Elimelech Levy: Rabbi sentenced over Bondi road rage incident

An eastern suburbs rabbi ripped off a driver’s windscreen wiper and dented his bonnet. But his “brain explosion” didn’t end there as it’s revealed what caused the road rage.

Elimelech Levy leaving court. Picture: Monique Harmer

A well-respected rabbi from Sydney’s eastern suburbs has landed in court for a “brain explosion” which saw him lash out over a parking dispute.

Elimelech Levy, 36, from Bondi, appeared in Waverley Local Court on Tuesday for smashing up another man’s vehicle.

The court heard the victim stole a parking space Levy wanted in Bondi Junction during the morning of October 13. The pair had a short conversation before the victim, Richard Georgeson, left.

The agreed facts stated Levy then ripped off the victim’s windscreen wiper and used it to dent the bonnet and crack the victim’s windscreen.

The agreed facts stated he also broke off a side mirror and booted it down the street.

“It is a one-off brain explosion and he has regretted it ever since,” his lawyer told the court.

He was sentenced at Waverley Local Court.

“It is an act that has happened completely out of character and involved particular pressure he was under.”

Levy drove off but did a lap of the block and returned to the scene, after realising what he had done. He left a note for the victim with his details.

Levy was later charged and pleaded guilty to one count of recklessly destroy or damage property on Tuesday.

The agreed facts stated Levy has been a rabbi for 14 years and he makes a large contribution to the community, including by serving as a chaplain and running youth and holiday programs.

The court heard he was well respected and was considered a peaceful man rather than someone who became angry, according to his references.

Magistrate Ross Hudson did not convict him but placed him on a conditional release order for 18 months.

That means he must be of good behaviour for that period or he could be resentenced to a more serious penalty.

He was also ordered to pay compensation of $3421.

The victim was initially asking for over $5000 in compensation but that amount was reduced after the court heard the quote to fix his vehicle included work not related to the damage caused by Levy.

Levy, who has a wife and children, has no other criminal record.