Prominent New York synagogue unveils sexual abuse allegation against its famous late rabbi

A vibrant New York City synagogue is removing the name of its former rabbi from a prestigious rabbi training program after determining that the sexual abuse allegation against him was credible.

Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer led B’nai Jeshurun ​​on the Upper West Side from 1985 until his death in 1993 and has become synonymous with its revival, having transformed the congregation from a sleepy Conservative synagogue into an independent community that bustling with visitors of all ages. Meyer was also known as a pioneer in the field of interfaith relations and for his work as a human rights activist, including against the ‘dirty war’ in Argentina.

According to B’nai Jeshurun, after a years-long trial it was concluded that Meyer may have sexually abused an adult who was a congregant in the 1980s.

According to a community-wide email sent Wednesday, a person involved with the synagogue at the time reported several years ago that Meyer had “sexually abused them by engaging in non-consensual contact.” The email provided no additional details about the allegation. Since then, according to the email, the synagogue’s leaders have been engaged in a “restorative justice process,” supported by two groups with expertise helping Jewish organizations deal with allegations of misconduct.

“While it is no longer possible to speak to Rabbi Meyer, we found the report credible that he abused his position of power,” said the email, signed by Rabbis Rolando Matalon and Felicia Sol, along with board chair Ilene Rosenthal and board chair Suzanne. Schechter. (Matalon, after his 1986 ordination at the Jewish Theological Seminary, shared the pulpit with Meyer.)

“Although this relates to a historic incident, our sense of responsibility remains as strong today as if it had occurred recently. The thought that anyone in our community could be harmed is painful,” they wrote. “We thank the person who came forward to report their experiences and give us the opportunity to address the damage caused. We offer our deepest apologies on behalf of B’nai Jeshurun.”

Representatives for B’nai Jeshurun ​​did not respond to a request for comment.

The revelation makes B’nai Jeshurun ​​the latest Jewish institution to take into account allegations of inappropriate behavior by former leaders who have since died. The reform movement has given orders a study that reported in 2021 that the leaders of the New York rabbinical school had been guilty of misconduct for more than thirty years, including sexual abuse of students.

That investigation was spurred by a recent social movement to prevent abuse and improve responses to allegations of abuse. In its letter, B’nai Jeshurun ​​says it has already implemented changes in recent years intended to ensure a safe environment.

In addition to the synagogue’s rabbinical internship being named after him, Meyer is also the namesake of a rabbinical school he founded in Argentina and of social justice is in retreat administered by the Interfaith Center of New York City.

After serving as personal secretary to famed Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, Meyer spent 25 years as a rabbi in Buenos Aires, where he grew his Conservative synagogue to more than a thousand members and also helped the community deal with political instability. He served as spiritual advisor to the Jewish journalist Jacobo Timermanperhaps the most famous prisoner captured during the Dirty War, a repressive and violent campaign waged by the military junta from 1974 to 1983. Meyer helped organize Timerman’s release and exile to Israel and accompanied him on his return to the country in the 1980s as Argentina began to face its recent past. Timerman dedicated his book to Meyer.

Returning to his native New York after a year at American Jewish University in Los Angeles, Meyer immersed himself in interfaith work and activism. He gained fame by inviting Palestinians to speak at services, by welcoming gay congregants and by his compelling sermons.

Today, B’nai Jeshurun ​​is known for its lively worship services, including communal dancing and spiritual music. The Moorish Revival shrine also serves as a Jewish event space and was the synagogue setting for the 2000 film “Keeping the Faith.” The rabbinical internship, considered one of the most sought-after internships for seminary students in New York, has dozens alumni who work in synagogues and Jewish organizations around the world.

According to the synagogue’s announcement, the internship will have a new name. More changes could happen, according to the community letter, which said: “As we move forward, we will continue to consider how and when Rabbi Meyer’s contributions are recognized in our community.”

The synagogue has contracted a law firm that specializes in investigating allegations of misconduct, Cozen O’Connor’s Institutional Response Group, to further review the claims against Meyer and B’nai Jeshurun. Anticipating that the revelations could be painful for some in the community, it has also scheduled a meeting for members who knew Meyer personally.

“We know this is a lot to process,” the letter said. “Our rabbis are here to provide pastoral care related to this issue. We are here to listen and support.”