Nathan Jeffay
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Sex scandal splits Orthodox Zionist world
TEL AVIV – Israel’s influential Orthodox Zionists have divided into two camps following a sexual-abuse scandal involving one of their most renowned and charismatic leaders, stoking fears for the future of rabbinic authority.
Takana, a rabbinic forum established in 2003 to clamp down on sexual misconduct by Orthodox educators, went public Feb. 15 with allegations that Rabbi Mordechai “Moti” Elon had taken advantage of his influence over male students and performed “acts at odds with sacred and moral values.”
The panel later said that two people, whose complaints alleged acts from about 25 years ago, had been under 18 at the time. More recent alleged acts involved students of Elon who were 18 or older.
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