Rabbi Yonason Abraham, last week resigned his position as a prominent member of the London Beth Din as well as his post as the rabbi of Toras Chaim synagogue in Hendon, north west London, amidst allegations of an inappropriate relationship. In his resignation letter he said that he had “fallen short of the standards expected of me”. Dayan Abraham is renowned speaker who attended many Jewish functions worldwide.
According to the Jewish Chronicle, Rabbi Abraham said he had been “under exceptional strain and stress for some time which has taken its inevitable toll. I have been spent my life helping others including some wonderful friends and supporters in this kehillah (congregation) of which I am so proud. I now need to help myself and my family.” He asked congregants to respect his and his family’s privacy.
Allegedly It started when Dayan Abraham attempted to unite a couple that was going through a divorce. Eventually the Dayan got close to the wife. The suspicious husband had his wife followed and she was found with the Dayan in the same hotel room.
In a forthright and unprecedented message to rabbis under his auspices, Ephraim Mirvis, he said: “The London Beth Din is one of the oldest and most respected Batei Din in the world. To have discovered that one of our Dayanim had, in his own words, “fallen short of the standards expected” of him, has shaken us to the core. When one of us fails in this manner, we are all greatly diminished.
“A Beth Din must be unimpeachable in its embodiment of Torah values – anything less is entirely unacceptable. It was for this reason that I, together with Dayan Gelley and the United Synagogue, ensured that the matter was dealt with so swiftly.
This shameful episode has been met by many with disbelief and has caused great pain. In addition, there are innocent family members who have been directly affected and whose lives have been devastated by it. As a community, we have a responsibility to look after them, to respect their privacy and to offer appropriate support.”
That’s how it works in Britain where adultery is not tolerated. In Lakewood עיר התורה you can do much worse and stay comfortably in your position .
10 thoughts on “London Beit Din Dayan Resigns, Cites Falling Short of Standards”
Cohen M
(April 1, 2019 - 3:54 pm)Real answer is is that women don’t respect men enough
men have need Test the bounds and throw their weight therefore
naturally this is horribly un PC to say
נאך א דיעה
(April 2, 2019 - 4:01 pm)Your wayyy off dude
Anonymous
(March 26, 2019 - 1:00 pm)כל הגדול מחבירו
Yitmo chatim not the chotah!
(March 26, 2019 - 3:20 pm)Yitmo chatim not the chotah!
Kol shyash lo esek in Nashim........
(March 25, 2019 - 5:31 pm)The tzibur is reminded that their are gidrei tzinus that are applicable to all without exception. As such, if an individual even one purporting to be a Rabbi is found alone with a woman or corresponding with a woman you should be aware and warn others! The publisher of this site can share my contact information if you have first-hand information.
Lman K’deshuas H’ machna
picture
(March 25, 2019 - 1:56 pm)Which picture is not relate to the article?
Who is the happy couple at the water?
mayor
(March 26, 2019 - 10:53 pm)Why was the picture with the water background removed?
It must be something with “mayor”.
The first picture has the London Mayoress. And the second, Lakewood Mayer!
moshe kopoyer
(March 25, 2019 - 9:02 am)And in the 5 Towns it’s also acceptable, and in many other frumie places.
Agreed that Lakewood is king.
M MIller
(March 25, 2019 - 8:39 am)In lakewood in you have a few dollars – all is good…..
HH
(March 25, 2019 - 8:39 am)In 2016, he accepted a senior position at Shuvu, a network of day schools founded 1991 by Rabbi Avraham Pam.