Chicago Chabad Rabbi Arrested for Alleged Child Sex Abuse

By Shmarya Rosenberg
Failed Messiah
May 27, 2013

http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/failed_messiahcom/2013/05/chicago-chabad-rabbi-arrested-for-alleged-child-sex-abuse-234.html

Rabbi Aryeh Leib "Larry" Dudovitz

Rabbi Aryeh Leib “Larry” Dodovitz, 45-year-old messianist Chabad rabbi from the Chicago suburb of West Rogers Park, was arrested over the weekend and charged with sexually assaulting a child six years ago.

Rabbi Aryeh Leib “Larry” Dodovitz, 45-year-old messianist Chabad rabbi from the Chicago neighborhood of West Rogers Park, was arrested Saturday and charged with sexually assaulting a child six years ago, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Dudovitz was charged with criminal sexual assault of a victim between the ages of 13 and 17, police told reporters.

He was remanded to custody until he meets a $100,000 bail requirement.

Dudovitz serves as the assistant rabbi of a Chabad messianist synagogue in the Chicago area and has taught in a Chabad girls school in the Chicago area, as well.

Dudovitz was also the rosh yeshiva (dean) of the messianist Chabad yeshiva Yeshivas Chabad “Zichron Aliza” in Chicago.

He was previously the rabbi of Chabad House of Northwest Indiana.

In court, prosecutors admitted that the sexual assault was reported to the proper authorities shortly after the alleged crime took place more than six years ago.

Cook County Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil, was shocked that it took so long to make an arrest and quickly shot down a request from prosecutors that Dudovitz be held without bail.

She also sharply questioned a prosecutor about the six-year delay.

“Now it’s 2013 and we’re charging him?” Kuriakos Ciesil reportedly said.

The prosecutor responed that the family of the victim — who was 15 at the time of the assault— was not sure six years ago that they wanted to press charges.

Dudovitz allegedly tried to sexually assault the victim while the boy was sleeping in Dudovitz's home in October 2006.

In November 2006, Dudovitz led a farbrengen (hasidic gathering) for children in the home of fellow messianist rabbi Eli Turin in the Chicago area. Here is a picture: