WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A Jewish leader in Poland says her community was deceived by a man who pretended to be an Orthodox Jew, wearing a beard and payots — curly sideburns in front of the ears — and leading prayers in Hebrew.

Alicja Kobus, leader of Poznan's Jewish community, said Thursday that the impostor was unmasked recently when people in his hometown saw him on television taking part in ecumenical observances with Catholic and Muslim religious leaders.

Kobus told The Associated Press he presented himself to the community as Yaakav Ben Nistell from Haifa, Israel. Polish media say his real name is Jacek Niszczota, a cook from Cichanow, a town in north-central Poland. He has vanished since being unmasked.

Kobus said he learned Hebrew and prayers listening to Israeli radio.