British Chief Rabbi Shames Orthodox Husband Who Refuses Religious Divorce
Image by getty images
For the first time, London’s main rabbinical court and Britain’s chief rabbi have published the name and photo of a recalcitrant husband, and are calling for him to be banned from synagogues and publicly shunned.
In a notice published in the London Jewish Chronicle, the London Beth Din calls for congregations to bar John Abayahoudayan, who has refused his estranged wife Rivka a get, or Jewish divorce, for 15 years, the Jewish Chronicle reported Friday. The ad also asks Jewish individuals to “consider whether it is appropriate for them to have social or business contacts with him until the get is given.”
The Abayahoudayans had a civil divorce in 2002, but the lack of religious divorce makes Rivka Abayahoudayan an agunah, or chained women, who is unable under Jewish law to remarry.
The Sephardi Beth Din said it supported the London Beth Din’s decision. Approached by the Jewish Chronicle, John Abayahoudayan refused to comment.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said, “The Beth Din and I would like to send the strongest possible message that when individuals abuse the halachic process in a way which causes deep emotional and personal pain and suffering, we will do everything in our power to try to stop that abuse and support those affected.”
According to the Jewish Chronicle, the Beth Din 10 years ago placed an advertisement criticizing a recalcitrant husband, but did not publish his photo or call for any action against him.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
