After about seven years in prison: Rabbi Ezra Sheinberg, who was convicted of sexual offenses, was released Israel today

Rabbi Ezra Sheinberg, former head of the "Orot Ari" community and yeshiva in Safed, was released this morning (Sunday) from Maasiah Prison after seven and a half years in prison. Sheinberg was convicted of committing serious sexual offenses against at least eight women from his congregation.

In 2015, the rabbi of Safed, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, received complaints that Sheinberg had harmed women who came to him for counseling.

Rabbi Eliyahu, who knew him well and had good relations with him before, convened a court of three rabbis, where Sheinberg confessed to the actions he was accused of and agreed to suspend himself from contact with the public.

However, after he did not meet the conditions of the ruling, Rabbi Eliyahu revealed his actions to the students of the yeshiva.

At the same time, 12 women filed complaints against him.

Sheinberg himself was arrested when he tried to escape to Brazil.

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu established a special court in his case, photo: Tzachi Miriam

After his conviction, three women who were hurt by him revealed what happened in an interview to Israel Hayom.

They said, among other things, that he demanded from them to hide what he had done.

"I used to send him pictures of my children, so that he would bless them. Today I am afraid that he used these pictures for his perversions. I believed that he was my guardian angel, who watches over my children. When I arrived at the prosecutor's office for the first time, everything shattered. I got all the tears out of me," said one the victims.

"When the investigation began and more and more women appeared, I didn't understand where they were coming from. I was sure that I was the only one. My trust in the rabbis was greatly damaged. I dropped in the level of observing my Halachos. I don't want my children to grow up to be tzaddik who dip in the mikvah and grow a beard, only that they be righteous and honest people." .

The residents of Katzrin are afraid

In recent weeks, in preparation for his release, a struggle headquarters was established that led protest vigils near his family's home in Katsrin, and with the support of the local council they are demanding his removal on the grounds that his danger is still high and due to the fear that he will harm women again.

Yesterday, dozens of people demonstrated in front of Maasiyahu prison in protest of his imminent release.

Michal HaCohen, one of his victims, said yesterday (Saturday) in a demonstration in front of the prison that "the Katzrin community is expected to welcome into it tomorrow a sex offender who managed to deceive women and hurt them using manipulation and special charisma. Sheinberg never expressed real remorse for his actions and it is quite possible that he saw him starting a new community in the city and endangers other women who may fall into his net. We all must and must protest against Sheinberg's passing and point out the danger from this man in order to prevent the next harm. The State of Israel must take responsibility and prevent the return of a dangerous sex offender to the community who may return to Suru - as most of us know Most of the sex offenders who eventually come back to offend again."

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