Interestingly, I married him in part BECAUSE he was Jewish, and it was MY stereotype that his family would be close and protective of any family I might have. Wrong. My husband was an abuser, physically and emotionally (the bigger part), and was abusive to my children. He was a serial adulterer, and my running joke now is that he dated more in the marriage than he does since leaving it. Sad, but true.

The link to your article comes from the fact that, no matter how many times I desperately approached his parents and two brothers to get him help, they ignored me. A counsellor I saw later said they would rather sweep it under the rug than “deal”. Unfortunately, this meant the children and I endured hell we should not have had to.

Now, the “dad” has claimed an inability to earn what was a very high self-employment income, and has left me $120000 in credit card debt, scrabling to get our pathetic court system to do something. Again, I have approached his family, literally BEGGING for help. They are all quite wealthy. “Dad” was president of his high end tennis club, travels, and was last seen during a work day with a personal trainer. Again, this semi-prominent family in Toronto simply acts as though we do not exist.

Can someone explain to me how a people who pride themselves on “goodness” and “giving” and “decency” (and by people I refer only to this family) can turn their backs on a mother and three incredible boys?

I thought part of being a good Jew was looking after one another. My children and I have been shut out and let down, and most unfortunately, they are forming THEIR opinions from the disgusting behaviour of a few.

I pray for better days and fairness!