Rabbis to Investigate Halpern

By Simon Rocker
JC
January 9, 2014

http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/114593/rabbis-investigate-halpern

A special Beth Din set up to examine complaints against Golders Green rabbi Chaim Halpern is expected to resume its inquiries shortly.

The rabbinic court, which was convened by the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations (UOHC), the main umbrella for strictly Orthodox communities in London, suspended operations after Rabbi Halpern was arrested last February by police investigating alleged sexual abuse of women.

But in December, police said that no charges would be brought after they had “fully investigated” the matter.

The Beth Din, consisting of two rabbis from Israel and one from the United States, began its hearing a year ago.

Rabbi David Cohn, of the North Hendon Adath Yisroel Synagogue in London, who has helped the Beth Din collect evidence, said this week that the rabbis are “expected back soon. I am working hard to make sure it happens.”

He added: “We have had a message from the police to say they have no objection.”

Rabbi Halpern, who is considered one of the most influential strictly Orthodox rabbis in London, is the head of the UOHC-affiliated Divrei Chaim community and the son of the president of the UOHC, Rabbi Elchonon Halpern.

Chaim Halpern resigned his seat on the Union’s rabbinate following the emergence of complaints about his counselling sessions for women but has insisted that he was “innocent of all allegations”.