Adelaide, Australia – No Job for Rabbi as Appeal Lost

Adelaide, Australia – Embattled Adelaide Rabbi Yosef Engel has lost his bid to overturn a court’s declaration that his contract to act as rabbi had expired.

The Full Court of the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal against a District Court judge’s decision upholding the termination of his contract with the Adelaide Hebrew Congregation.

The fight is far from over with the parties entering into arbitration and referring the case to the Beth Din in London. Rabbi Engel’s lawyer, Ron Bellman, said the rabbi was feeling “quite comfortable” because his case was going before a Jewish court. He said Rabbi Engel would be seeking reinstatement and compensation from the congregation.
Congregation lawyer Nicholas Iles said the full court had accepted that Rabbi Engel’s contract ended late last year. Mr Iles said he was confident the London Beth Din would not overturn the court’s decision.

Court orders barring Rabbi Engel from officiating at services called by the congregation or at the Glenside synagogue also remain in force. [AdelaideNow]