Bhpd Arrests Rabbi at Jem for Alleged Sexual Abuse on Charges in New York

The Beverly Hills Courier
October 30, 2013

http://bhcourier.com/bhpd-arrests-rabbi-jem-alleged-sexual-abuse-charges-york/2013/10/30

On October 29 at approximately 1:30 p.m. Beverly Hills Police officers and detectives responded to the 9900 block of S. Santa Monica Blvd. at the request of the New York Police Department to arrest Menachem Tewel, 30, of New York. Tewel was taken into custody for charges of “Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree,” “Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree” and “Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.” Tewel is awaiting extradition to New York. No charges will be filed in California, said Lt. Lincoln Hoshino of the BHPD.

Tewel is a local rabbi and youth worker who works at the JEM Center in Beverly Hills,a Jewish Community Center featuring sports facilities and offering Jewish community education and services,  reports the Jewish Journal. He was known locally as Mendel Tevel, confirmed Hoshino.

In August, Jewish parents held an event organized by Meyer Seewald, director of Jewish Community Watch, for residents to express their concerns about the rabbi’s alleged sexual abuse in Beverly Hills.  In attendance was an alleged victim from New York who agreed to speak anonymously of abuse by Tewel. Tewel’s name is on the Jewish Community Watch as a perpetrator of child sexual abuse.

Tevel’s wife Bracha is the daughter of Rabbi Hertzel Illulian, director and founder of the JEM Center.