Baltimore-area rabbi found liable for sexually abusing two children

A Baltimore rabbi was found liable for sexually abusing two boys, who were each awarded $8,001 in damages.

The Baltimore Sun reported in 2018 Rabbi Steven Krawatsky was accused of abusing boys at a camp in Frederick County, and in response to the accusations, Krawatsky filed a defamation lawsuit claiming the defendants had engaged in an effort to “destroy his reputation and ability to earn a living.”

The lawsuit named two couples who accused Krawatsky of abusing their children, as well as Chaim Levin, an advocate for victims of abuse, as defendants.

The lawsuit was initially dismissed because of its filing location and vague nature, the Sun reported. For example, the lawsuit claimed one family defamed the rabbi by contacting people to demand that he be fired, but the lawsuit “fail[ed] to identify any individuals who were allegedly contacted and provided this defamatory information,” the motion states.

Then, the families counter sued, claiming assault and battery.

“I think the families wants to know what happened,”Jonathan Little, lead attorney for the families, said to The Sun on Wednesday. “What did he do to their kids? They want to help their kids get better. I am proud of these parents for standing up to their community.”

Following multiple cancellations and delays, the case would go on for about two years which would slowly grind on the families resources, Little said.

The multi-year case finally came to an end on Thursday with Montgomery County Circuit Court awarding damages to two of the victims, according to online court records.

A Montgomery County Circuit Court judge awarded the plaintiffs $8,000 in punitive damages and another $1 in compensatory damages each, in one case for assault and in another for battery, according to online court records. Although the families got out of the lawsuit, Little said they believe the families deserved more than what was given based off the nature of the accusations.

“The failure of the greater Maryland community that being the jury to protect these kids that the Baltimore Orthodox Jewish community had no problem throwing under the bus is really sad,” Little said

Krawatsky was fired from Beth Tfiloh, a private Jewish school in Pikesville, amid allegations he abused boys at a camp in Frederick County.

Krawatsky’s attorney could not be reached for comment reached for comment.