There is an investigation being conducted by the Mercer County prosecutor’s office into the conduct of Rabbi Menachem Chinn, former Twin Rivers NCSY chapter advisor and instructor at Shalom Torah Academy in Morganville, who is currently jailed without bail for sexual assault of a 12-year-old boy. He was arrested April 18 and charged with assaulting the boy at the teacher’s home in Marlboro in 2012. A judge ordered that Chinn remain in custody following an April 26 detention hearing.

According to a statement, the administration of NCSY is cooperating fully with this investigation, and is encouraging employees and volunteers to do the same. “We are deeply troubled by the accusations that have been reported. The safety and well-being of NCSY participants is the organization’s utmost priority at all times, and NCSY has zero tolerance whatsoever for improper or illegal behavior. Towards that end, NCSY maintains robust policies and procedures for all our staff, including appropriate behavioral standards, criminal background checks, an ombudsman hotline that is checked multiple times daily and extensive staff training. We encourage anyone who has any information that may be relevant to the prosecutor’s investigation to contact Detective Alicia Bergondo at 609-989-6568.”

In addition, NCSY added that it has relationships with several professional, independent mental health professionals who are available to assist with any issues that may have developed as a result of this situation. If you believe this service can be of help to you or your family please contact Rabbi Eitan Katz, NCSY’s regional director, for a confidential referral at 201-862-0250.