ohel in Boro Park: 800-603-OHEL.

Post his Hebrew name so we can daven for him please

H’ will help. Geulah now

To #48, the mother
May 1, 2018 9:34 pm

…sending you much strength and brachos for your son. You must be going through a lot and may he have a refua shleima.
We can all say tehillim for him and help in any way that we can.

The real sensitivity issue here is
May 1, 2018 5:19 pm

A warning is enough to let people know he’s a danger if he really is. But it isn’t necessary to mention he’s an addict and strikes a nerve since not all addicts are dangerous or thieves or offenders . Some addicts will only hurt themselves for the sake of their addiction. So is he dangerous that this needs a public warning? And if so is it necessary to say he’s an addicts? What’s the difference wether he’s an addicts or not? The point of a public warning is he’s dangerous, right?

PSA
May 1, 2018 1:44 pm

Thanks for the PSA. People have to be told about such things in order to protect themselves. Having rachmonus on him doesn’t mean you have to let him in to harm you.

#47
May 1, 2018 9:42 am

Of course you always have to make the effort. My point of the story was yoni refused help, he menaced the streets, robbed etc… until an addict WANTS to be helped it is very hard, almost impossible to help them, and by law they cannot be forced or restrained. This kid needs to want to listen to what help is being offered to him, he needs to want to go get the help, and until that happens he will continue to be a threat to himself and others.

To friends and family members
May 1, 2018 8:56 am

Alanon , a 12 step support group,has been tremendously helpful to me in learning how to deal with loved one’s addictions. I urge you to check it out!

Beware of disturbances addict
May 1, 2018 7:28 am

I am his single mother, my son was in custody 2 weeks ago, the lawyer could request to the Judge, as I strongly asked him, to order my son be in Rehab and Detox Program, since he have this huge problem of addiction, but they choose to put back my son, with an out patient program in Kings county, 5 days a week, where he is not going, putting him at high risks for his health to be back in streets. Rabbi Fegelin at Aliyah Youth Movement, East Ny Ave, knows my son and can be the contact, if someone… Read more »

To number 39, re moscowitz example
May 1, 2018 4:44 am

Just because moscowitz was a failure in the end, does not mean this one will be too. The efforts to save moscowitz was noble, and perhaps even could be elevated by both trying again with this man AND sharing the story of Moscowitz with him.

Tragic
May 1, 2018 3:47 am

His family are certainly tzebruchen, they are lovely people (even though I have never discussed their son with them.) But as posters have already said, at this point there’s nothing that anyone can do if he won’t help himself. For about 3 minutes I also wondered how his parents could abandon him… but we don’t know they did, or what hell they went through trying to help him. Has it occurred to anyone that he may have totally destroyed his entire family if they had allowed him to stay in the house? Instead of judging him or his family, can… Read more »

Nebach
May 1, 2018 2:53 am

Please don’t treat him as a pariah..he is a fellow Jew in hard times.its a sickness like any illness

He need mental health imidiatly
May 1, 2018 1:38 am

He cant stay in crown hights. He belong in
Special hospital.to get the treatment he need.
Learn how to behave in shol.and in the street.
He cant control him self.may hashem
Send him gezunt. רפואת הגוף והנפש.

Who says he doesn't want?
May 1, 2018 12:53 am

Who says he doesn’t want to be helped.He is a good natured guy by teva we see from #10, he is just bitter and needs help. Needs to be done carefully? so should be done carefully.Lets organize for him some professional to speak to him and direct funds directly to rehab. COL please post the updates for findings.

layered issues
May 1, 2018 12:02 am

This post and the comments touch on the layers and challenges in such a parsha. How does addiction start? What happens when its does and becomes full blown? What can one do in the vicinity of an addict? What is helpful, harmful, wise and unwise to do with and about an addict? What compounds the challenge is there is no one answer to any of these questions. But this involves real people, people who are hurting and hurt others. Not doing anything isn’t an answer. Involving police, forcing rehab, helping, tough love, embracing, rejecting… it depends on the specific circumstance… Read more »

out of controll
April 30, 2018 10:03 pm

using our shul to get high, rob us, steel from the shul, steel on Shabbos. when are we allowed to simply be safe? when is it ok to protect our shul’s , and our family, our money.
until you have first hand experience please allow us to keep ourselves and our community safe.

Another view
April 30, 2018 9:46 pm

Avi is a bright individual with a great light, as with all great lights they attract a lot of darkness, let’s try to to see the struggle for what it is and maybe add light

yossi stern
April 30, 2018 9:40 pm

You have to realize there is a difference between you wanting to help him, or you wanting him to get help, and this guy wanting to get help. This man has to get to rock bottom before he will realize the want, to get help. There was a young guy in CH yoni maskowitz who was roaming the streets of crown heights, stealing And harassing ppl for money. Yoni had a family and friends, but yoni didn’t want the help. Someone so addicted to drugs cannot be rationalized, they are so out of control you cannot understand it. Shmira worked… Read more »

Thanks shmira
April 30, 2018 8:56 pm

Thanks for doing what you do

Addiction knows no bounds
April 30, 2018 4:56 pm

It’s not the parents, addiction can come at any point in life for any number of reasons. It’s like blaming parents for “letting their kids be abused.” Some sorrows of galus know no bounds and a parent can do all they can but if the kids get involved with the wrong crowd and thats it. Not to mention many addicts also have some kind of mental or behavioral problem that they use drugs to self medicate, or have experienced abuse or some kind of trauma. If we ask where the parents of the homeless boy were, it’s possible there is… Read more »

#34
April 30, 2018 4:55 pm

If it was chas vesholom your child would you say there is no guarantee and throw the child to the dogs? Or would you at least try to help the child?

Educated in addiction
April 30, 2018 4:55 pm

You cannot help someone who does not want to be helped or has not reached their rock bottom.

NO GUARANTEE
April 30, 2018 4:22 pm

rehabs cost about $ 40000 a person, and it is not guaranteed to work.
Lots of pp fall back into habit when back on their own.
As you all heard the story of Malkie from Boropark

To number 11
April 30, 2018 4:17 pm

And where were YOUR parents when it was time to teach you to be compassionate and caring. Where were YOUR parents to teach you to stop being judgemental and accusing. Had they done their job right we’d have a more loving and helpful society.

Point is let’s b open minded about the possibilities of why someone may not be behaving right….I’m sure you can think of a few reasons why someones situation couldn’t be helped by their family for one reason or another.

Not every single situation do we need to figure out who to point the finger at.

Maseicha
April 30, 2018 4:14 pm

This is terrible disease. When one is under the influence or is addicted one loses control of ones self.

These people become desperate and even dangerous. At this stage they are not responsible for there actions.

Initially they could have stopped themselves.

It is definitely a mitzva to get him into a detox then rehab. But it will only work if he really wants.

Unfortunately like alcoholism this is something you have to live with the rest of ones life.

20 -23
April 30, 2018 4:06 pm

Thanks for being educated voices. It’s excruciating painful for all those involved with addicts. Don’t compound the pain by blaming parents, family, community for not doing enough. Evidently you are lucky enough to not have experience. Daven that you always remain inexperienced.

Helping such people is extremely dangerous
April 30, 2018 4:02 pm

Made so, by the extremely strict laws and strict interpretations of the laws regarding what they call ‘abuse’. For example; if someone is being taken care of and they take a heavy china dish, and throw it at someone head with enough force to kill them, if it hits them in the head, and those taking care of such a person, do so much as say ‘go to your room’ or even tell them they can’t have desert, they can be fired or even charged criminally with ‘abuse’ charges. The only legal self defense against such people when they get… Read more »

Victim
April 30, 2018 3:50 pm

As a victim of this man I think it is important for residents to know that they should be aware of his existence. I did make a police report as I suffered a quite substantial loss. And the experience put a big damper on my Yomtov. Failing to report the crime isn’t to anyone’s benefit.
As a mother i sympathize with him and his family and fervently hope he gets the help he needs. But as many have previously noted, one needs to want to help himself in order to be helped.

To # 11
April 30, 2018 3:29 pm

What a hurtful comment! Either you don’t have kids, or they are very little. Do you know what’s going on in the world? Do you know how much pain parents are in, despite trying to nip things in the bud? Unless you’ve experienced it yourself, which i hope you never do, you have no right to vilify parents like it’s their fault! Di beste un di shenste are affected! This is the reality of our dark & bitter golus! May we all merit Moshiach Now!

Well meaning but ignorant
April 30, 2018 3:29 pm

It’s nice to see the comments from the people who want to help. I wish they understood that there is no such thing as just sending an addict to rehab. Rehab is a huge waste of money for someone who doesn’t really want to be there. Any expert (who doesn’t make money off of the rehabs) will tell you this is true.

Neshamos Helpline
April 30, 2018 3:25 pm

Early intervention increases chances for lasting results.
Please reach out to the Neshamos helpline if you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction or mental/emotional health – 6465809842
There is a dedicated team of staff who are ready and willing to help out.
To volunteer your time and expertise or to donate, please visit our website – neshamos.org

to #8
April 30, 2018 3:15 pm

not that simple, he has to want to go..

Please HELP!
April 30, 2018 2:43 pm

This poor addicted man has no family to help him, I hope someone who has connection to a rehab can connect him to the right facility! HaShem Yishmor!

Please educate yourselves about addiction
April 30, 2018 2:40 pm

No one can get this man or any other addict help UNLESS THEY WANT IT. Don’t accuse others of not caring.

Safety first
April 30, 2018 2:05 pm

Every person deserves help, especially someone suffering from a terrible disease within our community, and there are people who are willing to help those who truly want help, with this disease you must truly want to change on your own. However, for the community at large being that we are very welcoming community and most families will invite many people for Shabbat meals regardless of how they look and may act, its important to know when there is a safety issue and people must be aware of that. I dont think this article is shaming anyone, they are providing a… Read more »

Careful with Funds
April 30, 2018 1:24 pm

I don’t want to diminish the help people want to give this man. But help starts from within. Even if he were forcefully admitted to a treatment program, unless he himself would want to recover he would quickly God forbid relapse. If someone were to give him funds directly you run the risk of supporting his drug addiction.

Recovery must come from within. But I do appreciate this warning as it allows people to protect themselves. Ahavas Israel from a distance is also a good thing.

Get real
April 30, 2018 1:12 pm

NO PROGRAM IN THE WORLD CAN HELP SOMEONE WHO REFUSES HELP!

#8 You Are a Real Shlucha from The Rebbe
April 30, 2018 1:11 pm

Special people like this deserves the community full /active
Respect. Lets united “This is a test” Time to Act.
Hatzlocha Raba

NY laws
April 30, 2018 1:07 pm

Unfortunately, under NYS law medical treatment cannot be mandated. He would have to go voluntarily. I saw him last week on Albany Ave. He asked me for tzedaka…There has to be a better way….. I agree with # 8

“Bitachon” Frum Defense
April 30, 2018 1:05 pm

Ask him if he like to do rihab

before going to the police, ask a rov
April 30, 2018 1:01 pm

don’t be maser a yid

If you have rachmonas on a yid who is in great need of it
April 30, 2018 12:59 pm

Hashem will have rachmonas on you when you might be in need of it! Help bring משיח עכשיו!

Happy to donate
April 30, 2018 12:52 pm

Please let us know where we can donate. This guy deserves help and healing. Addiction is such a terrible disease.

To #10
April 30, 2018 12:44 pm

Breaking into multiple occupied house’s justifies it

the poor guy
April 30, 2018 12:43 pm

Really means well but has gone off the deep end with drugs.
I felt very uncomfortable and dangerous being near him . he would go into random fits of laughing, screaming, and cursing… Someone help him.

To 10
April 30, 2018 12:36 pm

Where were YOUR parents/family when you needed help? Where are HIS parents/family now? If more parents were responsible enough to take care of their children, this would never happen or at least much less frequently… Being a parent is a holy and beautiful duty, but people have to rise to the occasion and nip issues like this in the bud before they get out of hand…

This man helped me.
April 30, 2018 12:30 pm

When I was 16 I was homeless for a few months. This man brought me over to his house to sleep and eat when nobody else would help me. He would keep me company on the long nights, and was a friend to me in one of the hardest times of my life. He owed me nothing, and there was no gain for him to help me. He helped me because he knew I was in need. While stealing may label you as a bad person, what does helping a person in need label you? Sometimes things aren’t black and… Read more »

yes
April 30, 2018 12:22 pm

does anyone know who he is there is organisations out there i am willing to help its never too late

Instead of shaming him help him!
April 30, 2018 12:17 pm

I am willing to give money to get him into a program. Maybe someone can open a page? Or arrange for a rehab for him? I know mendel baron in California has a rehab perhaps it’s an option?
I’m a single girl and I feel uncomfortable to be taking care of things like this, but maybe a married person can arrange and set up a fund, I’ll gladly donate.

@Shmira
April 30, 2018 11:43 am

Thanks a bunch!

Re: 3
April 30, 2018 11:30 am

Do we have an organization that can help people like this?

Help him dont vilify him
April 30, 2018 11:20 am

He’s a neshama and needs help. Someone who has the resources, do something! who knows of a great rehab program? contact shmira and make a joint effort! jail isn’t the place for a hurting soul. lets put ahavas yisroel into action, even when its difficult and inconvenient. step up to the plate anash

people dont care
April 30, 2018 11:11 am

a yied on the street someone in the community cant help out and do anything for him shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sooo sad!
April 30, 2018 10:27 am

He’s one of ours why is he not in a rehab?

Please lock him in special Place far from Crowne hights
April 30, 2018 10:21 am

Please Police and shmira
Do somthing for the community.
He cant come back.
To many problems going on.
Good Luck NYPD.

חכם עיניו בראשו
April 30, 2018 10:18 am

Thank you shmira and collive for posting

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