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TRUST

from page 14

between Ariel and Yeshivat Darchei
HaTalmud in Jerusalem, where he is a
second-year student," says Debbie
Reinitz. "If it weren't for Rabbi Lanner,
I don't think he would be there.
"Unfortunately, the allegation came
out and, whether or not it's true, does-
n't reflect on the wonderful work and
wonderful outlet NCSY has provided
for my kids," says Reinitz, who partic-
ipated in NCSY in Cleveland.
"Zevi has had wonderful experi-
ences, met a lot of great kids, been
provided with a social outlet in a
Torah atmosphere. I can't really corn-
ment on things that allegedly hap-
pened. Our experience with Rabbi
Lanner is positive and I never heard
otherwise from my boys."
She's very supportive of the metro
Detroit chapter, which "has done
incredible things and is such an
incredible resource" under the leader-
ship of regional director Rabbi Tzali
Freedman and Rabbi Steven Burg,
who has left for an NCSY position in
California.

Talking It Out

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Upon hearing the allegations against
Rabbi Lanner, Rabbi Freedman
immediately.contacted each of the
local boys registered to participate in
Rabbi Lanner's Kollel program, which
combines study with free exploration
time and organized sports. The pro-
gram is staffed by American and
Israeli advisers and educators.
'All of them knew Rabbi Lanner,"
says Rabbi Freedman, speaking about
the participants, among the 1,000
regional NCSYers who Rabbi
Freedman has been overseeing for the
past eight years. "He was very promi-
nent locally, (leading) regular Shabbat
weekends and summer programs."
A meeting was arranged for the
boys to discuss the situation because
this was "traumatic" for them, Rabbi
Freedman says.
"They had a lot on their minds
and we went through their ques-
tions," he says. "We made it very, very
clear that we were not taking a posi-
tion, not defending him.
"The conversation emphasized the
need to recognize that this could
breed cynicism within them, and we
wanted to make sure this didn't hap-
pen. We encouraged them to look at
this as an isolated situation — not to
look at every teacher and role model
with question."
Even before NCSY set up a toll-
free number for teens to speak with
rabbis, teachers, psychologists and

social workers, the Central East
region made arrangements for Dr.
Gerald S. Kirzner, a Farmington
Hills psychologist, to be available to
any teen who wanted to talk about
the situation. "We were very worried
about the effect this might have on
the kids," Rabbi Freedman says.
A second NCSY national hotline
was established to take complaints
about past troubles, to find out what
happened, when and to whom, and
what the results were.

Spiritual Influence

Local youth recall Rabbi Lanner as a
brilliant role model, whose teaching
methods include humor and friendly
banter, and whose loud reinforce-
ments of ideas and call for respect
are appropriate in helping make
them religious Jews.
Brian Schwartz, the teen who cir-
culated the Jewish Week article to 60
or more fellow NCSYers, says he was
impressed with Rabbi Lanner and
the impact he made on him.
"I'm a public school kid in a high
school with about threekJewish
kids," says the West Bloomfield 17-
year-old who attends Walled Lake
Central High School. "Rabbi Lanner
influenced me and so many kids,
and got so many into NCSY.
"There is no comparison with
what I knew [Jewishly] before and
what I know now," says Schwartz,
who is considering wearing a kippa
in school next year to show his
Judaism outwardly.
Schwartz adds: "He was real. dif-
ferent with some kids. Some would
never expect it, but some weren't
surprised when they read the story. "
At first sight of the Jewish Week
story, local NCSY teens discussed
the matter amongst themselves, try-
ing to share feelings of disbelief with
other metro Detroiters and friends
in other cities.
"I didn't cry but inside I probably
did, " Schwartz says. "I think it's
true, but am trying to put it behind
me. I think it's a one-time thing. I
think in time it will pass over."
On a religious, educational level,
Schwartz still thinks of Rabbi
Lanner as "an amazing guy — the
greatest speaker I ever heard in my
life."
Rabbi Lanner's knowledge and
magnetism made him a popular
teacher with area synagogues,
including the Young Israels of Oak
Park and Southfield, and the Sara
Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center