A former student of 29-year-old Rabbi Haim Boukris testified at Bourkis’ Sullivan County, New York child sex abuse trial that Bourkis said he wanted to have sex with a different boy besides his 11-year-old alleged victim.
Above: Haim Boukris
Haredi Rabbi Wanted To Have Sex With Second Boy, Court Hears
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
A former student of 29-year-old Rabbi Haim Boukris testified at Bourkis’ Sullivan County, New York child sex abuse trial that Bourkis said he wanted to have sex with a different boy besides his 11-year-old alleged victim, the Times Herald-Record reported.
18-year-old Yochanon Ponansky, Boukris’ former student at a haredi yeshiva in Ellenville, New York, told the court that approximately four years ago the Israeli born and raised Bourkis said thinking about having sex with that second boy “gives me [desire] to make boom-boom.”
The prosecutor asked Ponansky if it was clear to him at the time Bourkis said it what Boukris meant by “boom-boom.”
“It was pretty obvious to me and my friend,” Ponansky replied.
“That ‘boom boom’ meant sex?” the prosecutor asked.
“I guess. It’s what I thought he meant,” Ponansky said.
On cross examination, Boukris’ attorney, Ken Gribetz (who is no stranger to controversy) attacked Ponansky, demanding to know why Ponansky had been kicked out of the yeshiva when he was in 10th grade.
Ponansky refused to answer the question several times, but finally admitted he was expelled because he had been accused of smoking cigarettes on the Jewish Sabbath, a time when smoking is prohibited by halakha (Orthodox Jewish law).
But Ponansky said he wasn’t sure if Boukris was behind expelling him.
But do you hate Bourkis? Gribetz asked.
“I wouldn’t say that,” Ponansky answered.
Would you ever get in a car with Bourkis? Gribetz continued.
Ponansky said no.
“Why?” Gribetz asked.
“Because he’s creepy,” Ponansky replied.
Boukris, who is himself a yeshiva student as well as a being a teacher, is charged with two felonies: predatory sexual assault against a child and first-degree sexual abuse, both felonies. The alleged abuse took place four years ago when the alleged victim, who is now 15-years-old, was only 11.
Bourkis, who maintains his innocence, has strong support from the haredi yeshiva’s community and rabbis, many of who have come to court sessions to show their support for Bourkis.
The bench trial was adjourned until Tuesday.
Related Posts: