Rabbi Moshe Yasgur suggested that the Israeli children’s original report to Israeli police could have been “mixed up in translation,” or that the teens had made an accusation because something had happened to them in Rivlin’s absence, and they blamed the rabbi for not protecting them. “I don’t believe that he is a person who would ever engage in such activity,’’ Yasgur said.
Rabbi Uzi Rivlin
Teaneck-based Orthodox Rabbi Uzi Rivlin was arrested yesterday on suspicion of molesting two 13-yeear-old Israeli boys who each spent a summer in Rivlin's house.
Before the ink was dry on the first reports of his arrest, an Orthodox rabbi jumped in to defend Rivlin:
…A former associate of Rivlin’s rushed to his defense Tuesday. Rabbi Moshe Yasgur, who served as vice president of the fund until a few years ago, described Rivlin as “a good person” who was “always helping people.’’
Yasgur suggested that the children’s original report to Israeli police could have been “mixed up in translation,” or that the teens had made an accusation because something had happened to them in Rivlin’s absence, and they blamed the rabbi for not protecting them.
“I don’t believe that he is a person who would ever engage in such activity,’’ Yasgur said.
Yasgur said the scholarship fund that Rivlin led was established to provide financial support and advocacy for children who were disadvantaged and victims of terror. Children were brought to the United States in small numbers each year to participate in a summer camp program, staying with host families, including Rivlin. The organization helped hundreds of children in Israel.
Yasgur said Rivlin had done “extraordinary work.’’
“We thought it was important to give them a taste of America,’’ Yasgur said. “It was always about building the children up and giving them the self-confidence to move forward in life.’’
“That is why it’s so bizarre to me that this accusation is being made,’’ he said.…
When the abuse allegedly occurred, the two 13-year-old boys were staying at Rivlin’s Teaneck home as part of a scholarship program, Scholarship Fund for the Advancement of Children in Israel, that Rivlin helped found.
The fund helps child victims of terror attacks, the disadvantaged and youth from troubled homes.
One boy alleges he was molested by Rivlin in the summer of 2009. The second boy alleges Rivlin molested him the following year.
Both boys told the Israeli police, who contacted the FBI. The FBI in turn contacted Bergen County and Teaneck law enforcement, which made the arrest.
Rivlin is being held on $175,000 cash bond with no ten percent option.
Related Post: Rabbi Arrested For Alleged Sexual Abuse.