Orthodox Rabbi Accused Of Trading Religious Conversion For Sex

An Orthodox rabbi is accused of telling a woman he would help her convert to Judaism if she had sex with him and his friends. According to the blog Failed Messiah, Rabbi Leib Tropper of Rockland County told Shannon Orand, a 32-year-old gentile who was interested in becoming a Jew: "If you fulfill my needs, I'll fulfill yours — and you need a conversion."

The Post reports that Orand recorded a conversation in which the rabbi urged her to have sex and participate in phone sex with his friends including an individual called "the Satmar guy." He purportedly told the woman, who he called "darling" and "cutie pie," that he "could role-play a rape...but I couldn't actually rape you — you know what I'm saying, darling — does that make sense?"

On the recordings, the rabbi talks paying the woman money for a lawyer and a stipend of $1,300 per month, and discusses putting that agreement in writing. Orand told the Post she didn't mean for the recordings to become public. "It was only supposed to go to a few leading rabbis." She added in a written statement:

While an individual 'rabbi' acted in an inappropriate manner, my desire to become a bona fide Jew is undeterred. I remain inspired by the beauty and wholesomeness of authentic Judaism. One unhealthy person cannot and will not interfere with my quest to become a fully committed observant Jew. I want nothing more than to focus on my family at this time.

Orand's conversion was supposed to be finalized last week, but a religious court apparently canceled it at the last minute. Tropper wouldn't comment for the Post, but he resigned on Dec. 12 from Eternal Jewish Family, a Monsey-based organization he founded that tries to convert gentiles in interfaith marriages to Judaism.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Ben Muessig in News on December 20, 2009 2:45 PM

Comments [rss]

newport27

perverted jew

dadoc

I should just save a response for cut & paste for all this stuff. Corrupt and disgusting Rebbe/Priest/Minister/Councilman/Senator/Governor/Sportsstar/Cop/Civil employee/Contractor...fill in the blank. :

"And this is a surprise how?".

Cravenly subhuman politically-connected dreck and hopelessly misguided but know-enough-to-record tards?

You want to make up the deficits and not have Bloomie say Albany is gonna screw us? Tax Clergy like any other business (all denomiantions), make them subject to the same rules and reporting, no favoritism, shut down the Brooklyn and Upstate welfare fraud rings (AKA "enclaves"), level the field for all. Bang!

Deficit solved, we turn a profit, lower taxes and better services for those who work and pay their share, folks will just have to get elected by merit, not "bloc".

Snoopy

Leave them alone. Here we are mid way into the holiday season of Yom Kippor or is it Roshashannah, and these people are quibbling over sex details. Light a candle and Shavat Shalom.

Michal

I don't like Rabbi Tropper but, I listened to the "tapes" on YouTube. She isn't exactly saying no on them. She says "doing is easier than talking..." Go and listen. I listened to all five tracts and she says it more than once. The quality isn't so great but, she seems to be saying it would be easier to do the other men than it would be to have phone sex with them. He keeps telling her she doesn't have to do what she isn't comfortable with.

What do people think about a woman who isn't even trying to end this? Listen to the tapes, she wanted to marry him or something.

ozik

Maybe she isn't saying no because she knows he'll block her conversion. Even if she's saying YES YES YES, the guy is still a horrible person abusing his imaginary power.

ANGRYGOD11

"Darling, I want you to squeal like a juicy, delicious pig!"

NannyState

Hawg Wild!

Snoopy

You bring up a good question. Why is it he could pork her, but the religion does not allow pork to be consumed?

Snoopy

Somethings not kosher here. Why did she get jewed at the end?

freddynyc

Is it out of line for me to call him a dirty Jew?

Billiamsburg

"One" unhealthy person in orthodox judasim? rofl!

whatstheproblem

This goes to show that it's not just the Catholic Priests that are out there abusing. Religion is so often used as a shield for these sexual abusers.