New York Rabbi Arrested in Undercover Sting Operation Targeting Child Predators

A 66-year-year-old Reform rabbi from New York, Peter Shaktman, was arrested during an operation aimed at identifying individuals suspected of sexual offenses against minors. According to authorities, Shaktman had been communicating with an undercover police officer whom he believed to be a 14-year-old. The rabbi traveled to a location where he expected to meet the minor and was subsequently apprehended. He has been charged with attempted second-degree rape. Shaktman appeared in court on August 28, pleaded not guilty, and was taken into custody. The New York State Police, along with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, participated in the operation, which resulted in the arrest of eight men in total.

Following his arrest, the Reform congregation "Temple Emanu-El" suspended Shaktman from all positions and banned him from synagogue grounds. The congregation expressed shock at the accusations but affirmed his right to the presumption of innocence. Shaktman previously lived in the Israeli town of Kafr Qara for approximately two years, where he was involved in community work promoting Arab-Jewish relations.