 |
| Rabbi Eliezer Berland |
A leading Jerusalem Hasidic rabbi is now reported as missing after sexual abuse allegations reported by numerous young women and underage girls have surfaced, according to press reports in Israel.
The Breslov leader, Rabbi Eliezer Berland, and chief of the Shuvu Banim Yeshiva in the Old City of Jerusalem, has gone underground and disappeared from the face of the earth.
Berland, allegedly molested many young Breslov women. Some women were married, some were single, and some girls were below the age of 18, according to press reports.
The rabbi fled Israel to Miami, Florida after it became clear that he and his personal assistants could no longer contain the scandal within the Shuvu Banim community after the police began investigating the violence related to the alleged sexual assaults.
Police opened an investigation into the alleged sexual abuse by Berland, but the rabbi had already fled from the country.
When Berland realized he was wanted for questioning in Israel and could be extradited, he left Miami and went to Switzerland, where he met with his lawyer, Jacob Weinroth.
From there, Berland went to Morocco, where he was seen during the first day of Passover. Then, Berland’s trail ran cold, and was reported missing.
“The rabbi is a despicable man who terrorized many young women and caused marital problems for many young couples,” a Shuvu Banim community member in Jerusalem, Israel told YourJewishNews.com.
Berland could be arrested as soon as he lands in Israel.