Israeli Rabbi Charged With Abusing 13 Women

By JTA July 27, 2015

A Safed rabbi was indicted on 13 counts of grave sexual crimes against women who had turned to him with religious questions.

Rabbi Ezra Sheinberg, 46, was charged Monday in the Nazareth District Court, Israel Radio reported. The charges include rape, indecent assault, sexual harassment, fraud and obstructing an investigation, Ynet reported.

The prosecution asked that the rabbi remain in custody until the end of legal proceedings against him, and for a gag order to be placed on the indictment and any details that could identify the complainants.

Sheinberg, who headed the Orot HaAri yeshiva he founded in 1999, is married with eight children. He was arrested at Ben Gurion Airport on July 2 as he reportedly waited to catch a flight to Brazil.

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