NEW HEMPSTEAD (NY)
The Journal News
By SULAIMAN BEG AND STEVE LIEBERMAN
sbeg@lohud.com
THE JOURNAL NEWS
NEW HEMPSTEAD — A New Hempstead synagogue's attempt to suspend its controversial rabbi is being challenged in one of the country's oldest rabbinical courts, according to documents obtained yesterday by The Journal News.
Board members of Kehillat New Hempstead voted Sunday to suspend Rabbi Mordechai Tendler, the target of a civil lawsuit concerning allegations that he had sex with a woman who had sought marital advice.
Tendler has denied charges of sexual harassment and having sex with the woman.
Tendler, scion of a prominent Orthodox Jewish family and a founder of the synagogue, filed legal action Monday against the synagogue board with the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada, which was established in 1901.
The legal action claims the board lacks the legal authority to suspend him as rabbi.