Officials have confirmed multiple instances of sexual abuse that took place at a Washington, D.C., synagogue following a cease-and-desist letter sent last month by the D.C. superintendent of education.
The superintendent’s letter reportedly reveals that the district’s Child and Family Services Agency found that “more than one child was a victim of sexual abuse by the alleged maltreator” at Washington Hebrew Congregation’s preschool, CNN reported Monday. CNN also reported that this letter is the first public finding of an investigation into the alleged abuse.
The allegations of sexual abuse surfaced nearly a year ago, in August 2018. The alleged abuser, Jordan Silverman, who has denied the allegations, was supposedly permitted to lead groups of children alone to wooded areas outside the synagogue and took children to the bathroom alone.
The preschool’s former director D.J. Jensen reportedly dismissed complaints and questions from staff members. They also allegedly did not enforce a policy preventing staff members from using their phones.
“We engaged both Hogan Lovells and Baltimore Child Abuse Center to independently evaluate our policies, practices and procedures and advise us on how to achieve best practices in child safety,” the synagogue said in a statement. “We have already implemented most of their recommendations. Since August, OSSE has conducted a number of scheduled and surprise inspections, concluding in writing in March 2019 after a detailed annual inspection that the school’s operations were fully compliant with applicable law. In May 2019, OSSE reissued our license, confirming that we are licensed to operate both during the school year and summer camp. OSSE’s corrective action plan brought to us several weeks ago is consistent with the improvement to our school policies and training that we have already made.”
“We are gratified to know that the steps already implemented were correct, and that we are fully licensed to operate our child care programs year-round,” the congregation continued. “We will continue to work cooperatively with [Office of the State Superintendent of Education] in achieving best practices in child safety.”
Eight families have filed lawsuits against the synagogue alleging that they ignored warnings for more than two years.
