Report of Sullivan & Cromwell Llp Regarding Allegations of Abuse at Yeshiva University and Its Affiliated Schools

Y.u. Investigation Report
August 27, 2013

yuinvestigationreport.com/report.pdf

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Background

On December 13, 2012, The Jewish Daily Forward (“The Forward”) published an article by Paul Berger entitled “Student Claims of Abuse Not Reported by Yeshiva U.” The article was the result of an investigation by Mr. Berger “into allegations that two staff members at Yeshiva University High School for Boys’ Manhattan campus sexually abused students during the late 1970s and early ’80s.” The two YUHSB staff members who were the subject of these allegations were Rabbi George Finkelstein, who worked in various administrative capacities at YUHSB from 1963 to 1995—including as principal from 1991 to 1995—and Rabbi Macy Gordon, who, among other affiliations, worked as a Talmud instructor at YUHSB from 1956 to 1983.

Following the publication of the article, the Board of Trustees of Yeshiva University and the Board of Directors of YUHSB engaged Sullivan & Cromwell LLP (“S&C”) to conduct an independent investigation (the “Investigation”). The Investigation was led by Karen Patton Seymour, who is Co-Managing Partner of S&C’s Litigation Group and who, both as a partner at S&C and as the former chief of the Criminal Division for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, has extensive experience conducting investigations.

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As used in this report (the “Report”), “University” refers, as appropriate, to any or all of Yeshiva University, Yeshiva University High School for Boys (“YUHSB”), the Samuel H. Wang Yeshiva University High School for Girls (the “Girls High School” and, together with YUHSB, the “High Schools”) and Yeshiva University’s other affiliated schools. August 26, 2013

While the primary focus of S&C’s Investigation was the allegations of sexual abuse at YUHSB, S&C’s mandate was broad and was not limited to the allegations described in The Forward article. S&C was directed to: (1) perform a full and complete independent investigation into these reports and any other reports of sexual or physical abuse of University students by University faculty or employees, and the University’s response to any such reports; and (2) review current policies and procedures, and make recommendations as to how those policies may be improved to prevent and respond to reports of abuse in the future.