Rabbi Cleared of Charges

All criminal charges against Australian Rabbi Yossi Engel and his wife Chana, were Tuesday dismissed in the Adelaide Magistrates’ Court.

Rabbi Engel is the Director of Chabad of South Australia and the Spiritual
Leader of the Jewish Learning Centre of Adelaide.

The Engels had each been charged with 39 offences for falsifying documents with the intention to deceive and gain benefit. These charges related to applications by the Spirit of David Adelaide Hebrew School for government funding.

When called upon by the Court, the South Australian Police, who prosecuted the cases, had no evidence whatsoever to lead against either the Rabbi or his wife.

At all times, Rabbi and Mrs Engel had vigorously maintained their innocence and remained committed to defending the charges.

Outside Court, Rabbi Engel on behalf of his wife and family thanked God, their lawyers, family, friends and congregants for their unwavering support throughout this very trying time.

Supporters of the Engel’s, while still dismayed that these charges were ever laid in the first place, agree that justice has now been served and that the honesty and integrity of the Rabbi and his wife has been acknowledged and endorsed by the Police and the Court.

Rabbi Engel said he and his wife were most appreciative of the outstanding work done by their lawyers which had culminated in today’s outcome.

One of the lawyers representing then, Norman Rosenbaum, Barrister, praised the Police for having recognized that the charges against the couple were without basis and for bringing this matter to finality in the manner they did. The Engels had cooperated fully with the Police throughout their investigation.

With these charges now dismissed, Rabbi and Mrs Engel look forward to devoting all of their energies to serving the needs of the Adelaide Jewish Community.