Published: 27 August 2019
Last updated: 4 March 2024
THE PLAINTIFFS, FIVE OF whom are named, filed the civil lawsuit on Thursday against Yeshiva University, its high school, which is also known as Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy, board members of both institutions and two administrators, Rabbis Norman Lamm, the former Yeshiva University chancellor, and Robert Hirt, former vice president of its rabbinical school.
At a news conference here on Thursday, lawyers said that the New York-based Yeshiva University did not take action despite receiving multiple complaints of abuse relating to incidents spanning more than 30 years.
Five staff members allegedly abused boys, though lawyers said two rabbis were responsible for the bulk of it: George Finkelstein, who served as principal, and Macy Gordon, a Jewish studies teacher.
A representative for the high school said the school was not commenting on the matter; a Yeshiva University spokesperson said it does not comment on pending litigation.
In 2014, a New York District Court judge dismissed a suit by 36 men claiming abuse at the high school, citing an expired statute of limitations.
But in February, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law the Child Victims Act, which allows victims in the state one year to file civil lawsuits, regardless of when the alleged abuse occurred. It went into effect last week and a flood of lawsuits are expected to be filed against educational institutions.
FULL STORY 38 men revive sex abuse case against Yeshiva University High School as NY lifts statute of limitations (JTA)
Photo: Barry Singer, centre, speaks to reporters announcing a lawsuit by 38 men who say they were abused by staff at Yeshiva University High School. Also pictured, from left to right, are plaintiff Jay Goldberg, attorney Kevin Mulhearn, plaintiff David Bressler and attorney Michael Dowd (Josefin Dolsten)
