By Gershon Michael*
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| Rabbi Chaim Halpern - a truly evil man (JC) |
This is the case with the slimy Rabbi Chaim Halpern, who, about 10 years ago had over 30 women that were ‘counseled’ by him - accused him of sexual abuse. Although the police investigated all the allegations, Halpern managed to somehow evade prosecution and continues in his position as the respected Rav of his Shul.
A more recent accusation sparked another investigation. From the Chronicle:
The Metropolitan Police launched its inquiry into allegations against Rabbi Chaim Halpern, head of the Divrei Chaim Synagogue in Golders Green, last December after a woman claimed he touched her inappropriately during a spiritual guidance session.
The 21-year-old woman claimed Rabbi Halpern, 64, also continually telephoned her trying to persuade her to have sex with him.
Having failed to make contact with his alleged victim, the police dropped this investigation too.
Unfortunately, the Charedi rabbinic body Rabbi Halpern is part of, the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations (UOHC - Kedassia), declined to condemn him at the time (10 years ago), due to the traditional Charedi reticence to come out against one of their own. This gave Halpern a license to continue almost unimpeded, with a packed-out shul, and followers who refused to accept what he had done.
In November last year, Israel's Channel 12 played recordings from last summer of Rabbi Halpern trying to persuade a young woman who came to him for counselling to sleep with him: The Channel 12 report can be viewed here:
Rabbi Shraga Feivel Zimmerman of the Federation of Synagogues (another London Orthodox group) immediately condemned Rabbi Halpern: (Viewable here.)
Soon after, the UOHC announced an investigation into Halpern's actions:
Unfortunately, several months later, the UOHC's investigation seems to have got nowhere. Chaim Halpern has been arrested and bailed on various abuse allegations, but almost unbelievably, his shul continues as before!
The latest entrant to the fray is none other than R. Moshe Sternbuch of the Eida HaCharedis. In a dramatic recording that surfaced yesterday, Rabbi Sternbuch labeled Halpern a רשע מרושע and also remarked on the UOHC's refusal to take action against him. The recording of R. Sternbuch's remarks is attached to this email.
The following (in bold) is a transcript of Rabbi Sternbuch's responses to questions on the topic:
What message should he give in the name of the Rov about Chaim Halpern in London?
When will it be in the paper? It's in the papers, it's all over the papers already.
What message should R. Nosson Shlomo give to the Rabbonim in London?
They shouldn't be afraid. They should say clearly and openly that all groups of people have gangsters. By us also there's a gangster, they should throw him out and finished. The best is emes. But they won't do that.
What does the rov say about him? Mah dino shel Chaim Halpern (What is Chaim Halpern's status)?
Throw him out! A Rosho Merusho! A Baal Taaveh - he can't hold himself. Probably it's got a name in English, this taaveh.
They have to throw Chaim Halpern out of the Rabbonus?
Avadeh (certainly)! A gangster!
Since R. Sternbuch's remarks were made public, an open letter addressed to Rabbi Yisroel Meir Greenberg, the most prominent UOHC Rabbi in North West London, has been circulating. The letter states as follows:
Dear Rabbi Yisroel Meir Greenberg שליט"א,
We write to the Rov in anguish and desperation.
Today we heard the words of הרה"ג ר'משה שטרנבוך שליט"א. Beyond Reb Moshe's clear and unambiguous characterisation of Chaim Halpern as a רשע מרושע, Reb Moshe set out the necessary course of action ("they should throw him out and finished - the best is אמת!"). Yet R. Moshe's subsequent remarks can only bring shame to every Charedi resident of North West London:
"But they won't do it"
Who is it who won't do it?
To the eternal shame of our קהילה, to the detriment of the safety of נשי ובנות ישראל and to the endless pain of abuse victims, and with much trepidation, this question answers itself.
Over ten years ago, it was left to Rabbonim outside of the UOHC to declare Chaim Halpern unfit to be a rov, while the Union Rabbonim were mostly silent. Union members awaited the results of an abortive investigation that was never concluded, and Chaim Halpern took advantage of this ambiguity to continue to prey on the vulnerable.
When the shocking recordings surfaced last November, we again awaited the Union's guidance. The Union once more declared that it was launching an "investigation" but several months later, we have again heard nothing. Professionals who were appointed by local Rabbonim to record the testimony of victims in 2012 have confirmed that they have not even been approached by the UOHC to share what they know.
Moreover, the Union’s letter announcing its investigation contained no practical guidance, and as such has legitimately been interpreted by Chaim Halpern and his followers to continue exactly as they have done until now. Chaim Halpern's shiurim in Beis Shmuel continue unabated and his shul retains its UOHC affiliation in good standing.
Following the Rov's remarks to a closed circle of shul members, the subsequent silence has been nothing short of deafening. Rabbonim of UOHC shuls in North West London understandably defer to the leadership of the UOHC Rabbinate on this issue, and yet the Rabbinate itself is nowhere to be seen.
When it comes to any other פירצה, particularly in עניני צניעות, the Union’s voice is heard loud and clear. But when it comes to a Rov who has made a career out of preying on the most vulnerable women who came to him for help, אין קול ואין עונה.
It has reached the point where it is difficult to avoid the impression that keeping on good terms with the most extreme and unreasonable elements of Stamford Hill has been put above the need to show the leadership that North West London so desperately needs.
We ask the Rov to answer the call of the פוסק הדור, to hear the cries of Chaim Halpern's victims and to show the leadership that the members of every organisation and school graced with your נשיאות are crying out for. Please do not let the upcoming חג הגאולה turn into yet another display of הסתר פנים.
With respect and admiration,
Residents of North West London