Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller, the director of UCLA Hillel who had taken a voluntarily leave of absence pending an investigation into an alleged assault which occurred in October, returned to work last week.
Seidler-Feller, a well-known figure in the Los Angeles Jewish community, was the subject of an internal investigation by Hillel after he allegedly kicked Rachel Neuwirth, a local activist, outside of Royce Hall on Oct. 21, 2003.
At some point during the confrontation, Neuwirth allegedly called Seidler-Feller a “capo,” a derogatory term for Jews who aided the Nazis during the Holocaust.
David Levy, director of the Los Angeles Hillel Council, said the internal investigation concluded last week. He said he could not discuss the findings of the investigation because it was an employment matter.
Hillel launched its investigation after the city attorney decided not to press criminal charges against Seidler-Feller on Oct. 30. Depending on the investigation’s findings, Hillel could have recommended Seidler-Feller take an extended leave of absence or even that he be removed from his post.
No interim director of Hillel was appointed while Seidler-Feller was on leave.
Seidler-Feller did not return calls seeking comment Friday.
Neuwirth said she was unhappy with the conclusion of the investigation.
“If someone behaved like this, he doesn’t have any room in academia,” she said. “Something needs to be addressed. I’ve been waiting to see a proper apology.”
The city attorney did order Seidler-Feller to write a letter of apology to Neuwirth in which the rabbi said he was “deeply sorry” for his actions, but Neuwirth has called this apology unacceptable.
Many consider Seidler-Feller, an orthodox rabbi who is left-leaning in his politics, to be a controversial figure in the Jewish community. News of the incident between Seidler-Feller and Neuwirth reached as far away as Israel and polarized supporters and opponents of the rabbi immediately after it happened.
A civil suit, filed by Neuwirth shortly after the incident, is still pending against Seidler-Feller. A court date in early October has been set for the lawsuit. Neuwirth is seeking an unspecified amount in monetary reparations in the suit, said Neuwirth’s lawyer, Robert Esensten.
Seidler-Feller’s lawyer in the civil suit, Bert Diexler, could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.
However, Donald Etra, who represented Seidler-Feller during the city attorney hearing and who has been in close contact with Seidler-Feller and Diexler, said both parties may settle the matter out of court before October.