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Yeshivah University faces multi-million dollar suit over sex abuse allegations

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Yeshivah University is facing a $380 million lawsuit over allegations of a cover-up of sexual misconduct.

Nineteen former students filed the lawsuit against the Manhattan university on Monday.

Publications have released the names of two former members of staff, Rabbi George Finkelstein and Rabbi Macy Gordon, who been accused of inappropriate behaviour with their students. Both men have denied the charges.

According to the Forward, the lawsuit alleges a “massive cover-up of the sexual abuse of [high school] students… facilitated, for several decades, by various prominent YU and [high school] administrators, trustees, directors, and other faculty members.”

Two of the alleged victims, Mordechai Twersky and Barry Singer, have released their names.

Rabbi Norman Lamm, the university’s former president and chancellor, stepped down last week after his three-year contract came to an end.

In a parting letter, the rabbi acknowledged his failure to address misconduct at the university. He wrote: “At the time that inappropriate actions by individuals at Yeshiva were brought to my attention, I acted in a way that I thought was correct, but which now seems ill conceived... And when that happens — one must do teshuvah [repentence]. So, I too must do teshuvah."

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