Court Convicts Rabbi Jacob A. Max Of Molestation
To the poster that said:
“You have succeeded in destroying not only the positive achievements of this ground-breaking Rabbi and teacher of Torah but destroying his good name and his life. Is that hoe you want the Jewish Times to be known and remembered? Because that’s how I’ll always see you.”
Who ARE you kidding??? Jacob Max hasn’t had a “good name” in Baltimore (at least among women) in a very long time. I guarantee you that for every 10 women that have left that shul in the last 30 years, 5-7 of them left BECAUSE of him.
Posted by anonymous on 05/20/09 at 07:24 PMI left my faith for a very long time because of this man. I’m sorry he wasn’t caught a long time ago. The pity is we’re in a community where women and kids couldn’t come forward because nobody would believe us - yet the gossip has abounded for at LEAST 40 years.
Posted by Anonymous on 05/20/09 at 07:18 PMThe comparison to the Ner boy that killed himself had nothing to do with Rabbi Moshe Eiseman.
Posted by The Truth on 04/28/09 at 10:38 PMI applaud Phil Jacobs for his articles exposing the shameful sexual behavior of an ordained rabbi Jacob Max. It’s shocking that rabbi Max got away with an unsupervised parole sentence. It reminded me the case of another Baltimore rabbi Moshe Eisemann who was retired from his teaching position at NIRC for his sexual misconduct but remained unsupervised and living on campus. Last December, a Ner Israel student who was organizing Saturday meals at the Eisemann’s residence, committed a suicide. And still rabbi Eisemann’s unsupervised status have not changed. These rabbis are a disgrace to the community and should be under a permanent supervision if we want to stop these tragedies. The fact they remain free proves that the Baltimore Jewish leaders don’t take seriously the safety of their people.
Posted by S. Katz on 04/28/09 at 10:35 AMTo Barry Cohen and Chaia Bayla, Rabbi Max is a large man, over 6 feet tall. I do not know if the woman in question was a small lady but if he had her pinned against a counter with her back to his front(which seems to be his m.o. according to other alleged incidents), she may not have been able to get away from him. And Barry, most women in the baby boomer generation never would have come out against “a man of the cloth” because it is treated like rape and the women get treated like criminals. i.e.“they asked for it!”
Posted by abby on 04/24/09 at 07:06 AMThis is directed to the cowardly person who leads off with the support of Max while condeming the JT. We just got off the phone with a relative who the great sage tried to kiss when he was some 30 years her senior. This guy may be a teacher of Torah, but he sure isn’t a living a life of Torah. Wake up, you invested in the wrong guy. He molested you too, maybe not your body, but your belief system.
Posted by Anonymous on 04/22/09 at 08:52 PMI’ve known Rabbi Max my entire life. He is the reason that I have such a strong Jewish identity and lave and pride for Israel. His devotion to Liberty Jewish Center and its families is unmatched. Shame on the Jewish Times for such hateful and disgusting “reporting”, and yes, I use the term “reporting” loosely. That article and articles like similar is why I canceled my subscription years ago. Before publishing such tabloid trash, how about researching ALL of the facts and presenting the entire story, not just alleged lurid details of an incident. Seems kind of interesting how Rabbi Max’s victim left work that day and could just never bring herself back to work. Phil Jacobs and the rest of the Jewish Times, try some real reporting instead of “tabloid style” character defamation. You have succeeded in destroying not only the positive achievements of this ground-breaking Rabbi and teacher of Torah but destroying his good name and his life. Is that hoe you want the Jewish Times to be known and remembered? Because that’s how I’ll always see you.
Posted by Anonymous on 04/22/09 at 09:01 AMJack Remmington is right- loved the joke of an article about the Funeral Home- what a facade. The truth will be revealed. Discrimination and harrassment is an every day occurrence is that workplace.
Posted by In the Know on 04/21/09 at 10:10 AMOne of the great problems with the internet is that any nudnik with a keyboard can post slander without the facts to back up his words.
It sounds like Jack Remmington is just slinging mud about Levinsons without any idea of the actual facts of a case that doesn’t even involve them.
Posted by Isaac Charles on 04/20/09 at 03:54 PMJust an addition to the previous post http://www.offitkurman.com/newsletter/OK_Summer07_Newsletter_index_2.html#wevegrown (See Paragraph #3) is a website in which you may read a News Letter from 2007 whom of which Offit & Kurman posted on there web page. Which describes a business relationship of the Law office and the Funeral home. Given the fact that Ira Levinson President of Sol Levinson & Bros. was aware that Rabbi Jacob Aaron Max had been under investigation in 2007, it would seem that the information in this news letter is far from what actually takes place. Which many of us know already is false. To compare yourself to the Ritz Carlton, then knowingly allow a Rabbi who has had a reputation for years(his reputation with the women is as old as his reputation as a rabbi) in there establishment, and none the less in employee areas. You claim you listen to people, accommodate, and never say no. That is one of your so called main principles, what a joke. Who do they really care about the people/client, or the greedy Rabbi Jack Max. So where does the guilt lie, no doubt Max is guilty, and it is unacceptable, but the burden lies with Sol Levinson & Bros.
As well a note added I post anonymously due to the fact that I have friends whom are personally connected this situation, and have known about the Rabbi for many decades like so many others. Though looked at crazy I am happy to say that this has finally come to the attention of the public.
Posted by Jack Remmington on 04/18/09 at 09:15 PMRabbi Max deserves everything that is coming to him. If he was not guilty why would he hire on of the highest profile criminal attorneys in the state of Maryland, who normally does not do district court cases. When he was being investigated in November of 2007, why did Sol Levinson & Bros. allow him to be in there kitchen unsupervised, they are as much to blame as he is. Justice will be served.
Posted by Jack Remmington on 04/18/09 at 05:58 PMI have known Rabbi Max for close to 40 years. He did my Bat Mitzvah along with about 56 other girls. I have never felt comfortable in his company. He always got inappropriately too close and held on too long. I would try to avoid him whenever I saw him. I am so glad this woman he molested had the courage to speak up. It is way past due that this Rabbi’s behavior is out in the open. I understand Sol Levinson fired this woman for reporting this crime. I thought we were beyond this type of sexual harassment. I wish I had another choice of Jewish funeral homes. I hope other people will come forward with their experiences.
Posted by annonymous on 04/17/09 at 10:50 AMThe sad and devastating thing is that people who we hold up to a “higher standard” sometimes shock and disappoint us even more. I do not know this man, but sometimes when a person “of trusted authority”—someone who we respect and admire is actually violating us-we cannot believe it is happenning-and so we “freeze-up”-and not until afterwards can we recall what happenned-May HaShem give all survivors of sexual and physical abuse the courage to tell the truth and surround them with light and love to heal. May all the sick perverts who abuse others and who have no authentic moral compass whatsoever and whose pathetic actions are worse than murderer be dealt with in a just and equal way by HaShem.
Posted by onegr8singer on 04/16/09 at 10:17 PMInterested to know what EVIDENCE there was of this alleged act. Any witnesses? Any cameras? People saw her crying and upset later that day. Are there MILLIONS of reasons of why a woman might cry and be upset - Can a woman feign her emotions? Oh, please, it’s a case of one person’s word against another. Unless there are no witnesses, it is an accusation at best. And IF her allegations are true, that he approached her twice, why did she not leave the his presence after the alleged first attempt? IF her allegation is true, does the 85 y.o. have SUCH physical power that she had no free will to immediately leave? It’s no secret that the man has been a controversial figure in the orthodox community for being more modern than traditional orthodoxy. Being controversial is not a crime, and should not be used against him. No witnesses, no crime. We’ll see who she goes after if she pusues any civil suit to learn her true motive. And if so, he should countersue as well. Allegations are mere allegations until there is a witness to a crime.
Posted by Chaia Bayla on 04/15/09 at 06:37 PMHow dare you quote the Grateful Dead and relate it to this horrible situation! Jerry is probably rolling over in his grave! I love how the men have all dismissed this disgraceful “rabbi’s” actions! How would you have reacted had it been your daughter, sister, wife or mother to whom he made the advances? Shame on all of you for turning a blind eye to what women have been complaining about for decades!! How could you condone such behavior? Thank G-d this woman had the strength to speak up and take action! It’s a shame it took such an act to do so.
Posted by saddened on 04/15/09 at 05:38 PMIt is a great shame to see this allegation supercede all of the good that this rabbi has done for this community over the past decades. And as a woman in my 40s, I do not understand how she could not have physically pushed an elderly man away. I do not buy, as reported in the Sun today, that he was able to hold her against her will.
Posted by Chaia Bayla on 04/15/09 at 02:18 PMShortly after I moved here in 1965, my ex and I became involved in local reform politics and met the “good rabbi” at a fundraiser for a judge. I was wearing a two-piece dress, and everyone warned me not to let him near me because he was a pervert. He immediately approached me and almost fell into my bodice and I had to practically remove his head and warned him to stay away. I think my Brooklyn moxie scared him, but he kept looking at me as if he was going to approach again..he didnt.
Everyone has known about him for years and why nothing has been done about his behavior has always perplexed me? This did not begin at 85..I met him when he was in his 40’s.
Better late than never. I have already received emails from folks with stories like mine..and I am sure that the congregation has known for years and kept covering it up. Reminds me of another group.
Posted by Lynda on 04/15/09 at 09:33 AMThis is outrageous! This women is accusing a good elderly happily married man of making sexual advances. She in it for the money and to ruin a good man’s name. Me and my family have known Rabbi Max for generations. He married my parent, bat mitzvahed me and done more good deeds for the Jewish community in Baltimore than anyone could imagine. I hope that the judge sees the error of his ways and reverses the sentence.
Posted by Outraged on 04/14/09 at 06:41 PMIT IS ABOUT TIME SOMEONE LISTENED TO THE COMPLAINT ABOUT THE “GOOD RABBI”, I THINK MORE LIKE THE BAD RABBI!!!!. I AM SO PLEASED TO HEAR ABOUT THE SCUMBAG BEING CONVICTED! I LEFT LIBERTY JEWISH CENTER 37 YEARS AGO BECAUSE OF HIM. HE RUINED MY JEWISH BELIEFS!
Posted by deb on 04/14/09 at 05:08 PMDear Confused -
It is I who disagrees with a court of law. Based on the sentence the rabbi received, apparently the judge wasn’t very impressed by the evidence against the rabbi.
Posted by Barry Cohen on 04/14/09 at 09:22 AMThe Rabbi Jacob Max I know is a good and decent man.
I no more believe the accuser than the man in the moon. For crying out loud, the man is 85 years old! As for annonymous and confused, why don’t you gutless wonders come out and state your names?You’re nothing more than a bunch of cowards!
rabbi max did my bar mitvoh at liberty jewish center in the mid 80’s. those scumbags at oheb shalom only cared about money and lining their pockets with donations. rabbi max told my parents that he would provide a tutor and that i would be able to have my bar mitzvoh on schedule. Who cares if he likes to have some women on the side. it’s better than the catholic priests molesting young boys. everytime i think of rabbi max, i think of a quote from the grateful dead….“we can share the women we can share the wine…..”
Posted by gratefuljr on 04/14/09 at 08:57 AMI thought he was a creep 35 yrs ago. When preparing for my Bat Mitvoh back in the 1970’s, I would tell my parents how much did not like him or trust him and they dismissed my concerns. Sounds like justice has finally been served. I don’t know how it took so long for someone to speak up.
Posted by anonymous on 04/14/09 at 08:39 AMDear Barry,
Apparently a court of law disagrees with you. And I think there will be a civil suit—but not the one you expect.
The good rabbi has a track record with the ladies going back decades. No legal problems all of these years. How come, all of a sudden, there is a complaint of a sexual nature. The man is 85 years old. How much sexual prowess is left in his schmeckel? I would guess that all of it is between his ears. Did he mentally reach out and touch this woman? Smells like a civil suit pending for big bucks.
Posted by Barry Cohen on 04/14/09 at 07:18 AM