Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Among those who testified on Stephen Weiss behalf in a bid for leniency was a prominent rabbi in the Conservative movement. A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community. Ive come from New York City this morning because I wanted to share with you in court my experiences with Rabbi Weiss over the more than three decades that Ive known him, Lebeau said as he opened a three-minute statement on Weiss behalf, according to a recording of the hearing. A strong network of family and internal medicine specialists and services can offer you the best possible care. Social work is integral to health care. Lebeau had previously defended a different rabbi accused of inappropriate behavior towards children. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. Published March 1, 2023. Among those who testified on Stephen Weiss behalf in a bid for leniency was a prominent rabbi in the Conservative movement. Weiss had previously sent explicit messages to an undercover officer posing as an underaged boy in 2020, and waited for hours in order to separate his target from his parents in 2022, when he was arrested. For after hours emergencies, please go to the Emergency Department. Rabbi Stephen Weiss, senior rabbi at B'nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike, was arrested April 18 after allegedly engaging in explicit online conversations with an undercover investigator posing as a 15-year-old boy. These deeply disturbing accusations betray the sacred trust our communities put in their clergy and must be fully and immediately investigated and dealt with appropriately, the group said in a joint statement with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism at the time. He served on many Cleveland-area and national Jewish boards, including. Prosecutors for Ohios task force on internet crimes against children disputed the arguments of Lebeau and Weiss attorney that Weiss conduct was a brief irregularity, saying that he had shown evidence of premeditated action. Doctors who specialize in family medicine provide primary health care to the entire family. Below, youll find our address and hours, parking and transportation information, and the other health services we offer at our Placentia VA Clinic. Bickart had been a student at JTS when Lebeau was its dean. Weiss, 61, will be required to register as a sex offender for 25 years. I first met Rabbi Weiss when he was a rabbinical student and Ive maintained a close relationship with him to this day. Click on a service for more details like location, contact, and appointment Rabbi Stephen Weiss, who has served as senior rabbi at B'nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike, Ohio, since 2001, was arrested Monday evening by law enforcement officers with the Ohio. Our medical center and clinics provide consultation, evaluation, and treatment for a range of issues that may impact your mental health or emotional well-being. Ive come from New York City this morning because I wanted to share with you in court my experiences with Rabbi Weiss over the more than three decades that Ive known him, Lebeau said as he opened a three-minute statement on Weiss behalf, according to a recording of the hearing. And his testimony did not seek to justify nor excuse the behavior for which Steven Weiss was convicted.. Pepper Pike. Richard Belzer was a Jewish comedian. Robin Beth Danaceau (nee Kutash), age 71, was born Nov. 20, 1951, and passed away Feb. 28, 2023. Weiss, formerly senior rabbi at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike. Lebeau had previously defended a different rabbi accused of inappropriate behavior towards children. In a Feb. 27 email, Rebekah Dorman, president of B'nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike and Rabbi Hal Rudin-Luria, senior rabbi, offered counseling to congregants in the aftermath of former I first met Rabbi Weiss when he was a rabbinical student and Ive maintained a close relationship with him to this day. He followed his father and grandfather in becoming a rabbi, serving in New York and in Portland, Oregon. Stephen Weiss, who for two . Stephen Samuel Wise. Beneficiary travel benefits include round-trip transportation from your home to the medical center, mileage reimbursement, or special mode transport. Please self-screen. 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Appearing as a character witness for Weiss at his sentencing hearing was Rabbi William Lebeau, a former dean of the rabbinical school and former vice chancellor at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Lebeau currently serves as a senior consultant for rabbinic and institutional leadership with the Rabbinical Assembly, the professional association for Conservative rabbis. Want to sell your business? You may qualify even without enrolling in VA health care. Arrangements under the direction of Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel. Call our Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1 for free, private help anytime 24/7. Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or Defense attorney Michael Goldberg told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer that Weiss has taken responsibility for his actions. After Weiss sentencing was announced, the congregations president and senior rabbi emailed congregants to offer counseling services. Rabbi Stephen Weiss, who served as an assistant rabbi at Ahavath Achim Synagogue from July 1990 to June 1997, had been the senior rabbi at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, in Pepper Pike, Ohio, since 2001. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS or on their website occrimestoppers.org. Weiss, 61, must register as a sex offender every six months for 25 years as a result of the plea. Check on Mondays for each facilitys latest guidelines. There was nothing that would have predicted this aberrant moment in his life. Doctors who specialize in family medicine provide primary health care to the entire family. Weiss had previously sent explicit messages to an undercover officer posing as an underaged boy in 2020, and waited for hours in order to separate his target from his parents in 2022, when he was arrested. Lebeau noted that Weiss felt remorse and had sought professional help in the wake of his arrest. Some in the community questioned the decision of Lebeau, a widely admired mentor in the Conservative movement, to testify on Weiss behalf. The Placentia Citizens Academy will be an eight-week educational program designed to empower residents and businesses to learn more about the City. Among those who testified on Stephen Weiss' behalf in a bid for leniency was a prominent rabbi in the Conservative movement. primary care provider first. The Rabbinical Assembly, the international body of the Conservative/Masorti Jewish movement, suspended Weiss on April 25. Bickart said he was unfamiliar with the Savannah case but had a theory about why Lebeau spoke on behalf of the rabbis in both cases. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The former longtime rabbi at a Pepper Pike synagogue pleaded guilty on Thursday to felony charges involving an underage sex sting. Cleveland rabbi sentenced to prison for soliciting underage sex had a prominent Conservative rabbi as his character witness. ) Why didnt his obituaries say so? Bnai Jeshurun, where Weiss had served since 2001, suspended Weiss the day after leaders learned of his arrest. After Weiss sentencing was announced, the congregations president and senior rabbi, began publicizing a list of suspended and expelled rabbis in 2021, Police, security agencies advise Jews to be on alert ahead of planned National Day of Hate on Shabbat, American citizen killed in latest West Bank shooting amid escalating violence. Weiss, formerly senior rabbi at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike. 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CLEVELAND 61-year-old Stephen Weiss, who was arrested last April amid allegations he arranged to have sex with somebody he thought was a teen boy, has . The Rabbinical Assembly, with which Lebeau is currently associated, had harshly condemned Weiss alleged behavior. Kraemer was born July 9, 1857 in Illinois, the son of Elenora Schrag and Daniel Kraemer.His father moved the family to Orange County in 1867, becoming the first English-speaking settlers in Placentia, California.He married Angelina Yorba, the last of the "grand" Yorbas descending from Jose Antonio Yorba, in 1886, joining parts of the old Yorba lands to his own tracts. In the rest of the statement, he described the Rabbi Weiss that I know as beloved by his classmates and respected by his teachers, especially admired for his qualities of kindness and sensitivity, his inspirational teaching of children and adults and his support for congregants experiencing trouble. Back then, Lebeau told the Forward the accused rabbi was one of the kindest, most sensitive, caring people among all the students I met, and expressed particular concern about the damage the incident could do to the rabbis reputation, saying, This is a mans life and a mans reputation. No crime was ever alleged to have taken place with the rabbi in Savannah. By submitting the above I agree to the privacy policy and terms of use of JTA.org. Bickart had been a student at JTS when Lebeau was its dean. He had been arrested and charged after a sting operation last April and pleaded guilty to the two felony charges in January. And his testimony did not seek to justify nor excuse the behavior for which Steven Weiss was convicted.. Weiss resigned from his position the next day. The congregation had determined in its own investigation that Weiss had not engaged in any illegal or illicit activity at the congregation itself. These deeply disturbing accusations betray the sacred trust our communities put in their clergy and must be fully and immediately investigated and dealt with appropriately, the group said in a joint statement with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism at the time. Your VA primary care provider will work closely with you to plan for all the care you need to stay healthy and well throughout your life, including immunizations and vaccinations. Rabbi William Lebeau (right) provides a character witness testimony on behalf of Rabbi Stephen Weiss (left) at Weiss' sentencing hearing for crimes of soliciting underage sex, Cleveland, Ohio, Feb . The .gov means its official. Back then, Lebeau told the Forward the accused rabbi was one of the kindest, most sensitive, caring people among all the students I met, and expressed particular concern about the damage the incident could do to the rabbis reputation, saying, This is a mans life and a mans reputation. No crime was ever alleged to have taken place with the rabbi in Savannah. Weiss legal team had argued that his 2022 solicitation of an undercover police officer posing as an underaged boy was an aberration in Weisss three decades of rabbinical activities. 1 injured after shooting on 110 Fwy in Carson, RFK assassin Sirhan Sirhan denied parole by California, Home Depot has open positions for L.A. residents, Teen stabbed to death at Northern California school, Why Im not celebrating Lillys insulin price cut, Cat spends 6 days alone in Vegas hotel room, Explosive found in bag at PA airport, man arrested, Fraudster extradited to U.S. after more than a year, San Bernardino Co. leaders address mountain snow, LAPD may stop responding to these 28 calls, Burger King brings back fan-favorite item, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Subscribe today! The synagogue conducted its own investigation and concluded that Weiss did not engage in any criminal activity within the synagogue community, the Cleveland Jewish News reported. All rights reserved (About Us). CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - A Pepper Pike rabbi pleaded guilty to attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and possessing criminal tools in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Thursday . Bnai Jeshurun, where Weiss had served since 2001, suspended the rabbi immediately upon his arrest in 2022, and he resigned days later. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. His lawyer also cited a 2018 brain injury as a relevant factor in his behavior. After Weiss sentencing was announced, the congregations president and senior rabbi, The Samuel H. 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Appearing as a character witness for Weiss at his sentencing hearing was Rabbi William Lebeau, a former dean of the rabbinical school and former vice chancellor at the Jewish Theological Seminary. 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Some in the community questioned the decision of Lebeau, a widely admired mentor in the Conservative movement, to testify on Weiss behalf. They will also work withfamily members or caregivers who support you. But, Bickart said, Choosing to support and defend Rabbi Weiss here, as opposed to the community that was victimized or potentially victimized, was the wrong decision to make., In an email to JTA, Lebeau said, I chose to make a personal statement referring to the Stephen Weiss I have known for 35 years and the qualities that defined him, as I said in the courtroom, prior to this tragic event.. As somebody whos a parent of a boy precisely the same age as the fictitious victim in this case, its hard for me to see an important rabbinic mentor seemingly take more seriously the concerns of a convicted sex offender than of the community, Bickart said. Weiss, 61, will be required to register as a sex offender for 25 years. The Rabbinical. 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