Former New West End rabbi loses employment tribunal claim against United Synagogue

A rabbi who departed from New West End Synagogue in 2023 after a mysterious year-long absence has failed in his attempt to overturn a costs order incurred after losing claims for unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal and disability discrimination against the United Synagogue.

Dr Moshe Freedman, who previously served as rabbi for the prestigious synagogue in St Petersburg Square, Bayswater, for almost a decade, was summarily dismissed from his position by the United Synagogue in January 2023 for gross misconduct. Jewish News understands from the relevant employment tribunal documents that this dismissal was due to an allegation of sexual misconduct from an unnamed woman, leading to Freedman’s arrest in 2022 – as well as his production and uploading of a series of violent cartoon videos to YouTube during his period of suspension by the United Synagogue.

The first incident, understood to have taken place in May 2022, was followed by Freedman’s arrest days later. Having informed the United Synagogue at that point, the organisation suspended him, effective immediately, “until such time as the police complete their investigations and relevant action is taken, if any”. Freedman was also told that “once the police have concluded their investigation, it may be necessary for the organisation to commence an internal investigation, therefore your suspension may be reviewed at that time.”

It is understood that the woman who made the original allegation against Freedman subsequently told the police that she would not participate in any further interviews and did not want to appear in a video recorded interview – despite being told that this would mean the sexual misconduct accusation against Freedman would be dropped. However, Westminster Council’s Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) tasked with investigating the allegations against Freedman, found that they were “substantiated” – meaning there was sufficient identifiable evidence to prove the allegation, although the motive and intentions of Freedman could not be ruled or determined.

The employment tribunal document also discussed the second incident – that in July 2022, while Freedman was placed on suspension, he uploaded a series of cartoon videos which appeared to have been created and narrated by himself. The series, titled “nursery crimes”, involved children’s nursery rhymes with a violent twist, such as ‘Incy Wincy Spider’ but with the spider ending by stabbing a man in the head, with blood depicted. These videos were uploaded to YouTube and were marked as not suitable for children. However, Freedman did share them with his older children, and they were subsequently shared further, reaching the attention of the United Synagogue.

The Chief Rabbi’s view of the situation, as expressed in the tribunal document, was unambiguous:

“The Chief Rabbi said he seriously questioned Rabbi Freedman’s fitness to be a rabbi in our community in the light of the behaviour…He was also concerned that if allowed to remain in position and there was ever repetition of this behaviour and it became known that we had been aware of the incident and had not acted, we would be asked why we had allowed him to stay? He also thought the cartoon video… was wholly inappropriate… the Chief Rabbi thought that the violence depicted in the cartoon video was dangerous”.

A subsequent disciplinary meeting held by the United Synagogue in January 2023, chaired by an independent former judge, found that Freedman’s conduct had breached his contract of employment and recommended his dismissal with immediate effect, dismissing the idea that Freedman’s recent Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis should count as mitigation. A subsequent appeal by Freedman was rejected in April 2023. The employment tribunal was subsequently heard on multiple dates in central London during the course of 2024, with two further meetings in February and May 2025.

In the tribunal judgement, the judge rejected all of Freedman’s claims. He was ordered to pay the United Synagogue £20,000 in costs, which was it had sought despite that being only “a small proportion of the total costs incurred” by the organisation. Last week, an attempt by Freedman for a reconsideration of the costs judgement was refused, with the judge confirming that there was “no reasonable prospect of the original decision being varied or revoked.”

In response to the tribunal decision, Freedman, told Jewish News: “Naturally, I am profoundly disappointed in the decision made by the tribunal, which I consider to be both unfair and perverse. At this stage I am unable to comment further as I have prepared a dossier of evidence which I will be passing to the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office.”

Freedman no longer holds any rabbinical role at any synagogue. He is believed have been working as a data analyst for a medical company since September 2023.