Eliezer Berland

Screen capture from video of ultra-Orthodox protesters clash with police in Jerusalem, October 16, 2019. (YouTube)

October 17, 2019, 12:33 pm

7 arrested as hundreds of ultra-Orthodox riot in Jerusalem

Some rioters said to seek out Arab vehicles to attack; most of those involved reportedly from sect led by convicted sex offender rabbi Eliezer Berland

By Stuart Winer

Eliezer Berland (L) with Israeli pop star Omer Adam (via Facebook)

September 3, 2019, 11:40 am

Israeli pop star stokes fury over photo with sex offender rabbi Berland

Women’s group and victim slam Omer Adam over embrace; singer’s publicist insists encounter was unplanned

By Marissa Newman

Rabbi Eliezer Berland lights a bonfire during the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer on Mt. Meron in northern Israel on May 3, 2018. (Shlomi Cohen/Flash90)

May 22, 2019, 1:34 am

Sex convict rabbi set to be honored with bonfire-lighting, perhaps for last time

Amid protests, Religious Affairs Ministry says there’s no law to bar Eliezer Berland from Lag B’Omer ceremony, but signals it will draw up rules to exclude him in the future

By Marissa Newman

Rabbi Eliezer Berland participates in a mass prayer session at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, on January 25, 2012. (Uri Lenz/Flash90)

March 4, 2019, 2:07 am

Family of sex offender rabbi sued to recover missing charitable funds – report

Wife, son and grandson of Eliezer Berland said to be hit with NIS 50 million suit for using donations to purchase real estate overseas

By TOI staff

Men gather to pray during a demonstration in support of Eliezer Berland outside the court in Lod, Central Israel on July 26, 2016. (Avi Dishi/Flash90)

January 24, 2019, 10:50 pm

Sex convict rabbi claims he can revive the dead – for $5,000 fee

Journalists fake brain dead patient to uncover how Eliezer Berland’s miracles-for-cash scheme works

By Marissa Newman

Rabbi Eliezer Berland speaks with students in a video from several years ago (Screen capture: YouTube)

January 10, 2019, 6:56 pm

In recording, sex offender rabbi boasts of accidental $80k donation

To mocking laughter, Eliezer Berland says he told an English-speaking woman to cough up $18,000. She heard $80,000 and complied, then he asked for more

By Marissa Newman

Rabbi Eliezer Berland (L), a convicted sex offender, meets with UTJ's Meir Porush at a Beit Shemesh wedding on January 6, 2019 (courtesy)

January 10, 2019, 5:41 pm

For votes, ultra-Orthodox MKs don’t rule out followers of sex offender rabbi

Deputy education minister seen speaking to Eliezer Berland, but both factions of the former United Torah Judaism deny intention to drum up support among fringe messianic community

By Marissa Newman

January 8, 2019, 11:41 pm

Sex offender rabbi ‘negotiated with deputy ministers’ for public comeback

Recording shows Eliezer Berland’s aides offering followers’ political backing in Jerusalem mayoral race in exchange for photo op with ultra-Orthodox leaders

By TOI staff

An Israeli teen wrapped in a Gay Pride flag near the settlement of Efrat, June 3, 2018. (Jacob Magid/Times of Israel)

December 28, 2018, 9:10 am

14 Times of Israel stories that mattered most in 2018

ToI journalists in Israel and around the world discuss their articles from the past year that have left the deepest impressions

By TOI staff

Rabbi Eliezer Berland shrouds himself with his talit (prayer shawl) at the Magistrates Court in Jerusalem, as he is put on trial for sexual assault charges, November 17, 2016. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)

September 5, 2018, 12:42 pm

The ex-aides of a messianic, sex-convict rabbi fight from within to cast him out

Bratslav hasidic leaders have issued a rare ban on Eliezer Berland, a cult leader seen as a modern ‘Sabbatai Tzvi’; the rest of the Haredi world is proving reluctant to follow suit

By Marissa Newman

Ultra-Orthodox Jews dance around a bonfire in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighborhood on May 2, 2018, during celebrations for the Jewish holiday of Lag BaOmer. (AFP PHOTO / MENAHEM KAHANA)

May 3, 2018, 11:20 am

Hundreds of thousands flock to Galilee tomb for Lag B’Omer celebrations

Annual bonfire holiday draws over 250,000 largely ultra-Orthodox Jews to burial site of ancient sage; celebrations marred by honor accorded to convicted sex offender

By Tamar Pileggi

Rabbi Eliezer Berland covers himself with his talit (prayer shawl) at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court during his trial for sexual assault charges on November 17, 2016. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

May 2, 2018, 2:14 pm

Sex offender rabbi to be honored at Lag B’Omer festival

Outrage as Eliezer Berland, who served time for indecent acts and assault, including of minor, set to light bonfire in Meron

By Marissa Newman and TOI staff

Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman (Uri Lenz/FLASH90)

March 15, 2018, 8:35 am

Rabbi dropped support for alleged child molester under donors’ pressure – report

Yitzchak Dovid Grossman said to have withdrawn involvement in case of Australian suspect due to social media backlash and threats to funding of his charity

By Michael Bachner

March 12, 2018, 2:17 pm

Prominent rabbi withdraws support for alleged Australian child molester

Yitzchak Dovid Grossman expresses regret that his offer of a home to a suspect awaiting extradition called into question his mission to help at-risk youth

By Jacob Magid

Israeli border policemen stand guard outside Damascus Gate, a main entrance to Jerusalem's Old City, on July 15, 2017. (AFP/Ahmad Gharabli)

October 13, 2017, 1:58 am

Arab man said injured as Jewish youths riot in Jerusalem

Large group descends on Muslim Quarter, reportedly causes extensive damage to store and cars

By TOI staff