Alleged Orthodox Jewish convert to Christianity accused of fraudulently buying Anglican property in Jerusalem

Anglican organizations in Jerusalem are trying to block “one of the largest fraud cases ever in Israel” involving the sale of Christian property to a “conman” Orthodox Jew who claimed he converted to Christianity.

In what could be one of the most shocking land deals in the history of Jerusalem, Mordechai Weberman allegedly masterminded a years-long “illicit scheme,” embedding himself into the community as a new believer, getting a job there and gaining the trust of the leadership, especially former CEO Daryl Fenton.

Weberman eventually obtained “signatures on the Hebrew-language sale agreements…by misleading officeholders who do not speak Hebrew” for the sale of the sprawling grounds of the Anglican School and another building in Jerusalem’s city center worth tens of millions of shekels.

Leaders at the Anglican associations contacted by ALL ISRAEL NEWS declined to comment and referred to an official statement. Weberman could not be reached for comment.

However, the associations said that “the deals carried out were based on forged documents and fabricated protocols.”

“Weberman did not know that the person responsible for drafting the protocols of the meetings had recorded the relevant session–providing clear evidence that all the documents were forged, that the sale was never discussed, and, of course, never approved.”

The sale became public last month when the Hebrew newspaper, Israel Hayom, reported that the Anglican associations accidentally discovered that companies “owned by Weberman and his business partner” had purported agreements for the Anglican school at 82 HaNeviim Street and the old Kol Israel building at 25 Petrushka Street.

Dismay and disappointment

This incident reflects the fine line in Israel when it comes to Jews who believe in Jesus. It is unknown whether Weberman’s “conversion” was ever genuine, yet many were thrilled over his faith and subsequent baptism.

According to the Anglican statement, the story began in 2019, when “Weberman, a Jew and member of Chabad, began drawing closer to the church and its believers and even underwent a process of conversion to Christianity.”

One person, speaking on background, said Weberman was “likable, lovable and earnest. There was something sincere about his faith.”

Weberman came from a wealthy background and inherited money when his parents passed away, the source said, but believed he “genuinely had a faith experience.”

“Maybe he had vendetta. He is a complicated person, well-loved, well-respected, likable and yet, for whatever reason, he was involved in this. There is great dismay and disappointment among those who knew him,” the source added.

Weberman was actually on track to become an Anglican priest, many told ALL ISRAEL NEWS.

Israel Hayom quoted Weberman from an article published in the British Christian newspaper “Evangelicals Now,” when he was celebrated at the Church’s Ministry Among Jews (CMJ) annual conference as a former rabbi who converted to Christianity. He told the attendees he “returned home” to Messianic Judaism: “I stand before you not as someone who left Judaism, but as someone who found its fulfillment.”

An isolated case?

Other disputed sales of historic Christian properties to Jews have occurred in recent years. In one, a large swath of the Armenian Quarter was allegedly sold to a Jewish developer. Community protests against the purchase and international backing for the Armenian cause have stalled the case, which is being challenged in court.

In a separate case dating back to 2004, the Greek Orthodox patriarchate claimed it was duped into selling properties at Jaffa Gate to companies backed by a Jewish land reclamation organization. According to its website, “Ateret Cohanim works to redeem property once held by Jews in Israel’s capital as well as reestablishing Jewish neighborhoods in the heart of the Old City and its surrounding areas.”

In the case of the Anglican properties, it is unclear if Weberman acted alone or also had the backing of a similar organization.

CMJ (Church’s Ministry among Jews) is a British organization founded in 1809 and has operated in Jerusalem since. One of its well-known properties is Christ Church, a historic building, guesthouse and cafe located inside the Old City.

According to Israel Hayom, “The trust that the association representatives placed in Weberman ‘was so absolute.’”

The school currently has 230 students from kindergarten through high school and is comprised of several historic buildings on a 15,000-square-meter campus. The building on Petrushka Street once housed Kol Israel radio.

The article states that the Anglican associations “accidentally discovered” paperwork of the sale: Petrushka Street for NIS 7.5 million and the Anglican school for NIS 60 million.

But the article goes on to say that Weberman and his business partners were only supposed to pay the Vincent Association “9 million shekels for the school and 1 million shekels for the building on Petrushka Street. However, according to the associations, no sales transactions were discussed.”

A sale of the Anglican School was never on the agenda, the association added.

This also brings into question the sale of another Anglican property – Beit Bracha (House of Blessing) – in Migdal, near Tiberias. This guesthouse was also sold earlier this year, possibly also to Weberman.

The petition casts Weberman as a Trojan horse who “played a double game” – endearing himself to the people while intending to defraud them all along.

The Jerusalem District Court granted a temporary injunction on the transfer, and the associations are also seeking to open a criminal investigation with the Israeli Police, the statement said.