New Square Sex Abuse Case of Rabbi Moshe Taubenfeld Adjourned for Two Months

News 12
January 29, 2014

http://westchester.news12.com/news/new-square-sex-abuse-case-of-rabbi-moshe-taubenfeld-adjourned-for-two-months-1.6892669

[with video]

NEW SQUARE - The case of a rabbi accused of molesting a young man in New Square over five years has been adjourned for two months. 

Activists showed up at the first public court appearance last night of Rabbi Moshe Taubenfeld. A young New Square man claims the highly regarded rabbi and mentor sexually abused him for five years after he went to him for solace after Sept. 11. The allegations reignited claims that other sexual abuse cases have been covered up.

"It's clear that many victims of child molestation in New Square are getting angry at the corruption that allows child molestation to continue," says Rabbi Noson-Leiter, of Monsey. Noson-Leiter attended the hearing with other activists who say they want to make sure justice gets served for the alleged victim.

Also at the hearing was Yossi, who shared his story with News 12 last year. Yossi became the first sex abuse victim from New Square to ever seek justice through the courts. Taubenfeld's younger brother, Hershel, was convicted of molesting Yossi, but managed to avoid prison time.

Taubenfeld's attorney is urging the judge to resist comparing his client to his younger brother, saying he's innocent. If Taubenfeld is found guilty, he would likely become the first sex offender from New Square to serve prison time.