The first report of inappropriate sexual conduct involving Elon was received more than five years ago by Takana, a forum of rabbis and others from diverse parts of the Orthodox community. The group was set up to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct and serve as a mediator with law enforcement agencies in the aftermath of a 1999 case in which a rabbi was convicted of sexually assaulting male students. In statements released this month on its website, Takana accused Elon of "sexual exploitation" and engaging in "a long-term relationship that was clearly of a sexual nature."
When the group first approached Elon years ago, the rabbi told them he had "overcome his problem," according to Takana's statement. Sometime later, Takana leaders said they received a "more severe" complaint indicating a "more substantial problem."
After consultations with the attorney general in 2006, it was agreed that Takana would handle the matter privately, in part because there was no evidence of criminal activity and no students came forward to press charges, according to a statement from the attorney general's office.
Handled "privately"? "More than five years ago"? Handled by a forum of religious insiders serving as a "mediator with law enforcement"? Self proclamations of "overcoming" one's "problem"? No need to act because the victims were frightened out of pressing legal charges? Is it just me or does this sound like the history of sexual abuse and cover up in the Catholic church is being repeated in the Jewish universe?
As for the reaction of the devoted Orthodox flock, nothing is new under the sun:
Friends and former students have rushed to Elon's defense, describing him as a warm, generous man whose affectionate manner might have been misunderstood.
Misunderstood? Really, people, blaming the victim is so 2002. Get over yourselves, your denial, and your delusions. Until you do, you are part of the problem of religious sexual violence.
As for those critical of the way things have been and are being handled in favor of the popular and powerful Elon, it's evident that there has been no inter-religious learning from the Catholic sexual abuse debacle.
Critics say law enforcement agencies and even Israeli newspapers appear to have given Elon special treatment because of his standing in the religious community and his family's stature.
Elon's father was a Supreme Court vice president, and his brother served in the Knesset. Some observers say that similar allegations against a secular high school teacher would have been handled more aggressively.
One newspaper reportedly knew about the allegations against Elon for years but refrained from publishing anything, according to reports elsewhere.
"The non-disclosure in this case was an act of kindness to Elon but engenders a sense that a double standard was applied," Tel Aviv University law professor Zeev Segal wrote in Haaretz newspaper.
Law enforcement agencies have not opened a formal investigation, though they said they were considering such a step.
The non-disclosure was an "act of kindness" to the abusive Elon? What of the victims?
Nothing has been learned.
Nothing has been learned.