 | This article may lend undue weight to certain ideas, incidents, or controversies. (September 2024) |
Rabbi Eliezer Berland | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal | |
| Born | December 26, 1937 |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Spouse | Tehilla |
| Alma mater | Knesses Chizkiyahu |
| Position | Rosh Yeshiva |
| Yeshiva | Shuvu Bonim |
Eliezer Berland (born December 26, 1937) is an Israeli Orthodox Jewish rabbi, convicted sex offender[1] and fraudster[2] affiliated with the Breslov Hasidic movement in Israel. He is "rosh yeshiva" (head of the yeshiva) of Yeshivat Shuvu Bonim, also known as Yeshivat Nechamat Zion, in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.[3] The movement is sometimes viewed as being a sect.[4] Berland is a member of Vaad Olami D'Chasedai Breslov (World Committee of Breslov Chassidim), a supervisory council for many Breslov activities.[5]
Following allegations of sexual misconduct, Berland fled Israel, traveling from country to country to avoid extradition to Israel. He was eventually returned to Israel, where he confessed to having committed rape,[6] and was sentenced to 18 months' incarceration for his sexual attacks on two women, as well as his instructions to assault the husband of one of the women he had sexually assaulted.[7][8]
In June 2021, Berland received another 18-month prison sentence for fraud. A few months later, he became suspected of involvement in two murders.[9]
- ^ "Sex offender rabbi who defrauded followers gets 18 months in plea deal". The Times of Israel. June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ^ "Sex offender rabbi Berland begins fraud sentence as followers mass outside jail | The Times of Israel". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
- ^ "Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a". Shuvu Bonim. 1999. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ Effting, Maud (October 7, 2014). "Riot around sex rabbi: Is it a fornication drama or witch hunt?". De Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ "Information About Vaad Olami D'Chasedai Breslov (World Committee of Breslov Chassidim)". Friends of Breslov Boston. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ Nachshoni, Kobi (July 27, 2016). "Rabbi Berland recorded confessing to rape". Ynet. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ Sharon, Jeremy (November 23, 2016). "Berland sentenced to 18 months in prison for sexual assault". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
soneswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ staff, T. O. I. (November 1, 2021). "Jailed rabbi Berland arrested in connection with murders linked to Hasidic cult". The Times of Israel. Retrieved January 19, 2022.