Reacting to the increased incidence of molestation scandals, the discussants focus on the fate of his/her family and community who inevitably become salient targets of negative repercussions. While the backlash against the host community and stigmatization of the family is not intrinsically justifiable, Dr. Juni notes that those close to abusers often are aware of travesties long before they become public – and therefore are not blameless. Juni delineates the scope of issues engendered by the exposure of the molester. Community and religious leadership is often viewed as complicit if they rally to the molester’s defense or reflexively cite the “presumption of innocence” mantra. Rabbi Kivelevitz shared reactions of some of his constituents and mentees who despaired and were prompted to abandon religious life when they viewed the reaction to abuse as deficient and inappropriate. These ramifications are explored by the discussants and seen as systematic and intractable. A separate analysis is directed to the poignant dilemma of the abuser’s family members insofar as their personal relationships with the perpetrator are affected. Juni highlights particularly molesters who also apparently manifest positive and leadership functions in society (e.g., Rabbi, author, teacher, medical professional), arguing that there are two prominent types. The more egregious is the veritable psychopaths who pursue their positive social/religious function merely as a subterfuge – and often as a nefarious effort -- designed solely to gain access to potential victims. Juni opines that such individuals, in fact, have very shallow interest in anything other than their perversions. Indeed, such individuals can be said to have minimal emotional investment or positive feeling toward their own family members. On the other hand, there is the molester who truly strives toward (and achieves) positive relationships and prosocial goals in his/her career and daily life, albeit with the significant caveat of lapses in values and behavior. In the latter case, it is reasonable for family members to maintain their (qualified) personal regard toward the perpetrator, provided they do not whitewash the egregious nature of their loved one’s pathology and the harm caused. As incongruous as it may seem, it is feasible to recognize and appreciate positive achievements and the abuser’s contributions even while condemning the problematic lapses. Juni argues, further, that there is little justification to “cancel” positive contribution or creations of such individuals to their profession, their community, and society. Recognizing such individuals as manifesting positive and productive aspects along with the harm they caused is the realistic approach as Juni sees it.

Doctor Samuel Juni is one of the foremost researchpsychologists in the world today. He has published groundbreaking original research in seventy different peer reviewed journals and is cited continuously with respect by colleagues and experts in the field who have built on histheories and observations.

 Samuel Juni studied in Yeshivas Chaim Berlin under Rav Yitzchack Hutner, and in Yeshiva University as a Talmid of Rav Joseph DovSoloveitchick. 

Professor Juni is a board member of the Association of Orthodox JewishScientists and has regularly presented addresses to captivated audiences.Associated with NYU since 1979, Juni has served as Director of MA and PhD programs, all the while heading teams engaged in cutting-edge research.Professor Juni's scholarship on aberrant behavior across the cultural, ethnic,and religious spectrum is founded on psychometric methodology and based on apsycho-dynamic psychopathology perspective. He is arguably the preeminent expert in Differential Diagnostics, with each of his myriad studies entailing parallel efforts in theory construction and empirical data collection fromnormative and clinical populations.

 Professor Juni created and directed the NYUGraduate Program in Tel Aviv titled Cross-Cultural Group Dynamics in StressfulEnvironments. Based in Yerushalayim, he collaborates with Israeli academic andmental health specialists in the study of dissonant factors and tensions in theArab-Israeli conflict and those within the Orthodox Jewish community, while exploring personality challenges of second-generation Holocaust survivors.

Below is a partial list of the journals to which Professor Juni has contributed over 120 articles; many are available online: 

Journal of Forensic Psychology; Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, and Trauma;International Review of Victimology; The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease;International Forum of Psychoanalysis; Journal of Personality Assessment; Journal of AbnormalPsychology; Journal of Psychoanalytic Anthropology; Psychophysiology; Psychologyand Human Development; Journal of Sex Research; Journal of Psychology andJudaism; Contemporary Family Therapy; American Journal on Addictions; Journalof Criminal Psychology; Mental Health, Religion, and Culture. 

As Rosh Beis Medrash, Rabbi Avraham Kivelevitzserves as Rav and Posek for the morning minyan at IDT. Hundreds of listener around the globe look forward to his weekly Shiur in Tshuvos and Poskim. 

Rav Kivelevitz is a Maggid Shiur for Dirshu International in Talmud and Halacha as well as a Dayan with the Beth Din of America. 

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