A Phoenix-area Rabbi was arrested this week on first-degree rape charges for an incident that occurred 10 years ago in New York City.
Rabbi Bryan Bramley of Temple Beth Shalom Synagogue in Gilbert, Arizona, was arrested by U.S. Marshals and detectives from the New York Police Department. The arrest came months after the victim, now 17, came forward and reported the incident, which occurred when she was just 7-year-old.
The victim was spending the night at the home of Bramley's family when the rape allegedly took place. Bramley and his family lived in New York while he was completing his Rabbi studies. It's not clear whether the victim was a member of the temple Bramley was associated with, or if she had some other connection to the family.
Bramley is currently in police custody at the Maricopa County Jail while he waits to be extradited back to New York to face his charges.
The president of Temple Beth Shalom expressed her sympathies to victim, the victim's family, and Bramley's family, and said the temple will be providing counseling for its congregants. She also said Bramley will be on leave from his duties at the temple until further notice.
At the Zalkin Law Firm, we offer legal counsel to those who have been traumatically abused by rabbis, priests, pastors, and other clergy members. Sexual assault of any kind is a traumatic experience, but assault committed by someone the victim trusts can be even more emotionally traumatic. If you or your child is the victim of sexual abuse by a rabbi or any other religious official, please take a moment to contact an experienced clergy abuse attorney at our firm. We have represented victims of clergy abuse from across the country, and can help you seek justice for the injustice that has been committed against you.
