Case of Rabbi David
Kedmi
(AKA: Dovid Kedmi, Duvid Kedmi, Dave Kedmi)
Spring Valley, NY
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Connecticut
Athens, Greece
Children’s Village of Jerusalem - Jerusalem, Israel
Back in 2008 a civil suit has been filed and won against Rabbi David Kedmi
to recover damages for Battery and Breach of Contract. Rabbi David
Kedmi is an orthodox rabbi.
According to various web pages, Rabbi David Kedmi
supports a host of organizations dedicated to the Jewish people that
strive to instill in them a strong education and a proud sense of Jewish
identity. He supports AMIT (Americans for Israel and Torah), the
UJA-Federation of New York, NCSY (formerly known as the National
Conference of Synagogue Youth), the National Council of Young Israel,
the Israel Defense Forces, and New York’s Yeshiva University.
Rabbi David Kedmi
contributes to charities, such as the Volunteer Ambulance Corps,
as well as Israeli organizations such as the Children’s Village of
Jerusalem, a group that provides children at risk in Israel with
material and emotional support.
Rabbi David Kedmi is listed as a resource as a mohel on the Temple Sholom web page, even though they were notified several times over the years of the serious allegations made against him.
If you have a photograph of Rabbi David Kedmi, please forward it to The Awareness Center
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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:
2008
- About Rabbi David Kedmi
-
Supreme Court of the State
of New York (02/25/2008)
- Civil Suit Filed Against Rabbi David Kedmi - Certified Mohel (New Hempstead, NY)
(03/21/2008).
2012
- Bio - Rabbi David Kedmi (12/28/2012)
- David Kedmi - 1-800-4-A-MOHEL (12/28/2012)
- Yavney Academy (12/28/2012)
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About Rabbi David Kedmi
Rabbi David Kedmi's Blog
After growing up in Jerusalem, Israel, Rabbi David Kedmi spent his early adulthood in the Israel Defense Forces. During his compulsory 36-month service, Rabbi David Kedmi served as a Chaplain in the Reserves and the Six Day War, organized educational programs, and supervised religious programs.
Immediately following his military term, Rabbi David Kedmi began his training as a Mohel (ritual circumciser). Under ordination from the Chief Rabbis of Israel, Rabbi David Kedmi earned his certification and was dispatched to Athens, Greece as a Mohel and assistant to the area rabbi.
After his assignment in Greece was completed, Rabbi David Kedmi relocated to the United States. Intrigued by the new techniques of Mila (ritual circumcision), Rabbi David Kedmi investigated the modern methods from his new colleagues in order to improve his work and studied Judaica. Currently possessing 25 years of service in the New York metropolitan area, Rabbi David Kedmi has served clients all over the United States and across the world.
Choosing to serve all groups of the Jewish community, Rabbi David Kedmi performs Mila for Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, and unaffiliated families. Clients have varied from physicians and leaders in the Jewish community to celebrities.
In an effort to support the less fortunate, Rabbi David Kedmi promotes charities in the United States and Israel, including the Children’s Village in Jerusalem and the local Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Rabbi David Kedmi also is affiliated with educational and religious organizations such as the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Yeshiva University, National Council of Young Israel (NCSY), UJA Federation, and AMIT.
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SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF KINGS
February 25, 2008
As policy The Awareness Center removed the name
of the survivor from the following document.
"A Mother, Plaintiff,
-against-
David Kedmi, Defendant.
1. On February 25, 2007, in Kings County, New York,
Rabbi Kedmi conducted a ritual circumcision ("bris") and baby naming ceremony
for the mother of infant twin children.
2. The woman and her husband were especially excited
about the aforementioned bris and baby naming ceremony of their infant twins
as they had extremely difficult conceiving and further, the twins were
prematurely born approximately eight weeks early and remained in the hospital
after birth for at least one month.
3. That in view of the difficulty in conception and
premature birth, facts known to the Defendant, the aforementioned bris and
baby naming ceremony was to be a joyous celebration of their twins who were
now finally healthy enough for the same.
4. At this ceremony however, as is set forth herein,
Rabbi Kedmi demand and inappropriately touched "the mother " and made lewd,
flirtatious comments to her.
5. More specifically, on the date in question, Rabbi
Kedmi touched "the mother's" buttocks.
6. Further, on the date in question, Rabbi Kedmi
suggestively touched "the mother's" shoulder.
7. That "the mother" did not consent to Rabbi Kedmi
touching either her buttocks or shoulder and that such touching was done
for no lawful purpose.
8. That on the date in question, Rabbi Kedmi stated
to "the mother," by saying, in sum and substance, among other things, that
she "looked 17."
9. That on the date in question, Rabbi Kedmi stated
to "the mother," by saying in sum and substance, among other things, that
she "must have been a beauty queen."
10. That the aforementioned demeaning behavior, including
offensive sexual touching and lewd and sexual comments took place in the
presence of one or more witnesses, including Rabbi David Kedmi's wife.
11. Upon information and belief, Rabbi Kedmi's lewd
comments, demeaning behavior and unwanted inappropriate touching of "the
mother" is part of a pattern of similar conduct that Rabbi Kedmi has engaged
in toward women, including toward other women during similar ceremonies he
performed for other children.
12. That after experiencing Rabbi Kedmi's unlawful
behavior as described above, and after later hearing about his alleged similar
conduct toward other women, "the mother" reported Rabbi Kedmi to Mr. Jacob
Rubinstein, employed at the Young Israel of Scarsdale synagogue "The mother"
had utilized Rabbi Kedmi's services based upon a referral from Mr.
Rubinstein.
13. During several conversations with Mr. Rubinstein,
"the mother" was repeatedly assured that Mr. Kedmi had been referred for
evaluation and treatment to Rabbi Mark Dratch, who, upon information and
belief, is employed by an organization known as "JSAFE," and that action
would be taken to address and correct Rabbi Kedmi's behavior.
14. That JSAFE's mission statement on their website
purports that their goal is "to create an environment in which every institution
and organization across the spectrum of the Jewish community conducts itself
responsibly and effectively in addressing the wrongs of domestic violence,
child abuse and professional improprieties -- whenever and by whomever they
are perpetrated."
15. That "the mother" was assured that Rabbi Kedmi
was undergoing treatment and that steps would be taken to protect other women
from Rabbi Kedmi's predatory conduct, but that Rabbi Rubinstein and Rabbi
Dratch would not provide details as to any "treatment plan," though "the
mother" was assured that "treatment," "counseling" and additional "measures"
were all put in place in an effort to correct "Rabbi Kedmi's behavior and
protect women from his unlawful conduct.
16. That "the mother" later learned, in fact, contrary
to the assurances provided by Rabbis Rubinstein and Dratch, no meaningful
measures were taken to provide treatment to Rabbi Kedmi, to correct his behavior
or to protect women from him.
17. That "the mother" later learned that the alleged
"measures" implemented were that Rabbi Kedmi was not to be alone with a woman
at a bris and that his wife must accompany him when he performs a bris.
18. That, when Mr. Kedmi inappropriately touched "the
mother" and made lewd comments to her, there were, in fact, witnesses present,
including Rabbi Kedmi's wife. Therefore, the "measures," were
meaningless.
19. That "the mother" and her husband endured great
hurdles to make it to what was supposed to be a the joyous occasion of their
infant twin's bris and naming ceremony and instead, the day now evokes anger,
pain and sullied memories.
20. As a result of the foregoing, "the mother" has
suffered the permanent mark that Rabbi Kedmi has made on a momentous occasion
from which "the mother" and her family can never fully recover.
21. That, prior to the filing this lawsuit to hold
Rabbi Kedmi accountable for his actions, "the mother", and/or her attorneys:
a) had several telephone conversations with rabbis Rubinstein and Dratch;
and also b) sent two letters to Rabbi Kedmi and/or his lawyers, and also
to rabbis' Rubinstein and Dratch, request that Rabbi Kedmi be made to undergo
appropriate counseling and that steps be taken to protect women from Rabbi
Kedmi.
22. And that, in spite of "the mother's" numerous
correspondence, upon information and belief, rabbis' Kedmi, Rubinstein and
Dratch each refused to take any meaningful steps to address "the mother's"
concerns.
23. And that, upon learning "the mother" therefore
planned to proceed with this lawsuit, Rabbi Kedmi's response, relayed via
his counsel, was to among other things, threaten "the mother" that he would
file a claim for slander against her.
24. That any such claim for slander would be patently
frivolous and that threat was clearly made in an effort to intimidate "the
mother" into not seeking to hold Rabbi Kedmi accountable for his unlawful
conduct.
25. That further, upon information and belief, Rabbi
Rubinstein and other members of the clergy continue to recommend Rabbi Kedmi
to perform circumcisions notwithstanding their full knowledge of his pattern
of unlawful and outrageous conduct and continue therefor to knowingly and
willfully place women and families in harm's way.
AS AND FOR A FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
(Battery)
26. Plaintiff repeats, reiterates and realleges, each
and every allegation set forth in the prior paragraphs, with the same force
and effect as if set forth at length herein.
27. That Rabbi Kedmi's aforementioned touching of "the
mother"was down without her consent and was intentional, offensive and wrongful,
and therefore constitutes an intentional wrongful physical contact with her
person without consent and was otherwise unlawful.
28. That "the mother" has suffered as a result of Rabbi
Kedmi's wrongful physical contact and battery that was committed against
her person.
29. That as a result of the foregoing battery, "the
mother" has been damaged in the amount to be determined by the Court but
believed to exceed Fifty-Thousand ($50,000.00) Dollars.
AS AND FOR A SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION
(Breach of Contract)
30. Plaintiff repeats, reiterates and realleges, each
and every allegation set forth in the proper paragraphs herein, with the
same force and effect as if set forth at length herein.
31. That Rabbi Kedmi is in breach of contract with
"the mother" as implied in the contract was a good faith and fair dealing
with was breached by Rabbi Kedmi, a party to the contract for the performance
of the bris and baby naming ceremony.
32. Rabbi Kedmi breached said contract and covenant
by acting in a manner that, deprived "the mother" and her family of the right
to receive the type of ceremony for which they bargained.
33. That in view of the foregoing, and Rabbi Kedmi's
actions, "the mother" did not receive the full and complete benefit of the
bargain and thus wishes to hold Rabbi Kedmi in breach of contract.
34. Wherefore, Plaintiff demands judgment against the
Defendant in an amount to be determined by believed to exceed $20,000.00
AS AND FOR A THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION
(punitive damages)
35. Plaintiff repeats, reiterates and realleges, each
and every allegation set forth in the prior paragraphs herein, with the same
force and effect as if set forth at length herein.
36. That as a result of the foregoing conduct of the
Defendant, the same is liable to the Plaintiff for punitive damages.
37. Wherefore, Plaintiff demands punitive damages against
the Defendant in the amount of One Million ($1,000,000.00) Dollars.
WHEREFORE, the Plaintiff demands judgment against
Defendant as follows:
a. In the first cause of action, in an amount to be
determined at the Trail of this Action, but believed to exceed
$50,000.00;
b. In the second cause of action, in an amount to be
determined at the Trail of this Action, but believed to exceed
$20,000.00;
c. In the third cause of action, in an amount to be
determined at the Trail of this Action, but believed to exceed One Million
($1,000,000.00) Dollars;
d. Each together with the cost, fees, reasonable attorneys
fees and interest as set forth herein; and
c. For such other and further relief as to this Court
may appear just and proper
Dated: February 25, 2008
Hauppauge, NY
Yours, etc.
The WEINSTEIN GROUP, P.C.
By: Melissa A. Cavaliere
10 Newton Place, Ste. 201
Hauppauge, New York 11788
631-851-1090
To: David Kedmi
(Address Removed)
Spring Valley, NY 10977-1743
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Civil Suit Filed Against Rabbi David Kedmi - Certified Mohel
The Awareness Center's Daily Newsletter - March 21, 2008
A civil suit has been filed against Rabbi David Kedmi to recover damages for Battery and Breach of Contract.
 |
| Rabbi Jacob Rubenstein / Rabbi Mark Dratch |
On
February 25, 2007, in Kings County, New York, Rabbi David Kedmi
conducted a ritual circumcision ("bris") and baby naming ceremony for
the parents of infant twin boys. During the celebration the mother was sexually harassed and groped by Rabbi Kedmi.
According to the complaint, Rabbi David Kedmi made lewd
and sexual comments took place in the presence of one or more
witnesses, including Rabbi Kedmi's wife. The mother also stated that
Rabbi Kedmi touched her sexually.
The Survivor contacted Rabbi Jacob Rubenstein
(the Young Israel of Scarsdale synagoguge) who was the rabbi who
referred her to Rabbi Kedmi, and also Rabbi Mark Dratch
(Director/founder of JSAFE). It appears that this was not the first sexual harassment complaint filed against Rabbi Kedmi. What is surprising is that little has been done to stop this alleged sexually offensive individual.
After several conversations with Both Rabbis Rubenstein and Dratch, the "Survivor"
was assured that Rabbi Kedmi was undergoing treatment and that steps
would be taken to protect other women from Rabbi Kedmi's predatory
conduct, yet Rabbi Rubinstein and Rabbi Dratch would not provide details
as to any "treatment plan,".
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Bio - Rabbi David Kedmi
RabbiDavidKedmi.com - December 28, 2012
A native of Jerusalem, Rabbi David Kedmi completed his
early education in the city before entering the Israeli military. After
finishing his military service, Rabbi David Kedmi focused in on his
career, enrolling in rabbinical studies and ultimately earning
ordination from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.
After his
ordination, Rabbi David Kedmi chose to undergo further training through
the Chief Rabbinate and became a certified Mohel, a person that performs
ritual circumcisions during the bris ceremony. In order to receive this
certification, Rabbi Kedmi completed advanced educational studies as
well as a direct internship in the field. The internship included visits
to many of the major hospitals in Jerusalem, where Rabbi David Kedmi
observed, studied, and gained hands-on experience. Some of the country’s
leading Mohalim directed Rabbi Kedmi’s studies and services.
After earning the certification, Rabbi David Kedmi accepted a post to
Athens, Greece, where he served as the community Mohel while also
assisting the local Rabbi in a variety of matters. Next, he relocated to
the United States, and Rabbi Kedmi continued offering his services as a
Mohel while also deepening his studies into many aspects of Judaic
culture.
Over the next 25 years, Rabbi David Kedmi served
Jewish communities in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and
Connecticut. Dedicated to offering his support to a wide array of
individuals, Rabbi Kedmi works with people from many different sects of
Judaism, including Reform, Orthodox, and Conservative groups.
Following the same religious dedication of his professional life in his
private life, Rabbi David Kedmi follows the requirement for socially
conscious charitable involvement that is set forward in the Torah. Dr.
David Kedmi contributes regularly to Children’s Village of Jerusalem,
and also a local Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
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David Kedmi - 1-800-4-A-MOHEL
December 28, 2012
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Yavney Academy
December 28, 2012
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Linkedin - Rabbi David Kedmi
January 3, 2014
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