Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Schlesinger Twins: Beth's "friend" confesses that Michael persuaded her to trick Beth into meeting a psychiatrist
One of the major signs of an abusive husband is his attempts to isolate his wife from all other support and normal human interaction - and to make her totally dependent on him - as well as to destroy her self-esteem and independent judgment and initiative. [As I have repeatedly stated, Dr. Schlesinger is welcome to present his side of the story.]
Dr. Schlesinger has been obsessed with the idea that Beth is mentally
ill - post-partum depression and paranoid schizophrenia - despite
repeated evaluations that she is not and has not been suffering from
mental illness. As recounted in a previous post, he arranged with a
psychiatrist that had never met Beth to certify that she was
schizophrenic and then Michael called the police to have her committed
by falsely claiming that he was a psychiatrist. However this plot failed
when the police psychiatrist said Beth was not mentally ill and Michael
was kicked out of the apartment and custody was awarded to Beth. This
was not his only attempt to get Beth certified as mentally ill as well
as to spread rumors in the community that she was mentally ill. He also
successfully got a therapist to write an invalid report for the custody
trial indicating that she had mental health issues. (That report has
been shown to be invalid by subsequent evaluations by recognized
therapists.)
However this post is about another attempt to confirm his diagnosis that she was mentally ill - which involved Beth's friends betraying her.
What follows are Beth's notes of the confession of "Janet" whom she once viewed as a good friend who was after consultation with Michael and some of his supporters - agreed to trick Beth into seeing a psychiatrist who was expected to declare her mentally ill. I had asked "Janet" yesterday to publicly reveal her identity as a means of doing teshuva for her betrayal of Beth. However "Janet" now denies that she betrayed Beth and claims the rest of the account is not what happened. She does acknowledge tricking Beth into going to a psychiatrist to be evaulated for post-partum depression. In fact even after the psychiatrist said Beth was not mentally ill (post-partum depression) "Janet" actively spread false rumors in the Jewish community that Beth was suffering from depression. I have the letter from the psychiatrist saying that Beth did not suffer from post partum depression.
-------------------------------------------------
“Janet's”
confession to Beth that she tricked her to go to psychiatrist and she
spread false rumors that Beth had post-partum depression.
“Janet”,
a popular and well respected member of the Viennese Jewish community,
either through naiviety or stupidity, decided to propogate the lie
that Beth was mentally ill around the Vienna Jewish community.
When
the twins were 6 months old, Beth innocently asked her good friend
“Janet” if there was a baby clinic where she could get advice
about weaning the twins on to solid foods and to discuss the babies'
sleeping routines. “Janet” then exploited the opportunity to take
Beth to see a psychiatrist at ESRA. It was only when Beth started to
talk to the doctor and asked questions about baby food that she was
informed the doctor was in fact a psychiatrist who wanted to diagnose
her.
“Janet”
then suggested that Beth had post natal depression and needed help.
“Janet” sat through the diagnosis and heard the psychiatrist
conclude that there was no post natal depression or any sign of any
mental health problems.
However,
this did not prevent “Janet” (after secret discussions with Dr
Schlesinger) from immediately calling Beth's closest friends to tell
them she was mentally ill and warning them to stay away from her.
The
question is: Why did Dr Schlesinger want to destroy Beth's reputation
while they were still together? And why did the Chareidi women take
it upon themselves to interfere in this way? Not only did they set
out to ruin Beth, a good friend of theirs, but as Jewish mothers of
large families themselves, they were instrumental in snatching the
boys from their mother. In yet another twist of irony, “Janet” is
a mother of twins herself!
Beth
recently had a telephone conversation with “Janet”. “Janet”
now regrets everything she did and asked for forgiveness.
The
following is a record of Beth's conversation with “Janet”:
Beth:
“Hello “Janet”?
“Janet”:
Yeah?
Beth:
It's Beth
“Janet”:
How are you?
Beth:
How do you expect me to be? How are you?
…
“Janet”:
I'm happy to talk to you. In fact, I think of you very, very much. I
think of you a lot..
There
are a few things I would like to tell you....
…
Beth:
You know what's always bothered me...what
happened that time with ESRA? Why did you take me to ESRA?
“Janet”:
I want to tell you everything and I will be very honest....
...I
have friends that also knew you and they knew that I was friends with
you and they told me they had a feeling that you were not well.
Who
was it..?
...It
was HJ and NV. I'm a very naïve person, very naïve and I never
thought too much. I thought it's hard with twins, I know how it is...
Beth:
You were with me every day. We went to the Augarten together every
day, almost. You knew me better than anyone
“Janet”:
I know, I know, and that's why I wasn't thinking anything, like,
unusual. I thought it's hard and there are people that are coping
easily and there are people that are having a harder time, people
that have more help, people that have less help. There are people
that like things to be done that way and things to be done that way
so it's very individual. That's why I never thought, ever ever, any
thought in that ….direction...
So
anyway, when my friends told me that I should take care of you, to
check up if you have any ...post natal depression, because it's a
very ususal thing to happen I just never thought about it...So they
told me, please check up and bring her to ESRA, that's what they told
me and they should check it up.
So
what I thought is, ok, how will I take you ever there? You would
never...If this is correct and I didn't know because I dont know
about these things, Beth. So I thought, you know what? I'll take you
there and we'll get some advice for the children because it's always
good to get advice and ESRA does many things. ESRA does a lot of
things so it's very normal to get there, to get some and any
other...whatever you need you could get. So I called them...we went
there together.
….
If
you want to get krankenkassehilfe (national health) and it doesnt
matter in which direction... you always need to go first to a
psychiatrist because that way you get it for … you dont have to
pay.
…
so
thats what we did. We got to the psychiatrist and she was talking to
you and then she could send you to whoever you need.
Beth:
Why did you do it so dishonestly? Why didn't you just tell me, Beth I
think you need help, let's go to ESRA?
“Janet”:
because I didn't know if you needed it or not. I tell you, I'm very
naïve and I dont know about these things. I never knew about them. I
never met any person who had such a thing, thats why I couldn't even
tell if you had it or not
Beth:
so you admit it was a trick?
“Janet”:
...it was...I don't...I wouldnt ...maybe you could call it a trick if
you like. You could call it like this. I never wanted to trick you
and never wanted to harm you, Beth
Beth:
Did my husband know that you were going there with me to talk about
post natal depression?
“Janet”:Your
husband knew it
Beth:
so he'd.. talked about this with you behind my back?
“Janet”:
He talked to me.....it was on the phone
Beth:
did he tell you, I think my wife is mentally ill or might have post
natal depression?
“Janet”:
I don't know, I dont remember what he said becaue its too long away
Beth
did he tell you any stories that led you to believe there was
something wrong?
“Janet”:
I remember only things he said that he was coming home and you didnt
cope...then my friends told me you know she.. Beth is very pale and
she looks very tired, she looks like overworked and she always speaks
about the children, how hard it is and what....then they told me,
listen, you know something is going on, let's check up, you know it's
not good and we should help her . So you know how friends are, they
send others, right? But I felt, I'm close to you and I could take you
there and get the best for you so that's why we went there
Beth:
Do you remember what the psychiatrist said after she talked to me?
“Janet”:I
remember she said you need more sleep and she gave you schlaftablette
(sleeping pills)
Beth:
What did she say about post natal depression?
“Janet”:
I dont know
Beth:
do you remember hearing from her that I had any?
“Janet”:
no
Beth:
so the doctor said I didn't have post natal depression, right?
“Janet”:
This doctor we spoke to? No, she didn't say you had...
Beth:
she said i'm not suffering from post natal depression...
“Janet”:
no I dont think she said it...erm I think she didn't...maybe she had
to check you again, I think it was like a first meeting
Beth:
no, there was only one meeting
“Janet”:
yeah yeah right.
Beth:
so then, I want to know how it got round the whole community that I
had post natal depression. You were the only one in the room with
me,, hearing that there was no post natal depression
“Janet”:
but she didn't say, right? So I tell you what. She didn't say ever
that you have it so how could I go around and say you have it? So
what happened was that, as I told you these friends contacted me
and... so they were not the only ones that thought so. And what I
did..and this I regret to this very very day is that I spoke to 4
friends of mine about you and I can tell you the names and I told
them I think you have it, you have this problem
Beth:
you knew better than the doctor who said that I didn't have it?
“Janet”:
yes because that's what you know, my friends spoke and we spoke about
it and then it was like very er...it went around.
Beth,
I tell you I regret it to this last...to this very very day, that's
the reason why I
never ever stopped thinking of you. Because I
did a very big mistake. For my person. I did
something that I should
never ever do and believe me I learned
from this for my life. Because I
spoke to these friends and I
can tell you now 4 names that I
spoke to and I
must tell you and you must believe me, I
called the same persons on the same day or the day
after again and I told
them, listen to me: what I spoke
to you yesterday, I take
it back because I dont
know if it's true
and I said it and
I'm not sure if
it's right and I
want you to accept my taking it back
Beth:
Who were they?
“Janet”:
It was SB, it was
SS, it was IR
and it was AU.
And to these 4 I spoke
and to these 4 I spoke
again ...and I told
them, listen I spoke
to you and I take
it back because there are always...
Beth:
what did you take back?
“Janet”:
that I told them
that I think you
have a mental problem, that you have this depression
so
i spoke to them again because i was sorry the same day I
did it. You understand? I felt..the way..you know
loshon hora, if you say it's like chitzin
min hagibor..it's like... you send
out....chitvakeshet....you
send them out and they're out, they're gone and I
felt I can't
leave it, you know, like this. I
must take back again and that's
why I called
them up again and I hoped
to do...it's a
little bit of doing..to do it back again and...like it was before. It
will never be like it was before but still I
felt I have
to do it and I did
it and that's why
I really...
Beth:
what did you tell them? Ok, you said Beth
has post natal depression. What else dfid you tell them that you felt
SO bad about?
“Janet”:
so I told
them that you have this problem and we must try to help Michael.
Beth:
you all have to help
him, Michael?
“Janet”:
Yes.
Beth:
How should you all help him?
“Janet”:
we have to...support him. Not by taking the kids, chas vechallila, I
never said such a thing and I
would never think of such a thing. I'm
too far away from this thing...
Beth:
how did you suggest they support him?
“Janet”:
I didn't
say how, I didn't
get into it at all. It was words in the sky, you
know, without any er...help or support in facts. It was just words.
It was never something that could change something or do something
besides making you maybe a bad name and that what i wanted to take
back.
This
is mamash loshon hora. This is what I did and what I said and I'm
telling you since the day I did it, I'm so sorry about it..from the
bottom of my heart
Beth:
dont apologise to me...if those little boys ever grow up, I don't
know what state they're going to be in, but you owe them the apology,
not me. I'm the mother, I'm an adult but...2 little children...they
are the ones that have suffered the most. Whatever I've gone through,
they have suffered a million...beyond anyone's imagination what those
2 little boys have suffered so..save your apologies for them.
“Janet”:
Yes I can apologise...I don't think that what I said to these 4 women
made everything happen what happened afterwards...because you should
know that after this..I felt that I have to take a step back from all
that's happened. Since that day I was not involved at all anymore,
not, either with you of course and you know that and also not with
the Schlesingers. I was not in touch with them anymore about this
Beth:
if you thought I was sick, then what kind of friend is that to help,
anyway?
I
don't undertstand your logic. If you really thought I had post natal
depression why would you not want to help me? It also doesn't make
sense
“Janet”:
I...yes...of course it doesnt make sense because I was very...how
will I tell you this?...
Beth:
If I would have had it, I would admit it ..there are women that
suffer from it and they need help, their husbands are very caring
towards them, it's an illness and a lot of women have it, it's
nothing to be ashamed of. I didn't have it but if I would have had
it, I would have appreciated you to help me and all these people to
support...
“Janet”:
I know. Maybe I was too 'feige' (cowardly) to be there and say, ok I
will be the one to help you out of it. Maybe I was too afraid to
admit, to tell you that I think that you have it. I never told you
that because I was never sure enough and I was never sure enough
about our friendship that I could be so open to you and tell you that
maybe you have it and maybe we should do something about it
Beth:
so then what did these 4 people do with that information?..you told
them they've got to help Michael...how did everyone start helping
him?
“Janet”:
I don't think it was helping in any way to none of you. For sure not
for you but also not for him. It was absolutely only words...
Beth:
I heard you said nobody should come to court to help me as a witness.
Did you say that?
“Janet”:
That I said nobody should come to court? No. I never said that. I
promise you, Beth. Never. You know... once he asked me, after a
while, he asked me if I would come to speak in court - for him and I
said no, I'm not doing it.
…
Beth:
What's Rav Pardess' position in all of this? Did you go to speak to
him?
“Janet”:
..I spoke to him once about it and he told me then that Michael made
problems with the get
Beth:
But before that, long before that?
“Janet”:
long before that? I didn't speak to him about all of this
Beth:
What do you think his position is on all of this? Is he in touch with
Michael still?
“Janet”:
No, he's not. I asked him around 2 weeks ago, I think because I was
trying to get more information about you; how you are, what's going
on, how things are moving at the moment and then he told me he's not
at all involved
Beth:
Do you think he helped Michael? Do you think he helped the
Schlesinger family?
“Janet”:
No I dont think so
…
I
don't think he supports him anymore. I think at the beginning he did,
I think so...I'm not sure but I think he also took a step back when
he saw that it's getting very complicated, also with the get. He told
me that he saw that Rabbi Hofmeister and Rabbi Eisenberg are taking
care so he said he will let them do and he will take a step back and
I dont think he's anymore involved...in touch at all with the
Schlesingers
Beth:
Did Tina call you?
“Janet”:
Tina called me in that time that we were still in touch, you and me.
Beth:
what did she say to you?
“Janet”:
she was very worried about you. She said that things happen and that
you're not coping. I heard from her how the children are and that
it's not good for them and that you have a hard time and that Michael
has a hard time. He comes home from night shifts and he's very tired
and then he has to take care of the children and that's what she told
me
Beth:
what do people in the community say now?
“Janet”:
what I know is like this: First of all I want you to know...the
community's not against you. The community knows the Schlesingers
very well but they are not taking positions....I think people don't
even know how the situation is at the moment..i think they left the
story behind. It was a big drama and it was around and everybody
talked and everybody uh... and then they took a step back, like now
it's over, rumours are done and we're getting to new things, you
know?
Beth:
is it still going around that Beth is mentally ill, Beth had post
natal depression. Do people still believe all that?
“Janet”:
No. not at all.
Beth:
so where do they think it all came from?
“Janet”:
I dont know. At the beginning people realized that something's going
on...I don't think people ever really got into mamash, what really
happens there..you know, it was like rumours that they're not coping
and they dont have a good marriage and probably it was over and
ok..of course it was a story you were away and then you came back,
you're fighting for the kids. I suppose some people know about it but
nobody really gets into it.
And
I dont think also that people are in contact with Schlesingers
…
Beth:
Does anyone wonder about the family that they're all divorced and
that they've got these 3 children?
“Janet”:
(laughing) you know people told me Schlesingers are “scheidenlich”
I also heard things like that.
Beth:
“Scheidenlich?”
“Janet”:
Schlesingers get divorced, it's their normal way, kind of
Beth:
do people think it's normal that he's got the children now?
“Janet”:
no, not at all, not at all ...people think it's very strange, that
usually the mother gets the children.
Beth:
how do they think it happened that he's got the children?
“Janet”:
I don't know because I don't talk to people about it, I don't know
what to tell you.
Beth:
how do you think it happened?
“Janet”:
… I don't know, Beth. Maybe he had better cards....
…
…
I
don't know because I have no idea what happened in court, I have no
idea what happened after we parted. After that last time we parted,
I'm telling you honestly I went out of all the story since then. Also
because of my feelings that I did something wrong, I spoke about you
and it wasn't right and since then I never ever spoke to people about
this whole story because I felt it's not the right thing to do..and
just now in the last weeks, as I told you, I think of you all the
time but the last weeks I started to ask a little but around if you
are here and if somebody takes care of you and if you're lonely or
have friends, if you have shabbat a place to be, more of these
things. I'm not getting into what happened in court
Beth:
Do people invite him, Schlesinger and invite the children?
“Janet”:I
never did and I didn't have the feeling that I would like to do it.
Beth:
...then my children are also suffering, noone invites the children,
noone's looking out for the children. The community have all played a
role in taking them, they're the community's children now, you should
all be caring for those 2 little boys. You all wanted to help
Michael, why aren't you helping him now if you feel so sorry for him?
He's really having a hard time, he's struggling, it seems because the
chidlren are very very neglected, he cannot cope with them. Why isn't
the community all pulling round to help him?
“Janet”:
I dont think the community realises how they are
Beth:
I can tell you “Janet”, they're in the most terrible state,
that's what theyre like. They're not talking...they're terrible
“Janet”:
Really? not yet..
Beth:
They want to be with their Mama. Every time they see me...Mama, Mama!
They can't understand what's happened. They're traumatised
“Janet”:
It's not normal. It's terrible. How come you didn't get them, Beth?
How come it happened? What happened, really?
Beth:
well, I think you can answer that. I think you know what happened.
You can answer to G-d what happened because everyone played their
part in helping. You can all explain what happened to Sammy and Benji
one day.
“Janet”:
But you think because I spoke to 4 poeople and told them I think you
have post natal depression...
Beth:
It started from somewhere
“Janet”:
Yeah but as I told you, it didn't come out from me, it was a talk
in the city that you have a problem but this didn't do...nobody went
to a lawyer and said look, this woman is sick.
Beth:
What about when I had my children taken? You know what shocks me? Not
one woman, none of you picked up the phone, you're all mothers
yourselves, not one of you had compassion or rachmanos to say,
poor Beth, she's had her children taken from her! Can you imagine
what that feels like? Do you have any idea. “Janet”?
“Janet”:
No
Beth:
Not one phone call! If you really felt so bad, why didn't you call
me?
“Janet”:
I tell you why, because I met you once or your mother and I got such
a bang on the head..then I heard from ER that your mother spoke about
me, then I felt I didnt do good and I'm not welcome at all anymore,
which I can't blame anybody. I take it on myself but then I felt I'm
really not the person to call you now
Beth:
well, if all the women feel terrible, why doesn't anyone..why are
they still supporting...?
“Janet”:
you;'re right. You are right, Beth. You are right.
Beth:
...4 years I've been alone now!
“Janet”:
because it's very easy to say I think she has...I really am...
Beth:
I'm going now
“Janet”:
oK, Beth. Thank you for calling anyways. Beth, if I can do anything
for you, like at least to be a..somewhere for you, I dont know if you
like but I'm here ok?
Beth:
ok
“Janet”:
Best for you. Bye bye
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