News
Top rabbi accused of bullying agrees to 'take time away'
Rabbi David Mitchell is due to lead West London Synagogue, the flagship shul of the Reform Movement
January 30, 2020 14:59
Rabbi David Mitchell is due to lead West London Synagogue, the flagship shul of the Reform Movement
January 30, 2020 14:59A senior rabbi appointed to lead the flagship synagogue for Reform Judaism has agreed to "take a period of time away" after the JC reported on accusations of bullying and inappropriate behaviour by him.
In a message to members and staff on Thursday, West London Synagogue said Rabbi David Mitchell, due to take up the position in March, "has been asked, and has agreed, to take a period of time away".
The shul also said that its Board of Trustees had decided to bring in "independent advisers - a fresh pair of eyes - to spend some time working through the wide range of recent discussions, and meeting those affected".
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, the shul said: "The past few weeks have brought particular challenge and reflection across the entire family of West London Synagogue.
"As a caring community we strive for best practice in the fulfilment of our duty of care to every individual."
It said independent advisers would "enable us to learn, and then move ahead with our role as a beacon of progressive Jewish life in Central London".
The statement said Rabbi Mitchell's time away would "give breathing space for us to work with all our staff. For this period to be effective, we rely as always on the support of all parties.”
One whistleblower said they “welcomed” the latest announcement about but were “concerned” about the “lack of detail” and length of time it took the shul to act".
“It has been hard to see them continue to deny that there was a problem. What we would welcome now is more transparency," they said.
“It is also a shame that it has taken media attention and so many people speaking up to get them to do so something. We would also welcome an apology.”
In a statement to the JC earlier this month, Rabbi Mitchell said: "I strenuously deny that I have acted inappropriately. I want to apologise for anything that I have done which has inadvertently hurt or angered others.
"Since these issues were first raised I have learned, with coaching and mentoring, to become a better manager of people and I am still learning.”
Earlier this month, more than 100 members and rabbis of progressive Judaism signed an open letter calling on Reform Judaism to draw up an independent code of ethics and a committee that would hold “rabbis and cantors (clergy) to account”.
The letter, which was also signed by former and current members of WLS, said that a code of ethics was needed to “lay out expected standards of behaviour and establishes a process for fair adjudication when those standards are not met”.
Reform Judaism responded by pledging to set up a "robust and transparent" code of conduct.
It acknowledged: "Serious matters have been raised in the Jewish and national media regarding safeguarding and employment practices at West London Synagogue."
