Articles re sex charges against Rabbi Heshi Nussbaum

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Toronto Police Service

News Release

Historical sexual assault investigation,
Man charged with Indecent Assault Male,
Heshi Nussbaum, 71,
Police believe there may be more victims

Broadcast time: 12:53
Friday, August 31, 2012

32 Division
416−808−3205

The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of an arrest made in a
historical sexual assault investigation into sexual assaults alleged to have occurred between January 1972 and December 1975.

It is alleged that:

− the accused, while working as a teacher in a private religious school in the Bathurst
Street/Steeles Avenue area, sexually assaulted a 12−year−old boy at the school and during a summer camp

− the assaults continued over a three−year period

On Wednesday, August 29, 2012, Heshi Nussbaum, 71, of Toronto, was charged with
Indecent Assault Male.

He appeared in court at 1000 Finch Avenue West on Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at 2 p.m.

Police believe there may be more victims.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416−808−3205, Crime Stoppers
anonymously at 416−222−TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your
message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook. Download the free Crime
Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.
Constable Wendy Drummond, Corporate Communications, for Detective Constable Lynn
Beveridge, 32 Division

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Teacher charged with sex assault 40 years later 26

The Toronto Sun

By Chris Doucette ,Toronto Sun

First posted:  Friday, August 31, 2012 02:51 PM EDT  | Updated:  Friday, August 31, 2012 06:52 PM EDT

Heshi Nussbaum, 71, of Toronto, is charged with indecent assault for alleged incidents that happened 40 years ago.

TORONTO – A 71-year-old teacher has been charged in a sex assault that dates back 40 years when he was teaching in Thornhill.

Toronto Police said Friday the case stems from allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour with a young boy between January 1972 and December 1975.

“It is alleged that the accused, while working as a teacher in a private religious school in the Bathurst St. and Steeles Ave. area, sexually assaulted a (then) 12-year-old boy at the school and during a summer camp,” police said.

The assaults allegedly continued for three years.

Heshi Nussbaum, of Toronto, was charged Wednesday with indecent assault.

Police said they are concerned about the possibility of other victims.

Anyone with information regarding this case should contact investigators at 416-808-3205 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

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Arrest made in historic sex assault case

CTV Toronto

Published Friday, Aug. 31, 2012 1:47PM EDT

Last Updated Friday, Aug. 31, 2012 5:49PM EDT

Heshi Nussbaum, 71, was charged with indecent assault.Heshi Nussbaum, 71, was charged with indecent assault.

Toronto police have arrested a 71-year-old man in connection with a sex assault investigation dating back to 1972.

Police say that while working as a teacher at a private religious school in the Bathurst Street and Steeles Avenue area, a 12-year-old boy was assaulted during a summer camp.

Police say the assaults continued over a three-year period.

Investigators believe there could be more victims and are asking anyone with information to contact police at 416-808-3205.

Heshi Nussbaum of Toronto has been charged with indecent assault.

He appeared in Toronto court on Wednesday.

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Toronto Rabbi Accused of Abuse From ’70s

Heshi Nussbaum Charged With Assaulting 12-Year-Old Boy

The Jewish Daily Forward

31 August 2012

By JTA

Toronto — A 71-year-old rabbi in Toronto has been charged with indecent assault for allegedly sexually assaulting a student 40 years ago.

Heshi Nussbaum appeared in court on Wednesday to face the charge, the Toronto Sun reported.

Nussbaum allegedly sexually assaulted a 12-year-old boy at a “private religious school” that he taught at and during a summer camp between 1972 and 1975, according to Toronto Police.

There also may be more victims, according to a statement issued by the Toronto Police on Friday.

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Former Rabbi Arrested on Sex Assault Charges Dating Back to 1970’s

Newstalk radio 1010

Posted By: David Woodard dwoodard@astral.com · 8/31/2012 1:45:00 PM

A former Rabbi and teacher at Eitz Chaim Hebrew day school near Bathurst and Steeles is facing sex assault charges dating back to the early 1970’s.

Rabbi Heshi Nussbaum taught at the school and is alleged to have committed an indecent on a male from 1972-1975.

The victim was 12 at the time of the allegations.

It appears that Rabbi Nussbaum may have also been the choir master at the Toronto Boys Choir during the same time period, although police have yet to confirm that.

Police believe there could be more victims.

_____________________________

Toronto rabbi charged for alleged sexual assault after 40 years

JTA: the Global News Service of the Jewish People

August 31, 2012

(JTA) — A 71-year-old rabbi in Toronto has been charged with indecent assault for allegedly sexually assaulting a student 40 years ago.

Heshi Nussbaum appeared in court on Wednesday to face the charge, the Toronto Sun reported.

Nussbaum allegedly sexually assaulted a 12-year-old boy at a “private religious school” that he taught at and during a summer camp between 1972 and 1975, according to Toronto Police.

There also may be more victims, according to a statement issued by the Toronto Police on Friday.

________________________________

Toronto Pedophile Arrest

Heshi Nussbaum

The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of an arrest made in a historical sexual assault investigation into sexual assaults alleged to have occurred between January 1972 and December 1975. It is alleged that Heshi Nussbaum: 1) t while working as a teacher in a private religious school in the Bathurst Street/Steeles Avenue area, sexually assaulted a 12-year-old boy at the school and during a summer camp, 2) the assaults continued over a three-year period.

http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b71f69e2017c3193fec9970b-pi

Comments

He is Rabbi Heshi Nussbaum.

http://www.newstalk1010.com/News/localnews/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10433749

Former Rabbi Arrested on Sex Assault Charges Dating Back to 1970’s
Posted By: David Woodard
dwoodard@astral.com·8/31/2012 1:45:00 PM

A former Rabbi and teacher at Eitz Chaim Hebrew day school near Bathurst and Steeles is facing sex assault charges dating back to the early 1970’s.

Rabbi Heshi Nussbaum taught at the school and is alleged to have committed an indecent on a male from 1972-1975.

The victim was 12 at the time of the allegations.

It appears that Rabbi Nussbaum may have also been the choir master at the Toronto Boys Choir during the same time period, although police have yet to confirm that.

Police believe there could be more victims.

Posted by: jewishwhistleblower | August 31, 2012 at 03:21 PM

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That makes the victim about 52 now. Wow, it must have been very hard to finally come forward now. Good for you, saving the next victims.

Posted by: Lubavitchers are Christians | August 31, 2012 at 03:29 PM

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http://jewishsurvivors.blogspot.com/2006/09/case-of-rabbi-heshy-nussbaum-and.html

Heshy’s father Rabbi Moshe Nussbaum, was one of the founders of the Agudah movement in Toronto, and of Agudath Israel Congregation. He was also an active member on the Vaad Hapoel Agudath Israel, the governing body of the International Agudah organization. He was also active in Eitz Chaim schools, and was a found of Bais Yaakov High School. In addition, he helped found Camp Agudah in Port Carling, and Perspectives, the newspaper of Toronto Agudah.

Posted by: jewishwhistleblower | August 31, 2012 at 03:34 PM

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This is such old news and the entire community has been well aware of it from the time in the 70’s when the event happened. He left the school and entered into a business on Bathhurst Ave. just North of Wilson for a number of years. This story is not new and the community dealt with properly for the era that it transpired. It may have been dealt with in a manner unacceptable in today’s standard, but he was dismissed and the issue was not hidden under the table.

Posted by: Jack | August 31, 2012 at 03:38 PM

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why did it take 37 years to arrest this pedo ?

nussbaum must have assaulted tons of young
boys during that 37 year period .

the victims must come forward , now !

Posted by: mp | August 31, 2012 at 03:45 PM

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Jack is wrong.

The linked information contradicts his claims.

If you have information contact the police. You can do so anonymously as described in the police flyer.

Posted by: jewishwhistleblower | August 31, 2012 at 04:07 PM

___________________
why did it take 37 years to arrest this pedo ?

nussbaum must have assaulted tons of young
boys during that 37 year period .

the victims must come forward , now !

Posted by: mp | August 31, 2012 at 03:45 PM

___________________

Rape victims often block out the horror and trauma, only to have it all rise back to the surface decades later.

It is a common thing in cases like this, as you might see if you were to do a statistical analysis of all child abuse cases brought to light.

I have had things surface in my memories that are comparable.
They remain horrible, no matter how long ago.

Trauma causes actual physical damage to the brain.

It is up to the victim if they want to face it or not.
Sometimes they want justice, sometimes not.

Posted by: Drive-by Dan | August 31, 2012 at 04:18 PM

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I may be wrong though I was living in Toronto during that period of time and remember the incident very clearly. There most probably were other victims (he was also a macher in Camp Magen Avraham) but the school fired him ASAP and the incident was not hushed up in the community.

I am not excusing his behavior as it is inexcusable but I believe his wife divorced him and basically his life was dramatically changed for the worse after that incident.

Posted by: Jack | August 31, 2012 at 04:24 PM

___________________

I remember him from his days in Crown Heights.He was always a meshugginer,but i never remember him to be pedophile.

Posted by: redd | August 31, 2012 at 04:32 PM

12 Responses to Articles re sex charges against Rabbi Heshi Nussbaum

  1. Sylvia says:

    Several of you sent me links asking that I post re these charges.  Here it is.  I wouldn’t normally post this because the Rabbi truly is one of many non-Catholics charged and if I start posting them all I won’t have a moment for anything else.  However, I did find this blog which adds another dimension to the allegations and charges.  Take a look and read through the comments here on FailedMessiah.com. Now that sounds a little familiar.

  2. Mike Fitzgerald says:

         It’s all too familiar! It will never change, will it Sylvia! The Modus Operandi, the resultant guilt and shame, The lack of “official” investigation.
         A really interesting note here is the reference to the different age and time. Reaction has certainly changed!
         The most remarkable feature of this case is the similarity to the catholic cases – fear and guilt of reporting/ complaining to civil authorities. The fear of the resultant ostrasizing and shame shuts up the victims right to this day (with some notable exceptions).   Mike.

  3. Sarah Maged says:

    *A pervert is a pervert! Whether orthodox or not nothing excuses such a criminal act. As a mother I do not care of the billion excuses he may have for his behaviour (his wife divorced him???So what???? With rate of divorces being so high over 30% of males should have now an excuse to be child rapists…)  It is appaling that the community knew about it and kept silent about it.  While this man enjoyed many years of freedom, many families must have gone through hell.  For all the victims, I wish death penalty could be brought back.  I also think that anybody in charge of the school at the time should be held coresponsible of the acts.

  4. Shmeil A. says:

    Whats with you people in Toronto?
    How can you spew like this about a fellow Jew… Don’t any of you realize its loshen hora?!
    Who do you think you are to doubt the pasak rabonim??? you think there dum
    & don’t know how to deal with a situation like this one? You all should be ashamed of youre selves… No wonder Hashem sent this pedophile to the Toronto community!

    • PJ says:

      Schmeil A: Since I have no idea what the hell you’re beaking off about, I would love you to translate what you wrote into english…might make what you are saying valid. But then again, those that cloak their words in gibberish usually do it on purpose to be cowardly…which are you?

  5. JG says:

    Loshen hora!….Shmeil A.

  6. B says:

    PJ,

    According to Wiki (I know, I know), loshen hora is speech which “says something negative about a person or party, is not previously known to the public, is not seriously intended to correct or improve a negative situation, and is true….The sin of lashon hara is considered to be a very serious sin in the Jewish tradition.”

    I assume that Shmeil feels that the things being said about this “fellow Jew” pedophile are negative, are true, and are unknown to the public. I have doubts about the last, since police investigations followed by press releases would seem already to have alerted the public to some of the former rabbi’s crimes.

    I would also take issue with the idea that there is no intention to correct or improve a negative situation; I think that the majority of people who post here hope to prevent pedophilia from being ignored, hidden away, and minimalized, and want to protect more children from being harmed.

    This can only happen if predators are outed. I have a hard time imagining that loshen hora is meant to prevent people from speaking out against crimes happening/that have happened within their communities?

    • PJ says:

      B…thanks so much for the explanation. Means a lot to me to know someone out there can explain things to me in a way that makes sense! I’m thankful for people like you.

  7. JG says:

    Schmeil’s comments are obviously about the “original”comments under the news release re-posted here by Sylvia. They are not about any new comments on this site, if you cared to read through it all…
    He is chastising those Jews from the Toronto area for not keeping it within the “family” so to speak. He feels Rabbi Nussbaum has been adequately punished by his “community”, elders, whatever…not necessary to drag him through more mud!
    Then he becomes a bit of what he is criticizing by throwing some mud at the Toronto Jewish community by saying they deserved to have this pedophile in their community, that is was God(Hashem) that sent Nussbaum to them…implying it is because of their character, sinful ways…some sort of punishment by Hashem!
    So he criticizes his fellow Jews for slinging mud and then he very subtly does the same thing to end his post!
    My point in the end would have been this : that this approach to me sounded a lot like the cover-ups we have been treated with coming from Rome…always “handling” things internally, telling everyone the church(catholic) was quite capable of rectifying their pedophile problems and that “canon law” was sufficient, etc. Remember all those victims, supporters banished or promised to “hell” for speaking out!? Similar flavor in Shmeil’s words!
    In other words, Shmeil’s comment to keep it in the “community” , to be careful not to show this to outsiders(non-Jews) is very reminiscent of our catholic church approach for all those years! The all powerful “image” of the church, of the Jews!…Hypocrisy of the fittest!
    Shmeil, in other words, is being very “catholic” in his approach to this abuse of children!
    I took the time to read “everything” two, three times, and yes, it helps to “google” and to take the time to understand. Sometimes when I don,t understand, I just stand back and wait it out. Sometimes I feel it is not my place to “interrupt” when I have nothing to add. In this case, I was trying to engage, in a “subtle” but “challenging” way.
    It all takes some effort to have an interesting conversation, possibly, with someone who could be on the other side of the planet.
    Or not! Once correctly or incorrectly explained, the recipe is spoiled…

    jg

  8. SurvivorofHN says:

    JG,

    I am the first victim that came forward with regards to nussBUM. I commend you for your research. Loshon Hora is a grave sin but there are exceptions. (below WIKI) Many people including shmeil use that excuse for anything that is wrong with the community, because something had to be said in order to set something in motion. It’s an easy way for many to conform with the clergy to stay in their good graces. Your right, on one hand he calls it Loshon Hora and on the other hand he admits nussBUM is a pedofile. he has no idea what he is talking about. SHMEIL if you read this, let it be know to you that I went to the police because it was the right thing to do. We need to protect our children, your children. The Rabbi’s, the Priests, the Mullahs etc will not. They will never admit that they can do wrong. No child should ever be molested by anyone regardless of their beliefs.

    From WIKI
    “There are times when a person is supposed to speak out, even though the information is disparaging. Specifically, if a person’s intent in sharing the negative information is for a to’elet, a positive, constructive, and beneficial purpose, the prohibition against lashon hara does not apply. If the lashon hara serves as a warning against the possibility of future harm, such communication is under certain conditions, compulsory.”

    SurvivorofHN

  9. JG says:

    SurvivorofHN,
    I commend YOU for your courage in stepping forward. You are doing your “blessed” part for the protection of children and you are so right to point to the many different “beliefs” as irrelevant when it comes to children. If it wasn’t for the adult needs for “control” or “power” , “dominance”, we would be a formidable united Creation…

    I like this glimpse in your person when you say above:”It’s an easy way for many to conform with the clergy to stay in their good graces.”
    “Conformity”, “submission” is what allows the ills of this world to be perpetuated.
    We need more “rebels” to question, to challenge and to expect “change”, for the sake of “the child”…for each and all of us with our differences but a will to understand.
    Shalom.

    jg

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