Rabbi in sex abuse probe 'had no boundaries with vulnerable women'

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Just hard to figure out why this rabbi "made women extremely uncomfortable."   

Rabbi Halpern

Rabbi in sex abuse probe 'had no boundaries with vulnerable women'
Rabbi Chaim Halpern made women extremely uncomfortable, inquiry told
https://www.thejc.com/news/news/rabbi-in-sex-abuse-probe-had-no-boundaries-with-vulnerable-women-6Pu7uSBc514H9x6AP6MWnk?reloadTime=1671727317472

The rabbi at the centre of a police investigation into an alleged historic sexual assault was accused of having "no boundaries" when "vulnerable people" were sent to him for advice, according to evidence given to an official government inquiry.

A witness statement to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse said Rabbi Chaim Halpern, 64, made "women feel extremely uncomfortable".

Last week the Metropolitan Police told the JC that it had launched an inquiry after an alleged abuse victim publicly accused Rabbi Halpern of touching her inappropriately during a counselling session.

Now the JC can reveal that the rabbi was named in evidence to the government inquiry in formal testimony from a Jewish charity, Migdal Emunah, which provides support to sexual abuse victims.

The inquiry's report, which was published by Parliament in October, recommended the introduction of a new law making the reporting of child sexual abuse mandatory.

The Jewish charity's then-chief executive, Yehudis Goldsobel, had told the inquiry that many within the Orthodox community "don't even entertain the idea of reporting abuse to the police" and that allegations were usually dealt with by rabbinical Beth Din hearings which did not allow women or those under the age of 13 to give testimony.

Ms Goldsobel said: "Chaim Halpern has become something of an expert at handling situations of sexual abuse and marriage/relationship issues."

She added: "It has been reported that he made women feel extremely uncomfortable and he was accused of inappropriate sexual conduct.

"It is vital to point out that some of these women did not have the language to describe what was happening but they knew that he was crossing multiple boundaries, particularly in a community where extreme and absolute segregation of the sexes is universally enforced."

In 2012, Rabbi Halpern was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and perverting the course of justice in connection with allegations around a marital advice service he was involved in running.

The case was dropped after a nine-month probe.

In its statement to the child abuse inquiry, the charity added that after the decision by the prosecution authorities to drop the investigation against him, the rabbi was honoured at a major community event.

The charity said: "Rabbi Halpern was honoured with a top table seat... This event hosted thousands of men from across the Orthodox community and completely disregards any criminal investigation or allegations made against him.

"It also enforces a message of aligning with perpetrators, by default this continues to silence victims."

In separate evidence, senior Crown Prosecution Service officials told the inquiry that it faced particular hurdles bringing cases involving the Charedi community where, it said, those reporting abuse to the police were regarded a "Moiser" — an informant — and risked being shunned, due to "centuries of persecution and unfairness... [which led to] fear of those authorities' response".

Accusing the rabbi of being "sick and dangerous", his alleged victim told the JC last week:

"Reb Chaim thinks that because he's a rabbi, he can do whatever he wishes."

The 21-year-old claimed her touched her "private parts", and added: "He tricked me into trusting him by acting charming, nice and likeable, giving attention and compliments.

"He invests time into communication such as phone calls and emails, but it's all just grooming."

The strictly-Orthodox rabbi, who leads the Divrei Chaim Synagogue in Golders Green, north London, denies the allegations and his lawyer said he would co-operate with the police investigation.

Speaking to the JC this week, the rabbi's lawyer dismissed the testimony given to the inquiry about his client as "hearsay evidence".

He said it concerned allegations that were fully investigated by the police in 2013 and "no charges were brought against Rabbi Halpern".

Rabbi in sex abuse probe 'had no boundaries with vulnerable women'
Rabbi Chaim Halpern made women extremely uncomfortable, inquiry told

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Rabbi facing sex probe has key role running Jewish primary schools
Rabbi Chaim Halpern, under investigation over claims he assaulted a woman who came to him for spiritual guidance, is listed as a member of board which appoints governors
https://www.thejc.com/news/news/rabbi-facing-sex-probe-has-key-role-running-jewish-primary-schools-7FU7W9DnTYKXIQOQvFpcUV?reloadTime=1672929810682

The rabbi at the centre of a police investigation into an alleged historical sexual assault plays a key role at several Orthodox schools in London, including one of the UK's largest Jewish primary schools for girls.

Rabbi Chaim Halpern is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police over claims he assaulted a women who came to him for spiritual guidance.

A 21-year-old woman now living in Israel has claimed the 64-year-old strictly-Orthodox rabbi touched her "private parts" and continually telephoned her trying to persuade her to have sex with him.

Rabbi Halpern, who leads the Divrei Chaim Synagogue in Golders Green, north London, previously faced a similar police investigation into his conduct when he and three others were arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and perverting the course of justice ten years ago. The case was dropped after a nine-month probe.

Under the name Aaron Halpern, the JC can reveal, the well-known rabbi plays a key role in a group of Orthodox Jewish schools, as a director and trustee of the companies and charities which control their funding and £16 million of assets.

He is listed as a member of the board which appoints the governors of Pardes House boys Grammar School, and Pardes House boys primary school in Finchley, and the Beis Yaakov girls primary school in Colindale, north London.

The government-funded one-form entry boys primary and Grammar Schools have almost 350 pupils each, while the girls school has around 500 pupils aged three to 11. Rabbi Halpern has also been previously listed as a "rabbinical adviser" to the school.

Rabbi Halpern is a director of the company, the Pardes House and Beis Yaacov Primary Schools Foundation which is, it says, entitled to appoint the majority of the governors of the schools and owns the buildings in which they operate.

Its most recent accounts listed Rabbi Halpern as a director.

The foundation also previously listed the late Rabbi Elchonon Halpern as a director. The late rabbi, who is reportedly Chaim Halpern's father, was the schools' founder and is regarded as the father of the Charedi community in Britain.

Following his death in 2015, aged 92, an estimated 5,000 people attended the rabbi's funeral in Golders Green, reportedly bringing the area to a standstill.

At the time, Pardes House Primary School headteacher Rabbi Joel Sager told the JC that the late rabbi was "committed to the school like a father is to his son".

But when the JC asked Rabbi Sager about the involvement of Rabbi Chaim Halpern with the school, he said: "I have been headteacher here for 11 years and Rabbi Halpern has no involvement with our school."

Asked about his role in the foundation which controls the school, he added: "I cannot confirm any more details as I do not know any more details. I have never met Rabbi Aaron Halpern. I wouldn't know how to put you in touch with him. I also do not believe it is my job to do so."

On its website, the school says its mission for its pupils is to set them "a standard of excellence in both Kodesh and secular studies through an all-encompassing curriculum that is attentive to pupils' individual needs".

It adds: "Our pupils learn a rich system of Jewish values, which stresses the practice of mitzvos and the development of ethical character. Through school experiences, our students gain creative-thinking and critical-thinking skills and develop a passion for lifelong learning in order to prepare them for life in modern Britain.

Aaron Halpern is also listed as a director and trustee of the Leifer Trust, a Golders Green-based social work charity dedicated to the advancement of the Orthodox Jewish religion and the advancement of education according to the tenets of the Orthodox Jewish religion.

Speaking exclusively to the JC, Rabbi Halpern's alleged victim, who cannot be named, said: "Reb Chaim thinks that because he's a rabbi, he can do whatever he wishes.

"He tricked me into trusting him by acting charming, nice and likeable, giving attention and compliments. He invests time into communication such as phone calls and emails, but it's all just grooming."

Asked about his role in the educational organisations Rabbi Halpern's lawyer David Sonn said the rabbi "declines to comment in relation to the matters you have raised." Beis Yaakov Primary School and the Leifer Trust did not respond to requests for comment.