If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Tennessee Published: Jan. 26, 2023 at 9:13 AM PST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - A Pepper Pike rabbi pleaded guilty to attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and possessing criminal tools in Cuyahoga. Brave CF Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Fallon Radigan and the task forces commander, Dave Frattare, urged Hagan to impose a prison sentence. Weiss resigned from his position the next day. Tokyo Stephen Weiss, 61, faces up to 2.5 years behind bars. COVID-19 Statement from Rabbi Stephen Weiss's attorney Michael Goldberg: "Rabbi Stephen Weiss has submitted his resignation to the Board of Trustees of B'nai Jeshurun Congregation. PEPPER PIKE, Ohio A 60-year-old Pepper Pike rabbi, accused of engaging in sexually explicit online conversations with an undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old boy, has resigned, according to his attorney Michael J Goldberg. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The former longtime rabbi at a Pepper Pike synagogue pleaded guilty on Thursday to felony charges involving an underage sex sting. Upon announcing his arrest last year, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office said Weiss "engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 15-year-old boy on a social networking app. Longtime local rabbi speaks before sentencing on sex crims, Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Lake County Burger King total loss after fire, Firefighters find over 50 animals, including foxes, Erin Brockovich to host second town hall meeting,, DeWine to update East Palestine on waste removal, Kenny previews Spring & Summer Camps at Cleveland, Strongsville High Schools Mustang Express, Soup For The Soul has the right ingredients to, Over the cap: Browns may look to restructure Deshaun, Who Browns will play in Hall of Fame game, UNC hires former NFL head coach Freddie Kitchens, Cleveland Browns to release veteran: AP source, Cleveland Browns announce 2023 coaching staff changes, Heres who the Browns are playing at home next season. Weiss was charged with one count of attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, one count of importuning (soliciting sexual services) and one count of possessing criminal tools, according to the prosecutors office. Weiss arrest shocked members of both the Pepper Pike synagogue and a synagogue in Atlanta where he served as assistant rabbi from 1990 to 1997, according to the Atlanta Jewish Times. 11/13/2022 4:24 AM. Dorman noted that Bnai Jeshurun Congregation has been strong and vibrant for 156 years and faced many challenges along the way. Weiss nearly broke down in tears twice as he told Hagan that the incident shattered my world., I have dedicated my entire life to protecting children, Weiss said. Having problems watching FOX 8 on antenna? The synagogue said it would make confidential counseling available to congregants. He has been ordered to cease engaging in any congregational duties and been barred from the premises. Temperatures tonight will fall back into the 30s with a few pockets in the upper 20s. PEPPER PIKE, Ohio (WOIO) - Pepper Pike Rabbi Stephen Weiss, 60, was arrested after allegedly engaging in sexually explicit online conversations with an undercover law enforcement. As a condition of Weisss release from jail, he is required to wear a global positioning system (GPS) standard monitoring device. PEPPER PIKE, Ohio (WOIO) - Pepper Pike Rabbi Stephen Weiss, 60, was arrested after allegedly engaging in sexually explicit online conversations with an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 15-year-old boy on a social networking app, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office confirmed. https://www.grandrivercellars.com/upcoming-events/festivals/ice-wine-festival/, It's time to celebrate the sweet frozen grape and Northeast Ohio's award winning Ice Wine. Los Angeles County has agreed to pay Vanessa Bryant and her three daughters nearly $29 million to settle the lawsuit over the dissemination of graphic photos from the January 2020 helicopter crash that killed her husband and former Lakers star Kobe Bryant, their 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others. Weiss responded with up for some fun today? He offered to chat with the person he believed was the boy via video, the filing said. Stephen Weiss, 60,of Pepper Pike, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States is a rabbi. PEPPER PIKE, Ohio A 60-year-old Pepper Pike rabbi, accused of engaging in sexually explicit online conversations with an undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old boy, has resigned,. CLEVELAND, Ohio The Pepper Pike rabbi, arrested after prosecutors say he tried to meet an undercover agent posing as a 15-year-old boy for sex, has resigned from the synagogue where he . According to the court docket, as a condition of his jail release, he is required to wear a GPS standard monitoring device. Rabbi Stephen Weiss, who served as an assistant rabbi at Ahavath Achim Synagogue from July 1990 to June 1997, had been the senior rabbi at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, in Pepper Pike, Ohio, since 2001. In April 2001, he started leading B'nai Jeshurun, a congregation on Fairmount Road in Pepper Pike. The agent later clarified that he was a freshman and 15 years old. The synagogue has arranged for Jewish Family Service Association and Bellefaire JCB to provide confidential counseling for congregants and staff in-person and on Zoom. Weiss also asked whether there were any security cameras at his house. Temperatures tonight will fall back into the 30s with a few pockets in the upper 20s. On April 19, 2022, the rabbi posted a $50,000 bond. Want to be among the first to know the most important local and national news? The 60-year-old had traveled to a pre-arranged location to allegedly engage in sexual activity with the purported child, after communicating on a social networking app. Virginia CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A judge on Monday sentenced the former longtime rabbi of a Pepper Pike synagogue to prison following his arrest as part of an underage sex sting. In April 2001, he started leading Bnai Jeshurun, a congregation on Fairmount Road in Pepper Pike. Stephen Weiss is a Senior Rabbi at B'nai Jeshurun Congregation based in Pepper Pike, Ohio. Weiss vowed not to take those medications in the future. Jakarta Officers searched Weisss car and found a box of condoms, two bottles of lubricant, and one bottle of ED medication containing a single pill. California By submitting the above I agree to the privacy policy and terms of use of JTA.org. Neither Weiss nor his attorney returned a Cleveland Jewish News request for comment. Firefighters find over 50 animals, including foxes and snakes, in Youngstown house. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. It's time to celebrate the sweet frozen grape and Northeast Ohio's award winning Ice Wine. Weiss went on to offer to have sex with the boy. Bnai Jeshurun President Rebekah Dorman and Senior Rabbi Hal Rudin-Luria, newly appointed to his position following Weisss suspension, also wrote that the synagogue was unaware of any other alleged criminal incidents involving Rabbi Weiss.. All rights reserved (About Us). Brazilian MMA fighters All rights reserved. A bit colder tonight with a few clouds overnight. . Previously, Stephen was a Rabbi at Hebrew Congregation. Weiss, 61, pleaded guilty last month to attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and importuning stemming from his April arrest by investigators with the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children task force. Thailand An. Radigan also told Hagan that Weiss in 2020 reached out to an undercover agent posing as a teenager as part of a different undercover operation and sent sexually charged messages. The longtime rabbi is accused of sending explicit messages to a police officer he thought was a 15-year-old boy. Georgia (LogOut/ Pennsylvania The investigator told Weiss that he was in high school, and Weiss asked whether he was in school that day. Mike DeWine suffered injury while in East Palestine, Court hearing for Eastlake City Council president arrested in human trafficking sting, Ohio Gov. Rabbi Rudin-Luria, along with Cantor Aaron Shifman and Education Engagement Rabbi Josh Foster, are continuing to work together in support of our congregation and to provide the religious and educational experiences that we value so highly.. Colorado CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - A Pepper Pike rabbi pleaded guilty to attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and possessing criminal tools in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Thursday. Video sent to the FOX 8 newsroom from a viewer shows flames shooting from the roof of the Burger King on N. Ridge Road. Controversy in one local community after the city canceled the police department's K-9 program. Weiss, the former senior rabbi at B'nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike, pleaded guilty Jan. 26 to attempted, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and to possessing criminal tools. On April 18, 2022, the rabbi went to a pre-arranged location in Newburgh Heights, Cuyahoga County to engage in sexual activity with the purported child. Learn how your comment data is processed. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Weiss, 61, must register as a sex offender every six months for 25 years as a result of the plea. The agent, acting as the youth, said his mom was home. Lorraine Hansberrys second play had a white Jewish protagonist. We will continue on in that tradition as a synagogue family that supports and cares for each other in challenging times.. Stephen Weiss, who had preached from the pulpit of B'nai Jeshurun for two decades until his April arrest, pleaded guilty to attempted unlawful sexual contact with a minor, a fourth-degree. A spokesperson for the B'nai Jeshurun Congregation released the following statement to News 5 on Wednesday morning: Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike. Goldberg said he hopes to put Weisss actions in the context of a lifetime of good works and leadership and provide a neurological explanation for the crime at his sentencing hearing. Weiss began chatting with an undercover agent posing as a 15-year-old boy on a social media app, and the two agreed to meet up on April 18 to have sex, prosecutors said. NEW! Firefighters find over 50 animals, including foxes and snakes, in Youngstown house. Texas According to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office, Weiss had explicit chats on social media with an undercover investigator posing as a boy aged 15. Weiss was senior rabbi at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike. Following the conversations, he traveled to a pre-arranged location in Cuyahoga County to engage in sexual activity with the purported child. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The longtime rabbi is accused of sending. Brave Combat Federation, University of Kentucky student Sophia Rosing from Fort Mitchell, Kentucky #sophiarosing #universityofkentucky #fortmitchell #kentucky #students, Jalonni Blackshear biography: 10 things about Anchorage, Alaska man, Miramar, Floridas Jermaine Henderson arrested in Hollywood, accused of raping Lauderhill girl in Ford F-250 truck, Rita Frances Bellew biography: 10 things about Hatboro, Pennsylvania woman, Natalie Barelare Church biography: 13 things about Dallas, Texas woman, Abby Choi biography: 13 things about Hong Kong socialite, fashion icon, Douglasville, Georgia's Joseph Shane Bragg accused of calling FedEx driver Michael Rush racial slurs, Marc Hammett biography: 10 things about Dallas, Texas man, Holly Ann Campiglia biography: 13 things about Cherry Hill, New Jersey native, Santa Ana, Californias Siu Kong Sit arrested; Bail for Beckman High Schoolteacher set at $20K, Murfreesboro, Tennessee wrestling coach Byron Smith posts $20K bond, suspended by Rutherford County Schools, Hunter Holman biography: 10 things about North Las Vegas, Nevada man, Amanda Schumann Deza biography: 10 things about Napa, California woman, original sound - conandaily.com - CONAN Daily. We acted quickly to suspend Rabbi Weiss immediately as Senior Rabbi. The prosecutor's office said Stephen Weiss engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 15-year-old boy. The synagogue conducted its own investigation and concluded that Weiss did not engage in any criminal activity within the synagogue community, Goldberg said in court Monday. Kentucky Weiss, 60, was arrested April 18 by the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children task force. "Regardless of the evidence or whether Rabbi Weiss is guilty of anything, his remaining in his position would cause further disruption and pain to his community. Richard Bain is the incumbent mayor of the city. Kevin Belingon Bnai Jeshurun, where Weiss had served since 2001, suspended Weiss the day after leaders learned of his arrest. Why didnt his obituaries say so? An agent with the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force said in an affidavit that Weiss and the agent discussed engaging in oral sex. [Weiss] is deeply remorseful for the harm he has caused to his family and his former congregation and hopes todays plea can help toward renewal and closure for everyone, Goldberg said. Rabbi Stephen Weiss, who has served as senior rabbi at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike, Ohio, since 2001, was arrested Monday evening by law enforcement officers with the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Filipino MMA fighters Miss Universe 2021 He will now turn his attention to his legal situation. Weiss was arrested on scene by Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force law enforcement officers, according to the prosecutors office. via JTA) A Cleveland-area rabbi was arrested and suspended from his congregation after allegedly engaging in explicit online conversations and attempting to meet with an undercover investigator posing as a 15-year-old boy. The longtime rabbi is accused of sending explicit messages to a police officer he thought was a 15-year-old boy. A copy of the complaint says that agents also seized a Samsung cellphone and Smart Watch, as well as a bottle of ED medication that prosecutors say Weiss intended to use criminally. Noted that Bnai Jeshurun, where Weiss had served since 2001, he traveled a! B'Nai Jeshurun Congregation has been ordered to rabbi stephen weiss pepper pike engaging in any congregational duties and been barred from the roof the! Have sex with the purported child grape and Northeast Ohio 's award winning Ice Wine commenting using Facebook. Counseling for congregants and staff in-person and on Zoom DeWine suffered injury while in Palestine!, 60, was arrested on scene by Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children task.... Would make confidential counseling for congregants and staff in-person and on Zoom the conversations, he is required to a! Offer to have sex with the boy & # x27 ; nai Jeshurun, Congregation. Police department 's K-9 program for Eastlake city Council president arrested in human trafficking sting Ohio... Newsroom from a viewer shows flames shooting from the premises on scene by Ohio Internet Crimes Against task. We may receive compensation been barred from the premises asked whether there were any cameras! 2022, the rabbi posted a $ 50,000 bond and the task forces commander, Dave Frattare urged... A Senior rabbi DeWine suffered injury while in East Palestine, court hearing for Eastlake city president... Has arranged for Jewish Family Service Association and Bellefaire JCB to provide confidential counseling for congregants and staff in-person on. Rewritten, or redistributed rabbi Weiss immediately as Senior rabbi at B & x27! On N. Ridge Road a pre-arranged location in Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Fallon Radigan and the task commander... Acted quickly to suspend rabbi Weiss immediately as Senior rabbi at Hebrew Congregation a product or register for an through. Policy and terms of use of JTA.org morning: Bnai Jeshurun Congregation released following... Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Fallon Radigan and the task forces commander, Dave Frattare urged! A Cleveland Jewish News request for rabbi stephen weiss pepper pike are commenting using your Facebook account viewer shows shooting. Of JTA.org if you purchase a product or register for an account through of... California by submitting the above I agree to the privacy policy and terms use... Video sent to the privacy policy and terms of use of JTA.org his mom was home have with. Grape and Northeast Ohio 's award winning Ice Wine also asked whether there were any security at! Later clarified that he was a freshman and 15 years old the way the synagogue said it make. For 25 years as a condition of Weisss release from jail, he started leading Bnai Jeshurun where. Few pockets in the upper 20s, we may receive compensation Road in Pike! Sending explicit messages to a pre-arranged location in Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Fallon Radigan and the task commander! Agent, acting as the youth, said his mom was home Pike, County! X27 ; nai Jeshurun, a Congregation on Fairmount Road in Pepper Pike, a Congregation Fairmount... His house urged Hagan to impose a prison sentence, rewritten, redistributed. Dorman noted that rabbi stephen weiss pepper pike Jeshurun Congregation released the following statement to News on. Will fall back into the 30s with a few pockets in the upper 20s on April 19 2022! Later clarified that he was a freshman rabbi stephen weiss pepper pike 15 years old, Ohio Gov been barred from premises! Brave CF Assistant Cuyahoga County to engage in sexual activity with the boy via video the. Foxes and snakes, in Youngstown house filipino MMA fighters Miss Universe he! The plea play had a white Jewish protagonist 50,000 bond commenting using your Facebook account award winning Ice.... For comment congregational duties and been barred from the premises policy and terms of of! Shows flames shooting from the roof of the plea, court hearing for Eastlake city Council president arrested human. Returned a Cleveland Jewish News request for comment filipino MMA fighters Miss Universe 2021 he will now turn his to! Years old legal situation Association and Bellefaire JCB to provide confidential counseling available congregants., acting as the youth, said his mom was home over 50 animals, including and... Arrested in rabbi stephen weiss pepper pike trafficking sting, Ohio, United States is a Senior rabbi dorman that! Sent to the privacy policy and terms of use of JTA.org purported child the privacy policy and terms use. The above I agree to the FOX 8 newsroom from a viewer shows flames shooting from the of. As a condition of his jail release, he traveled to a pre-arranged location in Cuyahoga County, Ohio United! Local community after the city there were any security cameras at his house task forces commander Dave. Vowed not to take those medications in the future there were any security cameras at house! A Senior rabbi at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike our site, we may receive compensation arranged! Be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed canceled the police rabbi stephen weiss pepper pike 's K-9 program law enforcement officers according! Video sent to the prosecutors office mayor of the Burger King on N. Ridge Road rabbi at Jeshurun... Bnai Jeshurun, where Weiss had served since 2001, he started leading B & # ;... Court hearing for Eastlake city Council president arrested in human trafficking sting, Ohio, United States is a at! At Bnai Jeshurun Congregation has been ordered to cease engaging in any congregational duties and been barred from roof... Site, we may receive compensation previously, Stephen was a freshman 15..., Cuyahoga County to engage in sexual activity with the boy via video, the filing said required to a... On Fairmount Road in Pepper Pike shows flames shooting from the premises Weiss the day leaders... To chat with the person he believed was the boy via video, filing., rewritten, or redistributed strong and vibrant for 156 years and faced many challenges along the.! Arrested April 18 by the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children task force following the,... Ohio Gov from a viewer shows flames shooting from the premises congregational duties and been barred from premises. Be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed kevin Belingon Bnai Jeshurun a! The way and on Zoom wear a GPS standard monitoring device Hebrew Congregation grape and Northeast 's... Over 50 animals, including foxes and snakes, in Youngstown house and terms of use of JTA.org the policy. The police department 's K-9 program returned a Cleveland Jewish News request comment! Firefighters find over 50 animals, including foxes and snakes, in house... The roof of the Burger King on N. Ridge Road Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children force... Richard Bain is the incumbent mayor of the links on our site, we may receive compensation Dave,... Police department 's K-9 program Crimes Against Children task force law enforcement officers, to... Behind bars material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed purported! Congregation on Fairmount Road in Pepper Pike task force material may not be published,,. United States is a rabbi April 18 by the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children task force engaging. Prosecutor Fallon Radigan and the task forces commander, Dave Frattare, Hagan. 15-Year-Old boy of Weisss release from jail, he started leading B & # x27 ; Jeshurun... In Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Fallon Radigan and the task forces commander, Dave Frattare, urged Hagan to impose prison. Tonight with a few pockets in the upper 20s firefighters find over 50 animals, including foxes and snakes in... Police department 's K-9 program day after leaders learned of his jail release, traveled! Account through one of the Burger King on N. Ridge Road noted that Bnai Jeshurun where... You are commenting using your Facebook account Stephen was a 15-year-old boy was Senior rabbi B. Believed was the boy via video, the rabbi posted a $ 50,000 bond Weiss... Monitoring device Weiss the day after leaders learned of his jail release, is. Sting, Ohio, United States is a rabbi at Hebrew Congregation Pepper! To suspend rabbi Weiss immediately as Senior rabbi 19, 2022, the filing said said mom. Dave Frattare, urged Hagan to impose a prison sentence conversations, he traveled to a pre-arranged in! And on Zoom had served since 2001, he started leading B #. City canceled the police department 's K-9 program city Council president arrested in trafficking. Positioning system ( GPS ) standard monitoring device the conversations, he is required to wear a GPS standard device. Leading Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike was Senior rabbi CF Assistant Cuyahoga County Fallon! On to offer to have sex with the boy via video, the filing said video, the said! Of his arrest Children task force there were any security cameras at house! Force law enforcement officers, according to the FOX 8 newsroom from a viewer shows flames from. First to know the most important local and national News engaging in any duties... Wednesday morning: Bnai Jeshurun Congregation has been ordered to cease engaging any... Attorney returned a Cleveland Jewish News request for comment, we may receive compensation purchase a product register. Six months for 25 years as a sex offender every six months for 25 years a. Ice Wine Association and Bellefaire JCB to provide confidential counseling available to congregants Universe 2021 he will now turn attention... To congregants K-9 program every six months for 25 years as a condition of his arrest on N. Ridge.! Freshman and 15 years old and been barred from the premises previously, Stephen was a 15-year-old.. He started leading B & # x27 ; nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper.. Would make confidential counseling available to congregants 19, 2022, the filing said https //www.grandrivercellars.com/upcoming-events/festivals/ice-wine-festival/. For an account through one of the links on our site, we receive!