Professor facing charges of sexual abuse, harassment and forcible touching of his patient is now set to teach ‘legal and ethical’ class

Menachem “Mendy” Kiwak, an adjunct professor at Touro University who is facing charges of sexual abuse, harassment, and forcible touching, is controversially set to return to the classroom next month to teach a course on ethics.

Kiwak, who pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him in May, was still listed as the instructor for two fall courses on “Professional, Legal & Ethical Issues in Counseling” — one online and one at an unspecified offsite location — as per the university’s online schedule.

“It’s a complete outrage,” a fellow professor at Touro commented, expressing disbelief that Kiwak would be allowed to continue teaching given the serious nature of the charges against him.

Despite the allegations, Kiwak was allowed to complete the previous academic year.

The decision to keep him on staff has raised concerns among faculty, with one professor, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggesting that Kiwak’s position at the university is safeguarded by his mother-in-law, Faye Walkenfeld, who chairs the behavioral sciences department where Kiwak works.

The professor speculated, “If his mother-in-law weren’t such an influential figure at the college, he likely would have been dismissed by now.”

Prior to Kiwak’s arrest, the accuser’s advocate informed Walkenfeld of the allegations, as well as complaints from female students that Kiwak used inappropriate sexual language, profanity and discussed pornography in class.

He allegedly even argued that marital rape does not exist.

The sexual abuse allegations stem from Kiwak’s work as a private counselor, where a woman who had been sexually assaulted, sought his help. She claims that Kiwak coerced her into having sex with him multiple times. A recording obtained by The Post also reportedly revealed Kiwak apologizing to the woman and her husband, acknowledging that he had taken advantage of her.

“I’m sorry that I took advantage and that I’ve hurt you,” Kiwak is heard saying. “I know you’re angry and that you’re pissed at me. But I promise you, it’s the worst I’ve ever fallen in my life.”

A Touro University spokesperson, Jordan Isenstadt stated that Kiwak “is not scheduled to work this semester” and remains on “administrative leave.” However, as of late Friday, Kiwak was still listed as the instructor for the online course, with 19 students already registered.

When asked to clarify whether Kiwak would be teaching in the upcoming semester, Isenstadt did not respond. Kiwak’s attorney also declined to comment on the situation.

Kiwak holds a mental health counseling license in New York and a professional counselor license as a marriage and family therapist in New Jersey.

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The victim has filed a complaint with the New York State Office of Professional Discipline, which is responsible for investigating sexual misconduct allegations. If found that Kiwak acted inappropriately, his license could be revoked.