Jewish Chronicle 9th Oct 2015 Austrian Scandal Summary

As published in the Jewish Chronicle online and in print.

The case of the Schlesinger Twins was highlighted as an example of the broken, corrupt Austrian system.

See a higher resolution of the print edition here.

Writer jailed for trying to reclaim Nazi-stolen loot

By Toby Axelrod, October 8, 2015

 Outrage is mounting following the jailing of an Austrian Jewish writer who tried to claim compensation from the Austrian state over the theft of his ancestors' home by the Nazis in 1938.
Stephan Templ, who in 2001 published a critical book about restitution in Austria, was incarcerated this week and is to remain in jail for one year, convicted of having defrauded the state.

Mr Templ, 54, was accused of deliberately failing to inform the state about his aunt - a potential claimant - when he initiated his restitution case.

A state prosecutor accused Mr Templ of defrauding Austria on the grounds that had his aunt chosen not to claim her share of the restitution money, it could have gone to the state.

In a statement published on their website, Mr Templ's London-based lawyers, Amsterdam & Partners, said: "[The court claimed that] by not naming his aunt in the application for restitution - something there was no obligation to do and the results of which he could not have foreseen - Templ had aimed to deceive the restitution panel. This argument runs contrary to both the restitution and criminal laws of Austria, as well as universal legal principles."

Efraim Zuroff, chief Nazi hunter for the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, called the jailing "absolutely outrageous". He was one of 75 historians from around the world who signed a letter protesting against the sentence. The letter was sent to Hans Peter Manz, Austrian ambassador to the US, on September 21. As yet there has been no response.

Ahead of his imprisonment, Mr Templ told Haaretz his case was "Kafkaesque" and "completely absurd".

Mr Templ's crime was "his omission of the name of an estranged relative from his application for the return of his family's seized property", the 75 historians wrote. "This matter could have been resolved by the Templ family in civil court."

The ADL has become involved, with its new national director, Jonathan Greenblatt, appealing to Austrian President Heinz Fischer for a pardon.

According to the BBC, Austrian journalist Karl Pfeifer has said he believed Mr Templ was prosecuted and jailed because "he touched a nerve with his book, which reminded the Austrians of how they stole Jewish property".

The case dates to 2005, when, on behalf of his Shoah-survivor mother, Mr Templ applied for the restitution of a former sanatorium in Vienna that the Nazis had confiscated from their ancestor, Lothar Fürth

Mr Templ's mother, who received €1.1 million, was one of 40 heirs to receive compensation for their part-ownership of the building, which was sold in 2010.

However, in April 2013, the court found Mr Templ guilty of failing to mention another possible heir - his 84-year-old aunt, who was reportedly estranged from his mother.

A regional court in Vienna had sentenced Mr Templ to three years in jail for serious fraud, with the Austrian state as victim. An appeal was rejected, but a regional court reduced the sentence to one year in jail with two years' probation.

●Mother’s Vienna court hell
British mother Beth Alexander first hit the headlines four years ago, after a Viennese court awarded sole custody of her then three-year-old twin sons to her Austrian ex-husband, Dr Michael Schlesinger – in a case that has been labelled "tragic" and "Kafkaesque". 

In 2013, an appeal to overturn the court's decision was rejected. Ms Alexander was granted extremely limited visitation rights with her sons – every Tuesday for six hours and every other Sunday. This was despite the court admitting that a previous judgment denying her custody because she suffered from mental illness was wrong. 

Ms Alexander applied to take the case to Austria's Supreme Court, but was turned down.
Manchester-born Ms Alexander has repeatedly claimed she is facing "corruption" inside the Austrian judicial system. Her case gained international attention and support, with a website set up that charted her struggle to see her sons, and leading figures in the community, including Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, pledging their support.

But last year, Ms Alexander faced a fresh setback. An injunction issued by an Austrian court ordered her to remove all photos of her sons from her campaign website, as well as any pictures posted on social media accounts. She was also forbidden from publicising details of the case. 

Charlotte Oliver


This was the response from the Austrian Embassy the following week (17th October 2015)

STEPHAN TEMPL’S SERIOUS FRAUD CONVICTION WAS PROPER, NOT ANTISEMITIC

I would like to make the following clarifications to Toby Axelrod’s article Writer jailed for trying to reclaim Nazi-stolen loot, ( JC, Oct 9) concerning the Austrian court case of Mr Stephan Templ, and the piece by Simone Dinah Hartmann, The hate that forced my grandfather to flee Vienna is alive and well in Austria today.

Stephan Templ was convicted by the Vienna Criminal Court for serious fraud, committed during restitution proceedings.

This case has nothing to do with antisemitism or retaliation for having written a book on restitution issues. It is an ordinary criminal case of serious fraud decided by the independent Austrian judiciary. Nothing more, nothing less.

According to the courts, Mr Templ was not convicted for simply omitting the name of an estranged relative in a restitution application. On the contrary, he not only “conveniently forgot” to mention his own aunt (who lives, just like his mother, in Vienna) but he intentionally made a series of false allegations to the restitution panel, as was proven by documents and witnesses in the criminal proceedings, concealing the existence of his aunt in order to increase his mother’s share of property to be restituted.

As a result of Mr Templ’s fraud, his mother was awarded a share worth around € 1.1 million in the restituted property ( ie double the share that she would have received without the fraud).

His aunt, a Holocaust survivor herself who was unaware of her rights, missed the application deadline and thus received nothing. Mr Templ was indicted by the public prosecutor after his aunt had reported the fraudulent conduct of her nephew to the authorities.

Mr Templ was consequently convicted and sentenced to one year of prison and a probation period of two years. He began this prison term on 5th October.

As for National Socialist activities, I would like to stress that, in 1947, Austria introduced a Constitutional Law providing for sanctions for the denying, the trivialisation, the approval or the justification of National Socialist activities and National Socialist crimes against humanity, with imprisonment up to 20 years.

It goes without saying that the Republic of Austria unequivocally rejects all forms of racism, antisemitism, intolerance and other human-rights infringements.

Ridiculing the commemorations of the Holocaust which are carried out in Austria annually as an “obsession in the successor states of the National Socialist empire” is something that a journalist is free to do. We, however, do take these commemorations seriously and will continue to do so.

Martin Eichtinger,
Ambassador Austrian Embassy,
18 Belgrave Mews, SW1

Australian rabbis support letter for Beth: The world wide protest against Michael Schlesinger grows stronger

As published on the Daas Torah blog.

8 September 2015

To whom it may concern,

I have read through the various pieces of information regarding Beth Alexander’s case and stand with Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, and my colleagues in Australia;

Rabbi James Kennard, Principal - Mount Scopus Memorial College
Rabbi Ralph Genende, Rabbi - Caufield Hebrew Congregation
Rabbi Daniel Rabin, Rabbi - North Eastern Jewish Centre
Rabbi Shmuel Karnowsky, Rabbi - Elwood Shule
Rabbi Yaakov Glassman, Rabbi - St Kilda Hebrew Congregation
Rabbi Ian Goodhardt, Rabbi - Blake Street Hebrew Congregation

I join numerous colleagues worldwide, and hope that we see a positive resolution to this conflict as speedily as possible,

May Beth, her family, and all of her supporters have a kesiva v’chasima tova, be written and sealed for good,

And may all the Jewish people know only besorot tovot,

Shanah tova,


Rabbi Alon Meltzer
ACT Jewish Community Inc.

Rabbi Alon Meltzer with Chief Rabbi Mirvis at the bottom right

Chabad Rabbi Daniel Rabin

Rabbi Ilan Goodhardt

Rabbi James Kennard

Rabbi Ralph Genende

Chabad Rabbi Shmuel Karnowsky standing with Chief Rabbi Mirvis

Chabad Rabbi Yaakov Glassman

Where is the response from Austria?

As published on the Daas Torah blog.

Guest Post

There are probably not many people in the online Jewish world who have not yet heard about the tragic custody case of the Schlesinger twins in Vienna. Anyone still unfamiliar with the details of this case who is interested in finding out more, should watch this frank discussion in British parliament http://helpbeth.blogspot.co.il/p/british-parliament-14th-january-2014.html

In the last few weeks an extraordinary letter has been published, signed by an increasing number of senior and well-respected Rabbis, in protest at the treatment of the twins and their mother in Vienna (full letter is included at the end of this post). The letter openly criticizes the courts as much as the Austrian Jewish community and their leaders. It is very rare for a community to be called out so publicly by the rest of the Jewish world in this way, and has no doubt only happened following the exhaustion of all diplomatic efforts to engage the local Rabbinate in any constructive dialogue.

Furthermore, this letter follows many other independent letters including from a Beth Din, The office of the Chief Rabbi in the UK, and the British Board of Deputies, and the CEO of Chabad in the UK. (Full list here http://helpbeth.blogspot.co.il/p/endorsements.html )

So far, there has been no (public) response from anyone in Austria despite every opportunity afforded to them. Anyone who tries to contact a friend or family member in Vienna is told they have no knowledge of the case or the people involved. (Try it yourself Austria - Vienna Synagogues )

Jewish leadership in Vienna rests firmly on the shoulders of these men. They may think ignoring this international scandal absolves them of any wrong-doing, but clearly public opinion thinks otherwise. The longer this goes unresolved, the more distance will be created between the Jews of Austria and the rest of the globe. Rabbinic reputations built up over entire careers are being frittered away because they are choosing to ignore what has now become an International scandal within the Jewish world and beyond.

Chief Rabbi Paul Chaim Eisenberg

Chief Rabbi Paul Chaim Eisenberg is the current Chief Rabbi of the body that represents Vienna’s Orthodox Jewish community, known as the IKG. He succeeded his father, Rabbi Akiba Eisenberg, in 1983.

Rabbi Avrohom Yona Schwartz

Rabbi Avrohom Yona Schwartz is the Rabbi of the Khal Chassidim on 

Grosse Schiffgasse, and carries a recognized Kashrut authority in Vienna. He was one of the closest students of the late Rabbi Chanoch Dov Padwa (Stamford Hill, London) and wrote the book Halichos Chanoch which entails a collection of his halachic rulings, lessons and anecdotes.

He is regarded by many as the leading figurehead for the Chareidi community in Vienna.

Rabbi Josef Pardes

Rabbi Josef Pardes is the Rabbi of the Misrachi Synagogue on Rabensteig in Vienna and is the son of the disgraced late Dayan Chaim Pardes, former President of the Tel Aviv Rabbinical Court (Israel).

Many people in Vienna view him as a close mentor of Mr Schlesinger. Rabbi Pardes has to date ignored many invitations to comment on the subject.

Chabad Rabbi Jacob Biderman

Chabad Rabbi Jacob Biderman is the head Chabad emissary to Austria and is the principal of the Chabad kindergarten attended by the Schlesinger Twins. He also serves as the Rabbi of the Chabad Synagogue "Heichal Menachem" on Rabbiner Schneerson Platz.

Biderman holds a position on the Executive Board of the RCE and is vice president of the "Lauder Foundation" for educational affairs.

Former IKG Present Ariel Muzicant

Ariel Muzicant was president of the IKG until February 2012. Although Dr Muzicant is no longer the IKG president, many still regard him as one of the most influential men in the Austrian Jewish community today. He is a Vice President of World Jewish Congress (headed by Ronald Lauder) and also a Vice President of European Jewish Congress in charge of security and crisis management.

Current IKG President Oskar Deutsch

Oskar Deutsch has been the president of the IKG since 2012 and has used his position to speak out against anti-Semitism.

Full text of the letter below.
 

Re. Beth Alexander
 
We have followed the case of Beth Alexander for some time and have had the opportunity to hear from her about the dreadful and unnecessary pain that she has suffered following her divorce. In the initial stages of Beth’s separation, her husband was evicted by the police after allegations that he had been violent. The Austrian court only allowed him restricted and supervised access to his children.

Yet many of us have followed the Kafkaesque decisions made by subsequent courts which have granted full custody to Beth’s ex-husband with only limited visiting rights. Beth is naturally distraught over the lack of care being given to her children. They are looked after by paid help who speak little German or English.

Beth is also concerned for the health of her children, especially after dental procedures were performed without her knowledge to remove teeth from both of the boys. What is more perverse is that on top of the injustice in denying Beth’s children proper access to their mother, Beth has had to pay up to 50EUR for each 2-minute handover, failing which, she would have been unable to see her children. This is in addition to the child maintenance she must pay as mandated by the court.

To add insult to injury, Beth finds that the Austrian Jewish community and certain members of the Austrian rabbinate have largely shunned her. She has been told by individuals in the community to keep quiet or go back to England and forget about her children. While we recognise that the court’s decisions must be respected, we are profoundly disappointed that the Austrian Jewish community and leadership have not adequately supported a vulnerable and defenceless young woman, who has been thrust into this intolerable situation against her will.

We are also deeply concerned that Dr. Schlesinger has been given opportunities to make life easier for Beth and the children, and yet appears to have deliberately ignored them. This gives the impression that his children are merely pawns in a spiteful game to make life for Beth a living hell. We therefore request that Dr. Schlesinger takes the following steps to alleviate Beth’s situation for the sake of Sammy and Benji.

• To accept the offer of a simple and inexpensive handover of the children, coordinated by the Chief Rabbi of Austria or others within the community.

• To comply with the Court’s access orders in full.

• To stop cancelling access visits to Beth in defiance of the courts.

• To accept the generous offer of Rabbi Hofmeister to host Beth and the boys for one Shabbat meal a month with immediate effect.

We wish to send the strongest message possible to Dr. Schlesinger that his behaviour is a disgrace and our patience has run out.

Beth Alexander is a warm, kind-natured and generous person who deserves to play a full and active role in bringing up her children. We hope and pray that the natural maternal love that she has for them will ultimately break through the effects of this disgraceful injustice that she and her children have been forced to endure.

We therefore join the Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis and our other colleagues who are working to help address the best interests of Beth and her children, and call upon other rabbonim and communal leaders to join us in our endeavours.

Rabbi Danny Bergson, London
Rabbi Boruch Boudilovsky, London
Rabbi Alex Chapper, London
Rabbi Zvi Cohen, London
Rabbi Boruch Davis, London
Rabbi Elchonon Feldman, London
Rabbi Yisroel Fine, London
Rabbi Dr. Moshe Freedman, London
Rabbi Pinchas Hackenbroch, London
Rabbi Chaim Kanterovitz, London
Rabbi Dov Kaplan, London
Rabbi James Kennard, Melbourne, Australia
Rabbi Anthony Knopf, Cape Town, South Africa
Rabbi Marc Levene, London
Rabbi David Mason, London
Rabbi Alon Meltzer, Canberra, Australia
Rabbi Joel Portnoy, Manchester
Rabbi Yosef Richards, London
Rabbi Shaul Robinson, New York, USA
Rabbi Daniel Roselaar, London
Rabbi Meir Salasnik, London
Rabbi Arnold Saunders, Manchester
Rabbi Zvi Solomons, Reading
Rabbi Gary Wayland, London
Rabbi Nissan Wilson, London
Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg, Liverpool

Rabbi Saunders has previously spoken out regarding the Schlesinger Twins

One of the signatories on the most recent Rabbinic letter was Rabbi Arnold Saunders of the Higher Crumpsall and Higher Broughton Synagogue. Rabbi Saunders is regarded as one of Manchester's most established and well-respected Rabbis with a reputation that stretches much further afield.

It has come to light that Rabbi Saunders has been publicly voicing his concern for the case of the Schlesinger twins for some time, as can be seen in this article from the Jewish Telegraph.

THIS week’s sedra is named after Moses’ father-in-law,
Yitro (Jethro). He comes to meet Moses in the
wilderness, together with Moses’ estranged wife and
family (Austrian judges, please note – even Moses did
not have “custody” of his children!).
The events surrounding the Exodus converted
Jethro to monotheism.
He feels that Moses is shouldering too much
responsibility with regard to his role as leader of the
people. Not only was Moses educating them, he was
also resolving disputes and ruling on matters of law.
Jethro, with an objective view, acts as a “business
management consultant” and counsels Moses to
appoint judges to assist him with his judicial role.
Jethro’s advice is accepted. The Children of Israel
are told to prepare for the Divine Revelation on Mount
Sinai. For three days Mount Sinai was encircled with a
fence (not an eruv!). The people were not to encroach.
When the great day dawns, there is a storm
overhead. A shofar can be heard. Smoke emanated
from the mountain. The people start to get cold feet
(metaphorically, not literally!). They start to move away
from the mountain. However, Moses coaxes them back.
Eventually, they hear the voice of the Almighty
Himself. The people hear the 10 Commandments – a
mixture of mitzvot that concern man and his
relationship with God, such as not worshipping idols
and observing Shabbat, and mitzvot concerning the
relationship between man and man, such as the
prohibitions against murder and adultery.
Not only have they been made “into a film” but have
become accepted as the blueprint for a “decent
society” the world over!
Actually, the strict translation of the Hebrew Aseret
Hadibrot is the “10 Utterances”. There are, in fact, 613
commandments in the Torah.
Many rabbis frowned upon giving the 10
Commandments too much prominence – in order not
to denigrate the other 603. However, it is customary in
many synagogues to stand during the reading of the 10
Commandments.
In many synagogues, the rabbi or synagogue elder
is honoured with the aliya.

Beth's case taken up by new president of the board of deputies

As published on the Daas Torah blog.

 

Beth's case taken up by new president of the board of deputies

The following appeared in the Jewish Telegraph Friday July 17, 2015 page 26

Arkush: I will be robust for Beth

JONATHAN Arkush has promised to “robustly”take-up the case of Beth Alexander with the leaders of the Austrian Jewish community.

Last week, we revealed how 18 rabbis from Britain had signed an open letter criticising their Austrian counterparts and the community there over the treatment of the Mancunian mother. Beth, formerly married to Dr Michael Schlesinger, of Vienna, lost custody of her twin sons, now aged six. She has access to them for only six overnight stays each month and has fought a bitter battle through the courts with her ex-husband.

Mr Arkush told the Jewish Telegraph: “It is a matter of deep concern. This is something I am personally committed to. “It is a painful case and also one which is deeply regrettable. I will do my best to move things along.”

He also said he, together with Board senior vice president Richard Verber, last week met with Martin Eichtinger, the Austrian ambassador to the UK. “I am also planning to meet Jewish leaders in Austria and be robust in dealing with the matter with them,” Mr Arkush added. [...]

 

 

 

Jewish News: UK rabbis slam Austrian peers for ‘shunning’ orthodox woman in custody battle

July 6, 2015

As published here.

 
Some of London’s leading rabbis have slammed their peers in Austria for “shunning” an Orthodox woman after a Viennese court deprived a British Jewish mother of her children.

The group of 17 rabbis, from London, Liverpool, Reading and Manchester, as well as one from Australia, called on other rabbis to get involved, saying Beth Alexander had been through “dreadful and unnecessary pain”.

In a series of legal rulings following her divorce from Michael Schlesinger in 2009, Alexander lost custody of her children, Sammy and Benji, and is now limited to six nights a month, no weekends, having to pay handover fees and child maintenance.

Last year, British lawmakers said the case was “Kafkaesque,” and rabbis last week mirrored the language, calling the rulings which all but barred Beth from seeing her two boys “perverse” and “an injustice”.

The rabbis’ letter blasts the “Austrian Jewish community and certain members of the Austrian rabbinate [who] have largely shunned her,” and takes aim at “Austrian Jewish communal leaders [who] have not adequately supported a vulnerable and defenceless young woman”.

Among the signatories are Rabbi Danny Bergson of Pinner, Rabbi Boruch Boudilovsky of Borehamwood and Elstree, Rabbi Boruch Davis of Chigwell and Hainault, Rabbi Elchonon Feldman at Belmont, and Rabbi Yisroel Fine, formerly at Cockfosters.

Others include Rabbi Moshe Freedman from New West End shul, Rabbis Pinchas Hackenbroch and Gary Wayland of Woodside Park, Rabbis Dov Kaplan and Marc Levene of Hampstead Garden Suburb, Rabbi Daniel Roselaar of Alei Tzion, Rabbi Meir Salasnik from Bushey and Rabbi Nissan Wilson from Redbridge.

JTA: British rabbis criticize Austrian counterparts for shunning divorcee

July 7, 2015 2:49pm

As published here.

(JTA) — Leading British rabbis criticized their Austrian counterparts for shunning an Orthodox British woman living in Vienna who lost custody of her children.

The rabbis from London, Liverpool, Reading and Manchester called on the Austrian Jewish community and its leaders to show support for Beth Alexander, who lost custody of her twin sons in 2013 by order of a court in Vienna following her divorce from Dr. Michael Schlesinger.
She can see her sons six nights a month, no weekends, and is required to pay maintenance, the British Jewish News reported.

“Beth Alexander is a warm, kind-natured and generous person who deserves to play a full and active role in bringing up her children,” the rabbis wrote. “We hope and pray that the natural maternal love that she has for them will ultimately break through the effects of this disgraceful injustice that she and her children have been forced to endure.”

The letter criticizes the Jewish community for having “not adequately supported a vulnerable and defenseless young woman.”

The rabbis state that “Schlesinger has been given opportunities to make life easier for Beth and the children, and yet appears to have deliberately ignored them. This gives the impression that his children are merely pawns in a spiteful game to make life for Beth a living hell.”

Jewish Chronicle: UK rabbis urge support for Beth Alexander in custody battle

By Tal Fox, July 7, 2015

As published here.

Beth Alexander and her sons

A group of leading British rabbis have criticised the Austrian Jewish community for its treatment of a British woman involved in a custody battle with her Austrian ex-husband.

The 18 rabbis have signed a petition in support of Beth Alexander, saying that she had suffered “dreadful and unnecessary pain” since her divorce and that the Austrian Jewish community and rabbinate have “largely shunned her”.

The rabbis said they were disappointed over the lack of support from the community and its leaders.
In 2013, a court in Vienna granted full custody of Ms Alexander’s twin boys to their father, Dr Michael Schlesinger.

A subsequent appeal against the decision was rejected.

The rabbi’s called for the access rights granted by the courts to be observed by Dr Schlesinger
They wrote: ‘Beth Alexander is a warm, kind-natured and generous person who deserves to play a full and active role in bringing up her children. We hope and pray that the natural maternal love that she has for them will ultimately break through the effects of this disgraceful injustice that she and her children have been forced to endure.’

Signatories to the petition included London rabbis Elchonon Feldman and Meir Salasnik, Rabbi Arnold Saunders of Manchester and Liverpool’s Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg.

Rabbis protest Michael's spiteful mistreatment of Beth and Twins

As published on Daas Torah.

 

בס״ד

Re. Beth Alexander

We have followed the case of Beth Alexander for some time and have had the opportunity to hear from her about the dreadful and unnecessary pain that she has suffered following her divorce. In the initial stages of Beth’s separation, her husband was evicted by the police after allegations that he had been violent. The Austrian court only allowed him restricted and supervised access to his children.

Yet many of us have followed the Kafkaesque decisions made by subsequent courts which have granted full custody to Beth’s ex-husband with only limited visiting rights. Beth is naturally distraught over the lack of care being given to her children. They are looked after by paid help who speak little German or English.

Beth is also concerned for the health of her children, especially after dental procedures were performed without her knowledge to remove teeth from both of the boys. What is more perverse is that on top of the injustice in denying Beth’s children proper access to their mother, Beth has had to pay up to 50EUR for each 2-minute handover, failing which, she would have been unable to see her children. This is in addition to the child maintenance she must pay as mandated by the court.

To add insult to injury, Beth finds that the Austrian Jewish community and certain members of the Austrian rabbinate have largely shunned her. She has been told by individuals in the community to keep quiet or go back to England and forget about her children. While we recognise that the court’s decisions must be respected, we are profoundly disappointed that the Austrian Jewish community and leadership have not adequately supported a vulnerable and defenceless young woman, who has been thrust into this intolerable situation against her will.

We are also deeply concerned that Dr. Schlesinger has been given opportunities to make life easier for Beth and the children, and yet appears to have deliberately ignored them. This gives the impression that his children are merely pawns in a spiteful game to make life for Beth a living hell. We therefore request that Dr. Schlesinger takes the following steps to alleviate Beth’s situation for the sake of Sammy and Benji.

• To accept the offer of a simple and inexpensive handover of the children, coordinated by the Chief Rabbi of Austria or others within the community.

• To comply with the Court’s access orders in full.

• To stop cancelling access visits to Beth in defiance of the courts.

• To accept the generous offer of Rabbi Hofmeister to host Beth and the boys for one Shabbat meal a month with immediate effect.

We wish to send the strongest message possible to Dr. Schlesinger that his behaviour is a disgrace and our patience has run out.

Beth Alexander is a warm, kind-natured and generous person who deserves to play a full and active role in bringing up her children. We hope and pray that the natural maternal love that she has for them will ultimately break through the effects of this disgraceful injustice that she and her children have been forced to endure.

We therefore join the Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis and our other colleagues who are working to help address the best interests of Beth and her children, and call upon other rabbonim and communal leaders to join us in our endeavours.

Rabbi Danny Bergson, London
Rabbi Boruch Boudilovsky, London
Rabbi Alex Chapper, London
Rabbi Zvi Cohen, London
Rabbi Boruch Davis, London
Rabbi Elchonon Feldman, London
Rabbi Yisroel Fine, London
Rabbi Dr. Moshe Freedman, London
Rabbi Pinchas Hackenbroch, London
Rabbi Chaim Kanterovitz, London
Rabbi Dov Kaplan, London
Rabbi James Kennard, Melbourne, Australia
Rabbi Anthony Knopf, Cape Town, South Africa
Rabbi Marc Levene, London
Rabbi David Mason, London
Rabbi Alon Meltzer, Canberra, Australia
Rabbi Joel Portnoy, Manchester
Rabbi Yosef Richards, London
Rabbi Shaul Robinson, New York, USA
Rabbi Daniel Roselaar, London
Rabbi Meir Salasnik, London
Rabbi Arnold Saunders, Manchester
Rabbi Zvi Solomons, Reading
Rabbi Gary Wayland, London
Rabbi Nissan Wilson, London
Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg, Liverpool

 

Rabbi my rock as I battled to win back my sons

As published in the Jewish Telegraph newspaper.

Jewish Telegraph 5th June 2015

MY five-year battle with the Austrian courts to win custody of my sons Sammy and Benji from my ex-husband has brought me into contact with so many rabbis around the world.

But I have been shocked and dismayed to discover that, contrary to the picture-book image I was fed as a child, not all those with the title "rabbi" are worthy of veneration.

Rabbi Yehuda Brodie was a rare exception.

It takes more than a title to make a rabbi and Rabbi Brodie, the registrar of Manchester Beth Din who died on Tuesday, personified everything a true rabbi should be.

He knew of me growing up in Manchester and knew my family well.

However, there are others who were closer who chose "not to get involved" as I battled the Austrian judicial system to try to get my boys back.

They distanced themselves from our crisis and made it clear they were not even willing to listen.

The very first person to call me when the news of my plight broke back in 2010 was Rabbi Brodie.

Without a moment's hesitation, he offered to take the next flight out to Vienna to try to mediate and help in my hour of need.

At the time, I didn't yet realise just how far things would escalate and told him there was no need. But looking back, I will never forget such a spontaneous act of courage and kindness.

Since then, he never deserted me.

His steadfast support, encouragement and belief in me got me through many a dark day when I thought nothing could break the spell of disconsolate misery.

Rabbi Brodie had a unique sense of humour and even at my lowest points, he knew just the way to cheer me up and make me see that there is always light ahead.

For every occasion, he had the perfect words, delivered with an inimitable wit that could slice through a stone.

Rabbi Brodie was indeed my rock and I will miss him terribly.

He always offered the sincerest advice and non-judgemental opinions.

A modest man, he shied away from lofty praise. And for his self-deprecation alone, a trait so exceptional in a public figure, I admired him more than perhaps he was even aware.

In every email and meeting we had, he called me a heroine. But for me, he was the real hero.

A natural leader, he didn't need to command respect.

His actions and unassuming manner unquestionably earned him the highest esteem.

I always wished my boys Sammy and Benji could meet the man who unconditionally fought so much for them and learn of his greatness first-hand.

Unfortunately, that isn't to be. But if I can instil in them even a fraction of the values and lessons Rabbi Brodie exemplified, I will be profoundly proud.

The giant who made a massive imprint on our lives leaves a towering legacy which will always be remembered.

Beth Schlesinger (Alexander),
(formerly of Manchester),
Vienna,
Austria.

E-MAIL: letters@jewishtelegraph.com
Full names and addresses must accompany letters and will be published unless correspondents specify otherwise.


[Rabbi Brodie's open letter can be read here.]

Support letter from Rabbi Dovid Eisenberg of Manchester

 

As published on the Daas Torah blog:

Rabbi Dovid Eisenberg from Prestwich Synagogue in Manchester

18th May 2015

To whom it may concern

I have heard many reports about the sad custody case between Beth Schlesinger and her former Husband Dr. Michael and the effects it is having on their twins Benjamin and Samuel. Her visitation rights are very curtailed as well and she is clearly a woman in great distress.

I would urge anyone who is able to offer real assistance to try and help those involved bring this terrible conflict to an end.

With prayers for a speedy and honest resolution to this case.

Rabbi Dovid Eisenberg

Rabbi Jacobs of Birmingham supports Beth

As published on the Daas Torah blog.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

 

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Jacobs

Rabbi Yossi Jacobs is the Chabad Shliach in Birmingham and Chief Minister of Birmingham Singers Hill Hebrew Congregation. Click here to read more about their work. 

 

28th April 2015

To whom it may concern

I would like to join the Chief Rabbi and other colleagues in my prayers for Beth Alexander to be reunited with her children.

I am unaware of all the details relating to this case but do understand the importance children being raised by their own healthy mother.

I would ask all those involved to do what they can for the sake of Samuel and Benjamin.

Best wishes

Rabbi Yossi Jacobs BA (BHL)
Chief Minister
Birmingham Hebrew Congregation
 

Rabbi Dov Kaplan objects to Austrian courts inexplicable ruling of extremely restricted visitation rights for Beth

As posted on Daas Torah.

Monday, April 20, 2015

Rabbi Dov Kaplan from the Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue in London

14th April 2015

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing in order to speak out about and make known my continued concern for Samuel and Benjamin Schlesinger and their wellbeing. Due to the very uncommon and much questioned decision taken by the Austrian courts to only award their mother Beth extremely restricted visitation rights, these two young boys are currently being denied a relationship with their mother.

Everyone who has heard of the case is struck by the acute distress that this issue causes Beth. The reports of the detrimental effects that this situation is having on the twins’ development are an even more important cause for concern. There are also reports that Beth is facing significant obstacles, the likes of which impede her from exercising even the minimal visitation rights awarded to her by the court. All of this only proves to further worsen an already appalling state of affairs.

I would like to add my voice to those urging everyone involved to act solely in the best interests of these young boys. I ask that everything possible be done in order to find appropriate ways to bring about a solution to this unbearable situation.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Dov Kaplan

 

 

Rabbi Zalman Lent of Dublin writes support letter for Beth Alexander

As published on the Daas Torah blog.

Rabbi Zalman Lent (Dublin Hebrew Congration)

 

B”H

Rabbi Zalman Lent

Dublin Hebrew Congregation

Dublin 6W, Ireland

14th April 2015 | 25^th Nisan 5775

Re: Beth Alexander custody

To whom it may concern, 

Although I am not acquainted fully with the details of the case in question, I have been given to understand that a grave injustice is being committed by depriving a loving mother of access to her two young children. 

I have also been given to understand that this is causing emotional and developmental difficulties for those same children.

Unless a parent is deemed dangerous or a harmful influence, it is inconceivable that they be denied access to their children, especially in the early formative years of childhood. A mother’s nurturing role is absolutely vital for healthy emotional growth.

It behoves each and every one of us to do what we can to help in situations such as these, in a spirit of positivity and Ahavas Yisroel, and without negativity or prejudice.

With prayers for a speedy and positive resolution to this situation, 

Zalman Lent,

Rabbi, Dublin Hebrew Congregation

President of World Jewish Congress, Ronald Lauder, visits Vienna

 

As published on  Daas Torah and Austrian Times.

 

President of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald Lauder addressed the Viennese Jewish community at an event held Sunday evening, an informal dialogue with former President of the community, Ariel Muzicant.

Mr Lauder, son of Estee Lauder, founder of the Estee Lauder Companies, spoke about his time in Vienna as US ambassador from 1986 to 1987. Other topics included anti-semitism in Europe as well as Lauder's peace negotiations with Syrian leader Hafez al-Asad in 1998.

Mr Lauder spoke proudly about his philanthropic work to revive Jewish life in Europe and the 17 schools and institutions he has founded, including the Lauder Business School in Vienna. The only problem, he admitted, was that students were leaving for the US after their studies.

'We have enough people in the States,' he said. 'Young people are needed here to build up the community.'

Mr Muzicant spoke about the Viennese approach to integrating outsiders.

'Our community, more than any other European city does the most to welcome in new immigrants and integrate them into our community. We are a community who really care about everyone,' he said.

At the end of the discussion, the tragic plight of UK mother, Beth Alexander was raised with Mr Lauder. The President acknowledged that he was aware of the situation and told Beth personally he would 'look into it further.'

 

Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence's letter of support

As published on the Daas Torah blog.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Schlesinger Twins: Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence's letter of support for Beth

Here is another major contribution to the growing flood of support letters for Beth and her children. These letters clearly reflect the pain of community leaders and rabbis to the obvious injustice being done to Beth and her children. The only real question is when the Jews of Austria will act to end this cruel injustice. 

You should note that there are no letters supporting Dr. Michael Schlesinger - for the obvious reason that his actions are not defensible.

19 March 2015

Re: Beth Alexander

I have recently had the opportunity to meet with Beth Alexander and to learn at first hand of her

tragic circumstances.

Beth says that though she was able to escape a marriage, where she endured both physical and
psychological abuse, these were as nothing compared to the ongoing injustices perpetrated against

her and her twin six year old boys.

Beth has been deprived appropriate access to the children and is legitimately concerned for their

health, general physical and spiritual welfare.

After her husband was evicted by the police for his violence, the court only allowed him restricted
and supervised access. Perversely, she is now able to see them only occasionally and at a cost. What
she has witnessed distresses her but through he ex-husband’s machinations and allegations against

her, she is unable to deal with their school or their doctors and address their needs.

Beth grew up in England but now lives alone in a foreign land. As a stranger she has found the
community rebuff her in her need, sapping her faith in the local religious leadership and the integrity

of officials who have connived against her.

There appears to be a truly monstrous miscarriage of justice and violation of parental rights.

I am concerned for Beth. I am concerned for her children. I am also concerned for every victim in an
abusive relationship who will learn of Beth’s plight, and thus be scared to speak up and speak out.

As we approach the season of freedom from oppression and prepare to read of the children at the

Seder Table, I urge awareness and urge support for a family trapped in darkness and a family whose

Seder will be bereft of its twin sons.

I join the Chief Rabbi, my rabbinic colleagues and the leaders of Anglo Jewry in urging all who are
connected with this case to do their utmost to address the best interests of the children. May all

ensure that Beth receives justice, given with ahavat chesed, fairness and compassion.

Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence

Senior Rabbi, Finchley United Synagogue

 

 

Shul President Livshin and Rabbis Simmonds and Cohen write letter of support for Beth and her children

Shul President Livshin and Rabbis Simmonds and Cohen write letter of support for Beth and her children

Rabbi Benjy Simmonds

Rabbi Chaim Cohen                             

As published on the Daas Torah blog.

To whom this may concern,

We are most concerned about the plight of Mrs. Beth Schlesinger (nee Alexander) and the welfare of her sons, Benji and Sammy.

Deprived of shared custody of her twin sons, Beth has also been robbed of her opportunity to speak out online. We can’t imagine the living nightmare that she undergoes daily waking up without her children, knowing that she is prevented from even crying out!

Beth has very limited access to her children, and has had her visits cancelled numerous times. We are most concerned for Benji and Sammy’s physical and emotional development, and that their mother has no say in their health, welfare and education. The fact that she has to pay for visitation rights with her own children when that can be easily avoided is in itself a travesty, and highlights how others are not acting within the boys’ best interest.

As Beth has been abandoned by so many in her community, it behoves us here in Manchester to provide support in any way that we can. We echo the words of the Chief Rabbi by asking ‘that all concerned should address the best interests of the children and consider ways to build a better future for the boys.’

Yours sincerely,


Michael Livshin

Rabbi Benjy Simmons

Rabbi Chaim Cohen

Chabad Rabbi Daniel Walker writes letter of support for Beth

As published on the Daas Torah blog:

29 Shevat 5775

18 February 2015

To whom it may concern:

I write to reiterate my ongoing concern for the welfare of Benjamin and Samuel Schlesinger who are being deprived of a relationship with their mother by the highly unusual and much questioned decision of the Austrian courts to award their mother Beth only very limited visitation rights.

The terrible distress this causes Beth concerns all who have heard of the case. Even more worrying are the reports of the adverse effects this is having on the twin’s growth and development and the reports of impediments that are being placed before Beth that prevent her from exercising even those limited visitation rights that the court has awarded her, thus making an already terrible situation worse.

I urge all concerned to act only in the best interests of the children and find ways to bring this intolerable situation to an end.

Rabbi Daniel Walker