A 68-year-old rabbi from Golders Green has been convicted of sexually assaulting a woman who sought religious guidance from him. Aaron Halpern, known as Chaim Halpern, was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault on Thursday at Harrow Crown Court.
The court heard that Halpern locked the victim, who is in her 20s, in his study before assaulting her. He then gave her money and told her to "keep quiet". Police said the rabbi "exploited a position of trust he held as a religious leader and counsellor to sexually assault the victim".
Investigation and conviction
Police launched their investigation after allegations of the sexual assault were broadcast on Israeli television in 2022. In a police interview recorded a year later, the woman described Halpern as a "monster" and said she had been "scared" to tell anyone what had happened to her. "He took this opportunity to use me for his own sexual pleasure. He wanted it, I did not want it," she said.
Halpern has been released on bail and will be sentenced at the same court on January 12.
Details of the assault
The woman first visited the rabbi at his home alongside her father in 2022, seeking religious advice after experiencing mental health difficulties. He took her to his study upstairs and locked the door. Prosecutor Stephen Wells said this "struck her as being odd as she and the rabbi are both members of the Hasidic Jewish community and in their tradition a man and a woman are not supposed to be in a room together unless they are married".
The court heard that the woman felt "uncomfortable" and was smiling in a "flirtatious" way as she tried to speak about her difficulties. Halpern then began speaking to her about arm-wrestling and suggested the two of them should arm-wrestle. Mr Wells said: "Again, that seemed strange to her because, again, in their culture men and women do not touch each other. But again she thought he's a rabbi, it must be okay, and she did arm-wrestle him."
The rabbi then told the woman: "I'm sure you are very strong. Let's see if your leg muscles are strong", before asking her to stand up and touching her calf and right thigh. "He asked her if she had ever had the pleasure of a man bending down on his knees and asking for mercy," the prosecutor said. "(She) froze. She says she disassociated. The way she describes it is it was like she was not there and she shook and then the rabbi took his hand away."
Halpern told the woman he would give her £100 and gave her a "bear hug" in which one hand touched and rubbed her breasts and vagina over her clothing. He gave her money and told her: "Whatever happens between us, you keep quiet. Like, you mustn't tell a word about it."
Aftermath and police response
The woman left with her father before later travelling back to Israel. Halpern then phoned her every night, sending emails and pictures after the incident. Jurors heard that the rabbi travelled to Israel in 2022 and unsuccessfully tried to meet the complainant, calling her 10 times in the space of an hour.
Detective Constable Joshua Dwyer, who led the investigation, said: "I would like to commend the victim for the courage, resilience and determination she has shown throughout this complex investigation. By coming forward and giving evidence, she has helped ensure Halpern is held accountable for his actions. We know that reporting sexual offences can be extremely difficult, particularly where the suspect is a prominent or respected figure. No one should feel that a person's status, influence or standing places them beyond the reach of the law. Halpern exploited the trust placed in him as a religious leader to sexually assault a woman who looked to him for guidance and counselling. This was a profound abuse of trust. I hope today's conviction gives victims the confidence to come forward, knowing they will be listened to, supported and that we will always pursue the evidence wherever it leads."
If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999.
