Glyzntein Menachema Mendel, the main rabbi of Chernivtsi region and the chairman of the board of the Jewish religious community of Bukovina, was found guilty of fraud. The corresponding sentence was approved by the Chernivtsi District Court on May 8, 2025.
According to the case file, in October 2024, a friend asked Rabbi to help organize the departure of her relative to Israel. The woman trusted Glitznstein's authority, having no idea of the procedure of legal traveling abroad. He assured that he could help and took $ 10,000 for his "services".
According to the verdict, Glitsntein did not intend to fulfill his promise. He acted, based on trust, and assigned funds without the intention of any assistance in departure. The money was transferred to him directly in the synagogue office, after which he was detained by police.
During the court hearing, the rabbis pleaded guilty. He explained that he was asked every day, but in this case he had no real opportunity to help. His words were perceived as a sincere repentance.
Despite the gravity of the fact, the court decided not to appoint Glitsnstein imprisonment - they took into account his recognition of guilt, cooperation with the investigation and the presence of six minor children. As a result, a fine of UAH 413 thousand. The sentence has not yet entered into force and may be appealed.
Interestingly, just on the eve, on May 11, the Galician District Court of Lviv issued another sentence in a similar case: serviceman Dmitry Hartenberg, who for the same $ 10,000 promised to take out the evidence abroad, received five years in prison.
