Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Brooklyn Rabbi Arrested For Allegedly Trying To Rape Teen He "Met" Online
By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 15, 2013
Modified Mar 21, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 15, 2013
Modified Mar 21, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A Brooklyn Rabbi was arrested for allegedly trying to lure a 14-year-old girl to an undisclosed location in Queens, where police say he intended to rape her. And investigators say he would have gotten away with it too, had the girl actually existed. Rabbi Nathan David Rabinowich of Midwood, Brooklyn spent months flirting online with a person whom he believed to be a young teenager, but was in fact an undercover detective impersonating the girl.
Prosecutors say some of the messages sent by Rabbi Rabinowich were sexually graphic in nature. According to Failed Messiah, Rabinowich runs a synagogue and tour company called Jewish Heritage Tours from his Midwood home, and PIX 11 reports that he used the online screen names “NYC-NORMAL100” and “NORMALGENTNYC.” He's charged with four sex crimes, including attempted rape.
“It is disturbing that a man who is supposed to be held in high esteem by the community in which he lives would allegedly try to lure a child to meet him for sex,” Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in a statement. Rabinowich was released last night on $25,000 bail.
Tagged
brooklyn
pedophilia
queens
rabbi rabinowich
rabbis
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Why New Yorkers should care about bats beyond spooky season
As Bat Week begins, state wildlife officials urge New Yorkers to protect bats, which play an important role in the environment.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 25, 2026 at 6:44 p.m. ET
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
News
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail
By
Michael Sol Warren
Suicides decline in NYC, but inequities persist across groups
By
Jill Webb
Cuts to rural healthcare become key issue for upstate votes in race for NY governor
By
Samuel King
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .