Former Brandeis English teacher accused of sexual abuse

Jewish Day School in Lawrence is being sued for negligence

Posted

An Atlantic Beach resident who formerly taught Engish at The Brandeis School in Lawrence has been accused of sexually abusing a student for five years beginning when he was just 13, according to a court petition filed on Feb. 24.

According to the petition filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Jane Shaul, 62, allegedly groomed the pupil and gave him alcohol and marijuana so she could eventually have sex with him.

The former student is requesting that a Manhattan Supreme Court judge permit him to anonymously file a lawsuit. The New York’s Child Victims Act allows victims of childhood sexual abuse to bring older claims forward. The yearlong window began last August. Brandeis is being sued for negligence.

“Unfortunately, due to the traumatic nature of the crimes, child sexual abuse frequently goes unreported within the statutory period,” said attorney Josh Silber, who is representing the plaintiff. “Thankfully, this law gave a voice to those that were silenced not only by the trauma of being abused as a child, but by a legal system that didn’t recognize a pathway for them to bring their claims before the law was changed.”

The student, now in his 30s, is identified as JAS#1 DOE in the court papers, claims that Shaul showered him with “special treatment,” which included rides to and from the Jewish Day School beginning in 1999, taking him to lunch and R-rated movies, according to the court papers.

“Enticing messages and phone calls” were allegedly sent by Shaul to the boy. He then tried to separate himself from her, however, according to court papers “she became insistent.” “The sexual abuse escalated to fondling, oral sex … and eventually vaginal intercourse,” and continued until he was 18. The alleged abuse was also done at school functions and off campus, including an eighth-grade school trip, according to court papers.

Brandeis officials did not immediately return a call for comment. The Herald was not able to contact Shaul.