Rabbi David Mitchell of West London synagogue had been asked ‘to take period of time away’ while inquiry took placeA rabbi suspended amid claims of bullying has been reinstated to lead one of the UK’s foremost synagogues following an investigation by a former high court judge. West London synagogue, the flagship of the UK Reform Judaism movement, whose congregation includes the historian Sir Simon Schama and the actor Maureen Lipman, said David Mitchell would start work as co-senior rabbi from Wednesday, two months after he was suspended. The synagogue drew Burton’s attention to complaints against Mitchell, made in 2012 by some members of staff, of inappropriate behaviour. Several employees said they had left their jobs because of bullying, derogatory comments and inappropriate references to sensitive personal information. “We’ve known for weeks that West London synagogue’s board were waiting for media pressure to die down to reinstate Rabbi David.

Source: The Guardian April 01, 2020 14:27 UTC