Jerusalem School Files Lawsuit Against Y.U.

An Israeli religious school has slapped Yeshiva University with a lawsuit in a contract dispute sparked by charges that a rabbi at the Israeli school sexually molested students.

The Derech Etz Chaim yeshiva of Jerusalem filed a breach of contract lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Jerusalem school is claiming that it was financially “crippled” by Yeshiva University’s decision to sever ties following allegations that a lecturer made unwanted sexual advances toward students.

The Jerusalem school is seeking a minimum of $75,000 in damages and is asking Judge William Pauley to issue an injunction preventing Y.U. from making further “disparaging” comments about it, including allegations that the school tried to cover up the controversy.

Y.U. officials did not reply to repeated requests for comment.

According to press reports, the controversial figure is Matis Weinberg, a Baltimore-born rabbi who allegedly sexually harassed students.

Weinberg could not be reached, but has denied the charges.