RJC poised to oust Rabbi Rosenblatt

By Shant Shahrigian
Riverdale Press
June 10, 2015

http://riverdalepress.com/stories/RJC-moves-to-oust-Rabbi-Rosenblatt,57179

File photo of Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt in May 2009. Photo by Karsten Moran

Riverdale Jewish Center’s (RJC) board appears to be on the way to ousting Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt following recent revelations he took boys to a sauna naked over a period of years.

After a Monday night board meeting and vote about how to handle the situation, RJC’s executive committee on Tuesday sent a letter to congregants stating in part: “We discussed the ongoing challenges and the profound impact on our shul community. The Board ultimately concluded that, in view of all these circumstances, the best course of action would be to achieve an amicable resolution with Rabbi Rosenblatt, and we are constructively engaged in discussions to that end.” 

Yesterday, RJC President Samson Fine and other board members did not answer phone and e-mail inquiries seeking clarification about the Monday night vote. On Tuesday, The Jewish Weekly cited unnamed sources as saying the board had voted 34-8 “to seek a financial settlement with the rabbi and for him to step down.” 

The board vote followed growing discontent among RJC members. On Sunday, at least 44 of them e-mailed Rabbi Rosenblatt a petition calling on him to resign. They wrote that the 30-year-long leader of the synagogue “is unfortunately but irrevocably unable to lead our community.” 

Asked about the board’s vote, the rabbi’s lawyer Benjamin Brafman only said in a Tuesday e-mail he is “confident that the Congregation and Rabbi Rosenblatt will resolve their issues in a responsible and dignified manner in the very near future.”

For The Press’ previous coverage, click here. 

Click on the attachment above to see the executive committee’s letter, or read it in full below: 

Dear members of the RJC community:

As we informed you in our last letter, the Board met again this Monday night, and we write to share our progress.

We discussed the ongoing challenges and the profound impact on our shul community. The Board ultimately concluded that, in view of all these circumstances, the best course of action would be to achieve an amicable resolution with Rabbi Rosenblatt, and we are constructively engaged in discussions to that end.

As you would expect, we have actively listened to and considered the spectrum of views within the congregation on this matter. We ask for your continued patience and a genuine respect for all as we work towards this goal. We will continue to keep you apprised.