The congregation, that Weiss had not engaged in any illegal or illicit activity at the congregation itself. Cleveland-area rabbi was sentenced to six months in prison. 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.. I respectfully ask you your honor to consider the case of Rabbi Weiss in the context of the life of devotion to his family and to his community that he lived prior to this tragic event.. Lebeau had previously defended a different rabbi accused of inappropriate behavior towards children. 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. 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. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS or on their website occrimestoppers.org. Jewish Jokes: Did you hear the one about Bubbala? (Screenshot). [Weiss] is deeply remorseful for the harm he has caused to his family and his former congregation and hopes todays plea can help toward renewal and closure for everyone, Goldberg said. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. We work with behavioral health providers and community organizations to help you and your family during times of crisis. Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call Placentia Police Traffic Division at 714-993-8157. Call our Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1 for free, private help anytime 24/7. Weiss has been free since his arrest on a $50,000 bond. 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. He has been arrested for felony DUI. High 43F. A copy of the complaint says that agents also seized a Samsung cellphone and Smart Watch, as well as a bottle of ED medication that prosecutors say Weiss intended to use criminally. 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 . Will the streaming wars destroy the golden age of Jewish TV? How the Jewish family behind the empire left theirmark on St. Louis, Whos behind these Messiah Is Here! signs, The five biggest problems facing the U.S. today. 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. Bnai Jeshurun, where Weiss had served since 2001, suspended Weiss the day after leaders learned of his arrest. CLEVELAND, Ohio A judge on Monday sentenced the former longtime rabbi of a Pepper Pike synagogue to prison following his arrest as part of an underage sex sting. He had been arrested and charged after a sting operation last April and pleaded guilty to the two felony charges in January. View a list of stores and vendors. Sara Netanyahu rescued by police after protesters trap her in hair salon, Jewish siblings book chronicles St. Louis life during pandemic lockdown, How Lev Furmans dream job became a reality on the sideline for St. Louis City SC. Get checkups and treatment, talk about your careand morefrom home or elsewhere. In 2014, according to the Forward, he had supported a rabbi in Savannah, Georgia, who had given a lesson to a class of 9-year-olds about child sex trafficking filled with explicit language, alarming many parents. 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He had been arrested and charged after a sting operation last April and pleaded guilty to the two felony charges in January. If a referral is required, youll need to contact your 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. The deadline to apply is March 2nd. Police have arrested a 60-year-old Greater Cleveland rabbi after he allegedly arranged to have sex with a teenager. Defense attorney Michael Goldberg told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer that Weiss has taken responsibility for his actions. Social workers are here to help Veterans, familiesand caregiverswith almost any need, from help with finances or housing to questions about treatment to just feeling overwhelmed. Lebeau noted that Weiss felt remorse and had sought professional help in the wake of his arrest. Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike will hold its Shabbaton called Circle Congregational Shabbaton March 17 and March 18. The longtime rabbi is accused of sending explicit messages to a police officer he thought was a 15-year-old boy. Beneficiary travel benefits include round-trip transportation from your home to the medical center, mileage reimbursement, or special mode transport. Weiss had already pleaded guilty to the crimes; Lebeau and Weiss daughter appeared as character witnesses as part of his attorneys effort to secure a more lenient sentence. cancel your appointment. 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. Still, Bickart said, he found the choice to testify on Weiss behalf meaningful. He had been arrested and charged after a sting operation last April and pleaded guilty to the two felony charges in January. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. The Rabbinical Assembly, with which Lebeau is currently associated, had harshly condemned Weiss alleged behavior upon his initial arrest in April 2022 and suspended his membership, making him ineligible to apply for jobs or participate in other activities. For after hours emergencies, please go to the Emergency Department. After Weiss sentencing was announced, the congregations president and senior rabbi emailed congregants to offer counseling services. 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. The congregation had determined in its own investigation that Weiss had not engaged in any illegal or illicit activity at the congregation itself. Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or primary care provider first. We offer telehealth visits with providers in: Subscribe to who had given a lesson to a class of 9-year-olds about child sex trafficking filled with explicit language, alarming many parents. My sense is that Rabbi Lebeau is probably the go-to person to be a character witness for anybody.. Social work is integral to health care. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. Get the award-winning Cleveland Jewish News and our popular magazines delivered directly to you. Weiss arrest shocked members of both the Pepper Pike synagogue and a synagogue in Atlanta where he served as assistant rabbi from 1990 to 1997, according to the Atlanta Jewish Times. 2023 jewish telegraphic agency all rights reserved. ) Weiss was sentenced to six months in prison. My sense is that Rabbi Lebeau is probably the go-to person to be a character witness for anybody.. In common with many people who spent their childhood in the 1970s, I loved Roald Dahls novels for children, especially Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Of course, as a 9-year-old clutching a well-thumbed copy of the Puffin edition, I had no idea about the character of Roald Dahl the man. Weiss, 61, was arrested by law enforcement officers with the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force April 18, 2022, after engaging in explicit online conversations with an undercover. Weiss had already pleaded guilty to the crimes; Lebeau and Weiss daughter appeared as character witnesses as part of his attorneys effort to secure a more lenient sentence. Goldberg said he hopes to put Weisss actions in the context of a lifetime of good works and leadership and provide a neurological explanation for the crime at his sentencing hearing. The https:// ensures that you're connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and sent securely. Prices start at $65 per year. 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. Choose from the CJN's informative e-newsletters. Rabbi Stephen Weiss, of B'nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike, was. Some in the community questioned the decision of Lebeau, a widely admired mentor in the Conservative movement, to testify on Weiss behalf. Rabbi Lebeaus testimony was not on behalf of the Rabbinical Assembly, a Rabbinical Assembly spokesperson said in a statement this week, which noted that the group is now in the process of expelling Weiss permanently. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The former longtime rabbi at a Pepper Pike synagogue pleaded guilty on Thursday to felony charges involving an underage sex sting. If you've had any COVID-19 symptoms in the past 48 hours, call first unless you need care now. 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. And his testimony did not seek to justify nor excuse the behavior for which Steven Weiss was convicted.. JTA - A Cleveland-area rabbi was sentenced to six months in prison on Monday for soliciting underage sex, capping a sad and shocking saga for the area's Jewish community.Among those who testified on Stephen Weiss' behalf in a bid for leniency was a prominent rabbi in the Conservative. Our laboratory and pathology services include: If youre struggling with issues like PTSD, depression, grief, anger or trauma, we offer counseling and other support. 2, Room N159. But Marjorie Taylor Greenes anti-Semitism is no laughing matter. You have permission to edit this article. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A judge on Monday sentenced the former longtime rabbi of a Pepper Pike synagogue to prison following his arrest as part of an underage sex sting. He lived an exciting and tumultuous life. He had been arrested and charged after a sting operation last April and pleaded guilty to the two felony charges in January. A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community. Agents arrested Weiss when he showed up to the meeting place, which court documents say was in Newburgh Heights. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. I first met Rabbi Weiss when he was a rabbinical student and Ive maintained a close relationship with him to this day. Lebeau had previously defended a different rabbi accused of inappropriate behavior towards children. Lebeau noted that Weiss felt remorse and had sought professional help in the wake of his arrest. Updated: 6:17 AM EST February 27, 2023 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,. 61-year-old Stephen . A Cleveland-area rabbi was sentenced to six months in prison on Monday for soliciting underage sex, capping a sad and shocking saga for the areas Jewish community. Some in the community questioned the decision of Lebeau, a widely admired mentor in the Conservative movement, to testify on Weiss behalf. 61-year-old Stephen Weiss faces up to 2.5 years behind bars. As we already mentioned, Rabbi Stephen Weiss is a married man, and he has a family. Mainly cloudy. VA Long Beach health care news and announcements, Subscribe to VA Long Beach health care emergency notifications, VA Long Beach health care operating status, VA Long Beach Healthcare System Facebook page, VA Long Beach Healthcare System at Twitter, VA Long Beach Healthcare System Instagram page, Check COVID-19 symptoms on the CDC website, Check your billing, insurance, and payment options, Compare our performance with non-VA facilities, Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, Bldg. 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. Check for signs when you arrive so you know whats required. The Rabbinical Assembly, with which Lebeau is currently associated, had harshly condemned Weiss alleged behavior. Significantly, over more than 30 years as a rabbi there was nothing close to a grievance about his rabbinic service or his personal conduct, Lebeau said. Among those who testified on Stephen Weiss behalf in a bid for leniency was a prominent rabbi in the Conservative movement. Similalry, Rabbi and Naomi have three kids, including Menachem, Rivka and Yael. Robin Beth Danaceau (nee Kutash), age 71, was born Nov. 20, 1951, and passed away Feb. 28, 2023. Want to sell your business? Our confidential outpatient services include individual and group therapy for: If you're a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, please contact the 24/7 Veterans Crisis Line hotline (1-800-273-8255; press 1), text (838255) or chat online. Your primary care team can coordinate the many services you receive such as: Some of our medical doctors are licensed and regulated by the Medical Board of California. Weiss was previously rabbi at Ahavath Achim Synagogue in Atlanta and Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield, Michigan. 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. The crash occurred at around 8:45 p.m. near the intersection of Orangethorpe Avenue and Melrose Street in Placentia. 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. Weiss resigned from his position the next day. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Bnai Jeshurun, where Weiss had served since 2001, suspended the rabbi immediately upon his arrest in 2022, and he resigned days later. 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. Lebeau had previously defended a different rabbi accused of inappropriate behavior towards children. 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. We can help you and your family manage stress-related problems due to injury or illness, and find VA community resources to meet your needs like: Check our classes and support groups listed inThe Bulldog. Weiss, formerly senior rabbi at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike. After Weiss sentencing was announced, the congregations president and senior rabbi emailed congregants to offer counseling services. 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. 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.. Weiss, 61, will be required to register as a sex offender for 25 years. Bnai Jeshurun, where Weiss had served since 2001, suspended the rabbi immediately upon his arrest in 2022, and he resigned days later. Click on a service for more details like location, contact, and appointment Lebeau currently serves as a senior consultant for rabbinic and institutional leadership with the Rabbinical Assembly, the professional association for Conservative rabbis. Talk with an advice nurse if you have questions about your care or for help in deciding whether you need an urgent or routine appointment. 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