Weiss had previously sent explicit messages to an undercover officer posing as an underaged boy in 2020, and waited for hours in order to separate his target from his parents in 2022, when he was arrested. In common with many people who spent their childhood in the 1970s, I loved Roald Dahls novels for children, especially Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Of course, as a 9-year-old clutching a well-thumbed copy of the Puffin edition, I had no idea about the character of Roald Dahl the man. We work with Disabled American Veterans and county Veterans Affairs directors to provide transportation for Veterans and authorized caregivers to get to scheduled medical appointments. Rabbi Stephen Weiss, who served as an assistant rabbi at Ahavath Achim Synagogue from July 1990 to June 1997, had been the senior rabbi at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, in Pepper Pike, Ohio, since 2001. Everyone must wear a mask in most areas where Veterans are present. Weiss, formerly senior rabbi at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike. There was nothing that would have predicted this aberrant moment in his life. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The former longtime rabbi at a Pepper Pike synagogue pleaded guilty on Thursday to felony charges involving an underage sex sting. As we already mentioned, Rabbi Stephen Weiss is a married man, and he has a family. Weiss had already pleaded guilty to the crimes; Lebeau and Weiss daughter appeared as character witnesses as part of his attorneys effort to secure a more lenient sentence. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. Some in the community questioned the decision of Lebeau, a widely admired mentor in the Conservative movement, to testify on Weiss behalf. With VA telehealth, you can get care from your health providers without having to travel. Lebeau had previously defended a different rabbi accused of inappropriate behavior towards children. Anti-Israel display at Parkway elementary school sparks outrage, This Week In Mah Jongg: Understanding the Card, Illinois taxpayers footing $1 million bill for group inspired by antisemitic Nation of Islam, Remember Central Hardware? I think Rabbi Lebeau honestly just wants to defend rabbis, he said. Our laboratories provide a full range of clinical and diagnostic testing services. Weiss, 61, will be required to register as a sex offender for 25 years. Stephen Weiss, who for two . Bickart said he was unfamiliar with the Savannah case but had a theory about why Lebeau spoke on behalf of the rabbis in both cases. Rabbi William Lebeau (right) provides a character witness testimony on behalf of Rabbi Stephen Weiss (left) at Weiss' sentencing hearing for crimes of soliciting underage sex, Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 27, 2023. PEPPER PIKE, Ohio A 60-year-old Pepper Pike rabbi, accused of engaging in sexually explicit online conversations with an undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old boy, has resigned, according. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. You may qualify even without enrolling in VA health care. From congregational rabbi to Mandel JCC CEO: Why I am doing what I am doing? Talk with an advice nurse if you have questions about your care or for help in deciding whether you need an urgent or routine appointment. Weiss, 61, must register as a sex offender every six months for 25 years as a result of the plea. As somebody whos a parent of a boy precisely the same age as the fictitious victim in this case, its hard for me to see an important rabbinic mentor seemingly take more seriously the concerns of a convicted sex offender than of the community, Bickart said. Weiss had previously sent explicit messages to an undercover officer posing as an underaged boy in 2020, and waited for hours in order to separate his target from his parents in 2022, when he was arrested. How the Jewish family behind the empire left theirmark on St. Louis, Whos behind these Messiah Is Here! signs, The five biggest problems facing the U.S. today. Weiss has been free since his arrest on a $50,000 bond. Updated: 6:17 AM EST February 27, 2023 CLEVELAND 61-year-old Stephen Weiss, who was arrested last April amid allegations he arranged to have sex with somebody he thought was a teen boy,. who had given a lesson to a class of 9-year-olds about child sex trafficking filled with explicit language, alarming many parents. Weiss, formerly senior rabbi at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike, was sentenced for the crimes of attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and possessing criminal tools. Our local suicide prevention coordinators can also connect you with ongoing counseling and services. You have permission to edit this article. We work with behavioral health providers and community organizations to help you and your family during times of crisis. In the rest of the statement, he described the Rabbi Weiss that I know as beloved by his classmates and respected by his teachers, especially admired for his qualities of kindness and sensitivity, his inspirational teaching of children and adults and his support for congregants experiencing trouble. The Rabbinical Assembly, with which Lebeau is currently associated, had harshly condemned Weiss alleged behavior upon his initial arrest in April 2022 and suspended his membership, making him ineligible to apply for jobs or participate in other activities. Significantly, over more than 30 years as a rabbi there was nothing close to a grievance about his rabbinic service or his personal conduct, Lebeau said. St. Louis Art Museum acquires rare second work by 18th-century Jewish woman artist, New Jewish Theatre presents Every Brilliant Thing, Wikipedias Supreme Court tackles alleged conspiracy to distort articles on Holocaust, This Jewish St. Louis artist delights in creating little edgy mysteries, In the battle of kosher beef vs. non-kosher, scientists may have declared a winner. CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - A Pepper Pike rabbi pleaded guilty to attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and possessing criminal tools in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Thursday . A Jewish space laser sounds funny. VA Long Beach health care news and announcements, Subscribe to VA Long Beach health care emergency notifications, VA Long Beach health care operating status, VA Long Beach Healthcare System Facebook page, VA Long Beach Healthcare System at Twitter, VA Long Beach Healthcare System Instagram page, Check COVID-19 symptoms on the CDC website, Check your billing, insurance, and payment options, Compare our performance with non-VA facilities, Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, Bldg. Significantly, over more than 30 years as a rabbi there was nothing close to a grievance about his rabbinic service or his personal conduct, Lebeau said. I first met Rabbi Weiss when he was a rabbinical student and Ive maintained a close relationship with him to this day. Cleveland-area rabbi was sentenced to six months in prison. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. I think Rabbi Lebeau honestly just wants to defend rabbis, he said. clevelandjewishnews.com. Intervals of clouds and sunshine in the morning with more clouds for later in the day. To check up on a license or to file a complaint involving medical doctors licensed in the State of California, go towww.mbc.ca.gov, email:licensecheck@mbc.ca.gov, or call800-633-2322. We offer video conferencing, home telehealth services, and store-and-forward telehealth that lets you securely send your health information to experts at VA facilities. upon his initial arrest in April 2022 and suspended his membership, making him ineligible to apply for jobs or participate in other activities. He had been arrested and charged after a sting operation last April and pleaded guilty to the two felony charges in January. In 2014, according to the Forward, he had supported a rabbi in Savannah, Georgia, who had given a lesson to a class of 9-year-olds about child sex trafficking filled with explicit language, alarming many parents. Mainly cloudy. Goldberg said he hopes to put Weisss actions in the context of a lifetime of good works and leadership and provide a neurological explanation for the crime at his sentencing hearing. All VA health care facilities offer same-day help. A copy of the complaint says that agents also seized a Samsung cellphone and Smart Watch, as well as a bottle of ED medication that prosecutors say Weiss intended to use criminally. Weiss, 61, will be required to register as a sex offender for 25 years. The congregation had determined in its own investigation that Weiss had not engaged in any illegal or illicit activity at the congregation itself. A Cleveland-area rabbi was sentenced to six months in prison on Monday for soliciting underage sex, capping a sad and shocking saga for the areas Jewish community. I chose to make a personal statement referring to the Stephen Weiss I have known for 35 years and the qualities that defined him, as I said in the courtroom, prior to this tragic event.. Stephen Weiss, who had preached from the pulpit of Bnai Jeshurun for two decades until his April arrest, pleaded guilty to attempted unlawful sexual contact with a minor, a fourth-degree felony, and possessing criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony. CLEVELAND, Ohio A judge on Monday sentenced the former longtime rabbi of a Pepper Pike synagogue to prison following his arrest as part of an underage sex sting. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A judge on Monday sentenced the former longtime rabbi of a Pepper Pike synagogue to prison following his arrest as part of an underage sex sting. Weiss, formerly senior rabbi at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike. In the rest of the statement, he described the Rabbi Weiss that I know as beloved by his classmates and respected by his teachers, especially admired for his qualities of kindness and sensitivity, his inspirational teaching of children and adults and his support for congregants experiencing trouble. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. The City of Placentia is excited to announce its Citizens Academy! The deadline to apply is March 2nd. Stephen Weiss has never shared any relevant details about his family on media sources, making it more difficult to talk about Weiss's details. Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call Placentia Police Traffic Division at 714-993-8157. The Rabbinical Assembly, with which Lebeau is currently associated, had harshly condemned Weiss alleged behavior. We are here for you. 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