Chabad Continues To Harass Sex Abuse Victim's Family

Manny Waks was allegedly sexually abused as a child by an employee of Chabad's Yeshivah Centre in Melbourne. He's one of a dozen alleged victims of David Cyprys, a Chabad follower with a known record of pedophilia who was allowed to work as Yeshivah Centre's security head and as a martial arts teacher, even though Chabad knew he had previous sexually abused a child. As the Cyprys case winds its way through the legal system, Chabad has tried to obstruct justice. And it has also harassed anyone supporting the alleged victims. And despite conditional claims that it was sorry for what "may" have happened, 'if' it happened, that harassment and abuse continues.

This is a relatively minor example compared to physical threats and threats of excommunication, both of which have happened to victims' advocates or family members previously. But it shows how unrepentant Chabad really is.

Manny Waks writes:

In response to today’s birth of a grandson to my father, the Yeshivah Centre has now clearly demonstrated that nothing at all has changed. The discrimination, intimidation and harassment has continued.

My father has just had the most unpleasant conversation with the head of the Yeshivah Centre (YC) Shule (Synagogue) Committee, Mr Herschl Herbst (HH).

Knowing that his daughter was going to give birth around this time, over a week ago my father initiated correspondence with HH about the YC policy regarding Aliyot (the ritual honour of getting called up to the Torah on the Sabbath) for the birth of grandchildren in the synagogue. My father (and anyone else who goes to the YC) knew what the custom is: Aliyot are always given on these occasions, even though it is not obligatory (rather it is a custom). However, after what happened on my father’s birthday, where the custom is exactly the same and he did not get an Aliyah, he wanted to clarify in good time what will transpire in this instance. Two days ago, my father received an email response that “it’s at the discretion of the Gabbai (the person who assists in the running of a synagogue)”.

Today, after his grandson was born, my father called HH and asked him who the Gabbai was so he could enquire whether he’ll indeed receive an Aliyah. HH said there is no Gabbai at the moment at the YC. My father then tried to understand why he received a response from HH stating that it’s at the discretion of the Gabbai if no such person even existed. After my father persisted in trying to find out if he will get an Aliyah on the Sabbath, after much obfuscation, HH finally clearly and unequivocally divulged the true reason: My father will most probably not get an Aliyah this Sabbath because his perceived actions in relation to certain unspecified matters, have polarised the YC community, and some unspecified people within the YC will feel uncomfortable if he gets an Aliyah when he does not have an obligation to receive one (as it’s only customary in this case).

So all other members of the YC community are eligible to receive an Aliyah under such circumstances....except for my father! Is that not discrimination, intimidation or harassment?

I would like to emphasise that throughout this process over the past year (since this Yeshivah child sexual abuse scandal became public) my father has acted in accordance with Rabbinical direction (i.e. he sought Rabbinical advice for all his actions, which is standard practice within the ultra-Orthodox community). So while there may be “faceless” individuals who may feel "uncomfortable" with what he is doing (i.e. supporting his son who was sexually abused due to this institution’s inactions, facilitation etc.), there is no legitimate reason for them to have any grievances as he has maintained strict adherence to their processes – and of course, being that they are anonymous, he anyway can’t speak to anyone to determine their issues. HH had no answer as to how my father can remedy the situation.

Many of us remember what transpired last time – despite it being customary to receive an Aliyah for a birthday, my father was refused one on his, due to what the YC Rabbi Telsner told J-Wire: “To give Mr Waks an Aliyah was not deemed appropriate.” No explanation, no opportunity to appeal the decision. Nothing. Just a decision by the YC leadership that my father should be the only person from the YC excluded from receiving such an Aliyah (although he did receive one when it was obligatory due to his father’s Yahrzeit (annual commemoration)).

Whether or not it is only a custom and not obligatory, the fact is that my father has been singled out for this treatment. This is what I call discrimination, intimidation and harassment!

On the positive side, next week’s Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) will be followed by Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. It would seem to me that the YC leadership has much to ask forgiveness for!

My father is willing to go to a Din Torah (a Religious Court, which is customary within the ultra-Orthodox community) with the Gabbai or any other YC representative about this. In previous cases, YC has consistently refused to go to a Din Torah when offered in the past (he has this in writing).

Shame on you Yeshivah Centre!

Comments

[MenAtWork]

Still more evidence as to the dangers of living upside down.

[Jake]

Talking about the refusal of Yeshiva Centre to attend Beis Din,
what is the latest in the Engel case ? Hasnt their deadline to respond to Beis Din expired ?

[R. Wisler]

Oh, just go to a different synagogue! Who gives a damn?

[Korbendallas72]

The Lubavitcher rebbe is an idol and a pig.

[aussie echo]

Manny, you are SO clever, so why don't you advise your father to go elsewhere for an aliyah.

Why shame him before the whole world as a persona non grata.

It is obvious that the powers that be at the YC have enough material on your father to ban him for life. Why create more shame forcing them to reveal everything.

While you personally seem to have no shame or embarrassment about anything in your life, maybe your father (and siblings) does.

Butt out of all this. You have a brother who is a 'rabbi' (or whatever) in Auburn Take your father there for an aliya. It may be too far for him to walk but seeing that you are a mechalel shabbos anyway you could open and close your car door and drive him there.(There are some advantages in having your own shabbos goy in the family.) All the other people in that shul drive there anyway.

Wishing you and your family and klall yisrael a kesiva vechasima tova

[Sarek]

The more this goes on, the less I am offended. Why oh why do the victims' families stay with this sect? There are 100 sects to choose from (some sane, some nutty), so why do you remain loyal to the one that keeps screwing you over (figuratively and literally)?

[Bruce J Cooke]

If it was left to aussie echo & others of his ilk we would never confront injustice.By not confronting injustice & indeed discouraging others from doing so you are even worse than the offender.Offenders exist because there are aussie echoes.

[chabad is an evil sect]

chabad is an evil sect . its money hungry
blood sucker 'rabbis', its members , everything .

stay away from chabad , if you do not want to get hurt .

go to : chabad mafia.com , and read .

the public needs to be educated and be aware of what chabad really is .

[shosh]

there are many places within several blocks walk that he can go get an aliya if he that was his sole desire.

[Eli, what me messiah?]

aussie echo, Sarek, and shosh all sound pretty sock-puppety to me...
why on earch should Papa Waks move to a different synagogue? he isn't the one who committed a wrong. let the offenders move someplace where they can dole out aliyas only to those who cower under their presence.

[sheree]

to all you pathetic apologists for paedophilia and institutional cover-up, YOU are the ones who should be ashamed, not the victims or their families or supporters, who are taking a strong stand on this issue so other children (including YOURS and your relatives) don't have to suffer the trauma of sexual abuse in the future!

[Emanuel Newgant]

Manny wrote the following on his Facebook page, which addresses some of the comments here:

(As to why his father continues at yeshiva) "Besides from the practical side of things (he lives across the road from Yeshivah), it has been his synagogue for around 30 years. Why should he leave? It's his shule! In many ways, it would be a whole lot simpler for him to just get up and leave. But once they finish chasing him out, who will they go after next? I commend him for standing firm and confronting these bullies! What happened to all the texts that I was taught at the Yeshivah Centre: 'Al tadun et chavairecha ad sh'e tagia limkomo' ('don’t judge another person till you find yourself in his place'), 'hevei don es kol hodoom lecaf z'chus' ('judge everyone meritoriously'), 've'ahavta lere'acha kamocha' ('love thy neighbour as yourself'). Perhaps I just have my priorities all wrong....or perhaps they are just being hypocritical? "

[lionroars]

the herzog family is strangly silent as they dont want to lose the singles son ( the only sogle shliach in chabad ) strange story so they refuse to be inolved with this case even though waks asked them too

[truth]

When will Manny realize that his continued public bashing of the Yeshivah is not helping his father's cause.

Manny himself writes: "will most probably not get an Aliyah". HH NEVER said for certain that he will not get one, just that he probably will not get one.

Instead of using brains and trying to quietly find a resolution to this problem by approaching the correct people etc. Manny splashes this across the world.

If this was worked on quietly, Mr Waks would most probably get an aliya this shabbos. Especially that the Rabbi is out of town, and that there are people in the shul who would work quietly to get this resolved. Now - who knows.

But one thing is clear: If Mr Waks gets an aliya, good luck to him. BUT if he does not, then it is ALSO Manny's fault! (for stirring up more trouble even before shabbos)

This happened before also - when Manny claimed that his father wouldn't receive an aliya for the yartzeit, and when DW commented that he had spoken to Rabbi Telsner and that he would indeed receive an aliya for his birthday, he was accused by manny and his father for lying and misrepresenting the truth. What did he in fact do; he reported what Rabbi Telsner had told him. And he was in fact right!!!

[Aussie]

go to : chabad mafia.com , and read .

Posted by: chabad is an evil sect | September 13, 2012 at 02:26 PM

I seen web sites like this b4....Usually it's gay skinheads who write such stuff about Jews, Blacks and Asians....

My guess is that this habad mafia site is also being pimped by a gay skinhead...

[just dont get it]

what

[just dont get it]

never paid school fees,changed shuls 3 times after being kicked out of each shul
threw his dear son manny out onto the street at 14 years old
has a son who stabbed ,almost to death a friend in yeshivah
protested against the school building
is a prick
its not yeshivah that needs fixing
we would all be so much better off if those mixed raced mongrels never came and leeched off us like the filthy parasites they are

[aussie echo]

Manny wrote the following on his Facebook page:

(As to why his father continues at yeshiva) "Besides from the practical side of things (he lives across the road from Yeshivah), it has been his synagogue for around 30 years. Why should he leave?
>>>

Can Manny also disclose how much his dad has contributed to Yeshiva in those 30 years? Incl towards his kids tuition fees?

>> It's his shule!
No it's not! Normal people don't piss inside their own tent.

>>>But once they finish chasing him out, who will they go after next?

That is really none of his concern or business. Let him worry about matters closer to home.

>>What happened to all the texts that I was taught at the Yeshivah Centre: 'Al tadun et chavairecha ad sh'e tagia limkomo' ('don’t judge another person till you find yourself in his place'), 'hevei don es kol hodoom lecaf z'chus' ('judge everyone meritoriously'), 've'ahavta lere'acha kamocha' ('love thy neighbour as yourself').

Manny you despicable hypocrite. What happened to the texts you were taught re descratring the Shabbos? Re putting on Tefilin? Re eating Kosher? Re Mesira? Re a teeny weeny bit of appreciation to an organisation that has educated and supported you and your 16 siblings? An organisation that obviously was good enough for your dad - despite hearing about your abuse there?

>> Perhaps I just have my priorities all wrong....or perhaps they are just being hypocritical? "

Or perhaps you are simply a not a very nice person who always sided with the yetzer hara against the Torah and against Torah observers.

[David]

Posted by: aussie echo | September 14, 2012 at 02:07 AM

I love your Ahavat Yisrael. Charming!

And do tell: Are pedophiles Torah observers or not (not discussing current cases which have not been to trial but a general question)?

[David]

>>What happened to all the texts that I was taught at the Yeshivah Centre: 'Al tadun et chavairecha ad sh'e tagia limkomo' ('don’t judge another person till you find yourself in his place'), 'hevei don es kol hodoom lecaf z'chus' ('judge everyone meritoriously'), 've'ahavta lere'acha kamocha' ('love thy neighbour as yourself').

Manny you despicable hypocrite. What happened to the texts you were taught re descratring the Shabbos? Re putting on Tefilin? Re eating Kosher?

Posted by: aussie echo | September 14, 2012 at 02:07 AM

Funny, I always thought sins against man were far more serious than sins against
G-d.

[Pauline]

Why would anybody want to continue to belong to an organisation that treats people in the way that Manny and his father have been treated? Who would want to sully their own being by belonging to and being part of a group like that? Remember - we become like the company we keep.

My advice is for Manny's father to leave while he is himself still whole and good. Leave this particular group of frum people to their own hypocritical machinations and manipulations. After 30 years there will be sadness and disappointment, but surely relief at not needing to associate any more with immoral people who delude themselves into thinking that they are holier than thou. These kinds of people do not feel remorse for what they do, and they will never change because they are incapable of the critical self-reflection that must precede real change. I wouldn't want to have anything at all to do with them.

[There are lot's of stories I could tell]

@just don't get it

You really crossed the line with the final two sentences of your last post. I think they are the most disgusting comments I have ever read on this site. You should be really ashamed of yourself. When did you join the Nazi Party!

[Zephaniah Waks]

Thanx to those who have defended our family against unbelievably malicious & untrue comments, on this post & others. I have never answered since nothing would satisfy these scum, & I will continue this policy. On a brighter note: Thank G-d I got an aliyah (called up to the torah in the the synagogue) today. Peace is breaking out! Full story will follow in the next few hours, preferably via a joint statement with Yeshivah Shul (Synagogue).

[Aussie]

@just don't get it

You really crossed the line with the final two sentences of your last post. I think they are the most disgusting comments I have ever read on this site. You should be really ashamed of yourself. When did you join the Nazi Party!

Posted by: There are lot's of stories I could tell | September 15, 2012 at 02:12 AM

Well said....Shmarya should ban these gay skinheads from posting here...

[unfathomable]

I have one thing to say to ZW.
So you got your aliya. Now gey kucken!!!
I agree with Pauline.

[Emanuel Newgant]

@unfathomable

“I agree with Pauline”. I don’t think so. You sound more like a another YC malicious moronic troll with your “gey kucken”.

[BeenThereDoneThat]

This kind of behaviour is a chillul hashem from both sides.

We should take our example from moishe rabeinu.

What would he have done on both sides of this situation?

I dare say he would have been more modest and unassuming.

Washing dirty laundry in public is just bad publicity.

I support Manny, as he is a victim, as i support all victims, but the circus going on around these circumstances is unacceptable.

The perp/s (I am talking about the alleged pedos) will get their days in court, and may they get what they deserve.

[unfathomable]

@Emanuel Newgant
You have no idea what your talking or posting about. "Gey kucken" is a jewish term used by people from all walks of life, not just YC.
The fact is that ZW is the real troll and moron who keeps on harping about his aliya.
I still agree with Pauline. Go Pauline!!!
And you, Emanuel Newgant can gey kucken too.. together with ZW if you wish.

[Pauline]

"Washing dirty laundry in public is just bad publicity."

So what matters, according to been there done that, is how things seem, how things look, to the public. I would have thought that what really matters to decent, honourable human beings, as well as to Hashem, is how things really are - i.e. what the truth is. We are implored in the Torah to pursue Justice, not to cover up the truth.

Truth, together with Justice, is an ultimate moral value, and if telling the truth results in "bad publicity", then so be it. It's morally much better to know the truth than to be deceived into thinking that things are "just fine". Seeking and getting the truth is morally preferable to sweeping the truth under the carpet, out of sight.

Been there done that needs to get his/her moral priorities right.

[Zephaniah Waks]

Unfortunately I was mistaken. After being told “you probably won’t get an aliya”, ultimately I got one, but nothing else has changed. There is now a new set of complaints against me, coming out of nowhere, never mentioned before, probably to deflect from the pedophilia issue. I have requested to go with YC Shul (Synagogue), amicably & by agreement, to a Rabbi, or a series of Rabbis (zablo), or a Jewish Court (Bes Din) to rule on these complaints which are bothering YC, in a way that will be binding on both parties. HH just wants me to do what they want (which is yet to be explained to me), or we will have the same problem again.

I believe the only reason I received the aliya yesterday was because of the overwhelming internet coverage this matter received, which made YC uncomfortable (the word “shame” was liberally used about them).

A good, sweet New Year to all.

[BeenThereDoneThat]

Pauline, there is a middle ground which minimises anti-semitism.

By all means it needs to be dealt with, but in the proper way.

[Pauline]

Dear been there done that

What you have written demonstrates how little you know about anti-Semitism.

Anti-Semitism is not rational, it is not based on anything that Jews do or say, as is evidenced by the presence of anti-Semitism in countries in which no Jews live. "Za Shtill" will get Jews nowhere as far as anti-Semitism is concerned.

Anti-Semitism is an ideology with much political potency and nothing that we do or don't do is going to make the slightest difference - except perhaps by showing the world that we are good, decent people, with a religion and a culture that is of great value.

This is something in which the Yeshiva's behaviour regarding the Waks and the pedophilia issue has miserably failed. Instead of emphasising the positive aspects of Judaism as a caring, loving religion, it has emphasised exactly the opposite.

[BeenThereDoneThat]

Wow, you sound like an expert.

Tell you what, I shall agree with you if it will make you happy.

[aussie echo]

Zephania, you got that aliyah that you have been whining about and you're STILL NOT HAPPY!

You'd be better off taking your 10 sons which inclkude a few 'rabbis' (as I understand) and make your own minyan somewhere. This way you can have an aliyah every day, in fact 2 or 3 aliyos. That should make up for all those missed birthday aliyos.

[Pauline]

Aussie echo - Is the content and tone of these remarks you have made to Zephania the outcome of an education provided by a Jewish institution priding itself on inculcating into its students a caring, loving attitude and response to other human beings?

[Double Helix]

ZW to you always accept a Rabbi's ruling? Even if it went against you?

[aussie echo]

Pauline, my remarks reflect the views of the vast majority of people who know the YC and know the Waks family - pre and post the abuse publicity.

I am not a Chabadnik but know enough of what is happening here to state that despite the errors that were made over the years, the YC has for decades been one of - if not- the most beneficial organisations/communities for the entire Jewish population of this city.

Despite the hatred and abuse poured over them, they continue to do remarkable work in both the social and religious spheres.

Therefore it upsets me when the father and son tag team (who seem to be ingrates of the worst order) continually bash, incite, whinge and complain about everyone and everything in the Yeshiva.

And I repeat, you don't like it, get out! Is anyone holding you back? You will never ever again have any respect in that community (and dare I say most others) after your apppaling behaviour.

So why not say 'good-bye'?

[Pauline]

Aussie echo-

I take exception to your reliance on what the “vast majority of people think”. This does not reflect either the truth or the morality of what they think. If the “vast majority of anti-Semites” believe certain outrageous things about Jews, does that make what they believe right - morally right or in fact right?

I have no doubt that the YC has done wonderful things over many years for the Jewish community, both socially and religiously. But the good that has been done, and that continues to be done, by a particular institution, cannot rationally or morally be used to excuse the abhorrent mistreatment it has dished out to several of its members, or be used as an excuse to shut down legitimate criticism.

Perhaps you can answer some questions to put this into perspective:

1. Was anything ever done to help Manny Waks when he was bullied at school by certain students because he had admitted to them that he had been the victim of a paedophile who worked at the school? Any school worth its salt notices that a particular student is being bullied. If it does not notice, or looks the other way, it is seriously failing to protect the mental well-being of the student being bullied. Did the Yeshiva do anything to put a stop to the bullying?

2. Did the Yeshiva notice the warning signs early on regarding one of the paedophiles and his activities. If it did not notice, why didn't it? This is one of a school's most important duties of care – to be aware of what is going on in its own school. My understanding is that nothing was done, and that the paedophile was unrestricted in his access to the children.

3. Once the school became aware of what had been done to Manny Waks, what counselling was offered to him? A child to whom this has happened is severely traumatised, and the trauma can last a life-time, especially if nothing is done by way of supportive counselling.

4. Has the Waks family, or Manny himself, ever received a personal apology for what happened at this school and for the way in which it was handled by the school? Not just “the College expresses its sympathy to those who may have been affected in any way”, but a personal apology for the suffering and grief that was hoisted onto this family.

5. Why was a known paedophile allowed to continue to work at Yeshiva, putting more children at risk of abuse?

6. Why was Zephaniah Waks told that receiving an Aliyah on the birth of his grandchild was “at the discretion of the Gabbai ”, when in fact there was no Gabbai at the Yeshiva? With-holding information from a person when a person seeks it is tantamount to lying to that person.

7. Instead of telling Zephaniah Waks that it was unlikely he would be receiving an Aliyah, would it not instead have been a kindness to him to give him one (even though at a later date he did in fact receive one.) Why was it necessary to cause another person anguish and upset by telling him this initially? Because some members would feel “uncomfortable” if he received an Aliyah? Is it a good moral reason to behave unkindly to a particular person because someone else will feel uncomfortable about the kindness being done?

8. Why has YC refused to go to a Din Torah about this matter? That they have something to hide is the only conclusion one can reach.

It would seem that both Zephaniah Waks and his son Manny have been seriously mistreated by YC. In Judaism it is much worse to commit an offence against another person than it is to sin against Hashem.

One wonders who you think the culprit is in this matter – the perpetrator of the crime, or Manny Waks and his father who are obvious victims. Blaming the victim is an easy fall-back position when dealing with the fall-out of one's own behaviour is difficult.

The Torah implores us to pursue Justice. So I suggest that you should stop telling Zephaniah Waks that he should leave YC. As a matter of Justice, he should not be hounded or forced out by the harassment and lies on the part of YC. You would be better advised, from an Halachic standpoint, to engage with the genuine grievances of this family and with all that they have suffered and continue to suffer right now.

[Pauline]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/jewish-victim-told-of-grave-sin-of-reporting-sex-crimes-to-police/story-e6frf7kx-1226516243856

These criminal acts (those of the perpetrators and those of the people who covered up the abuses)should be dealt with by the full force of the law.

[Shmarya]

Posted by: Pauline | November 13, 2012 at 08:19 PM

You just linked to the same article posted above.

[Pauline]

The link is to an article published today in the press. Can't find the same link posted on this site before today. Last post was September 20th 2012.

[Shmarya]

The link is to an article published today in the press. Can't find the same link posted on this site before today. Last post was September 20th 2012.

Posted by: Pauline | November 13, 2012 at 10:22 PM

???

Try looking further up on this page.

[Pauline]

Have looked. If the posts are in chronological order, how is this possible? On what date was the same link posted?

[Shmarya]

I don't follow you at all. This post that you've commented on was posted early Tuesday US time. It contains the article you linked to many hours later. It was able to do that because that article was published many hours before you posted the link.

[Pauline]

I don't follow what you are referring to. The posts on this site go from September 20th to November 13th., which is the date on which I posted. there is nothing inbetween. Where is the post you are referring to? On what date was it posted?

[Shmarya]

Posted by: Pauline | November 13, 2012 at 11:33 PM

I'll try this one more time. If you can't follow it, ask for help from a friend.

The article you linked to is the S-A-M-E article I posted above. You can read both and see that.

What you write about dates, etc., makes no sense at all, and if you seriously meant any of it, you need to talk to your physician.

[Pauline]

You could perhaps have politely identified yourself as the publisher of this site and made clear very quickly where the link was posted (i.e. not where guests to the site leave comments and links). Instead, you chose to be rude. You are, after all, a rational chooser.