Arnold Markowitz

Infobox Scientist


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name = Arnold Markowitz
birth_date =
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residence = New York, United States
nationality = American
field = cults
psychotherapy
social work
work_institution = Cult Hot Line, Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services
alma_mater = Empire State College, B.S.
Yeshiva University, M.S.W.
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known_for = Director, Cult Hot Line
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prizes = Jonestown Memorial Award
religion = Judaism
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Arnold Markowitz is a Jewish American social worker, psychotherapist, and "cult" critic and researcher. He is the Director of the Cult Hot Line and Clinic of the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services in New York City [ [http://www.csj.org/infoserv_profile/markowitz_a.htm Profile] , Arnold Markowitz, M.S.W., "Cultic Studies Journal"] . Markowitz also serves as Director of Brooklyn Adolescent Service, also known as "Break-Free Adolescent Services" [ [http://www.jbfcs.org/wwa/program.php?sort1=BK Programs] , Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services, Break-Free Adolescent Services, Director: Arnold Markowitz, LCSW.] .

In 1986, Markowitz was honored with the "Jonestown Memorial Award", which is given in memory of victims of People’s Temple tragedy in Jonestown, Guyana. He was credited with founding the Cult Hotline and Clinic of the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services. Philip D. Abramowitz, Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council’s Task Force on Missionaries and Cults, was also honored with the Jonestown Memorial Award [ [http://www.csj.org/infoserv_articles/press_jones_memorial.htm Jonestown Memorial Awards to New York Educator, Counselor] , "The Cult Observer", November 21, 1986] .

Markowitz is a founding member of the Interfaith Coalition of Concern About Cults, and is a member of the Task Force on Missionaries and Cults, Jewish Relations Council. He is a staff member of the Martha K. Selig Institute [ [http://www.seliginstitute.com/staff.html#markowitz Our Staff and Faculty] , Martha K. Selig Institute, Arnold Markowitz, LCSW, Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services.] .

In 1994, Markowitz was appointed by the OLD Cult Awareness Network as the Chairperson of the FOCUS committee (FOrmer CUltist Support Network) [Carol Giambalvo, [http://hometown.aol.com/carol2180/history.htm A History of FOCUS/reFOCUS] .] .

According to Markowitz: "The difference between a cult and a non-destructive group lies in the deception cults use to lure members" [ [http://www.cultintervention.com/reference/icc/ICC91.html New Cult 2 Story (Minneapolis)] , "The Minnesota Daily", November 15, 1993, Allie Shah.] .

He further elaborated on this in a statement in 2001 to "The Oregonian", stating that: "a group constitutes a destructive cult when it also has a self-appointed, charismatic leader who controls the daily lives of members."

Markowitz went on, stating the specific nature in which the cult leader can potentially take advantage of his/her followers: "These characteristics are geared toward taking advantage of, or abusing, people sexually or financially or for emotional or personal aggrandizement of the leader or leadership." [ [http://www.oregonlive.com/special/guru/index.ssf?/news/oregonian/lc_11gside15.frame Small 'cottage cults' drawing more converts in United States] , "The Oregonian", July 16, 2001, Richard Read]

Education

*Yeshiva University, M.S.W.
*Empire State College, B.S.

Awards

*"Margaret Singer Award, International Cultic Studies Association, 2006, for "26 Years of Helping Families and Ex-members" [ [http://www.icsahome.com/infoserv_conferences/2006Denver/2006_conference_handbook.htm Margaret Singer Award – 26 Years of Helping Families and Ex-members: Lessons from the JBFCS Cult Hot-Line and Clinic] , Arnold Markowitz, M.S.W., 2006 Conference, Denver, Colorado. International Cultic Studies Association.]
*Jonestown Memorial Award, 1986

Publications

Books

*Recovery from Cults (book), Contributor

Articles

* [http://www.cultclinic.org/article-csjv1n2.html "Cults and Children: The Abuse of the Young"] , "Cultic Studies Journal", Vol. 1, No. 2, Arnold Markowitz, with David A. Halperin, M.D.
* [http://www.icsahome.com/infoserv_articles/halperin_david_residentialtreatmentculticevolution_abs.htm Residential Treatment: The Potential for Cultic Evolution] , Arnold Markowitz, David A. Halperin, M.D., "Cultic Studies Journal"

Presentations

* [http://www.cultclinic.org/presentation-terrorist.html Cults and Terrorism: Understanding Indoctrination] , By Arnold Markowitz, LCSW, Presented at the November 3, 2002 Cult Information Service conference in Newark, NJ.
* [http://www.cultclinic.org/article-am1.html The Extent of Satanism Among Adolescents] , By Arnold Markowitz, LCSW, Cult Hotline & Clinic
* [http://www.cultclinic.org/presentation-osama.html Is Osama Bin Laden or Al Qaeda a Cult] , By Arnold Markowitz, LCSW, Fall 2001 at the Jewish Community Relations Council conference held at New York University, Hillel Bronfman Center
*AFF Annual Conference: Children and Cults, May 29 - May 31, 1998 – Philadelphia, PA
*"Treatment Issues; Cults: Theory and Treatment Issues", Conference, May 30, 1997 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

References

External links

* [http://www.cultclinic.org/resources.html Cult Hotline and Clinic] , Resources, papers, presentations by Arnold Markowitz, M.S.W.
* [http://www.csj.org/infoserv_profile/markowitz_a.htm Profile] , "Cultic Studies Journal";Media
* [http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/JeremyPerkins/Articles/buffalo-news-2005-02-02.html Outside Critics Are Unacceptable] , "The Buffalo News", February 2, 2005, by Mark Sommer
* [http://www.rickross.com/reference/srichinmoy/srichinmoy12.html Cult watchdogs and mental health professionals warn public about Sri Chinmoy] , summary, "Cults attract by default," "Washington Jewish Week", April 1, 1993
* [http://www.rickross.com/reference/natlfed/natlfed22.html Party Just Like a Cult, Experts Say] , Newsday, November 17, 1996, By Jerry Markon
* [http://www.cultintervention.com/reference/icc/ICC91.html New Cult 2 Story (Minneapolis)] , "The Minnesota Daily", November 15, 1993, Allie Shah.
* [http://www.culthelp.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=82&Itemid=8&limit=1&limitstart=4 Let's prey Targetting the Elderly] , "Ripe for the Picking", [http://www.culthelp.info/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 Cult Awareness and Information Centre]
* [http://www.oregonlive.com/special/guru/index.ssf?/news/oregonian/lc_11gside15.frame Small 'cottage cults' drawing more converts in United States] , "The Oregonian", July 16, 2001, Richard Read
* [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9F06E7D61238F93BA35755C0A967948260 Relationships] , The New York Times, June 8, 1981

ee also

*List of cult and new religious movement researchers