Safed rabbi jailed for slew of sex offenses released from prison amid protests
After 7.5 years, Ezra Sheinberg, convicted of sexual assault and other crimes, leaves jail for new home in Golan Heights; local residents plan demonstrations
Ezra Sheinberg, a well-known rabbi and former yeshiva head from the northern city of Safed, was released from prison on Sunday, having served seven and a half years for committing a slew of sexual crimes against eight women, including multiple counts of sexual assault.
Sheinberg was originally slated for an early release from prison in October 2021 due to good behavior. His release, however, was delayed after legal interventions from victims of his crimes.
Walking out of the Ma’asiyahu Prison near the central city of Lod, a smiling Sheinberg was asked by a Ynet reporter whether he had anything to say to his victims. He responded: “They should be healthy, with God’s help.”
The rabbi was also asked about compensating the victims, to which he said “they have sued in civil court… with God’s help they will receive.”
Hebrew media reports said that after release Sheinberg would be taken to a property he purchased two years ago in the town of Katzrin, in the Golan Heights.
Local residents, who say that Sheinberg remains a danger, are planning to protest on Sunday evening against the rabbi’s relocation to their community.
One Katzrin resident told Ynet that the community would “make it clear” to Sheinberg that he was not welcome.
“We won’t let him pray in our synagogue and give classes, and we certainly won’t let him give out blessings and treatments,” the unnamed resident said.
Michal Hacohen, one of Sheinberg’s victims, told those gathered at a protest outside Ma’asiyahu Prison on Saturday night that the convicted man remained a danger.
“The Katzrin community is expected to welcome tomorrow a sexual criminal who deceived and harmed women through manipulation and a special charisma,” she said.
“Sheinberg has never expressed real regret for what he did,” Hacohen said. “It’s certain that he will try to establish a new community, where he will represent a real danger to more women.”
Sheinberg, convicted in 2018, used his position of prominence and reputation as a powerful mystic to lure in and take advantage of women who came to him for religious counsel and for blessings for fertility when they struggled to conceive.
Part of his modus operandi involved convincing the victims that only he could provide a solution to their problems, through a treatment he dubbed “relaxation.”
Sheinberg had been a popular kabbalist and respected figure in Israel’s national religious community, and the author of several books.
He was arrested on July 1, 2015, as he attempted to flee the country when allegations against him emerged.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.