Shul calls Reform's conversation about code of conduct for rabbis 'unconnected and unhelpful to our particular situation' as it deals with bullying allegations
February 13, 2020 11:36
Reform Judaism's largest shul, West London Synagogue, has taken the extraordinary step of suspending its membership of the denomination, as it deals with accusations of bullying and inappropriate behaviour by a senior rabbi.
The shul said the decision would ensure it could deal with the matter "independent of conversations happening in the community" and criticised Reform for issuing a statement "without consultation" announcing a new code of conduct for clergy, saying this conversation around this was "unconnected and unhelpful to our particular situation".
It comes a fortnight after WLS said Rabbi David Mitchell, whom it had appointed to lead the shul as co-senior rabbi, had agreed to take "time away" from the shul after the JC reported on accusations of bullying and inappropriate behaviour by him.
On Thursday, WLS told Reform Judaism chair Geoffrey Marx in a letter that it was “vitally important that we are able to deal with this matter in a way that is independent of conversations happening in the community around new codes of ethics, conversations which we believe to be unconnected and unhelpful to our particular situation.”
The letter added: “Indeed, we regret that Reform Judaism chose to make statements in December and January about matters relating to our synagogue without consultation and that sought to directly connect internal matters in our synagogue with the publication of a new Covenant/Code of Conduct for all Reform Judaism communities.”
It added it was "worth noting" that the shul was a signatory to an earlier code of conduct from 1995 which it is "generally supportive of updating".
It added: "We regret having to take this decision but have done so in order that we - as an independent synagogue and charity - can focus our attention on recent events at West London without external distractions or pressures.
"We, as the synagogue's leadership, are handling these internal matters in a sensitive and responsible way, in line with our own governance code and community's values."
WLS president Mark Fox and member Madeline Young will immediately step down as trustees of Reform Judaism.
In a "note to the community", WLS said the decision “will not have any impact on congregants going through lifecycle events or conversions with the Beit Din which continue as normal”.
One of the whistleblowers who spoke to the JC said: "My fear is that this removes any accountability or transparency around their investigation, removing themselves from the positive move towards a movement-wide ethics process makes no sense."
Reform Judaism said: "“Our mission is to support all Reform Judaism communities and we are committed to a unified and growing national Reform Jewish movement.
"We are therefore disappointed that the President and Board of West London Synagogue, a constituent member of Reform Judaism, have stated their intention to suspend the synagogue's membership.
"We are giving our full attention to a considered and proper response directly to the community.”
In a statement to the JC in January, 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.”
Reform committed itself to a new code of conduct after more than 100 of its members signed an open letter calling for one.
They said such a code should "lay out expected standards of behaviour and establishes a process for fair adjudication when those standards are not met".
Reform announced the "robust and transparent" code in a statement that said: "Serious matters have been raised in the Jewish and national media regarding safeguarding and employment practices at West London Synagogue.
“Our primary concern is the welfare and wellbeing of everyone who engages with Reform Judaism, including synagogue members and employees.”
When the shul announced Rabbi Mitchell would take "time away", it also said 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"
