It appears that after Rabbi Eliezer Berland fled Israel to avoid prosecution, many of the children in the families of his followers are left with unanswered questions. MyNet reports many have gone off the derech since the rav’s departure.

The report adds that since the rav left Israel, and the police investigation against his nonprofit organization continues, many chassidim has left the Shuvu Banim kehilla and no longer view Rabbi Berland as their mora d’asra.

Jerusalem Deputy Mayor (Bnei Torah) R’ Chaim Epstein last week visited the kehilla, and was briefed on the problems facing many of the children, for many the result of the breakup of the kehilla. He promised funding to assist the kehilla in addressing these issues after learning since the rav left, there has been an alarming increase in the number of children involved with police.

The report quotes a leading figure in the kehilla, who reports tens of youths have had involvement with police and now have pending criminal cases. The representative added this includes youths throwing rocks at vehicles traveling on Route 1 and confrontations with Arabs in the Shimon HaTzaddik neighborhood of the capital.

As a result of parents showing a willingness to work with social workers and other officials, police are appear willing to close many of the criminal files.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)