"To: Vanguard Press special.markets@perseusbooks.com CC: Perseus Books Group, New York Dear Sirs, We are disappointed and appalled by the fact that your company has published and supported Rabbi Shmuley Boteach book "The Michael Jackson Tapes". By writing the book, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach has committed a vile and merciless act breaching the confidence and trust placed in him and violating human, professional and clergymen ethics. Rabbi Shmuley Boteach has shamelessly disclosed Michael Jackson therapy session tapes recorded over a 10-month period, from 2000-2001. Such tapes must be subject to doctor-patient privilege and cannot be released. They are strictly confidential and private and are not meant for public entertainment. Rabbi Michael Sternfield of Chicago Sinai Congregation has stated that "Rabbi Boteach crossed over the line of propriety and professional ethics... he also violated several of the sacred principles of our Jewish religion which specifically prohibit tale-bearing (even when the tales may be true), gossip, and lashon ha-ra(meaning evil speech)." The book cannot be treated as an objective representation of the late Michael Jackson. In an obvious quest for sensationalism, the author fills it with predictable and simplistic notions and sanctimoniously judgmental statements. He is doing, perhaps, one of the worst things to a person who can no longer speak for himself. We do not understand how a responsible publishing house like Vanguard Press could accept such a book for publication, deal with a person whose reputation is dubious (http://site2.mjeol.com/shmuley-boteach/boteach-ex-rabbi-did-$100000-go-to-charity.html) and, thus, put its own name at stake! For your information, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach was denied pulpit and banned by the United Synagogues in Great Britain. He himself gave a very accurate idea of himself when he said to the London Independent in 1996 that there is the 11th, unwritten Commandment: "Thou shalt do anything for publicity and recognition." We hereby appeal to Vanguard Press of Perseus Books Group to withdraw Rabbi Shmuley Boteach's book from circulation and abstain from publication of any sequel that may be contemplated by the same individual. "The Michael Jackson Tapes" should never have been published at all! This petition will be sent out to mass media and major bookstore chains.