Misplaced Pages

Latest revision as of 01:07, 26 December 2024

This article may lend undue weight to certain ideas, incidents, or controversies. Please help improve it by rewriting it in a balanced fashion that contextualizes different points of view. (September 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

RabbiEliezer Berland
Personal life
Born	(1937-12-26) December 26, 1937 (age 87) Haifa, Mandatory Palestine
Spouse	Tehilla
Alma mater	Knesses Chizkiyahu
Religious life
Religion	Judaism

Eliezer Berland (born December 26, 1937) is an Israeli Orthodox Jewish rabbi, convicted sex offender and fraudster affiliated with the Breslov Hasidic movement in Israel. He is "rosh yeshiva" (head of the yeshiva) of Yeshivat Shuvu Bonim, also known as Yeshivat Nechamat Zion, in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. The movement is sometimes viewed as being a sect. Berland is a member of Vaad Olami D'Chasedai Breslov (World Committee of Breslov Chassidim), a supervisory council for many Breslov activities.

Following allegations of sexual misconduct, Berland fled Israel, traveling from country to country to avoid extradition to Israel. He was eventually returned to Israel, where he confessed to having committed rape, and was sentenced to 18 months' incarceration for his sexual attacks on two women, as well as his instructions to assault the husband of one of the women he had sexually assaulted.

In June 2021, Berland received another 18-month prison sentence for fraud. A few months later, he became suspected of involvement in two murders.

Biography

Berland was born in Haifa. He studied at the Knesses Chizkiyahu yeshiva in Kfar Hasidim under Rabbi Elyah Lopian and Rabbi Dov Yaffe. After his marriage, daughter of Knesset member Shalom-Avraham Shaki, Berland joined the Ponevezh Yeshiva kollel and, later, the Volozhin Kollel in Bnei Brak. He was a chavruta (study partner) with Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, known as the Steipler Gaon.Among his students is Rabbi Shalom Arush, rosh yeshiva of Chut Shel Chessed Yeshiva of Jerusalem.

Controversies

Several women accused Berland of sexual harassment or rape. The assaults came to light in 2012 when the newspaper Israel Hayom reported an incident in which one of Berland's students encountered him at home standing beside a naked woman. His supporters expressed anger over the report, and the person who leaked the story to the media was later violently attacked.

After the police opened an investigation, Berland fled Israel, and spent time in the United States, Italy, and Switzerland. He then left for Morocco, settling in Marrakesh. Berland lived in Marrakesh for seven months and intended to establish a kehilla in Marrakesh, based on the Shuvu Banim yeshiva. Thousands of followers began travelling to Marrakesh to celebrate holidays and some took up residency. In November 2013, Berland and his students were ordered to leave Morocco by King Mohammed VI after a Moroccan newspaper published an article about the circumstances in which he fled Israel. Berland's followers claimed that the king was merely concerned for their safety, as they were Hasidic Jews living in a Muslim country. Berland is thought to have left Morocco for Cairo, Egypt. He reportedly bought tickets for multiple destinations to confuse pursuers and in the end chose Zimbabwe. From there, he allegedly took a flight to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he was taken in by a relative.

On April 14, 2014, the Chief Rabbi of South Africa, Warren Goldstein, called on the South African Jewish community not to shelter or support Berland. Berland then flew to Zimbabwe, reportedly in a private jet owned by a wealthy follower. He lived in an upscale hotel room in Bulawayo and led worship services for members of the small Zimbabwean Jewish community in a synagogue in the Bulawayo suburb of Khumalo. He was joined by some of his followers. He hired two attorneys in Israel due to the possibility of being forced to return to Israel if his options ran out. On April 7, 2014, police raided Berland's hotel room and found him with some followers from Israel. After it was established that his visitor's visa had expired, he was arrested and charged with remaining in Zimbabwe without a permit. He pleaded guilty before a magistrate judge and was remanded to custody. He was also reportedly questioned over the sexual assault allegations. A magistrate judge gave him a choice between paying a $200 fine or three months in prison and ordered him expelled. Berland paid the fine, and left for South Africa, returning to Johannesburg. There, he lived in hiding, and managed, with help from followers, to narrowly escape two attempts by police to detain him.

The South African Jewish Report featured the first interview of a student trying to defend Berland. He claimed there was a conspiracy against the rabbi due to religious persecution by a sectarian Israeli government. In September 2014, Berland left South Africa to the Netherlands and was arrested after arriving at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol on September 11.

Shortly after his detention, Berland was released. A Dutch court ruled against his extradition as there was no active arrest warrant for him in Israel. The Israeli police confirmed that he was only wanted for questioning. In an interview with Israeli media shortly after his release, Berland claimed that the police had told him the charges were nonsense. Israel and the Netherlands engaged in extradition talks over Berland. In the meantime, he was granted freedom of movement throughout the European Union.

After the court ruling, 300 supporters came to see him, and Berland hosted a reception for them on a Jewish-owned camping site on the island of Texel. The authorities evicted most of them, as the number of supporters rose over the site's capacity.

On December 1, 2014, Berland's extradition was further delayed by a Dutch court due to new evidence submitted by his defense.

On February 12, 2015, his extradition to Israel was ordered by a Dutch court. The decision to extradite him was in the hands of the Dutch Secretary for Justice, Klaas Dijkhoff. Berland's followers tried to install themselves in a camp in Susteren, but it was full. 250 people lodged in a vacant youth hostel in Oldebroek until the mayor ordered them to leave on May 3, 2015, because of inhumane conditions and fire hazards.

The ruling was appealed to the Dutch Supreme Court, which on June 30, 2015, said that Berland could be extradited to Israel.

On the night of October 18, 2015, Berland's followers entered Joseph's Tomb in Nablus, as requested by Berland from abroad. Their entry without security clearance required their rescue by the Israeli Army and was followed by arson of the Tomb by Palestinians.

On April 7, 2016, Berland was again arrested in South Africa. Preceding and following his arrest were mass prayer vigils and demonstrations. On March 22, 2016, facing arrest, Berland asked his followers to hold an all-night prayer vigil at the cave of the patriarchs in Hebron. Approximately 8,000 people attended the six-hour-long rally. Following his arrest, on April 25, hundreds of followers demonstrated outside the South African embassy in Ramat Gan against the "unlawful arrest of the Rabbi" and his being denied humanitarian rights in prison. On April 27, thousands of supporters once again held a mass prayer vigil at the cave of the patriarchs in Hebron.

On May 1, 2016, Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman visited Berland to "aid him and ease his conditions". While there, he spoke about Berland's prison conditions, saying he was being denied food and had not eaten in days. He spoke about this to the media to raise awareness; other rabbis, like Shalom Arush, followed suit and spoke to the media about Berland's condition.

On May 21, 2016, Grossman flew a second time to visit Berland, and apparently succeeded in making some kind of deal between Berland and the Israeli authorities in which Berland would turn himself in voluntarily.

On May 27, 2016, Berland released a letter and audio recording to his followers saying, "I decided to return to Israel".

After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Berland was banned from entering Ukraine for saying that the invasion was divine retribution against Ukraine's government for hindering members of his group from making a pilgrimage to the Ukrainian city of Uman; in 2023 he tried to cross into Ukraine by land from Romania but was denied entry and returned to Israel, reportedly in a private jet.

Conviction and sentencing

On November 18, 2016, Berland was convicted by the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court after admitting to two counts of indecent acts and one assault. He was sentenced on November 22 to 18 months' imprisonment.

Berland has expressed remorse over his acts and said that he takes responsibility for what happened: "I am willing to accept any punishment in the world, including burning me and stoning me because that is Torah law. The punishment that was meted to me was perhaps too light, and I am willing to accept a greater punishment".

On February 12, 2017, Berland was taken to the hospital for an urgent operation. He was later released to house arrest because of his health.

Formation of special Beth Din

At the request of many, a special Beth din (religious court) was convened to investigate the rumors that had come out against Berland, the leader of the Shuvu Bonim community. The beth din comprised three dayanim, and its goal was to adjudicate the manner in which everyone should conduct themselves. On June 24, 2019, this special court issued the following order regarding Berland: "To stop immediately all hatred, persecution, arguments and slander, in writing and in speech, and in all form of media and publication." The statement was signed by Moishe Sternbuch, Yitzchok Tuvia Weiss, and others.

On May 20, after months of collecting evidence and testimony, the beth din issued their final conclusive ruling. It described the content of the testimonies that they had heard as “untoward acts” and “very serious behaviors,” and they concluded that, “It is clear that according to the opinion of our holy teachings, anyone who violates the three cardinal sins and their derivatives, someone who values his soul must stay away from him and one is obligated to act in this way.” The ruling also contained a paragraph warning that this is a serious issue since defenders of Berland have excused his behavior, even publishing books, claiming it is permitted for a Tzaddik to perform sins. The ruling continued, "These matters are considered complete heresy in the fundamentals of our religion. We must uproot and remove this heresy from within us."

Fraud sentence

In February 2020, Berland was arrested for fraud after hundreds of people filed police complaints alleging that he had sold prayers and pills to desperate members of his community, promised to cure disabilities, and promised the family members of imprisoned people that their relatives would be freed soon. During the arrest raid, police seized dozens of boxes of powders and pills which he had marketed as "wonder drugs." Laboratory tests revealed them to be over-the-counter pain medication and candy. In June 2021, Berland was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to fraud in a plea bargain. The sentence included time served; he had spent a year in detention prior to being released to house arrest in February 2021. As he entered prison, a group of his supporters held a demonstration nearby.

References

1. "Sex offender rabbi who defrauded followers gets 18 months in plea deal". The Times of Israel. June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
2. "Sex offender rabbi Berland begins fraud sentence as followers mass outside jail | The Times of Israel". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
3. "Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a". Shuvu Bonim. 1999. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
4. Effting, Maud (October 7, 2014). "Riot around sex rabbi: Is it a fornication drama or witch hunt?". De Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved May 4, 2015.
5. ^ "Information About Vaad Olami D'Chasedai Breslov (World Committee of Breslov Chassidim)". Friends of Breslov Boston. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
6. Nachshoni, Kobi (July 27, 2016). "Rabbi Berland recorded confessing to rape". Ynet. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
7. Sharon, Jeremy (November 23, 2016). "Berland sentenced to 18 months in prison for sexual assault". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
8. ^ Sones, Mordechai (May 4, 2017). "Eliezer Berland apologizes: 'I'm willing to be burned alive'". Israel National News. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
9. staff, T. O. I. (November 1, 2021). "Jailed rabbi Berland arrested in connection with murders linked to Hasidic cult". The Times of Israel. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
10. "Shuvu Banim: Portrait of Perilous Extremism". Keshev.org. November 1999. p. 6. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
11. Ettinger, Yair (October 6, 2006). "Bratslav's Tower of Babel". Haaretz. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
12. Rotem, Tamar (March 22, 2013). "What does it take for a woman to accuse her rabbi of sexual harassment?". Haaretz. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
13. ^ Rabbi accused of sex-abuse ordered out of Morocco - Israel Hayom.
14. גלהר, ארי (April 9, 2013). "הרב אליעזר ברלנד ברח למרוקו". מעריב. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
15. "Morocco expels fugitive Israeli rabbi". Haaretz. November 9, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
16. שטרנהרץ, נחמן (November 7, 2013). "עקב הוראות השלטון: הרב אליעזר ברלנד עזב את מרוקו". כיכר השבת. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
17. "מסע עולמי: באיזו מדינה נמצא הרב ברלנד?". NRG.
18. "Chief Rabbi: Don't shelter Berland". South African Jewish Report. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
19. "End of the road for fugitive rabbi". www.newzimbabwe.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
20. Sharon, Jeremy (April 9, 2014). "Zimbabwe questions Rabbi Berland in sex case". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
21. Moyo, Thandeka (April 10, 2014). "Bye Rabbi: 'Sex pest' Israeli cleric deported". The Chronicle. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
22. Sokol, Sam (April 12, 2014). "Fugitive Israeli rabbi flees to South Africa". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
23. Molosankwe, Botho (September 10, 2014). "'Sex pest' rabbi eludes SA police again". iol.co.za. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
24. "Speaking for Breslov Rabbi Eliezer Berland". South African Jewish Report. Archived from the original on August 5, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
25. Lev, Haim; Soffer, Ari (September 11, 2014). "After Two Years on the Run, Fugitive Rabbi Nabbed in Holland". Israel National News. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
26. "They have nothing! says Rabbi Berland". South African Jewish Report. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
27. http://www.sajr.co.za/opinion/surveys-most-commented-stories/2014/09/14/r-berland-a-free-man-in-amsterdam
28. JTA; Haaretz (October 6, 2014). "Dutch Court to Decide on Fate of Fugitive Orthodox Rabbi Wanted for Sex Crimes". Haaretz.
29. "Israeli sex case rabbi extradition delayed by 'new evidence' - DutchNews.nl". December 1, 2014.
30. "Omstreden rabbijn mag worden uitgeleverd aan Israël - NU - Het laatste nieuws het eerst op NU.nl". www.nu.nl. February 12, 2015.
31. "Part of followers of rabbi left the youth hostel" (in Dutch). Reformatorisch Dagblad. May 4, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
32. "Followers of controversial Rabbi leave Oldebroek" (in Dutch). Retrieved May 4, 2015.
33. Ettinger, Yair (October 20, 2015). "Hasidim Who Entered Joseph's Tomb Disciples of Renegade Rabbi". Haaretz.
34. Ettinger, Yair (April 7, 2016). "Fugitive Rabbi Accused of Sex Crimes Arrested in South Africa". Haaretz. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
35. "Replay of live Broadcast of Prayer Rally in Chevron Taanis Esther night 5776 March 22 2016 | Shuvu Banim International ENGLISH". Archived from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
36. Miskin, Shoshana (April 25, 2016). "Protest in Ramat Gan: Free fugitive Rabbi". Israel National News. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
37. "WATCH: Thousands Attend Prayer Rally At Meoras Hamachpela For Release Of Rabbi Berland On Last Night Of Chol Hamoed Pesach - Yeshiva World News". April 28, 2016.
38. "Mystery arrival of tzadik to 'aid' Berland". South African Jewish Report. Archived from the original on May 9, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
39. "Rav Grossman Speaks About Rabbi Berland's Conditions - Yeshiva World News". May 5, 2016.
40. "Hear about Rav Yitzchak Dovid Grossmans trip to Johannesburg in his mission to help Rav Eliezer Berland – "The Tzaddik Rav Eliezer Berland Shlit"a is a holy servant of Hashem, what he is going through is a spiritual thing, it is our punishment not his." | Shuvu Banim International ENGLISH". Archived from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
41. ערוץ כנישתא חדא (May 5, 2016). "Shocking! 80 yr-old Rabbi Berland is being denied food in South African prison". Archived from the original on December 20, 2021 – via YouTube.
42. "Rav Arush: Rav Berland Is In Sakanas Chaim - Yeshiva World News". May 3, 2016.
43. "Updated! Full English transcription of Recording: Rav Shalom Arush speaking on Radio Kol B'ramah "Rav Berland is an angel of G-d, he is atoning for the sins of the generation…" | Shuvu Banim International ENGLISH". Archived from the original on June 8, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
44. "Rav Yitzchok Dovid Grossman Heads To South Africa Again To Assist Rabbi Berland". The Yeshiva World. May 23, 2016. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
45. "הרב אליעזר ברלנד חתם על הסכם הסגרה וינחת בשבוע הבא". כיכר השבת (in Hebrew). May 27, 2016.
46. "Is Rabbi Berland Heading Back To Eretz Yisrael In The Coming Days?". The Yeshiva World. May 26, 2016. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
47. "The letter and the recording of Rav Berland "I'm returning to Israel" | Shuvu Banim International ENGLISH". Archived from the original on June 6, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
48. "Convicted Sex Offender Rabbi Berland Turned Away at Ukrainian Border on Way to Uman". www.haaretz.com. September 14, 2024. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
49. Staff, ToI. "Sex offender rabbi turned away from Ukraine border crossing ahead of Uman pilgrimage". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
50. "Fugitive rabbi convicted of sexual assault in plea deal". The Times of Israel. November 18, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
51. "Popular rabbi convicted of sexual assault sentenced to 18 months". The Times of Israel. November 22, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
52. Rabbi Berland hospitalized Arutz Sheva Staff, February 12, 2017.
53. Hoffman, Yair (June 26, 2019). "BAIS DIN KOL KOREH: No Negative Talk Allowed About Rabbi Berland". Yeshiva World News. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
54. "PSAK DIN: Bais Din In Israel Declare That Rav Berland And His Chassidim Should Be Left Alone". Matzav.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
55. Hoffman, Yair (May 22, 2020). "Three Chareidi Batei Dinim Rule that Eliezer Berland is Guilty and Should be Ostracized". Yeshiva World News. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
56. "Sex offender rabbi Berland begins fraud sentence as followers mass outside jail". The Times of Israel. October 28, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2022.

External links

• Shuvu Bonim Yeshiva website
• Shuvu Banim International website

• 1937 births
• Living people
• Breslov rabbis
• 20th-century Israeli rabbis
• 21st-century Israeli rabbis
• Hasidic rosh yeshivas
• Israeli Hasidic rabbis
• Ponevezh Yeshiva alumni
• People from Haifa
• Orthodox Jewish outreach
• People extradited to Israel
• Rabbis convicted of crimes
• Jewish cults
• Sexual abuse scandals in Judaism