developing· Security· Updated 14:02

Beit Shemesh Man Indicted for Sexually Abusing Minors in Synagogues and Mikvahs

An indictment was filed on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court against Yechiel Yehoshua Brand, a 33-year-old resident of Beit Shemesh, for committing sex offenses against four minors aged 13 to 16. The State Prosecutor's Office, represented by attorney Bracha Ben Adret-Zerachia, filed the charges following an investigation by the Israel Police Beit Shemesh station.

8 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 13:28

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What happened

01Yechiel Yehoshua Brand, a 33-year-old resident of Beit Shemesh, was indicted on Tuesday for committing sex offenses against four minors aged 13 to 16.
02The alleged offenses occurred between 2024 and 2026 in synagogues, ritual baths, and public spaces, including a supermarket, in Beit Shemesh.
03The State Prosecutor's Office filed the indictment in the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, charging Brand with indecent acts and attempted indecent acts.
04The indictment details Brand pressing against a minor and touching his genitals during prayer services, continuing even when the minor tried to move away.
05Brand is also accused of touching a minor's genitals as he exited a mikvah pool and touching another minor's buttocks in a changing area.
06The charges against Brand include committing indecent acts against a minor under the age of 14.
07The investigation into the allegations was conducted by the Israel Police Beit Shemesh station.

The alleged offenses occurred on multiple occasions between 2024 and 2026 in synagogues, ritual baths (mikvahs), and public spaces within Beit Shemesh, including a supermarket. According to the indictment, Brand exploited opportunities when the minors were present in these locations to commit indecent acts and attempted indecent acts, including offenses against a minor under 14.

The indictment details several specific incidents, including one where Brand allegedly pressed himself against a minor and touched his genitals multiple times during prayer services in a synagogue. Despite the minor's attempts to move away, Brand reportedly followed him and continued his actions. In other instances, Brand is accused of touching a minor's genitals as he exited a mikvah immersion pool, touching another minor's buttocks in a changing area, and committing indecent acts in a supermarket.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 8 newsrooms. Updated 14:17