EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF CANTOR LAM INVESTIGATION

On February 4, 2021, The Academy of Jewish Religion received a complaint from a former student indicating that a faculty member, Cantor Nathan Lam, had engaged in a sexual relationship with her during the time that she was a student at the Academy. Shortly thereafter, Cantor Lam made the decision to resign immediately from his position at Stephen Wise Temple (SWT), specifically instructing the Temple that he did not wish to be retained in any future position. In May 2021, that same person separately made a complaint to SWT about Cantor Lam. In response, SWT retained independent outside investigators to determine whether any inappropriate sexual relationship had occurred between the complainant and Cantor Lam and to recommend to the Temple ways in which its policies and procedures for addressing allegations of sexual harassment might be improved. Neither Cantor Lam nor the complainant agreed to be interviewed by SWT’s investigators.  The investigation determined that Cantor Lam had engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with the complainant, who at various times was an adult student of his as well as an employee of the Temple. This inappropriate sexual relationship occurred during the time that Cantor Lam served as Senior Cantor at the Temple, and at a time when Cantor Lam was married and/or separated from his wife. Cantor Lam’s conduct violated both the American Conference of Cantors Code of Ethics and the Cantors Assembly Code of Professional Conduct.

As part of the investigative process, members of the Temple community were invited to share any information regarding the complaint or any other issues of concern. In response, the Temple received reports and complaints about other potentially inappropriate relationships involving Cantor Lam and other women, including unwanted advances and dating of congregants.  Although the Temple encouraged these women to speak to the Temple’s outside investigators, none of them did so.  Accordingly, the Temple’s outside investigators could not engage in any further follow-up investigation regarding those allegations.

The internal investigation also uncovered another unrelated incident over a decade ago, in which senior clergy at SWT did not properly handle complaints raised by several female staff members who felt uncomfortable around a visiting scholar-in-residence.

The report acknowledged that in recent years SWT has put in place strong policies and procedures to make the Temple a safe and welcoming environment for all.  The report recommended that SWT continue to update and improve systemic policies and procedures to better address allegations of sexual harassment. The recommendations included (1) periodic review of sexual harassment training for clergy and staff; (2) periodic written acknowledgment by employees of workplace policies and regulations; (3) implementation of a hotline or other means of anonymously reporting sexual misconduct or harassment; (4) implementation of clear policies barring clergy-congregant romantic relationships; and (5) barring Temple clergy and staff from operating side businesses on Temple grounds.

The Temple has now taken steps to implement all of the report’s recommendations for strengthening its policies and practices.