Chief Rabbis

Some rabbis stay out of prison because they are cunning, lucky, bribe the right people or whatever. Then there are the rest, the normal sort. 

Ovadia Yosef, ex Chief Rabbi of Israel was grossly Racist while Yona Metzger, ex Chief Rabbi of Israel is a thief. See e.g. Former Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger Charged With Accepting $2 Million in Bribes

Jonathan Sacks 1919  - 2013
Head rabbi of England, a shit with an agenda.

 

Ephraim Mirvis ex Wiki 2013 - present
Ephraim Mirvis (born 1956) is an Orthodox rabbi who serves as the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. He is a Talmudic scholar having studied in Israeli yeshivot. He was born near Johannesburg, South Africa. He currently lives with his wife in Finchley, London. In December 2012 he was designated as the next Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth and installed in this post on 1 September 2013, at a ceremony in the St Johns Synagogue attended by H.R.M. [ sic ] Prince Charles. He was previously Senior Rabbi to the Finchley Synagogue . He served as the Chief Rabbi of Ireland. between 1985 and 1992.Chief Rabbi Mirvis is very highly regarded as a pastoral leader. He is an very engaging orator and seldom speaks with notes. His speeches focus on traditional Judaism, Yiddishheid, Jewish Culture and Education his and every Jew's "Ahava Ve Gaha' (Hebrew: אהבה וגאה), love and pride for Eretz Yisrael , Zionism and The State of Israel.
PS Mirvis is a  liar wrong. He alleges inter alia that only Jews are entitled to have opinions about God's Chosen People. Further that they have a valid claim to Palestine, the Stolen Land, a place they have lived in off and on over a couple of millennia. No Palestinian would be fool enough to believe that. See Criticism of Israel  and  anti-Semitism on the point.

 

Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto   
Pinto is a rich criminal who bribes bent police in Palestine. That is merely what the Wikipedia admits. Pinto got off with a year inside so the fix was in all the way. After he got out he became the Chief Rabbi of Morocco in 2019. The message? They are all bent.
PS  Top Prosecutor In Kabbalist’s Bribery Case Steps Down After AG Overrules Decision To Indict so Israel’s Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein is corrupt as well as many others.

 

Chief Rabbi of Israel Has Light Fingers [ 5 April 2006 ]
According to the Attorney General.; he's going to be sacked if he doesn't resign but he will not  go to prison. I.e. Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger is bent - read more at: http://www.haaretz.com/ag-chief-rabbi-metzger-should-quit-or-be-removed-1.184511

 

Yona Metzger ex Wiki
Yona Metzger (born 4 August 1953) is an Israeli rabbi and the former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel. Around 2 weeks before ending his position, on 23 July 2013, began a fraud investigation.^[1] His counterpart was Rabbi Shlomo Amar, the former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel since their appointments in 2003. He has since been succeeded by Rabbi David Lau.

Background
Rabbi Metzger was born in Haifa in 1953. He served in the Israel Defense Forces as a chaplain, fought in several wars in the 7th Armored Brigade, and was discharged with the rank of captain. At 50, he was the youngest Chief Rabbi in Israel's history, at the time of his appointment. His successor Rabbi David Lau was even younger, having been appointed at the age of 47 in 2013. Rabbi Metzger received his ordination from the Yeshivat Kerem BeYavne hesder yeshiva before working as a religious teacher. He served as rabbi of the Tiferet Zvi Synagogue in Tel Aviv and was later appointed regional rabbi of northern Tel Aviv.^[2] Metzger has written ten books, two of which were awarded prizes by the President of Israel. He is also the former head of a publishing house.

While Metzger is from a National Religious family and educational background, he had been closely identified with Haredi Judaism, and often sought the advice of Degel HaTorah's late spiritual leader Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliashiv. Some observers claimed that this made Metzger an excellent candidate to represent both communities, with one reporter calling him "undoubtedly the most moderate and most Zionist candidate."^[3] His supporters have often compared him to his immediate predecessor, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, who was seen as having a foot in every camp, which helped him in dealing with different kinds of Jews, particularly secular ones.

Term as Chief Rabbi
While Chief Rabbi, Metzger was active in attempting to reach out to various diverse groups of people, both Jews and non-Jews. His many high-profile relationships and co-operation with leaders of other faiths and nationalities are reminiscent with the "international" reputation of his predecessor, Rabbi Lau. Metzger has attempted to facilitate the maintaining of kashrut standards in Israel by employing technology, for instance, by activating steam pumps for cooking meat via cell phone in order to avoid issues of bishul akum, (the cooking of food by a non-Jew).^[4] Metzger has also been involved in strengthening ties between Israeli and Diaspora standards of kashrut in order to make them more standardized and consistent.^[5]

Metzger was a prominent activist in attempting to keep up public interest in the cases of several "lost Israelis", notably Jonathan Pollard and Ron Arad. He repeatedly brought up Arad in the course of official meetings with various Muslim dignitaries.^[6][7] Metzger was also involved in keeping up the pressure on both the Israeli and various Arab governments to protect the safety and negotiate the release of various Israeli prisoners taken captive by Hezbollah,^[8] culminating in the 2004 release of Israeli businessman Elchanan Tenenbaum.^[9]

In 2004, Metzger announced an initiative to insert a special prayer for Jonathan Pollard into the daily prayer service. The prayer was written by Metzger and is written in the style of a "Mishberach prayer" intended for people in dire straits. Many Orthodox synagogues announced that they would adopt the new prayer into their liturgy.^[10]

Interfaith dialogue
A major priority for Metzger was to encourage friendly relationships with other religious communities. One idea that Metzger repeatedly proposed was the establishment of a religious United Nations in Jerusalem. He first advocated this in late 2004 after mediating a highly publicized dispute between Jerusalem haredim and the Armenian Christian community.^[11] He raised the idea again in February 2006, at an ecumenical meeting between several high-profile rabbis and Muslim clerics with the 14th Dalai Lama in Israel, and again in March 2006, while attending the International Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace in Seville, Spain.

Under Metzger's plan, the new body would contain representatives of the world's religions as opposed to nations. Metzger has also suggested that the Dalai Lama could lead the assembly. At their 2006 meeting, Metzger was quoted as saying, "Instead of planning for nuclear war and buying tanks and fighter jets, it will invest in peace.... Religious leaders will get the opportunity to meet one another and discover that they have more in common than they may have realized...." The Dalai Lama was reportedly very excited at the idea and pledged to help Metzger realize his plan.^[12][13] Other supporters include Frederico Major, the co-president of the Alliance for Civilizations, a Spanish lobby group for international conflict resolution.^[14]

On a February 2007 trip to India, Metzger joined other prominent rabbis in signing a declaration against violence with local Hindu leaders, as part of a summit organized by the World Council of Religious Leaders. One of the points emphasized by the participants was the commonality between Jews and Hindus, particularly in regards to ongoing violence at the hands of Muslims.^[15] Metzger noted in his remarks "Jews have lived in India for 2,000 years and have never been discriminated against. This is something unparalleled in human history."^[16]

In March 2008, Metzger enthusiastically supported an interfaith conference proposed by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. Metzger said, "I give my blessing to every initiative that can prevent bloodshed and terror, especially in our area of the world," adding that most terror in the twenty-first century was religiously motivated and therefore religious engagement and interfaith dialogue was crucial to solving the problem of terrorism.^[17]

Metzger was part of a delegation of religious leaders that met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Moscow in April 2008.

In his welcoming notes to Pope Benedict XVI at the Heichal Shlomo Great Synagogue, Metzger opened by congratulating the pontiff on his arrival to "our holy land—the land to which we prayed to return during 2000 years of exile.... And, with God's help, our meeting today is taking place in the Land of Israel, in our city of Jerusalem—the eternal capital of the Jewish people."^[18]

During the "bus conflict" about mixed seating between men and women, Metzger stated that this is not a "haredi country". And urged the ultra-orthodox to not push their opinions on the others and be more accepting.^[19]

Relationship with Armenians
During his term Metzger was involved in several notable incidents of rapprochement with the global and Israeli Armenian communities.

In December 2004 Metzger was instrumental in easing tensions between Jerusalem's haredim and Armenian Christians following an incident in which a Haredi yeshiva student spat on an Armenian Archbishop. Metzger gained further attention in November 2005, during a visit to the Memorial of Armenian Genocide and Genocide Museum in Yerevan. He laid a wreath and gave a short speech in which he acknowledged the pain of the Armenian people and emphasized that though Israel does not formally recognize the Armenian Genocide as a genocide, he does "use that term". Metzger went on to say "no other nation can understand the pain of the Armenians better than Jews."^[20] Metzger's comments received a very positive reaction in Armenia, particularly at the implication that more Israelis are changing their positions on using the term "Genocide" to refer to the Armenians.^[21]

Turkey's Jews, on the other hand, themselves a vulnerable minority population, reacted with some discomfort at Metzger putting them in an awkward situation. The spokesman for Turkey's Chief Rabbi commented, "Let the historians do their job and then we will see."^[22]

Controversy

2003 election
Metzger's appointment was controversial as he was not considered a halachic authority.^[23] Metzger had never served as a religious judge (dayan), though his role as Chief Rabbi would require him to sit as President of the Rabbinical Supreme Court for five years, before switching with his Sephardic counterpart to be head of the Chief Rabbinate Council.^[3]

Allegations
In February 2005 the Israeli police began a formal criminal investigation of Metzger regarding allegations of fraud and bribery related to benefits Metzger received from a Jerusalem hotel.^[24] Metzger was questioned twice and denied any wrongdoing, but suspended himself from the Rabbinical High Court in June 2005 while waiting to see if the Israeli Attorney General Menachem Mazuz would decide to indict him.^[25] No charges were ever brought, and Metzger and his supporters dismissed all of the accusations against him as part of an ongoing smear campaign against him.

On 3 April 2006, Israeli Attorney General Menachem Mazuz announced that he was closing the Metzger investigation and would not seek an indictment against him, citing a lack of sufficient evidence. He added, that in light of various "disturbing" information that came to light during the investigation, including contradictory statements given to the police, that the Chief Rabbi should resign. Mazuz also called on the Justice Ministry to consider bringing Metzger's case "before the Dayanim Selection Committee ... to consider ending his term in office" if Metzger did not resign.^[26][27]

The rabbi's supporters included some of Israel's most notable religious figures: Metzger met with a group of high-profile rabbis, including his political patron, leading Lithuanian rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliashiv, as well as former Chief Rabbis Ovadia Yosef, Mordechai Eliyahu, and Avraham Shapira. The rabbis praised his character and integrity, heavily criticized Mazuz's behavior, and promised that they would help the rabbi in fighting the public cries for his resignation. Rabbi Shapira reportedly told Metzger that he was being "watched over" by a "special angel in heaven", and Rabbi Eliyahu commented that in his judgment, Metzger was "pure and clear as snow".^[28]

Metzger said that the ruling had been issued "without giving me the opportunity to defend myself. This was a violation of the basic rights enjoyed by every individual." Shortly after Mazuz's comments, the rabbi's spokespeople declared that he had no intention of resigning, and criticized Mazuz for convicting Metzger in the public square by tarnishing his reputation. Some in the Israeli media castigated Mazuz for overstepping his role as Attorney General.^[29]

Metzger filed a petition with the Supreme Court of Israel to protest Mazuz's public declaration on 27 April 2006, alleging that his image had been destroyed without a chance to tell his side of the story, and accusing Mazuz of engaging in "child-like" tactics. Metzger's lawyer charged that Mazuz's report on Metzger contained unverifiable information and that it constituted a personal attack on the rabbi without giving him the benefit of a defense or hearing. The petition requested that the second half of Mazuz's 30-page report, in which he harshly attacked Metzger's conduct and recommended his removal, be stricken from the record.^[30]

In late May 2006 the new Justice Minister Chaim Ramon told reporters that he intended to follow up on Mazuz's recommendation and attempt to force Metzger's resignation. It was also reported that outgoing Chief Justice Aharon Barak had attempted to mediate between the parties, proposing a compromise in which all of Mazuz's report would stay in, but that Mazuz would sign a statement retracting his personal criticism of Metzger's character and declaring "there is nothing which obliges the Minister of Justice to take administrative measures against Metzger", in effect leaving further action to the discretion of the incoming Justice Minister. Metzger's lawyer refused the deal, saying that the damage to Metzger's reputation from the report was too important to be left in as part of a compromise. The court has yet to reach a final decision on Metzger's petition.^[31][32]

In March 2007 the recently installed Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch recommended that Mazuz rewrite the report and remove the allegations she called "gossip and rumors".

Return to office
In February 2008, after an investigation prompted by Mazuz's report and a recommendation by Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann that Metzger be impeached,^[34] the Justice Ministry appointments committee authorized the end of Metzger's suspension, permitting him to return to his position on the Supreme Rabbinical Court.^[35] However in late March the Knesset Interior Affairs and Environment Committee ratified an amendment to the Chief Rabbinate Law that effectively prohibited Metzger from trading positions with Shlomo Amar, as is standard practice halfway through their ten-year term. The author of the amendment claimed that it was not specifically directed against Metzger, arguing that it in fact would allow for future "flexibility", permitting Chief Rabbis lacking training as rabbinical judges, as Metzger does, to "forgo" becoming President of the rabbinical courts. Some Metzger critics, however, argued that the law was only relevant to Metzger because he is the first ever Chief Rabbi to be elected to the position who has no experience as a rabbinical judge.

Potential long-term effects
When Mazuz asked Metzger to resign in 2005, the story initially sparked some debate over the necessity of having two Israeli Chief Rabbis at all,^[37] or of maintaining the Chief Rabbinate as an institution.^[38] Some suggested that one way of preserving the integrity and relevance of the office might be to convince the religious Ashkenazi communities of Israel decline to hold elections to replace Metzger, should he resign. This move would, by default, consolidate the post from two seats to one, and help eliminate one of the most public representations of the office's perceived anachronism often cited by its critics.^[39][40] However since then there has been little follow-up.

On 12 December 2011, the Israeli daily Israel Hayom reported that Metzger had received an offer to serve as Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland after Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks ends his term of office in 2013.

Comments on the Palestinians
Metzger gave an interview with the British Jewish News paper in January 2008 in which he advocated transferring the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to the Sinai Peninsula, adding that though Israel welcomed peaceful Muslims, the world's Muslims needed to recognize that Jerusalem "belongs" to the Jewish people, saying, "You have another place, Mecca and Medina, you don't need a third place." Metzger also challenged the idea that Muslims had any connection to Jerusalem at all, noting that when Muslims pray to Mecca, their backs face Jerusalem. Metzger received some criticism from moderate Israelis for these remarks as well as by some in the Arab world.^[41]

2013 fraud investigation
In June 2013, Lahav 433's National Fraud Investigations Unit raided Metzger's home and office on new suspicions of bribery, fraud and money laundering. He is suspected of pocketing hundreds of thousands of shekels in gifts from donors destined for NGOs. On behalf of Metzger, his attorneys have denied all allegations.

Metzger was arrested on November 18, 2013, after the investigation, and "charged with bribery, money laundering and income tax violations."^[43][44] In February 2015 Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein decided to indict Metzger for accepting bribes, attempting to silence witnesses and interfering with the investigation about his dealings.^[45]

 

Former chief rabbi Metzger indicted for taking millions in bribes [ 10 February 2015 ]

 

Ex-Israeli chief rabbi Yona Metzger indicted for corruption [ 16 October 2015 ]

 

Former Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger Charged With Accepting $2 Million in Bribes [  14 October 2015 ]
Former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger was indicted Tuesday on several corruption charges, in a case that began with his arrest in November 2013.

The Jerusalem District Court charged Metzger with fraud, theft, conspiracy, breach of trust, money laundering, tax offenses and accepting bribes.

According to the indictment, Metzger took bribes estimated at 8 million shekels (around $2 million), 5 million shekels of which he kept for himself. into his own pocket. In most of the incidents, Metzger’s driver, Haim Eisenstadt, acted as his representative and received funds on his behalf; Eisenstadt allegedly took a cut for himself.

The indictment was served after a hearing, in which Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein rejected Metzger’s arguments.

The charges involve five main cases. In the first, Metzger allegedly took bribes from rich foreigners seeking to convert to Judaism or determine their religious status. The alleged go-between was Rabbi Gabriel Cohen, head of the Los Angeles rabbinic court. Cohen allegedly gave Metzger half of each bribe.

In one case, from 2011, Metzger referred to Cohen a Russian businessman who had immigrated to Israel and wanted his two children converted. After the conversion, Metzger and Cohen allegedly split evenly between them the $360,000 the man paid.

Metzger allegedly pocketed commissions from money he raised for charities. In one case, Metzger raised $105,000 for a soup kitchen, Beit Hatavshil, from the businessman Leonid Nevzlin, and Beit Hatavshil’s director gave some 30 percent of that sum to Metzger without informing Nevzlin.

The third charge pertains to Metzger’s alleged receipt of favors during his term as chief rabbi. According to the indictment, from 2003 to 2013, Metzger received significant amounts of money from private individuals who needed his services.

Another charge involves Esh Hatorah Yeshiva. Metzger allegedly stole donations to the yeshiva, which operated in Tel Aviv’s Tiferet Tzvi Synagogue, where Metzger is the pulpit rabbi. One $28,000 donation was divided between Eisenstadt and Metzger instead of going to the yeshiva.

In another case, in 2009 Metzger allegedly inducted the associate of a wealthy Jew from Moscow as rabbi of the Caucasus Jewish community in Israel, in exchange for $70,000.

Metzger is also charged with concealing income from the tax authorities by accepting money through others and in cash.

He is also accused of encouraging Eisenstadt to lie during the investigation and urging Eisendstadt to continue to “protect him.”

Metzger’s attorneys, Prof. David Liba’i and Elad Rath, said: “We received with great sorrow the prosecution’s decision today to indict Rabbi Metzger. Rabbi Metzger vehemently denies the allegations and rejects the claims of the state’s witness. The rabbi says he never accepted bribes, either from the state’s witness or from others and he is determined to fight for his innocence.”

 

Yona Metzger Is Guilty As Hell ex Wiki     
QUOTE
In June 2013, Lahav 433's National Fraud Investigations Unit raided Metzger's home and office on new suspicions of bribery, fraud, and money laundering. He was suspected of pocketing hundreds of thousands of shekels in gifts from donors destined for non-governmental organizations. On behalf of Metzger, his attorneys denied all allegations.^[41]

Metzger was arrested on November 18, 2013, after the investigation, and "charged with bribery, money laundering, and income tax violations".^[42][43] In February 2015, Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein indicted Metzger for accepting bribes, attempting to silence witnesses, and interfering with the investigation about his dealings.^[44]

On January 24, 2017, Metzger agreed to a plea bargain in which he admitted he was guilty of bribery, tax fraud, and interfering in the trial process. In exchange, he would receive a prison sentence of three-and-a-half years and pay 5 million shekels ($1.3 million), including his tax debt and a fine.^[45] However, a month later, on February 23, the Jerusalem District Court threw out the plea bargain, and sentenced Metzger to four-and-a-half years in prison.^[46]
UNQUOTE
Trying to Pervert The Course Of Justice is crime too. Yes, he's a Racist but then he's a Jew.

 

Israeli War Machine's Chief Rabbi Advocates Raping Women Unless They Are Jews [ 15 July 2016 ]
QUOTE
The newly-appointed chief rabbi of the Israeli army, Colonel Eyal Karim, is on record as saying that mixing with non-Jews is a “very bad thing,” but that Jew soldiers “raping attractive Gentile women” in wartime is a good thing.

Any Gentile who made such comments would be attacked as a “Nazi” by all Jewish groups and their controlled media.

However, because it is a Jew—and a very senior one at that—making the remarks, the controlled media have hypocritically covered it up and ignored this anti-Gentile hatred, with the result that the only mention of Karim’s opinions can be found in the Jewish media—where he is treated with kid gloves.
UNQUOTE
One law for Jews, another for honest people.

 

Chief Rabbi Makes Halfhearted Statement About Paedophile Perverts In Schools
QUOTE
Israel’s Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, David Lau issued a public statement about child abuse. As far as I know it is his first to date........ I suspect it was written in response the arrests of yeshiva teachers last week. See, 6 Alleged Offenders, 22 Children (Ages 2-10), Over 11 Years in Tel Aviv Belz School

It may have also been a response to a statement by Rabbi David Stav, head of Tzohar, that not reporting sexual abuse violates the Torah. Stav was Lau’s main competitor in the election for chief rabbi.

It is interesting that he managed not to make public statements about other sex abuse scandals involving prestigious religious teachers such as Motti Elon, Ezra Sheinberg, Naftali Maklev, Meir Pogrow, Elimelech Meisels, Eliezer Berland, Ben Tzion Sobel, and Matis Weinberg. Lau doubtlessly knows of many others who  escaped public exposure,  criminal prosecution, or any sort of consequences.

But he has finally spoken, so let’s read it and then evaluate it.

---

Tammuz 29, 5776

August 4, 2016

To All Who Work Educating the Children of Israel in Good Faith

Greetings,

Re: Awareness of Injuries Caused to Students

Much to my regret, terrible incidents occurring in our courtyards and domains have recently been made public. Cases in which boys and girls alike have been hurt in their homes or educational institutions have taken place recently, shocking anyone with a heart. How painful it is to hear that those very places, which should be a support, a stronghold, and a source of succor for our children and youth have turned into a nightmare and source of terror for them.

At this time, it is incumbent on parents, educators both male and female, family members, and anyone else involved in the sacred work of education to open their eyes and assist anyone who needs help insofar as possible. Turning away is not an answer to these difficult and painful issues, and everyone must know that they bear responsibility, even if the matter does not affect them directly.

I do not want to go into detail about matters for which modesty is preferable, and I am disgusted by the very fact that we must refer to them at all. Nevertheless, it has become a necessity for which there is no shame. All of you in particular for whom pure education is your greatest priority, and that is where you have turned, have been laden with the great burden of opening your eyes and paying maximum attention so that you can identify phenomena that might harm the delicate souls of our young.

Under no circumstances should these matters be swept under the rug, nor should people avoid dealing with these harsh phenomena, which, if not stopped, could lead many more people to be hurt. Heaven forbid that we stand by in silence. Instead we must increase awareness and continue teaching in the way of modesty, in the way of the Torah, toward values deeply rooted in the ways of Israel’s ancestors.

May you be strengthened in your teaching out of love,

David Lau

Chief Rabbi of Israel

Critique

 

It is good, however late, that he acknowledges the problem of abuse and urges yeshiva teachers to be concerned and to help the victims. But he does not talk about policies to prevent abuse, or about reporting abuse to the authorities. Nor can he without criticizing the normal practice of rabbis in the rabbinate. As documented, most rabbinate rabbis discourage reporting abuse to the police.

Rabbi Lau is better than the head of Agudath Israel of America. The Novominsker Rebbe, head of the Agudah lashed out at bloggers calling them mockers and liars. Of course, until now, Lau has not been in anyone’s sights because his indicted crooked predecessor, [ the thief ] Yona Metzger [ Former chief rabbi Metzger indicted for taking millions in bribes ] really lowered the bar. Somehow, Lau escapes harsh criticism for some of the other scandals in the rabbinate because everyone knows the Chief Rabbi, these days, is nothing more than a figurehead to be trotted out for visiting dignitaries. Besides, how much can be expected of a pair of Ashkenazi and Sephardi chief rabbis who got a leg up on their competition by being the sons of previous chief rabbis and quite compliant to their political backers.

I will also give Lau credit for eloquence. But given a choice, I much prefer this forthright, powerful statement by the Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth, Ephraim Mirvis. Read his statement and shake you head at the pareve pablum of Lau’s lament.

Statement by British Commonwealth Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis

 

It’s SEXUAL abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week across the UK – the first of its kind, aiming to generate a frank and necessary public conversation about a crime as old as the taboo that has, shamefully, protected it. It is a poor reflection on our society that such an awareness week is necessary. Sadly, it is.

Sexual violence and abuse are among the most insidious of evils, with devastating lifelong consequences.

Let there be no illusions – the campaign to end the scourge of sexual abuse is as pertinent for the Jewish community as it is within all of our society.

The Torah links the way we speak to others, to the prohibition of being an inactive bystander: “You may not go about as a talebearer among your people; neither may you stand idly by the blood of your neighbour” (Leviticus 19:16).

The inference here is that just as harmful speech can sometimes be a killer, so too can silence. If keeping quiet has the effect of allowing others to be victims of cruelty, there is an obligation to speak out against a perpetrator, regardless of the implications on his or her reputation.

The Talmud, based on this verse, defines the role of the bystander in the following way: “One may not stand idly by while others are in danger. One should exhaust all means to rescue people from rape, drowning, attack by criminals or attacks by animals. Until the victim has been fully extricated from the dangerous predicament, the obligation still obtains.” (Sanhedrin 73a). There is no doubt that this unequivocally denotes a responsibility to prevent a child abuser from destroying lives, now and in the future.

Our sages further teach us that in such a situation, one should not wait until summoned. Rather, if one is in possession of relevant evidence one must come forward voluntarily in order to “destroy the evil from your midst”.

In recent years, we have achieved a great deal. Debate about whether to involve statutory authorities where cases of abuse are identified, is all but over.

Support is now readily available for victims of abuse. Training for rabbis and rebbetzens, certainly for United Synagogue communities, is better than it has ever been and our procedures and policy documents are constantly under review. Yet, there is still so much more work to do.

Our community is blessed with countless rabbis, teachers, leaders, parents and family members who epitomise all that is good about Judaism and are forever deserving of our reverence and veneration.

But in this context, when we encounter shameful exceptions to the rule, we have a responsibility to recognise how difficult it can be for victims of abuse to come forward and share their experiences.

While all around you are conferring praise and respect upon someone in (or close to) the family or a prominent member of the community, how can you possibly even begin to report them for committing such a terrible crime? Even if you try to speak up, will anyone really be inclined to hear your story?

Let the message go out that we will receive victims of abuse with warmth and sensitivity and create a culture of support for them right across our communities. Neither stature nor reputation should be a barrier to our willingness to report or comprehensive investigation. Perpetrators of these crimes, particularly those who have sought to hide within the infrastructure of the Jewish community, have desecrated the name of God and destroyed lives. Their actions often steal innocence and betray trust and are among the very worst crimes that can be committed.

I salute the bravery of those victims who have found the courage to speak out and hope that their example might give others the strength to do the same.

Many campaigners have made it their life’s mission to tackle this problem and we are indebted to them for that invaluable work.

We must not stand idly by the blood of our neighbours.
UNQUOTE
To be fair #Ephraim Mirvis isn't beating about the bush but what does he say about Mesirah, the Jews' commandment, just the like the Mafia's policy,  the one they call Omerta, the code of silence?

 

Chief Rabbis of Israel
List of Chief Rabbis

• Abraham Isaac Kook (1921–1935)
• Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog (1936–1949)

Sephardi

• Yaakov Meir (1921–1939)
• Benzion Uziel (1939–1948)

State of Israel Ashkenazi

• Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog (1949–1959)
• Isser Yehuda Unterman (1964–1973)
• Shlomo Goren (1973–1983)
• Avraham Shapira (1983–1993)
• Yisrael Meir Lau (1993–2003)
• Yona Metzger (2003–2013)
• David Lau (2013– )

Sephardi

• Benzion Uziel (1948–1954)
• Yitzhak Nissim (1955–1973)
• Ovadia Yosef (1973–1983)
• Mordechai Eliyahu (1983–1993)
• Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron (1993–2003)
• Shlomo Amar (2003–2013)
• Yitzhak Yosef (2013– )