Rhode Island Temple Sued for Abuse for Actions by Its Cantor

May 18, 2006

From: Timothy J. Conlon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Download printable version of the press release (PDF)

Rhode Island Temple sued for abuse by its Cantor

Today, we filed a 22 page complaint in Providence Superior Court against Temple Am David and convicted child molester and Jewish clergyman Cantor Stanley Rosenfeld. The lawsuit seeks damages for a boy Rosenfeld confessed to molesting during the course of his religious education at Temple.

Rosenfeld was hired to train the boy for bar mitzvah, but used closed-door sessions at the Temple as an opportunity to abuse him. Rosenfeld pleaded no contest to 2 counts of child molestation, and later was incarcerated for violating his probation with having contact with two other young boys. He acknowledged other incidents of molestation in his past and that he has "to constantly fight his desire for boys."

At the heart of the claims against the Temple is the allegation that other Jewish synagogues had problems with Rosenfeld, but he was allowed to move from one to another and offend again.

Rhode Island's Parole Board website lists Rosenfeld as one of only 22 "high risk offenders" in the state –

http://www.paroleboard.ri.gov/L3_offenders/listings.htm.

"We are familiar with the problem religious institutions have had controlling child molesters who want to use a position of trust to abuse children. The Jewish community needs to understand that this problem is more widespread than anyone might like to think." said attorney Tim Conlon, representing the family.

In 2002 this office handled nearly 40 cases against the Diocese of Providence. A complete copy of the complaint and supporting documents can be obtained by calling 272-6757.