Did the husband of the rector of the rabbinical college send penis pictures?
According to the "Welt" and its research, men may have been sexually harassed at the Abraham Geiger College in Potsdam. There is a suspicion that the husband of the rector there may have sent dick pics.
The rector himself has decided to suspend his duties for the time being. In the meantime, the Central Council of Jews, among others, has also spoken out. It demands that the case be clarified comprehensively and quickly.
The college can look back on a long history. For more than 20 years now, rabbis have been trained here, who are then deployed throughout Germany. Many have already expressed their dismay at the accusations. In the meantime, an investigative commission has also been set up.
Uni Potsdam intervenes
An investigative commission at the University of Potsdam has been looking into the case for several weeks. A comprehensive report on the allegations and the background is to be published in the summer. In this way, an independent clarification is to be advanced.
According to the "Welt", the sending of the pictures is said to have occurred some time ago, in 2019 to be precise. However, these are not the only accusations with which the college, the rector and his husband have to deal. Allegedly, there have been other incidents. However, the college has not yet taken an explicit position on this, but rather a comparatively general one.
Rector leaves his offices in abeyance - until everything is cleared up
The rector of the Abraham Geiger College has nevertheless spoken out. In a letter to dpa, he declared that he was personally very concerned. At the same time, he emphasizes that it hurts to have to read "such things. His goal, he said, had always been "to promote opportunities to engage with Jewish tradition in a fear-free and creative way."
However, he could not influence how people close to him would behave. Until everything had been clarified, he would therefore leave his positions at the Abraham Geiger College and in the Jewish Community.
Also a shock for the queer Jewish community in Potsdam
Walter Homolka, the rector of the college, is well-known not only in the Jewish community but also in the LGBTQIA+ community. He is one of the people who openly admits his homosexuality and is married. That his husband is now confronted with such accusations shocked many people - even within the community.
After all, Walter Homolka also advocated in the past, among other things, that a service with Jews and Christians be celebrated together as part of the CSD.
Now the accusations, which are mentioned in the "Welt" among others, are being examined and investigated. Among others, another employee of the college is suspected of having acted similarly to the rector's husband. Now it only remains to wait for the results. One thing is certain: This is definitely not a trivial matter. Almost everyone agrees on that.
Sexual assault and harassment - many are afraid to go to the police
The number of unreported cases of sexual assault and harassment remains high. One of the reasons for this is that many people are afraid to come forward to the police and report the relevant acts.
That's why many organizations are focusing on one important factor these days: education. The victims should know that they will be helped. However, this is only possible if they turn to the justice system.
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