Today, President Carmen Twillie Ambar sent out an email alerting students that Rabbi Scott (Shlomo) Elkan, co-director of Oberlin’s chapter of Chabad, has been “banned from campus, from attending college events, and from representing himself as connected to Oberlin College in any way.” President Ambar’s email states that “in [an Oberlin Police Department] report, Elkan admits to egregious actions in his personal life—including engaging in online sexual conversations concerning children and objectionable behavior.”
Ambar said in the statement to the community that the College was first made aware of the matter when the Oberlin Police Department reached out “as part of an ongoing investigation.” The College proceeded to file a public-records request and received the report on March 5.
No criminal charges have been filed against Elkan at this time.
Ambar reported that is the first time the College has heard concerns of this nature raised about Elkan. The College has reached out to a third party to look into whether members of Oberlin’s campus have been affected through an inquiry and campus climate assessment.
The Review reached out to the Oberlin Police Department and received a report number; however, the report has apparently not been cleared for release to the press.
During his time at Oberlin, Elkan was heavily involved in Jewish life on campus. Elkan co-founded Chabad-Lubavitch at Oberlin in 2010, hosted students at his home for many Jewish High Holidays, as well as Shabbat most Fridays, and often stood in Wilder Bowl encouraging Jewish students to perform mitzvahs.
Rabbi Allison B. Vann will be taking over many of Elkan’s responsibilities for the remainder of the semester. Vann has been previously involved with the Oberlin community, most recently leading High Holy Day services in 2025.
“As abrupt and difficult as these measures will be — especially for those who sought spiritual leadership and guidance from Elkan — the seriousness of this matter requires clear and swift action,” Ambar wrote. “… I can appreciate that receiving this message will engender a range of emotions: disbelief, sadness, concern, frustration, and many sentiments in between. I am experiencing this range of emotions myself, but they are tempered because I have been a part of this community for many years, and I can speak directly to our resilience. Be assured that the strength of our community will endure, and I look forward to the day when our current emotions are replaced by trust, joy, reassurance, and peace.”
College fourth-year Natalie Frank, who has been heavily involved in Chabad during her time at Oberlin, said she was stunned by the news.
“I feel so shocked and appalled, and I know a lot of my friends do too,” Frank said. “I’ve been going to Chabad since I was a first year, and it has been a place of welcoming and unity and a huge support system for a lot of people, a place that accepts people regardless of their religion or gender identity…. I also feel betrayed that this knowledge was kept from us for so long.”
