Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations selects non-Jewish chair to head Halpern inquiry
The former judge due to chair the probe into allegations against Rabbi Chaim Halpern replaced by a non-Jewish chair – sparking concerns strictly-Orthodox women will be even more reluctant to come forward.
Jenni Frazer is a freelance journalist
The former judge due to chair the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations’ inquiry into allegations against Golders Green rabbi, Chaim Halpern, has been replaced by a non-Jewish chair – sparking concerns that strictly-Orthodox women may be reluctant to confide in someone outside the community.
The former Recorder of Redbridge originally due to chair the inquiry, Judge Martyn Zeidman, has withdrawn from the role. He told Jewish News: “With great regret, I am now unable to conduct this important inquiry. It is for personal reasons, in that my wife has suddenly been taken seriously ill”.
But for his wife’s sudden health decline, the judge would have been expected to begin his inquiry imminently, into the allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour by Rabbi Halpern.
He had made it clear that he would not invite witnesses until any police inquiry had concluded. Last week police announced its inquiry into allegations against Rabbi Halpern had been closed, because it had been unable to make contact with, or identify, the latest accuser.
Jewish News understands Zeidman has been replaced with an as-yet unnamed non-Jewish chair, prompting concerns that alleged victims may be uncomfortable confiding in someone outside their community.
Rabbi Halpern insists he is innocent of all allegations and claims it is not his voice on the recordings.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
