Comments (1)Rabbi Max Not To Appeal
May 13, 2009Phil Jacobs
Executive Editor
Rabbi Jacob Aaron Max, who was found guilty of sexual offense in the fourth degree and second-degree sexual assault April 13 in Baltimore County District Court, decided today not to appeal the verdict in Baltimore County Circuit Court.
“We’ve decided for the sake of Rabbi Max and all the people involved in this allegation that we’d just like to end it now,” said the rabbi’s defense attorney, David Irwin. “The rabbi wants to avoid the trauma of another trial for everyone concerned.”
Baltimore County District Court Judge Nancy Purpura’s verdict resulted in one year of incarceration suspended and one year of court-ordered unsupervised probation.
At the time, the 85-year-old rabbi emeritus of Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Hebrew Congregation, also known as Liberty Jewish Center, entered a not guilty plea, and Mr. Irvin said his client intended to appeal.
Max’s 44-year-old victim was molested, according to Baltimore County Police reports, in a kitchen at Sol Levinson & Bros. funeral home last December.
“My client is very gratified the defendant has seen fit not to challenge the verdict of guilty,” said Kathleen Cahill, the victim’s attorney.
Since news of the verdict broke on www.jewishtimes.com, other alleged victims have stepped forward to report similar allegations. But none of those allegations resulted in formal charges against Rabbi Max.
“We’ll be forthcoming with a statement, but not at this time,” said Liberty Jewish Center president Robert Meyerson.
Also, it is not known at this time if Rabbi Max will continue co-officiating High Holiday services at Shaarei Tfiloh Synagogue or Milford Manor Nursing Home. In addition, it is not known if he will retain his standing with the Baltimore Board of Rabbis.
The fourth degree sex offense means the “defendant had sexual contact with the victim and that the sexual contact was made against the will and consent of the victim,” according to County Assistant State’s Attorney Jared Green, who prosecuted the case.