Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Case of Yori Yanover

Case of Yori Yanover

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New York University - New York, NY
(1970s) IDF's Ba'Machaneh Nachal - Israel
(1980s) Producer, WBAI - New York
(1994) Founding Editor, Jewish Communications Network (JCN18.com) - New York, NY
(1999 - 2011) Not the New York Times - New York, NY
Arutz 7 Radio - Israel
Israel Shelanu Weekly - Israel
Yedioth Aharonoth, Israel
(1996) Lubavitch News Service - Crown Heights, NY
No'ar 71 Magazine - Israel
(1999) Former Editor, USAJewish.com - New York
(2001) Editor of Prayer Book, Central Conference of American Rabbis - New York, NY
(2004 - 2011) The Grand Street News - New York, NY
LoHo10002.com - New York, NY
Yanover Consulting - New York, New York
Ben Yehuda Press - Netanya, Israel


For years allegations have been made against Yori Yanover of enabling alleged sex offenders, cyber bullying and stalking, witness tampering and harassment.

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Disclaimer: Inclusion in this website does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement. Individuals must decide for themselves if the resources meet their own personal needs.


Table of Contents:

2005
  1. Exclusive: Yoram / Yori Yanover of USAJEWISH blog is alleged to have helped friend hide income and avoid child support, has 48 hours to come clean   (05/31/2005)
  2. Newspaper publisher becomes the story before debate  (06/13/2005)

2006
  1. JCN18: Yori Yanover, Rabbi Hershy Worch, Susan L. Rosenbluth, Rabbi Larry Yudelson and Rabbi David Lipman  (03/21/2006)
  2. Yori Yanover Takes On Vicki Polin  (05/25/2006)

2010
  1. Not The New York Times  (11/16/2010)

2011
  1. Grand Street News Ceases Publication  (10/06/2011)
  2. Yori Yanover’s Connection to Rabbi J. Hershy Worch’ Wife –– Salome Worch 
  3.  (12/30/2011)

2013
  1. The Appalling Jewish Press Smears 6-Year-Old Alleged Child Sex Abuse Victims  (05/13/2013)
  2. Ben Yehuda Press (05/13/2013)

Also see:
  1. Case of Rabbi Marc Gafni
  2. Case of Harlan Kilstein
  3. Case of Rabbi David E. Lipman
  4. Case of Rabbi J. Hershy Worch

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Exclusive: Yoram / Yori Yanover of USAJEWISH blog is alleged to have helped friend hide income and avoid child support, has 48 hours to come clean





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Newspaper publisher becomes the story before debate Yori Yanover, publisher of the Grand Street News
By Ronda Kaysen
Volume 75, Number 8 | June 13- 20, 2005

NOTE: Besides Yori Yanover being friends with alleged sex offender, Rabbi Hershy Worch, he was also close friends with convicted sex offender Rabbi David Lipman, both worked for him when he ran JCN18 (Jewish Communication Network) along with his friend, Rabbi Larry Yudelson (Reb Yudel).  

Yori Yanover - enabler of sex offenders
Much thought isn't usually given to moderators. By definition, they are thought to be moderate, but Yori Yanover, who was tapped to facilitate Tuesday night's City Council District 2 debate, has some strong opinions about the feminist, gay rights and psychoanalytic movements and isn't afraid to blog them.

On Tuesday morning, hours before 12 of the candidates vying to fill Margarita Lopez's City Council seat gathered at the Henry Street Settlement for their first public debate, an anonymous e-mail circulated among the candidates, urging them to boycott the event, which was to include three panelists asking questions in addition to Yanover, who was to moderate. The writer, identifying himself only as Constitution Man of the Committee to Boycott LoHo Realty and their Grand Street News, pointed to a private Web blog penned by the debate's moderator as cause for a candidate-wide boycott.

The blog, www.usajewish.com, was written by Yanover, the publisher of Grand Street News, a booklet-size community newspaper sponsored by LoHo Realty. The entries in question address an ongoing dispute within the Jewish community about a handful of rabbis accused of sexual impropriety.

In one entry, Yanover responds to sexual allegations against the late Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach lodged by several women after Carlebach's death. The allegations were never brought to court. In response to the unsubstantiated allegations, Yanover, in his blog, blamed the "homosexual movement, the feminist movement and the psychoanalytical movement. All three movements have politicized the sexual, and with that, robbed us of the carefree availability of our sexual expression," he wrote.

"The gay rights, feminist and psychological movements have changed how society approached sex in worrisome ways," Yanover told The Villager. "Making a sexual mistake in this society is the most dangerous thing that can happen to you. The boss who 10 years ago may have said something cheeky to a secretary or a female underling, now he's going in the other direction. This is part of the anxiety of our culture."

One candidate, Brian Kavanagh, withdrew his name from the debate after learning about Yanover's statements. "The moderator of a debate is not merely a bystander, but controls the forum and has a public presence and I think that choosing this particular person under the present circumstances shows some insensitivity both to the gay and lesbian community and also to victims of rape," said Kavanagh, describing the blog entries as "reprehensible."

"Is she concerned? I'm sure she would be concerned with anything that's homophobic or anti-women," said Roberto Caballero, who is gay and is the campaign manager for Reverend Joan Brightharp, the only member of the clergy in the race. Brightharp, however, planned to attend the debate, which occurred as The Villager went to press.

Yori Yanover making online death threats to various Rape Victim Advocates
Yanover is a strong presence in the Lower East Side community. In fact, Grand Street News approached Henry Street Settlement several months ago to co-sponsor the debate along with LoHo Realty. Some local figures have jumped to his defense in the wake of the Tuesday morning e-mail. "I believe in supporting good people," said Susan Stetzer, district manager of Community Board 3. "He is not homophobic, he is not anti-feminist. He and his wife are feminists and they're raising their daughter to be a feminist." Stetzer and David McWater, C.B. 3 chairperson, were profiled by Grand Street News within the past year and their photo appeared on its cover.

Henry Street Settlement, which hosted the event, had no intentions of canceling or changing moderators on Tuesday afternoon. "At this point, we're not making any changes," said Kathleen Gupta, a chief administrator for the Henry Street Settlement, two hours before the event. "We're just moving forward and hoping it'll be a productive evening."

Rosie Mendez, the only openly gay candidate in the race, had not read the e-mail when she spoke to The Villager on Tuesday afternoon and was reluctant to take a position. "I have to ask myself, `Why today, a couple of hours before the debate, is this coming to light?' " she said. "This has been planned a long time ago. It's interesting that this has come out now." Mendez planned to attend the event.

The author of the e-mail that pointed candidates and The Villager to the blog did not return requests for comment, nor did he respond to requests to identify himself.
Bias is often subjective and, according to Yanover, the comments on his blog — all of which were removed on Tuesday afternoon — were part of a larger dialogue within the Jewish community. The blog entries in question were written last winter, he said, in response to comments made last October by an organization, the Awareness Center, about his close friend Rabbi Jeremy Hershy Worch.

The Awareness Center, a Maryland-based organization, is "dedicated to addressing sexual violence in Jewish communities around the world," according to its Web site. Among the alleged perpetrators of sexual violence accused on the Web site is Yanover's friend Worch.

"Every time you Google the guy's name, every time he applies for a job," the link to the Awareness Center Web site appears at the top of the search engine, said Yanover. "His name is destroyed. What can you do about this? All you can do is cower away or you can fight this."

And so Yanover printed the full name, address and telephone number of the woman who made the accusations against Worch, removing the "the shelter of anonymity" that protected her.

"This woman destroyed the life of a man, she accused him of despicable things and hid behind a veil of anonymity and she did not deserve it [anonymity]," said Yanover in a telephone interview, pointing out that no charges were ever brought against Worch.
Ironically, the Internet and the infinite memory of Google may now have turned on Yanover, thrusting his online ramblings into the political arena. "A friend of mine last October was destroyed by sinister people and it's been my business to defend his good name," he said.

 "And if I get skewered by that then that's the way it has to be."

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Grand Street News 
Grand Street News - March, 2011








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JCN18: Yori Yanover, Rabbi Hershy Worch, Susan L. Rosenbluth, Rabbi Larry Yudelson and Rabbi David Lipman 

Jewish Survivors of Sexual Abuse Speak Out - March 21, 2006



A friend sent the following note:I had not realized until I saw this listing at the Jewish Press Association website that the Jewish Voice used to be associated with JCN18 which is Yori Yanover andLarry Yudelson's former on-line publication that had convicted child molester Rabbi David Lipman working there. Rabbis Hershy Worch was also contributors.


The Jewish Voice & Opinion (A )
73 Dana Pl
Englewood, NJ 07631
Susan L. Rosenbluth - Pub/Ed
201-569-2845
FAX: 201-569-1739
WEB: www.jcnl8.com/jewish_voice/



Rabbi Larry Yudelson
The Jewish Voice & Opinion is an 11-year-old monthly news magazine reaching by mail approximately 15,000 observant-Jewish households throughout the Metropolitan area. Mailed on the Friday before the first Shabbos of each month. In New Jersey, we reach the Orthodox communities in Fort Lee, Englewood, Teaneck, Bergenfield, Paramus, Tenafly, Fair Lawn, Passaic, Clifton, the Oranges, Livingston, Springfield, Elizabeth, Hillside, North Bergen, Secaucus, Morristown, Aberdeen/Matawan, Highland Park, Edison, The Brunswicks and others. We reach families in neighboring Rockland County, NY, plus New York City. We accept advertisements from establishments wishing to reach our very special readers, providing they are kosher and meet Orthodox rabbinic kashruth standards.

***************
Here's another photograph of Yori Yanover. It was published on his blog some time ago as an "alleged" threat to an individual who advocates for the rights of survivors of sexual violence. He has since taken the threat down but the photo can also be found here.


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Yori Yanover Takes On Vicki Polin
By The Town Cryer
Jew School - May 25, 2006







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Not The New York Times
By Yori Yanover
November 16, 2010




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Grand Street News Ceases Publication
The Low Down - New York - October 6, 2011


After seven years in business, the Grand Street News is calling it quits.  The Lower East Side monthly magazine, distributed to 12,000 Lower East Side apartments, has already published its last issue.  The Grand Street News was run by husband and wife team Yori Yanover and Nancy Kramer.
They were in the “hyperlocal” game long before anyone had heard of the now fashionable phrase.  As relative newbies in independent community news, we have a huge amount of respect for what Yori and Nancy accomplished, and for their love of the Lower East Side.  Grand Street won’t be the same without them. 


Here’s what Yori told us earlier today:
The Grand Street News came to life in January, 2004, when the Lower East Side was in the midst of an economic boom. Our marketing strategy took advantage of the need of vendors and service providers to reach newcomers as well as the more established population, and the appetite of our readers for local public affairs and the arts.
A hyper-local publication, we offered our readers a printed depiction of things they could sometimes see from their own living room windows, and there was magic in that. We thought we would be among the last remaining print publications, because the value we offered our clients was tangible: You give us your message, we put it in the mailboxes of your very customers. In a sense, while advertisers in most publications attempt to hit 3 to 10 percent of their target audience, we could offer the full 100 percent to local vendors.
Over the years we learned to identify which products would do well with us and which would not, and we actually discouraged potential clients from using our services if we didn’t think they could get a return on their investment. It’s what you do when you live on the same block as your client. Our editorial policy was similar. We often emailed a fact check copy of our stories to interviewees, giving them an option to alter their recorded statements in light of how they appeared next to competing statements. Again, it’s what you do when you live on the same block as the subject of your story. It’s also a more decent approach to journalism. 
We started to feel the decline of the LES economy about two years ago, and we saw many of our clients closing down or curtailing their operations. We tried to be creative and inventive, and although we stayed in the black, we could project the continued drop in our income. Around November of last year we decided to put our apartment up for sale and move to Israel, which, God willing, will happen in late fall. 
The Lower East Side has been our home for 36 years and we are convinced it is the finest neighborhood in New York and, obviously, in America. Israel is, come to think of it, the only logical move for someone who has embraced the values, the colors, the fragrances and the intensity of the Lower East Side. We’re planning to rent an apartment with an extra bedroom, so that all our visiting friends can have a place to crash in the land of milk and honey. 
What a ride this has been.
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Yori Yanover’s Connection to Rabbi J. Hershy Worch’ Wife –– Salome Worch
Grand Street News - December 13, 2011



Several years ago Yori Yanover staged an attack against The Awareness Center while the organization was providing information regarding both Rabbi David Lipman and Rabbi Hershy Worch, who were close friends.  Rabbi Lipman is now a convicted sex offender, and Rabbi Hershy Worch has been accused multiple times of clergy sexual abuse.

A few years later Rabbi Worch's fifth wife, Salome Worch created a "comic strip" in her attempts to cyber-bully the founder and director of The Awareness Center. 

The web page that housed the comic strip was owned by Yori Yanover.  A few years later Salome Worch illustrated a few cover pages for Yori Yanover's newspaper - "Grand Street News".  


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The Appalling Jewish Press Smears 6-Year-Old Alleged Child Sex Abuse Victims
By Shmarya Rosenberg
Failed Messiah Blog - May 13, 2013


The Appalling Jewish Press Smears 6-Year-Old Alleged Child Sex Abuse Victims

The appalling Jewish Press has published a horrific news article by its online editor, Yori Yanover. Yanover has a long history of allegedly harassing and stalking online advocates for victims. He also infamously wrote a very biased, unethical article many years ago for the Forward about Chabad – without disclosing that he worked for Chabad. The Jewish Press knew about Yanover's "issues," but it hired him anyway. And this is the result…

Yori Yanover

The horrific 'news' piece posted below – which is unethical, openly biased, stupid and obscene – was published as a news report by the Jewish Press. (It would simply be horrific, stupid and obscene if it were an op-ed.)

Its author, Yori Yanover, has a long history of allegedly harassing and stalking online advocates for victims. He also infamously wrote a very biased, unethical article many years ago for the Forward about Chabad – without disclosing that he worked for Chabad.
Even with this history, the Jewish Press hired Yanover to be its senior Internet editor – something I told people close to the Jewish Press would be a tremendous error.
And an error it clearly is.

Here is a prime example of why Yori Yanover should never work in news ever again:

Jewish Teacher Charged with Molestation and Fired on Dubious GroundsThe arrest was made based on the testimony of a 12-year-old babysitter's hearsay from a 6- and a 7-year-old. 
By Yori Yanover
The Jewish Press - May 13th, 2013 
Jordan Eareckson Murray, 32, father of three, known by his students as Rabbi Yaakov, taught first and second grade at the Torah Day School, on South Ferdinand Street in Columbia City, Seattle, and, reportedly, groped two female students, ages 6 and 7, after putting them on his lap behind his desk, in front of other students.
He was arrested May 3 and spent close to 48 hours in the King County Jail before posting a $100,000 bond, according to jail and court records. 

Formal charges were filed last week, accusing Murray of touching the two girls under their clothes numerous times since the middle of the school year. Other students were unaware of the behavior because Murray’s desk blocked their view, according to the charges. 

Here’s how the evidence against Muray was collected: 

The two alleged victims were playing together at the younger girl’s house and told the girl’s 12-year-old sister, also a student at the Torah Day School, that “Rabbi Murray puts his hands in their pants,” according to the charges, which note that the two younger girls “were scared” and confused and didn’t know why it was happening. 

If it was happening. 

The 12-year-old sister brought the girls to her mother, and they disclosed the alleged abuse, according to the charges. 

The 12-year-old had baby-sat Murray’s children in the past, according to reports. 

In other words, the arrest was made based on the testimony of a 12-year-old babysitter’s hearsay from a 6- and a 7-year-old. 

The Seattle Police Department received two referrals from Child Protective Services on April 23 and launched an investigation, the papers say. 

Murray declined to speak with investigators, which means he’s getting good legal advice. 

Here’s what Senior Deputy Prosecutor Carol Spoor had to say on the case: 

“The defendant is a clear danger to children given the circumstances of this crime where he abused his position of trust as a first- and second-grade teacher, secretly molesting these girls in class in front of others.” 

Based on the hearsay testimony of a 12-year old who heard it from her 6-year-old sister and her 7-year-old friend. 

I’m not saying the man is innocent—how could I possibly tell? But I’ve been in this business a few years, and when it smells, I can sense it. These cases always depend on the quality of police investigation, most importantly: how much of the information came voluntarily from the child witness, and how much did the interrogating detective feed her. 

Children do not have a developed sense of right and wrong, children have magical thinking, children are incapable of reasoning the way adults do. It’s extremely tough for experts in the field to get untainted information from children, because children are constantly on the lookout for cues as to what the adult wants them to say.

Here’s something about the quality of the detective work in this case:

Seattle Detective Michael Moore told the court that a 6-year-old girl had told him that after she approached Murray to show him her school work, Murray put her on his lap and shoved his hands down her pants while he was seated behind his desk. As he did so, Murray stared at the girl’s school work as though he was reading it, Moore continued. The detective added that the rest of the first-grade class was unaware Murray was groping the child. 

Having spent two years of my life in the first and the second grades (one year each), I’m trying to imagine a situation whereby a teacher manages to pull off that feat of depravity with no one noticing. 

Of course, as is common in these cases, which often turn out to be nothing more than mass hysteria, once the news spreads about the alleged molestation by a rabbi, local children suddenly remember having been abused by the same man. 

The chilling documentary, Capturing the Friedmans, shows one such case, where an entire family was destroyed by mass hysteria, spun by confused children, frightened parents, and shoddy work, even, possibly, lies, of the detectives of the Great Neck PD. In 1988, one of the family members, Jesse Friedman, was coerced into pleading guilty to some incredible and imaginary crimes of child sexual abuse, and sentenced to 18 years in prison. In July, 2010, the Federal Second Circuit Court of Appeals said there was “a reasonable likelihood” that Jesse Friedman was wrongfully convicted. 

In the Seattle case, another 6-year-old has already come up with a description of sitting on Murray’s lap or standing between his legs, and said other girls in her class also sat on his lap, according to the charges. The girl said Murray often hugged her from behind and touched her over her clothing, the papers say. 

So, after having been unaware of anything out of the ordinary happening in the original report, all of a sudden we hear of busy molestation schedules in Rabbi Yaakov’s classroom. 

By now there are at least four other students in Murray’s classes, in addition to the original two, all ages 6 and 7, who have “routinely complained of anxiety, headaches and stomach aches,” but the girls’ parents said the children were fine and acted normally after being sent home early, the papers say. 

In today’s U.S.A. you’ll catch a better break planting bombs than being a rabbi accused of henky penky. 

Murray was fired following the allegations. According to Dan Donohoe, spokesman for King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, he does not have a criminal history. Originally, the police told the press that Murray had a criminal record in another state, but then they issued a retraction. 

Gives you an idea of the quality of their police work?


Here is the redacted charge sheet and other court documents. You can see what Murray allegedly did and how he was arrested.

Here are two previous FailedMessiah.com posts accurately reporting what happened:







The Jewish Press has as I see it no choice. It either fires Yanover or it loses any semblance of credibility it might have.

Yori Yanover is a sick, disgusting and dishonest man, and the time has long since past that he should be permanently removed from public Jewish life.

In Yanover's twisted mind, the children are all liars or all manipulated, and poor rabbi is wronged – this despite the fact that the girls' reactions to the alleged abuse and the manner in which they told their stories is entirely consistent with how abuse victims of that age behave.

The behavior of the other alleged victims (who may also press charges) is also utterly consistent with the behavior of abuse victims of that age.

I could go on, but what's the point?

There are complaining witnesses who say Murray sexually abused them and there are two complaining witnesses who can testify to the girls' behavior.

In the world of sick, evil little men like Yanover, the testimony of children does not count and a child telling an adult or older sibling that a rabbi "put his hands down my pants" is hearsay.

In the world of Yori Yanover, the only pedophiles who would ever be convicted are the ones caught as at the moment they abuse a child or, perhaps, if the abuse is caught on tape. But this would also be true of adult rape victims and of women who say they were sexually abused by their rabbi – a rabbi who happens to be a close friend of Yanover's.

Normal people understand that not all allegations are true, but they also know that the vast majority are – as the evidence clearly shows.

Yanover's calculus flips this upside down.

Despite the facts, despite the evidence, despite the fact that law enforcement (at least in major and mid-sized cities throughout the US and Canada) have not used the poor interview techniques that were used in some cities 25 years ago in more than two decades, despite the fact that law enforcement officers are now primarily college educated and those who investigate sex crimes against children get extensive detailed training in interview techniques meant to prevent leading the alleged victims to say what they think the detective wants to hear – despite all that,  Yanover sees a world where the alleged abusers are almost always innocent, and the alleged victims are almost always lying, manipulated or enticers.
He is sick, evil man.

The Jewish Press should be very ashamed.

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Ben Yehuda Press
May 13, 2013




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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."  --Margaret Mead

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Friday, May 27, 2005

Case of Rabbi David E. Lipman

Case of David E. Lipman
(AKA: David Lipman)
Rabbi David Lipman - Convicted Sex Offender

 Kiruv Rabbi / Cantor
Seattle, WA; Cranston, RI; Prescott, AZ;
Temple Sinai  - Cranston, RI
Temple B'rith Shalom - Prescott, AZ
Temple Beth Am - Prescott, AZ

Rabbi David Lipman pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class 2 felony, and three counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, Class 3 felonies.  Lipman pleaded guilty to pertain to the computer images of children younger than the age of 15.

A grand jury initially indicated Lipman on 16 counts of child molestation and sexual abuse. These charges stem from an investigation that involved two teen-age girls, 16 and 14.

The plea agreement also mandates lifetime probation and a sex offender registration.

David Lipman ran the internet kiruv website jewishgates.org.  He also is the son of former president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR).


There are several people by the name of David Lipman.  The individual discussed on this page was born on January 18, 1951.

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Disclaimer: Inclusion in this website does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement. Individuals must decide for themselves if the resources meet their own personal needs.
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Table of Contents: 

Past Work History:
  1. Rabbi Lipman appointed to Temple (08/16/1996)
  2. Prescott temple hires new rabbi  (05/17/2002)
  3. Temple B'rith Shalom - Rabbi David Lipman
  4. Rabbi David Lipman - Gates of Jewish Heritage

2005
  1. Arrest warrant issued for rabbi in child molestation case  (05/27/2005)
  2. Judge issues felony warrant for rabbi: Faces complaint involving 16 counts of molestation, sex abuse (05/27/2005)
  3. Police Look For Rabbi  (05/27/2005)
  4. About Rabbi Lipman (05/27/2005)
  5. Missing Arizona rabbi faces child abuse charges (06/09/2005)
  6. Letter to the Editor -Fleeing the scene (06/17/2005)
  7. Phoenix Rabbi Accused Of Sex Abuse  (07/0/3/2005)
  8. Rabbi Missing (07/0/3/2005)
  9. Facing sex abuse charges, former rabbi is out on bond after turning himself in  (07/07/2005)
  10. Prescott Court Information (07/24/2005)
  11. Prosecutors seek prison term for Rabbi (08/24/2005)
  12. Prescott police continue to investigate Rabbi Lipman  (12/22/2005)
2006
  1. Former Rabbi pleads guilty to four felony counts (01/31/2006)
  2. State of Arizona Public Assess to Court Records  (01/31/2006)
  3. JCN18: Yori Yanover, Rabbi Hershy Worch, Susan L. Rosenbluth, Rabbi Larry Yudelson and Rabbi David Lipman (03/21/2006)
  4. Former rabbi gets more than 13 years  (03/24/2006)
  5. Former rabbi sentenced for viewing sexually explicit images  (03/24/2006)
  6. Court Update: Case of Rabbi David Lipman  (03/24/2006)
  7. Prosecutors offer Lipman a plea  (04/04/2006)
  8. Judge gives rabbi lifetime probation (04/15/2006)
  9. Rabbi serving sentence in child-porn case  (04/19/2006)
2012
  1. Inmate Locator - Rabbi David Lipman (09/30/2012)

2014
  1. Inmate Locator - Rabbi David Lipman (01/30/2014)

Also See:
  1. Case of Rabbi Harlan Kilstein (AKA: Tzvi Kilstein)
  2. Case of Yori Yanover


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Temple B'rith Shalom

Rabbi David E. Lipman - Temple B'rith Shalom

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Rabbi David Lipman - Gates of jewish Heritage


Rabbi David Lipman - Gates of Jewish Heritage
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Rabbi Lipman Appointed to Temple
Record - August 16, 1996


Temple Beth Am of Reform Judaism has announced the appointment of Rabbi David Lipman.  He will conduct weekly services at the Temple 106 North St. beginning in September.

He studies music and liberal arts at Oberlin Conservatory of Music and was graduated sumina cum laude.  He also studied at Hebrew Union College and Hebrew University in Israel, was curriculum director and teacher for the Dade Public School Program in Israel.

Rabbi Lipman worked on many achaeological digs in Israel and studied for a semester with Yigael Yadin in Jerusalem.  He is currently a third year student at Hebrew Union College in New York City.

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Prescott temple hires new rabbi
By Leisah Namm

http://www.jewishaz.com/jewishnews/020517/prescott.shtml
 Temple B'rith Shalom, 2077 Brohner Way, Prescott, AZ 86301-8800, Phone: 928 708 0018

Rabbi David Lipman, Services: Weekly, Friday 7:30 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM.

Rabbi David E. Lipman - Sex Offender


May 17, 2002/Sivan 6, 5762, Vol. 54, No.35


Temple B'rith Shalom in Prescott has hired a new rabbi to serve its 157 member families.

Rabbi David E. Lipman, who currently leads a Reform congregation in Cranston, R.I., fills the future gap left by Rabbi William Berkowitz, who will leave the synagogue in June.

Berkowitz has served the congregation for seven years.

Before his arrival, the nearly 25-year-old Reform congregation was led by student rabbis, had about 60 families and didn't have its own building, said president Suzanne Allender.

"(Berkowitz) has been very much involved in and responsible for more than doubling the size of the synagogue, tracking people so that we were able to build a building and enabling us to have much richer programming," Allender said.

B'rith Shalom is the first synagogue in Northern Arizona to have built its own building, which is now four years old, she added.

Berkowitz is also given credit "for improving and strengthening the ties between the Jewish community in Prescott and the wider community," she said. "He's done a terrific job with interacting with the other clergy here in Prescott and having a Jewish voice being heard in the general community.

"In all those ways, he's been a tremendous help to the Jewish community here. We're very sorry to see him leave but we understand that sometimes other things have to take precedence, in this case his family."

As Berkowitz enters this "period of transition," he is "excited about where this may lead," he says.

His short-term plans include remaining in Prescott and attending Temple B'rith Shalom, and he says he will always remember "how nice and friendly and warm and accepting this congregation has been."

The congregation will hold a dinner dance in honor of Berkowitz on June 16 (see Details box).

The congregation currently has weekly Shabbat services, adult education programs, religious school and a sisterhood. About 20-30 member families live part-time in the Phoenix area, Allender said.

Besides serving as rabbi at Temple Sinai in Rhode Island, Lipman is a board member of Jewish Services for the Elderly and the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, a teacher in a community Jewish high school, a lecturer at Providence Jewish Renaissance and the creator of the Jewish Web site www.jewishgates.org. He was ordained in 1978 at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. He will move to Prescott with wife (Name Removed).
 _________________________________________________________________________________

Arrest warrant issued for rabbi in child molestation case
Associated Press - May. 27, 2005


PRESCOTT - A felony warrant has been issued for the arrest of a rabbi accused of child molestation and sexual abuse, authorities said.

Yavapai County prosecutors said David Lipman, 55, faces 11 counts of child molestation and five counts of sexual abuse that stem from an investigation involving two girls, ages 16 and 14.

Prescott Justice Court Judge Arthur Markham signed a warrant Thursday for Lipman's arrest.

City police received a call on May 13 from a Child Protective Services employee who reported possible sexual abuse of two girls.

That prompted a criminal investigation against Lipman, who admitted to inappropriate touching, according to Prescott Police Det. Robert Peoples.

Lipman was placed on administrative leave Monday from Temple B'rith Shalom, where he has been rabbi since April 2002 of a congregation with about 300 members.

 _________________________________________________________________________________

Judge issues felony warrant for rabbi
Faces complaint involving 16 counts of molestation, sex abuse

By MIRSADA BURIC-ADAM
The Daily Courier - May 27, 2005


PRESCOTT A judge Thursday issued a felony warrant for the arrest of Rabbi David Lipman after the Yavapai County Attorney's Office filed a complaint with 16 counts of child molestation and sexual abuse against him.

Lipman's wife, however, reported the 55-year-old rabbi missing on Tuesday in the wake of a sexual abuse investigation and his administrative leave from Temple B'rith Shalom in the 2000 block of Brohner Way in Prescott.

Prescott Police Det. Robert Peoples said on Thursday that he received no new information regarding the missing person case.

Deputy Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane said Lipman faces 11 counts of child molestation and five counts of sexual abuse that stem from an investigation involving two teen-age girls, 16 and 14 years of age. Shortly after authorities filed the complaint, Prescott Justice Court Judge Arthur Markham signed a warrant for Lipman's arrest.

Peoples said that all of the charges in the complaint stem from the allegations of inappropriate touching that the older girl reported to authorities because those incidents allegedly occurred in Arizona.

Lipman faces no charges in connection with the allegations that the younger girl made because those alleged incidents took place in another state, said Peoples, who is unaware whether authorities in that state are investigating those allegations.

Peoples said on Monday that his agency received a call on May 13 from a Child Protective Services employee who reported possible sexual abuse of two girls. He said the employee obtained the information from the CPS hotline.

That information prompted a criminal investigation against Lipman, which ap-parently revealed that the alleged abuse had been going on for about six to eight years, he said.

"The abuse started with back massages, then Lipman would move his hands to her buttocks, breasts and (private parts)," a PPD report states. "She recalls the touching being under her clothes rather than over her clothes."

When police went to talk to Lipman at his office at the Temple "he admitted to inappropriate touching," Peoples said previously.

"I confronted him about the allegations and what the girl told me and he told me 'the girls are very honest and they don't lie. If they said that it happened, then it happened.'"

In the wake of the allegations, the congregation decided to place Lipman on administrative leave effective this past Monday and pending further notice from the B'rith Shalom board.

Mark Drutz, a member of the congregation and a lawyer with the Musgrove Drutz & Kack law firm who is representing the Temple regarding Lipman's situation, said on Tuesday that "we became aware that there were certain allegations that would have reflected adversely on his ability to lead the Temple B'rith Shalom. Based upon that we elected to place him on administrative leave."

Drutz said Lipman became the rabbi of the congregation (which counts some 300 members] in April 2002.

Before the board hired him, it advertised the position and interviewed a number of prospective candidates. Lipman came from Rhode Island, he said.

"I'm unaware of anything that would have reflected adversely on his qualifications," Drutz said. "Generally the community was satisfied with his services."

On Tuesday, Lipman's wife reported him missing after she had not seen nor heard from her husband since May 20. He came to the house on that day and then left without saying where he was going or where he might be staying, a Prescott Police report states.

She also reported no activity on their bank accounts and that he has not checked his e-mail since May 20, the report states.

The wife also reported that she was concerned about Lipman's welfare, since he has shown signs of depression after the allegations and his leave from the synagogue, the report states.

Lipman is described as 5-foot-9 with brown hair, hazel eyes. He weighs about 210 pounds.

He was driving a plum-colored 1999 Saturn station wagon with an Arizona license plate 827KAJ.

People with information regarding Lipman can call the PPD at 778-1444 or Det. Peoples at 771-5802.

 _________________________________________________________________________________

Police looking for rabbi
Temple places him on leave in wake of sex abuse allegations

By Mirsada Buric-Adam 
Prescott Daily Courier - May 27, 2005 


PRESCOTT -- The Prescott Police Department is asking the public for help in locating David Eliezer Lipman, the 55-year-old rabbi of Temple B'rith Shalom in Prescott, whose family reported him missing on Tuesday.

Lipman's wife told the police that the last time she saw her husband was on Friday and that it was unusual for him not to have contact with his family for an extended period of time, a Police Department report states.

Lt. Pete Hodap said on Tuesday that Lipman's wife reported no activity on his bank accounts.

Meanwhile, the congregation has placed Lipman on administrative leave.

Mark Drutz, a member of the congregation and a lawyer who is representing the Temple regarding recent allegations against Lipman, said "the rabbi has been placed on administrative leave this past Monday, May 23, pending further notice from B'rith Shalom.

"We were aware of certain allegations," he said. "We became aware that there were certain allegations that would have reflected adversely on his ability to lead the Temple B'rith Shalom. Based upon that we elected to place him on administrative leave."

Two teen-age girls reported to the police that Lipman has been touching them inappropriately, according to a police report.

Det. Robert Peoples said on Monday that his agency received a call on May 13 from a Child Protective Services (CPS) employee who reported possible sexual abuse of two girls. He said the employee obtained the information from the CPS hotline.

That information prompted a criminal investigation against Lipman, which apparently revealed that the alleged abuse had been going on for about six to eight years, he said. Peoples said he interviewed the older girl, who is now 16, in person at the Police Department. "She talked about back massages to help her to fall asleep," Peoples said, adding that eventually Lipman started fondling her breasts and private areas.

When police went to talk to Lipman at his office in the 2000 block of Brohner Way, "he admitted to inappropriate touching," Peoples said.

"I confronted him about the allegations and what the girl told me and he told me 'the girls are very honest and they don't lie. If they said that it happened then it happened.'"

Peoples said that he recorded the interview and Lipman's admission.

The younger girl, who is now 14 years old and lives in another state with her father, confirmed similar allegations against the rabbi, Peoples said.

According to a Prescott Police report, he admitted that he touched one of the victims on the back and buttocks areas.

"He stated that his touching was inappropriate, but started to be inappropriate only when they lived in Vermont about three to four years ago," the report states. "He states that (the older girl) has made more serious allegations, but he doesn't remember doing these acts."

The older girl told Peoples that Lipman allegedly started to touch her inappropriately eight years ago when they lived in New York, the report states. "The abuse continued when they moved to Rhode Island and in Arizona and happened on a daily basis," the report states. "She recalls the touching being under her clothes rather than over her clothes."

The last time she remembers such an incident happening was about two years ago, the report states. She claimed that the alleged abuse stopped when she was old enough to understand what was going on and she told him to stop, the report states. She also claimed that Lipman was touching her younger sister inappropriately.

The younger girl told Peoples that she remembers him rubbing her back and then moving around to her breasts, the report states. She recalls this happening only once and she told him "no" when he would approach her for a back rub, the report states.

She was unable to establish whether the touching was under or over her clothes, the report states.

Peoples said that he forwarded the report to the county attorney for review of sexual abuse charges against Lipman.

Deputy Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane said that his office received the report on Monday and that the charging unit will still have to review it to determine whether to file any charges against Lipman.

Lipman is described as 5-foot-9 with brown hair and hazel eyes. He weighs about 210 pounds. He was driving a plum-colored 1999 Saturn station wagon with the Arizona license plate 827KAJ.

People with information regarding Lipman can call the PPD at 778-1444 or Det. Peoples at 771-5802.

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About Rabbi Lipman
Temple B'rith Shalom
http://www.geocities.com/ravlipman/rabbispage.htm 



Following a six-month nation-wide search, Temple B'rith Shalom selected its new rabbi -David E. Lipman -from a field of nine applicants. Rabbi Lipman, 53, is the second full-time rabbi to serve Prescott's only Jewish house of worship. He succeeds Rabbi William Berkowitz, who led the congregation for seven years. Rabbi Lipman and his wife, have purchased a home in Prescott. They have five children.:

The new rabbi's last pulpit was a Cranston, R.I. congregation with more than 400 members, compared to 150 member families in Prescott. Because of its larger membership in the Rhode Island congregation, professional employees performed many of the rabbi's duties there, such as music by a cantor, religious school by a professional educator, and administration by an office manager. The fact that B'rith Shalom has fewer members is one of the things that attracted the rabbi to Prescott. This enables him to be a hands-on clergyman and to be personally involved in all members' lives and every facet of the Temple.

Rabbi Lipman was born in Seattle, Washington. His father, the late Rabbi Eugene Lipman, was a highly regarded Reform Jewish scholar. The incoming rabbi attended Oberlin College and was ordained following graduation from Hebrew Union College in New York City and Israel. During his many years of study, he also completed the requirements necessary to be a cantor: he possesses a concert quality voice and has increased the amount of music in the weekly services. He also organized and leads a children's choir. Rabbi Lipman possesses a keen sense of humor, intense energy and a love of study and teaching. He is fluent in French, German, Hebrew, and Aramaic. He is learning to speak Yiddish. During his studies in Israel he became involved in archaeology and worked on a number of significant excavations. This led to his ability to understand the Ugaritic language, an extinct alphabet language.

The rabbi is world-renowned for his biblical and Talmudic knowledge. His web site, Gates to Jewish Heritage, www.jewishgates.com, contains more than 15,000 pages of Jewish thought, meticulously organized, which is read by more than 13,000 people daily. Rabbi Lipman says that he is very impressed with Prescott's unique environmental quality, which he believes heightens the depth of religious experience. He adds that he hopes to build on Rabbi Berkowitz's legacy of social conscience and the visibility of Jewish volunteerism that helps make Prescott a better place to live.

 _________________________________________________________________________________

Missing Arizona rabbi faces child abuse charges
By SAM SER

Jerusalem Post - June 9, 2005

Rabbi David E. Lipman has disappeared without a trace from his home and Reform synagogue in Prescott, Arizona, missing since May 20 after two teenage girls from his congregation accused him of fondling them.

Prescott police have no leads on the whereabouts of Lipman, who is reported to be proficient in several languages and who spent time in Israel during his studies at Hebrew Union College. Neither he nor his plum-colored 1999 Saturn station wagon has turned up, police said.

"We have contacted immigration, we have contacted this border patrol, we have contacted the FBI," public information officer Lt. Pete Hodap told The Jerusalem Post. "We have not located him, and we have no idea at this point where he is. We worry that he may be where you are," Hodap said, referring to Israel. "And [suicide] is always a possibility..."

It was Lipman's wife who reported him missing nearly three weeks ago. Days earlier he had been approached at Temple B'rith Shalom by police investigating a complaint from Child Protection Services regarding the older of the two girls.

"The abuse started with back massages, then Lipman would move his hands to her buttocks, breasts and (private parts)," according to a Prescott Police Department report. "She recalls the touching being under her clothes rather than over her clothes."

The behavior was allegedly repeated over a period of time, with both girls.

Lipman admitted to at least some of the allegations, Hodap told the Post. He said Lipman told Detective Robert Peoples, "'The girls are very honest and they don't lie. If they said that it happened, then it happened.'"

The rabbi was not taken into custody or served an arrest warrant, however, on the advice of the Yavapai County Attorney's Office. Instead, the county suggested that police issue a "long-form complaint," a less formal summons.

A felony warrant was later issued for Lipman's arrest on 11 counts of child molestation and five counts of sexual abuse of the girls, aged 16 and 14, respectively.

The story has taken a toll on the small Jewish community of Prescott, a city of 35,000 situated between Phoenix and Las Vegas. The 175-family congregation of Temple B'rith Shalom completed its permanent building for the synagogue only a few years ago, after two decades of holding services in members' homes and rented facilities.

Speaking on behalf of the temple, congregant Mark Drutz, an attorney, told the Post that the revelation of Lipman's behavior was a "devastating blow to the community, because it was a betrayal of trust. He was the spiritual leader for the Jewish community in the area, the spokesman for the Jewish community.

"A story like this gets a lot of publicity in a smaller community," he added. "When this happens in this kind of area, where there aren't a lot of Jews, it gets a lot of media attention. It's a black eye for the Jewish community for something like this to happen."

Lipman, 55, is but the second full-time rabbi employed by the congregation. The pulpit he held before joining Temple B'rith Shalom in 2002 was a slightly larger synagogue in Cranston, Rhode Island, where congregants "were absolutely shocked" to hear of Lipman's troubles in Arizona, according to an administrator there.

At Temple B'rith Shalom, Lipman served as cantor and led a children's choir in addition to his duties as rabbi. He also ran the Web site www.jewishgates.com, and is said to be energetic and charismatic.

Lipman is also the son of the late Rabbi Eugene Lipman, a former head of the Central Conference of American Rabbis who, during his service as a chaplain in the US Army at the end of World War II, cared for concentration camp survivors and rescued a megila (Scroll of Esther) from Theresienstadt.

Phone calls placed by the Post to Lipman's home, where his wife and (Removed) children – including girls the same age as the complainants – live, went unanswered. Drutz said they were in the process of moving to the east coast.

The synagogue has been left in a quandry. The temple congregants held a "town hall" meeting two weeks ago to address their concerns, and to hear from rabbis sent from Los Angeles on ways to deal with the situation, Drutz said. They have received support from other clergy in the area as well, he said.

Lipman, meanwhile, has simply disappeared. There has been no activity in Lipman's bank account, police said. His passport has been "flagged" in case he tries to leave the United States, but so far there has been no notification of any such attempt.

"If he left the country, we should have gotten a hit on his passport... unless he left before we got that into the computer," said Hodap. "Hopefully, he'll turn up."

Religious functions at Temple B'rith Shalom are continuing with some help from the previous rabbi, who has since pursued a career in a different field, Drutz said, but the congregants' emotional healing will take some time.

"My own daughter, who is 10, was attending bat mitzvah lessons with the rabbi to learn Hebrew," said Drutz. "My wife told her that the rabbi was ill and that we did not expect him to return... but obviously, he needs some help that is beyond the capacity of the congregation to give him."

 _________________________________________________________________________________

Readers' Letters
Fleeing the scene

The Jerusalem Post, Opinion - June 17, 2005

Sir - Re "Missing Arizona rabbi faces child abuse charges" (June 9): I wanted to thank Sam Ser and The Jerusalem Post for writing this article. As I'm sure you are aware it's not uncommon for individuals accused of sexual crimes to flee the community where the accusations have been made. Unfortunately many from Jewish communities tend to flee to Israel to avoid prosecution. We have also seen a trend in which those who end up in Israel change their names to avoid detection.

My hope is that Rabbi David E. Lipman will soon be found alive and well and able to face the charges being brought against him.

Vicki Polin, Executive Director
The Awareness Center: Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Abuse/Assault
Baltimore


 _________________________________________________________________________________

Phoenix Rabbi Accused Of Sex Abuse
By Deborah Sussman Susser, Special to the Jewish Times
Baltimore Jewish Times - July 03, 2005


(Phoenix, Ariz)  Police have few leads in the search for an Arizona rabbi accused of sexually abusing two teenaged girls.

Temple B'rith Shalom in Prescott, Ariz., is quietly carrying on without Rabbi David Lipman, who was reported missing by his family May 24, shortly after the allegations surfaced.

Lt. Pete Hodap of the Prescott Police Department said police have contacted immigration authorities "to make sure that (Lipman) hasn't left the country."

"We're trying to put a flag on his passport," Hodap said, "to hopefully keep him from leaving the country, if that's what his thoughts are."

Detective Robert Peoples said June 14 that there were "no leads yet."

"No news," Peoples said, "don't know where he is, no one's talking, no one knows, apparently. Unfortunately."

According to Yavapai County's The Daily Courier, two girls aged 16 and 14 told police Lipman had been touching them inappropriately.

Peoples said his department received a call May 13 from a Child Protective Services employee who reported possible sexual abuse of the girls. The call prompted a criminal investigation against Lipman, who "admitted to inappropriate touching," Peoples said.

B'rith Shalom placed Lipman on administrative leave May 20 and terminated his employment effective May 27.

Lipman, 55, was hired in the spring of 2002 and moved to Prescott from a position in Rhode Island. He was only the second full-time rabbi to serve Prescott's only Jewish house of worship.

Lipman is the son of Rabbi Eugene Lipman, who was president of the Reform Movement's Central Conference of American Rabbis from 1987-1989. He and his wife, (NAMES REMOVED) children.

Mark Drutz, an attorney and B'rith Shalom member who has been acting as spokesman for the temple, said lay services are being offered on Shabbat, and that the temple's prior rabbi is helping out.

The congregation is receiving institutional support from organizations such as the Union for Reform Judaism, and members of other religions have called to offer assistance.

Drutz told the Jewish News that the situation is "devastating, but the congregation is strong, and it will survive and move forward."

The Prescott Police Department has requested that anyone with information regarding Lipman's whereabouts call the department at (928) 778-1444 or Detective Peoples at (928) 771-5802.

 _________________________________________________________________________________

Rabbi Missing
The Awareness Center - July 3, 2005

Rabbi David Lipman is described as 5-foot-9 with brown hair, hazel eyes. He weighs about 210 pounds.He was driving a plum-colored 1999 Saturn station wagon with an Arizona license plate 827KAJ. People with information regarding Lipman can call the PPD at (928) 778-1444 or Det. Peoples at (928) 771-5802.
 _________________________________________________________________________________

Facing sex abuse charges, former rabbi is out on bond after turning himself inBy MIRSADA BURIC-ADAM
The Daily Courier - Thursday, July 07, 2005

PRESCOTT – Five weeks after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with a sexual abuse investigation involving minors, David Lipman, a 55-year-old former rabbi of Temple B'rith Shalom in Prescott, turned himself in to the authorities and is now out of jail on a bond.

Lipman's attorney, Billy Hicks, said on Wednesday that his client turned himself in to the court a week ago and at that time he appeared before Justice of the Peace Arthur Markham, who initially signed the warrant for his arrest.

"I went to court with him and we turned him in to the court," he said. "At that time the judge set a bond of $200,000 and later that day he bonded out" of the jail.

Prior to the judge issuing a warrant for Lipman's arrest, the Yavapai County Attorney's Office filed a complaint alleging 11 counts of child molestation and five counts of sexual abuse that stem from an investigation that involved two girls, 16 and 14.

Prescott Police Det. Robert Peoples said previously that all the charges in the complaint stem from the allegations of inappropriate touching that the older girl reported to authorities because those incidents allegedly happened in Arizona.

Police received a call from a Child Protective Services employee on May 13 who reported the possible sexual abuse of the two girls, Peoples said.

That information prompted a criminal investigation against Lipman, which apparently revealed that the alleged abuse had been going on for about six to eight years, he said.

"The abuse started with back massages, then Lipman would move his hands to her buttocks, breasts and (private parts)," a PPD report states. "She recalls the touching being under her clothes rather than over her clothes."

When police went to talk to Lipman at his office at the Temple, "he admitted to inappropriate touching," Peoples said.

"I confronted him about the allegations and what the girl told me and he told me 'the girls are very honest and they don't lie. If they said that it happened, then it happened.'"

In the wake of the allegations, the congregation placed Lipman on administrative leave on May 23 and then, four days later, after the county attorney filed an official complaint with charges against Lipman, it severed his employment relationship with the temple completely.

Mark Drutz, a member of the congregation and a lawyer with the Musgrove Drutz & Kack law firm who is representing the temple regarding Lipman's situation, said, "As of May 27, we terminated and rescinded the employment contracts with the rabbi.

"We made the decision that was in the best of interest of Temple B'rith Shalom to terminate the employment relationship based upon these facts which had come to light," Drutz added.

He said the congregation is going to use interim rabbis until it hires a permanent rabbi and is now working with the United Reform congregation group in Los Angeles.

He said he doesn't believe that the pervious rabbi, William "Billy" Berkowitz, whom Lipman replaced in April 2002, is interested in a full-time position as a rabbi.

"I think he has done a life change but he has been very gracious and has filled in for certain events," Drutz said.

After his dismissal from the Temple, Lipman's wife reported him missing on May 24 after she had not heard from him for a few days.

Hicks said he doesn't know where his client was prior to deciding to turn himself in to the authorities.

 _________________________________________________________________________________

Prescott court information
http://www.searchsystems.net/forward.php?id=4dc4aa200971361e043ceb486df5c118&nid=70
(takes a few minutes to start up, click on "Click here for our Public Access to Court Information " and then search by last name = Lipman)


CASE DETAIL 
Case Number: P-1300-CR-20050790
Case Category: Criminal
Case Title: ST V LIPMAN

Court: Yavapai County    Superior Judge: WILLIAM T. KIGER    Filing Date: 07/06/2005   Disposition Date:

Party Name: DAVID E LIPMAN   Party Type: D 1 - DEFNDT/RESPNDT   
Date of Birth: 01/18/1950

Citation: CNONE

Count 1: MOLESTATION OF CHILD     Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 2: MOLESTATION OF CHILD     Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 3: MOLESTATION OF CHILD     Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 4: MOLESTATION OF CHILD     Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 5: MOLESTATION OF CHILD     Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 6: MOLESTATION OF CHILD     Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 7: MOLESTATION OF CHILD     Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 8: MOLESTATION OF CHILD     Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 9: MOLESTATION OF CHILD     Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 10: MOLESTATION OF CHILD   Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 11: MOLESTATION OF CHILD   Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 12: SEXUAL ABUSE                    Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 13: SEXUAL ABUSE                    Disposition Date:    Disposition: :
Count 14: SEXUAL ABUSE                    Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 15: SEXUAL ABUSE                    Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 16: SEXUAL ABUSE                    Disposition Date:    Disposition:

Party Name: STATE OF ARIZONA    Party Type: P 1 - PLNTIF/PETITNER   Date of Birth:

Event Date     Event Description                                          Party


7/19/2005       ORDER ASSIGNING MATTER TO                 D 1
7/14/2005       ORDER ASSIGN TO PRESIDING JDGE        D 1
7/14/2005       ORDER VACATING                                          D 1
7/14/2005       NOTICE OF APPEARANCE                            D 1
7/13/2005       SUPPLEMENTAL DISC BY STATE                P 1
7/12/2005       NOTICE OF CHANGE OF JUDGE                 P 1
7/7/2005         RULE 12.10 NOTICE/5/8 NOTICE                 D 1
7/7/2005         ORDER SETTING CASE MGMT CONF         D 1
7/7/2005         TRANSMITTAL CERTIFICATE FROM            D 1
7/7/2005         ORDER ASSIGNING MATTER TO                  D 1
7/7/2005         EARLY DISPOSITION HEARING                     D 1
7/6/2005         NOT SUPERVENING INDICTMENT               D 1
7/6/2005         INDICTMENT                                                      D 1
7/6/2005         GRAND JURY RETURN HEARING                 D 1
7/6/2005         DISCLOSURE STATEMENT                             P 1


COURT CONTACT INFORMATION
Court Name: Yavapai County Superior
Street Address: County Courthouse, 120 S Corte, Prescott, AZ 86301
Mailing Address: Clerk of the Superior Court County Courthouse, 120 S Corte, Prescott, AZ 85002-5650
Telephone: (928)771-3312

Also see: Jewish Whistleblower

 _________________________________________________________________________________

Prosecutors seek prison term for Rabbi
By Mirsada Buric - Adam
The Daily Courier - August 24, 2005


PRESCOTT – The state of Arizona is seeking a mandatory prison term for Rabbi David Lipman, although the victim and the victim's mother do not want him to go to prison.

Unable to agree on the terms of a plea agreement, Yavapai County Superior Court Judge William Kiger set a trial date on Tuesday for the former rabbi of Temple B'rith Shalom in Prescott.

The six- to seven-day trial will commence on Feb. 8, 2006.

A grand jury indicted Lipman on 16 counts of child molestation and sexual abuse. These charges stem from an investigation that involved two girls, age 16 and 14.

Prosecutor Bill Hughes said after the hearing, which Kiger conducted in his chambers, that the mother had said previously that her daughter, who is now 17 and is attending an out-of-state college, didn't wish to testify against the rabbi.

"We can subpoena her if we need to," Hughes said, adding that it looks unlikely that the state and the defense will find a resolution.

Lipman's attorney, Billy Hicks, said, "I truly do not know if we will be able to resolve it short of trial."

"The mother and the daughter do not want him to go to prison," he added.

The defense is seeking a probation-eligible plea at this point, Hicks said.

Lipman, 55, turned himself in to the authorities in early July, five weeks after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.

The same day, he posted a $200,000 bond to get out of jail.

PPD Det. Robert Peoples said previously that all the charges in the complaint that the Yavapai County Attorney's Office filed stem from the allegations of inappropriate touching that the older girl reported to authorities. Those incidents allegedly happened in Arizona.

The PPD received a call from a Child Protective Services employee on May 13 who reported the possible sexual abuse of the two girls, Peoples said.

That information prompted a criminal investigation against Lipman, which apparently revealed that the alleged abuse was ongoing for about six to eight years, he said.

When police went to talk to Lipman at his office at the Temple in Prescott, "he admitted to inappropriate touching," Peoples said.

However, police didn't arrest him at that time. In the midst of the investigation and prior to the County Attorney's Office filing a complaint with 16 felony counts, Lipman's wife reported him missing in late May.

Hicks said previously that he didn't know where his client was prior to his arrest.

In the wake of allegations, the congregation terminated Lipman's employment on May 27 after it briefly placed him on administrative leave.

 _________________________________________________________________________________

Prescott police continue to investigate Rabbi Lipman
by Mirsada Buric-Adam mburicadam@prescottaz.com
The Daily Courier (Prescott, Arizona) - December 22, 2005, page 5A


Former Rabbi David Lipman may face additional charges in connection with sexually explicit images that authorities allegedly retrieved from the computer he was using at Temple B'rith Shalom in Prescott.

"There are thousands of images," said Prescott Police Det. Robert Peoples.

He said that he sent the evidence to a Department of Public Safety expert to pull the most incriminating images off the hard drive and record them onto a disk.

Once that is done, he said, the state might file additional charges against Lipman.

A grand jury indicted Lipman on 16 counts of child molestation and sexual abuse. The charges stem from an investigation that involved two teen-age girls, 16 and 14.

Lipman, 55, turned himself into authorities in early July, five weeks after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.

The same day his wife posted a $200,000 bond to get him out of the jail.

Peoples confiscated the hard drive after a man - whom the temple hired to clean and reset a computer that Lipman used for the new rabbi - reported to the police that he found movie clips of young naked females and other images of sadomasochism, according to an affidavit for a search warrant.

One of the movie clips allegedly showed people beating and raping prisoners.

In the affidavit, Peoples stated that "It has been your affiant training and experience that shows individuals that engage in such acts as sexual abuse also view child pornography and typically save these images for their own sexual gratification."

Peoples said on Wednesday that he had to obtain a search warrant to get into the hard drive.

In addition, the police received a typed document with incriminating statements in which the author stated, "I regret to inform you that over the past several years I have touched (the victim) inappropriately."

The affidavit does not identify who wrote the letter.

Peoples said that Mark Drutz, a lawyer representing the Temple, gave polce the document after staff found it in Lipman's former office.

In the affidavit, Peoples stated that it is possible to retrieve the document from the hard drive if the author wrote it on the computer that the police confiscated.

Lipman's lawyer, Billy Hicks, declined to comment on the new evidence that the state collected against his client.

He said he is unsure whether the parties will be able to reach a non-trial resolution, which a judge set for Feb. 8. On Aug. 23, the state's position was that the matter is headed for trial.

Hicks said his client is currently undergoing metal health treatment in an out-of-state facility.

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Former Rabbi pleads guilty to four felony counts
By Mirsada Buric-Adam
The Prescott Daily Courier (AZ) - January 31, 2006


Prescott - Former Rabbi David Lipman faces mandatory prison punishment after he pleaded guilty Monday to four felony counts that pertain to sexually explicit images police retrieved from the computer he used at Temple B'rith Shalom in Prescott.

The plea agreement resolves on of the two felony cases pending before the Yavapai County Superior Court against the 56-year-old defendant.

A grand jury initially indicated Lipman on 16 counts of child molestation and sexual abuse. These charges stem from an investigation that involved two teen-age girls, 16 and 14.

The indictment pertaining to the computer images came about recently. The Prescott Police Department (PPD) confiscated the hard drive after a man - whom the temple hired to clean and reset a computer that Lipman used for the new rabbi - reported to the police that he found movie clips of young naked females and other images of sadomasochism, according to an affidavit for a search warrant.

One of the movie clips allegedly showed people beating and raping prisoners.

Prosecutor Bill Huges said that Lipman pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class 2 felony, and three counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, Class 3 felonies.

He said the charges that Lipman pleaded guilty to pertain to the computer images of children younger than the age of 15.

The prison term range for a Class 2 felony is between 10 and 24 years, with a presumptive term of 17 years, Hughes said.

"They have to be consecutive and the judge has to send him to prison on one of the four counts," Hughes said.

The plea agreement also mandates lifetime probation and a sex offender registration.

Hughes said the state may settle the older case with a probation - eligible plea, depending on the sentence Lipman receives in the new case.

The trial in the older case is set to start on Feb. 8.

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State of Arizona Public Assess to Court Records
Supreme Court of Arizona - January 31, 2006

http://www.supreme.state.az.us/publicaccess/search.asp

CASE DETAIL

Case Number: J-0302-TR-200301158
Case Category: Traffic
Case Title: ST OF AZ VS LIPMAN DAVID E
Court: Williams Justice             Judge: HONORABLE BILL SUTTON JR
Filing Date: 04/18/2003          Disposition Date: 05/15/2003

Party Name: DAVID E LIPMAN
Party Type: D 1 - DEFNDT/RESPNDT
Date of Birth: 01/18/1950
Citation: D02735099        Count 1: LOCAL CHARGE     Disposition Date: 05/15/2003   
Disposition:
PLEA GUILTY/RESP SENT IMPOSED

Event Date Event Description Party
9/23/2005 PURGE D 1
5/15/2003 FUND: CRIM/TRAF ENHANCE FEE D 1
5/15/2003 DOCKET INFORMATION D 1
5/15/2003 FUND: 2002 PROBATION SURCHARGE D 1
5/15/2003 FUND: BASE FINE D 1
5/15/2003 FUND: 2002 SURCHARGES (80%) D 1
4/18/2003 COMPLAINT FILED-UNIFORM CITATN D 1

------------------------------

CASE DETAIL

Case Number: P-1300-CR-20050790
Case Category: Criminal
Case Title: ST V LIPMAN
Court: Yavapai County Superior      Judge: WILLIAM T. KIGER
Filing Date: 07/06/2005                   Disposition Date:
Party Name: DAVID E LIPMAN        Party Type: D 1 - DEFNDT/RESPNDT   
Date of Birth: 01/18/1950

Citation: CNONE    Count 1: MOLESTATION OF CHILD     Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 2: MOLESTATION OF CHILD    Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 3: MOLESTATION OF CHILD    Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 4: MOLESTATION OF CHILD    Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 5: MOLESTATION OF CHILD    Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 6: MOLESTATION OF CHILD    Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 7: MOLESTATION OF CHILD    Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 8: MOLESTATION OF CHILD    Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 9: MOLESTATION OF CHILD    Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 10: MOLESTATION OF CHILD  Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 11: MOLESTATION OF CHILD  Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 12: SEXUAL ABUSE                 Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 13: SEXUAL ABUSE                 Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 14: SEXUAL ABUSE                 Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 15: SEXUAL ABUSE                 Disposition Date:    Disposition:
Count 16: SEXUAL ABUSE                 Disposition Date:    Disposition:


Party Name: STATE OF ARIZONA   Party Type: P 1 - PLNTIF/PETITNER   
Date of Birth:

Event Date Event Description Party
1/26/2006 STIP FOR SUBST OF COUNSEL D 1
1/26/2006 ORDER SETTING STATUS CONFERENC D 1
1/26/2006 ORDER SUBSTITUTING D 1
1/10/2006 NOTICE OF P 1
1/10/2006 LIST OF WITNESSES/EXHIBITS P 1
1/10/2006 REQUESTED JURY INSTRUCTIONS P 1
1/10/2006 REPORTERS TRANSCRIPT FILED
11/21/2005 TRANSMITTAL CERTIFICATE FROM D 1
11/2/2005 SUPPLEMENTAL DISC BY STATE P 1
10/25/2005 SUPPLEMENTAL DISC BY STATE P 1
8/24/2005 APPEARANCE BOND POSTED (CASH) D 1
8/23/2005 ORDER SETTING TRIAL D 1
8/23/2005 STATUS CONFERENCE D 1
8/17/2005 ORDER DENYING D 1
8/16/2005 MOTION TO CONTINUE D 1
8/8/2005 CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE D 1
8/2/2005 TRNSCRPT OF GRND JRY PRCDNGS D 1
7/21/2005 ORDER SETTING CASE MGMT CONF D 1
7/19/2005 ORDER ASSIGNING MATTER TO D 1
7/14/2005 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE D 1
7/14/2005 ORDER VACATING D 1
7/14/2005 ORDER ASSIGN TO PRESIDING JDGE D 1
7/13/2005 SUPPLEMENTAL DISC BY STATE P 1
7/12/2005 NOTICE OF CHANGE OF JUDGE P 1
7/7/2005 TRANSMITTAL CERTIFICATE FROM D 1
7/7/2005 ORDER ASSIGNING MATTER TO D 1
7/7/2005 RULE 12.10 NOTICE/5/8 NOTICE D 1
7/7/2005 EARLY DISPOSITION HEARING D 1
7/7/2005 ORDER SETTING CASE MGMT CONF D 1
7/6/2005 GRAND JURY MINUTES - SEALED D 1
7/6/2005 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT P 1
7/6/2005 INDICTMENT D 1
7/6/2005 NOT SUPERVENING INDICTMENT D 1
7/6/2005 GRAND JURY RETURN HEARING D 1
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JCN18: Yori Yanover, Rabbi Hershy Worch, Susan L. Rosenbluth, Rabbi Larry Yudelson and Rabbi David Lipman
Jewish Survivors of Sexual Abuse Speak Out - March 21, 2006



A friend sent the following note:


Rabbi Larry Yudelson
I had not realized until I saw this listing at the Jewish Press Association website that the Jewish Voice used to be associated with JCN18 which is Yori Yanover and Larry Yudelson's former on-line publication that had convicted child molester Rabbi David Lipman working there. Rabbis Hershy Worch was also contributors.

The Jewish Voice & Opinion (A )
73 Dana Pl
Englewood, NJ 07631
Susan L. Rosenbluth - Pub/Ed
201-569-2845
FAX: 201-569-1739
WEB: www.jcnl8.com/jewish_voice/


The Jewish Voice & Opinion is an 11-year-old monthly news magazine reaching by mail approximately 15,000 observant-Jewish households throughout the Metropolitan area. Mailed on the Friday before the first Shabbos of each month. In New Jersey, we reach the Orthodox communities in Fort Lee, Englewood, Teaneck, Bergenfield, Paramus, Tenafly, Fair Lawn, Passaic, Clifton, the Oranges, Livingston, Springfield, Elizabeth, Hillside, North Bergen, Secaucus, Morristown, Aberdeen/Matawan, Highland Park, Edison, The Brunswicks and others. We reach families in neighboring Rockland County, NY, plus New York City. We accept advertisements from establishments wishing to reach our very special readers, providing they are kosher and meet Orthodox rabbinic kashruth standards.

***************


Here's another photograph of Yori Yanover. It was published on his blog some time ago as an "alleged" threat to an individual who advocates for the rights of survivors of sexual violence. He has since taken the threat down but the photo can also be found here.


 _________________________________________________________________________________

Former rabbi gets more than 13 yearsBy MIRSADA BURIC
Prescott Daily Courier - March 25, 2006

Rabbi David Lipman - Convicted Sex Offender
PRESCOTT - Sentencing him to a mitigating prison term of 13-and-a-half years on Friday for viewing sexually explicit images of young children on his computer, a judge agreed with the state that former Rabbi David Lipman violated his position of trust.

Yavapai County Superior Court Judge William Kiger said that the victims include not only children portrayed in the computer images, but his family and members of his congregation.

"That is a very deep violation of trust," Kiger said.

Lipman, 56, received 13-and-a-half years in prison for one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class 2 felony, and lifetime probation for three counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, Class 3 felonies, which he'll start to serve upon his release from custody. He also has to register as a sex offender.

The charges stem from images that the police downloaded from Lipman's computer while he worked at Temple B'rith Shalom in Prescott.

He also faces 16 counts of child molestation and sexual abuse charges in connection with an investigation that involves two teen-age girls, 16 and 14, which could resolve soon with a probation-eligible plea.

During Friday's hearing, the defense called four witnesses to testify on behalf of the defendant.

Lipman's ex-wife, Linda Cahn, who practices law in New Jersey, said that she felt compelled to testify because the state left out many facts about his life when it offered him a plea.

Cahn described Lipman's work at three synagogues in New York as very dynamic.

"He was an extraordinary rabbi who was very involved with his congregation," she said, adding that Lipman is extremely smart and knows an enormous amount of information. "He has an encyclopedic amount of data in his brain."

Cahn said Lipman had an extraordinary impact on children of all ages.

"He was very, very involved with kids," Cahn said, and through a hands-on experience he taught them about Israel, its history and traditions as well as about Judaism.

"He was well liked and well regarded by members of his congregation," she said.

She said Lipman interacted with thousands of children during their marriage and she never heard a complaint or saw him acting inappropriately around them.

Of the charges involving computer images, she said, "Rabbi's computer is a private matter. It didn't impact anybody at that synagogue."

Lipman said that he is guilty of the charges and takes full responsibility for his actions. He said that for the first time in his life he is receiving treatment for a mental illness that the abuse in his early life has caused.

He said that he hopes he'll be able to overcome his sexual distortions and reconcile with his family.

Asking for a sentence of no more than 12 years, Lipman's attorney, John Trebon, said that his client is not a pedophile and that he suffers from anxiety and attachment disorders, which are treatable.

"If you are going to judge the man, you cannot forget his life," he said. "He dedicated his life to community service."

However, Prosecutor Bill Hughes asked Kiger to impose a presumptive term of 17 years because "I believe he is a danger to the community," he said.
 ________________________________________________________________________________

Former rabbi sentenced for viewing sexually explicit images
Associated Press - March 24, 2006


PRESCOTT, Ariz. A former rabbi was sentenced to more than a dozen years in prison for viewing sexually explicit images of young children on his computer.Fifty-six-year-old former Rabbi David Lipman received a 13-and-a-half-year sentence for one charge of sexual exploitation of a minor and lifetime probation for three counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. He also has to register as a sex offender.

The charges stem from images that the police downloaded from Lipman's computer while he worked at a temple in Prescott.

He also faces 16 counts of child molestation and sexual abuse charges in an investigation that involves two teenage girls.

At Lipman's sentencing on Friday, Yavapai County Superior Court Judge William Kiger said Lipman violated his position of trust.

Lipman says he takes responsibility for his actions and he hopes he'll be able to overcome his sexual distortions.

 _________________________________________________________________________________

Court Update: Case of Rabbi David Lipman
Jewish Survivors of Sexual Violence Speak Out - March 24, 2006


The following is from an individual who attended the sentencing hearing of Rabbi David Lipman

As promised, here is what happened in court on Friday, March 24, 2006 on the case of Rabbi David Lipman.

They court kind of rolled the charged of the sexual abuse of two teenage girls in with the charge of pornography.

First of all, the defense called Lipman's ex-wife to the stand. She came here from out east somewhere. She is an attorney. She testified about how great Lipman is and what wonderful works he did. They were married in 1975, separated in 1992 and divorced in 1995 or 1996 (she couldn't remember the exact year).

The ex-wife testified about how he took 10th graders to Israel for 6 weeks every summer and she went on some of those trips. When the prosecutor asked if Lipman had abused any other family members, she seemed to hesitate before she answered. She said she never heard any allegations of sexual abuse to the children he taught or counseled. The defense attorney brought up the psycho-sexual evaluation and it showed that Lipman had a sexual preference for 14-17 year old children.

Next, the executive director of the People Who Care program spoke. The program helps people in need, such as providing rides to the doctor, for groceries, other social type services, etc. It also runs the Interfaith program. She said he showed up at meetings when a lot of other clergy did not and he spoke to legislators to get various laws changed. She said he is wonderful, but has a mental health problem that needs to be dealt with.

Next, a congragant spoke (a male). He said he is an atheist or an agnostic, but he liked Lipman and said that he is an incredible man. Someone, and it may have been this man, said Lipman is like a walking encyclopedia. (He has a photographic memory.)

A female congregant then spoke and she, too, said how wonderful Lipman is. She said that since the first allegations arose, he lost weight and his voice has changed. (Remember he was missing for 5 weeks. That is when he lost the weight. He was also clean shaven in court.) The woman said he is more rational since his treatment and alluded to the fact he was suicidal before the treatment. She thinks mental illness is involved and he is trying to deal with it.

The judge asked if there was anyone else to speak and they asked that Lipman's present wife speak on behalf of the two teenage girls. This caught everyone by surprise, so there was a 5 minute recess so the attorney could talk with her.

During the recess, the male congregant that spoke was speaking to someone and he couldn't understand why there was a problem with Lipman viewing child pornography....after all....it wasn't hurting anyone. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

His present wife spoke on behalf of the teenage girls and said the older teen feels guilty that she ever said anything and all of this came about.

At one point, the prosecutor said that Lipman should be punished and jailed and his present wife shook her head with a vehement no.

The defense attorney then spoke and said the sentence for this type of crime is 10-24 years and Lipman was willing to serve 12 years so that the teenage girls did not have to testify. He said his profile shows a low recidivism rate and that the Able assessment that the prosecutor talked about always shows a reaction from men when shown the prepubescent pictures. He said Lipman had avulsion therapy. He said he is not a pedophile and Lipman wants probation. The defense attorney said that Lipman suffered trauma for a substantial period of time as a child.

Lipman went through the River Oaks Psychiatric Hospital in January and just got out last week.

Lipman read a statement saying he had remorse. He said the abuse had been festering in him and he acted out on it and has also had multiple partners. He said he is in a 12 step program. He plans to write another couple of books, is in a 12 step program, and hopes to resume a loving relationship with his wife when he gets out of jail.

The judge spoke and said that this man had a lot to offer, is intelligent, has done good works, etc, but that he does have to pay for his crime. He said it showed how well he was liked by the people that turned out today. (The judge will get a letter from me saying he made a big presumption!)

He was sentenced to 13 1/2 years in jail, starting today. He has no credit for time served. When he has served his term, he will be on lifetime probation, which will cost him $75 per month. The probation came with stipulations, such as no drinking or drugs, etc. He will also be listed as a lifetime sexual predator.

Although we would have liked to see a stiffer penalty, we are happy he did not just get probation.

On April 3, they will have another hearing which it sounds like will roll the child sexual abuse charges into this and there will be no further sentencing.

I think the prosecutor felt they did not have a solid enough case on the child abuse charges because the two teenage girls did not want to testify.

 _________________________________________________________________________________

Prosecutors offer Lipman a plea
By Mirsada Buric
The Daily Courier (Prescott, AZ) - April 4, 2006

Rabbi David Lipman - convicted Sex Offender
 _________________________________________________________________________________

Judge gives rabbi lifetime probation
By MIRSADA BURIC
The Daily Courier - April 14, 2005

PRESCOTT - An articulate letter from the victim pleading with the court not to sentence former Rabbi David Lipman to prison for molesting her warranted him lifetime intensive probation on Thursday.

Yavapai County Superior Court Judge William Kiger said in his 12-year career as a judge he hasn't dealt with a more unusual and difficult case.

After listing all mitigating factors, Kiger read portions of the letter in which the victim said, "Don't punish me Ã…¨ by sending (the defendant) to jail."

She said sending Lipman to prison would make her regret that she ever came forward with the accusations against him.

"I have never had this articulate presentation," Kiger said, explaining how the court has to listen to what the victim has to say in addition to fulfilling societal expectations when deciding "what is the just and right thing to do."

Kiger found that the mitigating circumstances outbalance the aggravating factors although he cited that Lipman's conduct with the victim was "a severe betrayal of trust" that lasted over a long period of time.

He said the betrayal caused severe harm that will take a long time to undo.

Before the sentencing, Lipman accepted the state's plea agreement pleading guilty to three Class 3 felonies of attempted molestation of a child and two Class 5 felonies of sexual abuse.

The conviction stems from an investigation that involved a 16-year-old girl who told the police that Lipman was giving her back massages to help her to fall asleep.

Lipman admitted on Thursday that he gave the victim backrubs on numerous occasions. Deputy Yavapai County Attorney Bill Hughes added that the 56-year-old defendant also attempted to touch her in the private area, after which Kiger found factual basis for the plea.

Although the defendant waived his right to have a pre-sentence report and a pre-sentence hearing and wanted to proceed immediately with the sentencing, Kiger told the defendant that he had not made up his mind about the punishment and wanted to schedule the sentencing at a later date. After a brief recess, however, the parties proceeded with the sentencing.

Although the state offered Lipman a probation-eligible plea, Hughes asked the judge to impose additional prison time consecutive to the sentence he is already serving in a separate case.

Lipman received a 13-and-a-half year prison term after pleading guilty to four felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. These charges stem from a case that involved sexually explicit images that the police downloaded from Lipman's computer while he worked at Temple B'rith Shalom in Prescott.

Lipman's attorney, John Trebon, said that the court already imposed a substantial prison sentence in the first case and that it would be unjust to add more years to it. He said his client is very remorseful and had sought treatment on his own to identify the problems that he is facing.

"He has taken responsibility" for his actions, Trebon said. "He didn't offer any excuses."

Referring to the victim's letter, Trebon said, "For her recovery, she wants to speak to (Lipman), but not through prison walls."

"She doesn't want him to die in prison," Trebon said. "Please do not condemn them both. Give him a chance to come out after 13-and-a-half years."
 _________________________________________________________________________________

Rabbi serving sentence in child-porn case
By Salvatore Caputo
Jewish News of Greater Phoenix - 
May 19, 2006 / Iyar 21 5766 (Volume 58, No. 34)


Rabbi David Lipman - Sex Offender
Rabbi David Lipman, former spiritual leader of Temple B'rith Shalom in Prescott, is serving a 13-and-a-half year prison sentence for viewing sexually explicit images of children under age 15.

Arizona Department of Corrections records show that he was admitted to a state prison in Tucson on April 21.

Lipman was sentenced by Yavapai County Superior Court Judge William T. Kiger on March 24 for sexual exploitation of a minor, and received lifetime probation on three counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. The rabbi had pleaded guilty to the charges.

Dennis McGrane, chief deputy in the Yavapai County Attorney's Office, which prosecuted the case, explained that this case involved sexually explicit pictures of young children found on a computer that Lipman used at the synagogue.

Lipman also received lifetime probation after pleading guilty in a second case involving molestation of two girls who were 16 and 14 when the incidents came to light. The sentence was given by Kiger on April 13 for three counts of attempted molestation of a child and two counts of sexual abuse, court records show.

John Trebon, Lipman's attorney, said the sentences were the result of "a unique plea agreement" that was negotiated with Lipman's former attorney. In return for pleading guilty to all charges, he said, Lipman would receive a long sentence in the first case and probation in the second, but that, in a "hair-raising" turn of events, the prosecution also asked for prison in the second case.

"I'm sorry to see he has to go to prison at all," Trebon said. "He's a decent person with a lot to offer."

McGrane explained that at least one of the victims in the second case did not want the rabbi to go to prison and wrote a letter to the judge on Lipman's behalf. This may have been the deciding factor in the probation sentences in that case, he said.

Detective Robert Peoples of the Prescott Police Department told Jewish News last June that the department received a call May 13, 2005, from Child Protective Services reporting the possible sexual abuse of the girls. The call prompted a criminal investigation against Lipman, who "admitted to inappropriate touching," Peoples said.

Lipman was placed on administrative leave by the synagogue a week later. Lipman's family reported him missing on May 24, the police department issued an arrest warrant May 26, and the synagogue terminated his employment, effective May 27.

Lipman surrendered to authorities on June 30, Prescott Police Lt. Pete Hodap told Jewish News last July. Lipman was subsequently indicted by a grand jury on 16 counts of child molestation and sexual abuse.

Later, a department spokesman said that pornographic images were found by a technician working on the computer and reported to the police during their investigation of the earlier child-molestation allegations. This resulted in the case that brought Lipman a prison sentence.

Lipman, 55, was hired by the temple in the spring of 2002 and moved to Prescott from a position at Temple Sinai, in Rhode Island.
 _________________________________________________________________________________

Inmate Locator - Rabbi David Lipman 
Arizona Department of Corrections - Septeber 29, 2012
http://test.azcorrections.gov/isearch/inmate_datasearch/index.aspx


Rabbi David Lipman - Convicted Sex Offender



 _________________________________________________________________________________

Inmate Locator - Rabbi David Lipman 
Arizona Department of Corrections - January 29, 2014
http://www.azcorrections.gov/inmate_datasearch












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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."  –– Margaret Mead
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