Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence's letter of support

As published on the Daas Torah blog.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Schlesinger Twins: Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence's letter of support for Beth

Here is another major contribution to the growing flood of support letters for Beth and her children. These letters clearly reflect the pain of community leaders and rabbis to the obvious injustice being done to Beth and her children. The only real question is when the Jews of Austria will act to end this cruel injustice. 

You should note that there are no letters supporting Dr. Michael Schlesinger - for the obvious reason that his actions are not defensible.

19 March 2015

Re: Beth Alexander

I have recently had the opportunity to meet with Beth Alexander and to learn at first hand of her

tragic circumstances.

Beth says that though she was able to escape a marriage, where she endured both physical and
psychological abuse, these were as nothing compared to the ongoing injustices perpetrated against

her and her twin six year old boys.

Beth has been deprived appropriate access to the children and is legitimately concerned for their

health, general physical and spiritual welfare.

After her husband was evicted by the police for his violence, the court only allowed him restricted
and supervised access. Perversely, she is now able to see them only occasionally and at a cost. What
she has witnessed distresses her but through he ex-husband’s machinations and allegations against

her, she is unable to deal with their school or their doctors and address their needs.

Beth grew up in England but now lives alone in a foreign land. As a stranger she has found the
community rebuff her in her need, sapping her faith in the local religious leadership and the integrity

of officials who have connived against her.

There appears to be a truly monstrous miscarriage of justice and violation of parental rights.

I am concerned for Beth. I am concerned for her children. I am also concerned for every victim in an
abusive relationship who will learn of Beth’s plight, and thus be scared to speak up and speak out.

As we approach the season of freedom from oppression and prepare to read of the children at the

Seder Table, I urge awareness and urge support for a family trapped in darkness and a family whose

Seder will be bereft of its twin sons.

I join the Chief Rabbi, my rabbinic colleagues and the leaders of Anglo Jewry in urging all who are
connected with this case to do their utmost to address the best interests of the children. May all

ensure that Beth receives justice, given with ahavat chesed, fairness and compassion.

Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence

Senior Rabbi, Finchley United Synagogue

 

 

Shul President Livshin and Rabbis Simmonds and Cohen write letter of support for Beth and her children

Shul President Livshin and Rabbis Simmonds and Cohen write letter of support for Beth and her children

Rabbi Benjy Simmonds

Rabbi Chaim Cohen                             

As published on the Daas Torah blog.

To whom this may concern,

We are most concerned about the plight of Mrs. Beth Schlesinger (nee Alexander) and the welfare of her sons, Benji and Sammy.

Deprived of shared custody of her twin sons, Beth has also been robbed of her opportunity to speak out online. We can’t imagine the living nightmare that she undergoes daily waking up without her children, knowing that she is prevented from even crying out!

Beth has very limited access to her children, and has had her visits cancelled numerous times. We are most concerned for Benji and Sammy’s physical and emotional development, and that their mother has no say in their health, welfare and education. The fact that she has to pay for visitation rights with her own children when that can be easily avoided is in itself a travesty, and highlights how others are not acting within the boys’ best interest.

As Beth has been abandoned by so many in her community, it behoves us here in Manchester to provide support in any way that we can. We echo the words of the Chief Rabbi by asking ‘that all concerned should address the best interests of the children and consider ways to build a better future for the boys.’

Yours sincerely,


Michael Livshin

Rabbi Benjy Simmons

Rabbi Chaim Cohen