Man arrested for sexually assaulting kids in synagogue

A 65-year-old man is suspected of offering to teach kids Torah, then committing indecent acts on them

Eli Senyor|Published: 09.05.11 , 12:13

A 65-year-old man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of committing indecent acts on children whom he taught Torah to.

The investigation was launched last week, after a father of three filed a complaint with the Rehovot police. The inquiry found that the suspect promised to give the three children, aged 8-10, money if they answered Jewish law questions correctly. When they followed him into the synagogue, he allegedly committed indecent acts on them.

The kids' father said the suspect, who prays at his synagogue, offered his kids to teach them the Torah.

Social Services investigators were involved in the case due to the children's young age. Before making the arrest, the Rehovot police followed the suspect while undercover.

During questioning, the suspect denied the charges, but admitted that he taught the kids. "I just gave them a pat on the shoulder," he claimed.

Meanwhile, the police found two more kids who might have fallen prey to the suspected pedophile's advances.

"This is not the end of the story," police officials said. "The investigation into the subject has just begun, and the parade of those questioned continues to grow."

The police are set to motion the Rishon Lezion Magistrate's Court on Monday to extend the suspect's remand.