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Temple suspends accused cantor,
Boston Patriot Ledger, February 25, 2003
"Robert Shapiro was suspended from his duties as hazzan, or cantor, at Temple Beth Am shortly after allegations of sexual assault were raised, an official of the congregation said yesterday. Shapiro, 69, was instructed not to enter the North Main Street synagogue or officiate at religious services, said Mark Itzkowitz, the temple’s general counsel and a member of its board of directors. Shapiro, the temple’s hazzan for a quarter-century, pleaded innocent Friday to three counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault and battery on a mentally retarded woman. He was ordered to stay away from the alleged victim and her family, and the Tower Hill Center for Health and Rehabilitation in Canton. The incidents allegedly took place during the past year at the nursing home and temple, said lawyer Bruce Namenson of Quincy, who represents the alleged victim. Itzkowitz said temple officials first learned of the allegations Feb. 7, when the victim’s family met with Rabbi Loel Weiss, the congregation’s spiritual leader. Within an hour of that meeting, police were contacted, a criminal investigation was started and Shapiro was suspended with pay, Itzkowitz said'... Itzkowitz said Shapiro was ‘beloved by the community.’"