The Awareness Center is The Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Abuse/Assault (JCASA)
Case of Rabbi Mordecai Magencey (Psychologist)
AKA: Mordecai Magence, Mordechai Magencey
St. Louis, MO
The Awareness Center contacted the licensing board at the state of Missouri, and asked if Rabbi Magencey was in violation of the agreement made several years ago. On July 2, 2003 a response was sent to us from Pamela Groose, Executive Director - Missouri State Committee of Psychologists. The response is below:
"To teach Intro to Psychology would not require a license to practice psychology and the same would go for religious studies
Whether or not his prior problem with his Missouri Psychology license is a problem for him teaching at the universities would be a decision of the universities."
Rabbi/Dr. Mordecai Magencey is currently teaching at Webster University and at Washington University. He is a part-time rabbi at Covenent House, working with senior citizens. He is also a member of The Academy Council for Jewish Religion, California.
The state of Missouri and Mordecai Magencey, a psychotherapist in Chesterfield, signed a stipulation that strips Magencey of his license in Missouri and bans him from practicing in any state or foreign country.
Mordecai Magencey was the son a very prominent rabbi
in St. Louis. His father,
Rabbi
Avraham Magence a very beloved, respected man who was the 'mohel' of
St Louis for 35 years.
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Email Groups for the Awareness Center This link will bring you to a list of different mailing lists offered by The Awareness Center. We offers several different email groups,which include our general mailing list, press-releases, Jewish survivors of childhood sexual abuse, Parents of children who were molested, Family members of sex offenders, etc.
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Therapist Losing License on Sex Allegations (09/17/1987)
Couple Sue Therapist, Allege Seduction (05/20/1987)
Another Seduction Suit Filed Against Therapist (05/27/1987)
Third Lawsuit Filed Against Psychologist (07/26/1987)
Converstations between The Awareness Center and the Licensing Board in Missoui (06/30/2003)
Group Accuses Rabbi Of Violating Agreement Signed Following Sex Abuse Case (02/22/2004)
Also see:
When A Family Member Molests: Reality, Conflict, and The Need For Support
Recidivism of Sex Offenders (U.S. Department of Justice: Center for Sex Offender Management)
http://www.webster.edu/depts/artsci/religion/staff.htm
Mordecai Magencey received his Ph.D. in Social Work and Psychology from Washington University in 1979 and his Rabbinic Ordination in 1968 from Yeshiva Kfar Chasidim, Israel. Mordy brings a unique combination of skills with people, communication, counseling and leadership to the department. As Rabbi at Covenant House Chapel, he works closely with his community. His passions include Mickey Mouse? you'll have to ask him about that one.
The Passing of a Beloved Rabbi
Solomon Schechtor - Vol. 2003-04 No. 1 August 29, 2003
http://www.jcol.com/ssds/ShowDK.asp?ID=189
With deepest regret we must inform you that Rabbi Abraham Magence of Congregation Bais Abraham, our beloved teacher, passed away this past Shabbat, August 23, parashat Re'eh.
Rabbi Magence will be buried in Israel. Condolences may be extended to Rabbi Mordecai and Beverly Magencey, 273 Hewlett, St. Louis, MO 63141.
Rabbi Magence was a wonderful friend and supporter of Solomon Schechter Day School. He served on our Board, taught our students, and always sang the school's praises from his bimah. We will never forget his message to our Middle School students about the meaning of Pesach. Of all things to focus on he taught the midrash of the angels crying because the Egyptians- our enemies- were drowning in the Red Sea. Rabbi Magence explained, as only he could, how we must treat all fellow human beings with love and compassion. On the back is an article from 2000 in the Riverfront Times to give a picture of Rabbi Magence, alav hashalom.
To perpetuate Rabbi Magence's memory at Solomon Schechter, please consider making a donation to the school for the purchase of sifre kodesh (holy books) for the Jennifer Soshnik Memorial Library. We will collect money for this purpose through September 26, that is, throughout the month of Elul, which is the month in which we seek Gd's mercy and favor.
Therapist Losing License on Sex
Allegations
By Mary E.Chollet
St. Louis Post-Dispatch - September 17, 1987
Section: NEWS Page: PAGE: 6A Edition
Missouri officials signed an agreement Wednesday revoking the license of a psychologist because of his sexual misconduct with his patients.
The state and Mordecai Magencey, a psychotherapist in Chesterfield, signed a stipulation that strips Magencey of his license in Missouri and bans him from practicing in any state or foreign country. Magencey did business as Behavioral Health Specialists.
The 24-page agreement spells out sexual relationships Magencey is alleged to have had with four women patients since April 1983. One patient was recovering from an incestuous relationship at the time.
The agreement must be approved by Paul M. Spinden, an administrative-hearing commissioner for the state. The Administrative Hearing Commission renders decisions on licensed professions, including psychologists.
Spinden said he expected to sign the agreement.
The Missouri attorney general's office brought the action against Magencey. An office spokesman said Wednesday that the case was the first of its kind in Missouri.
State licensing regulations bar sexual conduct between a therapist and patient.
The agreement stipulates ''that cause exists for disciplinary action against (Magencey) for violations of statutes and/or administrative rules.''
The agreement also says that Magencey failed to renew his license on Jan. 31 and has been practicing without one since then.
The agreement takes effect Sept. 30 and heads off a four-day public hearing that had been set for this week before the commission.
Magencey could not be reached Wednesday. He previously has declined to comment. His attorney, C. John Pleban, declined to comment on the settlement.
The agreement is not technically an admission of guilt. Similar to a so-called Alford plea in a criminal case, it is an admission by Magencey that the state ''has sufficient evidence'' to convict him of the allegations.
Nevertheless, state officials say they are pleased with the disposition.
The agreement revokes Magencey's license and orders him to undergo evaluation by a state-approved psychologist by Oct. 30. He must pay for all counseling and testing.
It bans him from ''any counseling, guidance, psychotherapy or act which falls within the definition of the term psychology . . . whether a license is required for such acts or not,'' the agreement says.
He also will have to keep the state ''apprised at all times in writing'' of his whereabouts.
Under the agreement, Magencey will have three chances - after three years, six years and seven years - to appeal the revocation to the state committee of psychologists.
At those intervals, Magencey ''may appear before (the committee) and shall bear the burden of persuading (the committee) that he is capable of functioning as an ethical, responsible and competent professional psych ologist,'' the agreement says.
The state then may reject the appeal or tentatively grant it and put Magencey on probation.
If Magencey declines to appeal or fails to sway the committee within the seven years, the revocation will become permanent.
If the state finds that Magencey has violated the agreement, the state may cancel it and pursue other remedies.
Magencey still faces three civil malpractice suits in county circuit court and federal court. The suits were brought by former patients who claim that Magencey used intimate information gained during therapy to seduce them.
Two suits were filed by married couples. One was brought by a woman who says the therapy broke up her marriage.
Stephen R. Woodley, the attorney for one of the couples, called the tentative settlement good news. But he said he would pursue his claim. Woodley's clients claim they spent more than $35,000 on three years of therapy with Magencey.
COUPLE SUE THERAPIST, ALLEGE SEDUCTION
By Mary E. Chollet
St. Louis Post-Dispatch - May 20, 1987
Section: NEWS Page: PAGE: 11D Edition: EDITION: FIVE STAR
A couple from west St. Louis County who spent more than $35,000 and three years in psychotherapy are accusing their therapist of seducing the wife and manipulating their individual analysis sessions to break up the couple's marriage.
The couple, Melissa and Michael Bearman, filed suit Tuesday in St. Louis County Circuit Court against Mordecai Magencey, a therapist who does business as Behavioral Health Specialists, 14377 Wood Lake Drive in Chesterfield.
The suit charges that Magencey ''negligently exploited the knowledge, power and unique position that (he) held'' as a therapist to interfere in the Bearmans' personal lives and to take advantage of Melissa Bearman sexually.
The suit says that Michael Bearman first went to Magencey in January 1982. Magencey diagnosed him as having agoraphobia - a fear of open spaces - and treated him for it, the suit says. Bearman's therapy continued until July 1986 and cost about $25,000, the suit says. He also lost about $10,500 in wages during those years because of the treatment, the suit claims without elaboration.
In June 1983, Melissa Bearman also became a patient of Magencey's, the suit says. The suit makes no mention of what she was being treated for. Her sessions lasted until June 1986 and cost about $10,000, the suit says.
The suit charges that Magencey ''used information'' gathered during Melissa Bearman's therapy sessions ''to physically and emotionally seduce'' her and that he ''willfully, wantonly and maliciously'' tried to alienate her from her husband.
With regard to Michael Bearman, the suit says Magencey ''negligently treated'' him for agoraphobia and manipulated his therapy sessions to alienate him from his wife.
The suit says both the Bearmans continue to suffer from a host of emotional problems.
Magencey could not be reached Tuesday.
(NOTE: The following text ran only in the 3* Editions.)
Neither the Bearmans nor their attorney, Stephen R. Woodley, returned a reporter's phone calls.
THERAPIST FACES SANCTIONS IN SEDUCTION
CASE
By Mary E. Chollet Of
Louis Post-Dispatch (1987)
Section: NEWS Page: PAGE: 6A Edition: EDITION: FIVE STAR
A psychologist in west St. Louis County who is accused of seducing a patient faces sanctions at the state level, authorities say.
The Missouri attorney general's office has filed a complaint against the psychologist, Mordecai Magencey, with the state Administrative Hearing Commission.
The complaint says Magencey violated the state law that licenses psychologists by engaging in sex with a patient, Melissa Bearman, in January and March of last year. The complaint was filed Feb. 26.
Such a complaint is filed after the State Committee of Psychologists and the attorney general's office each investigate the allegations.
''We feel we have cause for discipline,'' said Mary Joe Smith, an assistant attorney general. ''We are real sensitive about this case, and we are treating it very seriously.''
Magencey could be censured or stripped of his license.
Magencey operates under the business name Behavioral Health Specialists in the Creve Coeur area. He no longer practices in an office on Wood Lake Drive in Chesterfield, where the incident is said to have occurred.
Bearman and her husband, Michael, were patients of Magencey for about six years.
They sued earlier this week in St. Louis County Circuit Court, claiming that Magencey had seduced Melissa Bearman while she was in therapy. The suit charges incompetence, assault, battery, professional misconduct and exploitation of the therapist-patient relationship. The suit claims also that Magencey tried to turn the couple against each other.
The Bearmans say they paid Magencey more than $35,000.
Through their attorney, they declined to be interviewed. Magencey did not return a reporter's phone calls.
Authorities believe the complaint is the first of its type to reach the state level in Missouri. They said it was hard to track how many such incidents occur because they rarely are reported.
''There's no question that there is a lot going unreported,'' said Dr. Sidney Kasper, chairman of the ethics committee of the Missouri Psychological Association.
He said some patients had mixed feelings about reporting a therapist. They say they want to make sure no one else is victimized, but they don't want to expose him or her publicly.
''Unfortunately, in that case, there's nothing that can be done,'' Kasper said.
Therapy has few ground rules, but a ban on sexual contact is one of them, authorities said. Some states - but not Missouri - have explicit laws against it.
''Sex should never be part of a therapeutic relationship with a psychologist,'' said Dr. Dory Hollander, president of the state association. ''It's unethical, it's immoral and it's illegal.''
ANOTHER SEDUCTION SUIT FILED AGAINST
THERAPIST
By Andre Jackson
Louis Post-Dispatch - May 27, 1987
Section: NEWS Page: PAGE: 7A Edition: EDITION: FIVE STAR
A married couple from Macoupin County, Ill., filed suit Tuesday against a psychologist in west St. Louis County claiming that the therapist was sexually intimate with the woman.
The suit is the second filed this month against Mordecai Magencey that alleges unprofessional conduct with patients. The latest was filed in U.S. District Court at St. Louis.
The wife and husband charge in the suit that Magencey seduced the woman - identified only as J.E.B. - while she was undergoing psychotherapy and psychoanalysis from September 1985 to March 1987.
The suit claims that Magencey ''kissed, fondled, petted, hugged and caressed'' parts of the woman's body during therapy sessions. The suit accuses Magencey of using information elicited from the woman during therapy to seduce her.
It also accuses him of failing to keep records on the woman and of failing to test or evaluate her during the period when she was in therapy.
Magencey's actions caused the woman's emotional condition to deteriorate and strained her relationship with her husband, the suit says. Her husband - identified only as T.R.B. - is also claiming that Magencey's harmful actions cost him the ''support and love'' of his wife.
Reached at his office, Magencey declined to comment on the case. He does business as Behavioral Health Specialists in the Creve Coeur area.
Magencey's attorney, C. John Pleban, declined to comment Tuesday; he said he had yet to see a copy of the suit.
But Pleban said Magencey denies the allegations contained in a suit filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court earlier this month by a couple from West County.
That suit accuses Magencey of seducing Melissa Bearman and of trying to alienate her from her husband, Michael, who was also a patient of Magencey's.
Magencey is also facing sanctions at the state level. The Missouri attorney general's office has filed a complaint against him with the state Administrative Hearing Commission.
The state complaint alleges that Magencey violated state licensing laws by engaging in sex with Melissa Bearman in January and March of last year.
Magencey could be censured or stripped of his license to practice.
THIRD LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST
PSYCHOLOGIST
By Mary E. Chollet
St.Louis Post-Dispatch - July 26, 1987
Section: NEWS Page: PAGE: 1D Edition: EDITION: LATE FIVE STAR
A third area resident has filed suit against a psychologist in west St. Louis County, alleging that the psychologist took advantage of her sexually during therapy.
Trauma resulting from the therapy sessions broke up the woman's marriage, the suit says.
The woman filed the civil suit Thursday in St. Louis County Circuit Court against Mordecai Magencey, a licensed psychologist who does business in the Creve Coeur area as Behavioral Health Specialists.
The state of Missouri also has a complaint pending against Magencey and is seeking to take away his license. The complaint was filed by the attorney general's office on behalf of the state Committee of Psychologists. The complaint accuses Magencey of unethical sexual conduct with several patients.
The woman's suit is similar to two other suits filed in May by former patients of Magencey.
The latest suit says that the plaintiff was Magencey's patient from January 1980 through September 1985. She charges that Magencey kept no therapy records on her, did little or no diagnostic testing for her problems and did not treat her appropriately.
The suit accuses Magencey of assault and battery. The suit says he ''negligently exploited the knowledge, power and unique position'' of therapist in the plaintiff's life and ''manipulated'' the therapy sessions to kiss, fondle, pet, hug, caress and engage in sex with the plaintiff.
The suit says the experience cost the plaintiff her marriage and about $30,000 in medical bills. The suit seeks unspecified damages.
The suits in May were filed by two married couples. The first was filed in County Circuit Court by a husband and wife who both had been patients of Magencey. The second was filed in U.S. District Court by a couple from Macoupin County, Ill.
Both couples accuse Magencey of seducing the wives and straining the couples' marriages.
The state is charging that Magency took advantage sexually of four patients, including one of the plaintiffs who filed suit previously. The most recent plaintiff and the couple from Macoupin County are not among the patients cited in the complaint.
The state says one patient was an incest victim, whom Magencey is alleged to have seduced in April 1983. Another was a woman who had been in therapy with Magencey for 18 months, the state said.
Magencey ''informed this female client that kissing and 'light touching' between her and (him) during their treatment sessions would help her overcome her problems related with intimacy,'' the complaint says. Magencey then began sexual contact with the patient, the complaint says.
The complaint cites many state regulations and ethical standards barring exploitation, sexual harassment and sexual intimacy with patients.
The complaint says Magencey's conduct with the patients ''constitutes misconduct, unethical conduct and violates the professional trust and confidence that the client placed in him as a psychologist.''
A hearing on the complaint before the Administrative Hearing Commission is set for Aug. 12.
Magencey has declined to comment on the allegations. His attorney, C. John Pleban, said Friday that he was unaware of the latest suit. But he said Magencey ''denies the allegations and, when all is said and done, expects to be fully exonerated.''
Converstations with the State Licensing
Board for Psychologists in Missouri
From Pamela Groose - Executive Director
State Committee of Psychologist
P.O. Box 153
3605 Jefferson City, MO 65109
Date: June 30, 2003
I received your telephone message regarding Mordecai Magencey. I attempted to return your call but was not able to get through in your phone system. I did go to the web site for the awareness center. I was uncertain if you were directing me there for information regarding Magencey or just for informational purposes.
Whether or not he needs a license to teach at a university will depend upon what he is teaching, when hired, type of programs, etc. If you have that information I would appreicate you sharing it with my office as well as any information you might have.
Thank you,
Pamela Groose, Executive Director
State Committee of Psychologists (573) 751-0099
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Vicki Polin - Executive Director, The Awareness Center, Inc.
Tuesday, July 1, 2003
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Sorry about the probems with the phone system.
Below is some of the information we have on Rabbi Mordecai Magencey. From what we have learned we feel that Rabbi Mordecai Magencey may be in breach of the agreement with the Administrative Hearing Commission.
According to what we have found, the agreement "bans him from "any counseling, guidance, psychotherapy or act which falls within the definition of the term psychology. . .whether a license is required for such acts or not," the agreement says.
The Awareness Center feels that pastoral work at a nursing home and teaching a Psychology course may be a specific breach of this agreement.
You can find more infomration about him at: Case of Rabbi/Psychologist Mordecai Magencey http://www.theawarenesscenter.org/Magencey_Mordechai.html
http://www.wustl.edu/scripts/phone
name: Magencey, Mordecai
email: Unavilable
phone: (314) 878-2999
Address: Campus Box 1064
Department: University College - Inst and res
Title: Adjuct instructor
"University College Summer 2003 Class Schedule
http://www.webster.edu/depts/artsci/religion/staff.htm
UO9 100 31 Intro Psychology 3 cr Tues/Thurs 6p-8:45p Magencey
Webster University
Mordecai Magencey
Adjuct Faculty
Webster Groves Main Campus (WEBG)
314-968-7135
http://acadinfo.wustl.edu/ucollege/Course_Search.aspx
Mordecai Magencey recieved his Ph.D. in Social work and Psychology from Washington University in 1979 and his Rabbinic Ordination in 1968 from Yeshiva Kfar Chasidim, Israel. Mordy brings a unique combination of skills with people, communication, conseling and leaderhip to the department. As Rabbi at Covenant House Chapel, he works closely with his community. His passions include Mickey Mouse? you'll have to ask hinm about that one.
Webster University International Studies Courses Spring 2002 Core Courses
RELG 1060 01 02 03 08 World Religions (3)
03 Spring s -M-W-F-01:00p - 01:50 p WEBE WEBH 326 Magencey
08 Spring 2--T0000 05:30 p - 09:30p NRTH NRTH Magency
Concers origins, historical development of worship, ethics, theology, scriptures, and institutions of the world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, JUdaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Sincerely,
Vicki Polin, MA, LCPC
Executive Director - The Awareness Center, Inc.
Group Accuses Rabbi Of Violating Agreement Signed Following
Sex Abuse Case
KSDK TV (St. Louis, MO) - March 22, 2004
(KSDK) -- The Survivor's Network for Those Abused by Priests is calling on two local universities to suspend a rabbi who is teaching psychology and religion courses.
SNAP held a news conference at Washington University on Monday. The group says Rabbi Mordecai Magencey is teaching courses there and at Webster University. SNAP claims his role as teacher violates an agreement he signed in 1987 to give up his psychologists license.
At the time, he was accused of sexually abusing four adult women who came to him for counseling.
"His method of operation has been to focus on women who are hurting, who are vulnerable, who are in grief, who are in crisis, and to gradually blur the boundary and to gradually sexualize what was intended to be a relationship of trust and therapy," said David Clohessy of SNAP.
In a statement, officials at Washington University say Magencey is a part time, adjunct instructor at the university's University College, and he is currently teaching "Psychology and Religion" this semester.
The University says any issues concerning an agreement between Magency and the attorney general's office concerning the status of his license are matters that must be resolved between those two parties.
Webster University tells NewsChannel 5 Rabbi Mordecai Magencey is a part time instructor teaching two courses, and that the university has referred the allegations to the Missouri attorney general's office.
Our phone calls to the rabbi have not been returned.
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Last Updated: 04/22/2006
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