Orthodox Union of Hebrew Congregations gives Chaim Halpern approval to officiate at Finchley synagogue on Wednesday
LONDON
— Rabbi Chaim Halpern, who is currently under police investigation in relation
to claims of sexual assault and perverting the course of justice, will conduct
a wedding under the auspices of the Orthodox Union of Hebrew Congregations on
Wednesday afternoon, The Times of Israel learned.
The
father of the bride, Moshe Bunim Meyer, who is a member of Halpern’s synagogue
in the Jewish heartland of Golders Green, said he had permission for the
arrangement from Rabbi Ephraim Padwa, head of the OUHC.
Halpern,
a former religious judge for the organization, was arrested and questioned by
the Metropolitan Police in February and is currently out on bail.
He
has not been charged and denies all wrongdoing.
The
wedding this week will take place on the grounds of Finchley United Synagogue,
which is affiliated with another Orthodox group, the United Synagogue. Until
recently, the rabbi of the shul was the next British chief rabbi, Ephraim
Mirvis.
According
to a United Synagogue spokesman, “The US cannot simply ban an individual who
has neither been convicted nor charged with any offence.”
Michael
Mannes, who handles weddings for the OUHC, would not comment.
A more sensible answer would have been "The United Synagogue rents the synagogue and simcha hall for outside weddings. Who officiates is a matter for the parties." Don't blame the US for anything here. It is all the fault of the Union.
ReplyDeleteDidn't Dayanim of the United Synagogue, led by Dayan Ehrentreu, issue a Din stating that Rabbi Chaim Halpern was unfit to hold or perform any rabbinic function, and that the community should avoid contact with him? In which case, how can he be considered fit to perform the role of Mesader Kidushin and sign a Kesubah on Finchley Synagogue's premises-- even if it is only in their car park? Are the Dayanim aware of this? Will the real United Synagogue please stand up?
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