Students at the Yeshiva University Medical Ethics conference. Photo: YU.

The Joe Paterno molestation case at Penn State was an international incident at one of the most famous institutions in the world, involving one of the most respected college coaches ever.

At Penn State, there were investigations, outrage and full reports into the sordid details of what happened in those locker rooms.  Similarly, the widespread allegations of child abuse by Catholic clergy were headline news for years, as well as material for many a late night TV host.

However, for the Yeshiva University (YU) molestations there has been nothing of the sort; they’ve been swept under the rug. Silence. Despicable silence.

One wonders why? What message is being sent to our children when we allow pedophiles to apparently get away with their crimes? That is, when we allow Jewish leaders to not be held responsible for that which happens under their watch.

That is why I find it so absurd that Richard Joel, the President of YU, is speaking on June 3rd to students and parents about preparing for college.  It is indeed almost comical.

A month ago, Cardozo Law School, part of YU’s network of schools, honored anti-Israel former American President Jimmy Carter with its International Advocate for Peace Award from the Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution. Excuse me?

The same day as Joel’s address to students, he’ll also be speaking on “Mideast Issues on Campus” at the Park Avenue Synagogue.

At Park Avenue, perhaps a parent will ask him why YU won’t make public the results of the investigation into allegations of abuse at the Yeshiva University High School?  Maybe he will explain why there’s a gag order on employees not to discuss the abuse? Will Joel explain to parents why Rabbi Norman Lamm, who was president of YU at the time, said he didn’t notify police of these acts as “This was before things of this sort had attained a certain notoriety.”

The leadership of YU remains the same – and these people are actually talking to students and parents about how to prepare for college? Shameful – the first way to prepare is to protect children from pedophiles!

Yeshiva University may continue to whitewash negative news, but any parent who doesn’t challenge Joel and YU is simply turning a blind eye and giving them clearance to gloss over the terrible things which occurred.

It is horrifying that there was a cover-up of molestation for 30 years at Yeshiva University.  Richard Joel and the other leaders of the school today must stand up and make public the investigation into these abuses.  Until then, neither Joel nor YU senior leadership deserves to address any forum about preparing students for college.

Ronn Torossian is a concerned parent who resides in Manhattan.  Thankfully his kids are far from college age.  Read more of his thoughts on YU here.