Chabad Continues To Shun Abuse Victim's Family

Zephania Waks, the father of the lead victim in the Chabad child sexual abuse scandal in Melbourne, Australia, was denied a customary aliya today by the Yeshivah Centre's synagogue.

Zephania Waks was not what is classically referred to in halakha as a hiyyuv, someone who is obligated to seek out and be given an aliya due to a life cycle event or a death. But the custom in Chabad of Melbourne is to give aliyot to grandparents on the birth of their grandchildren, which in halakha means that unless the other aliyot were filled by actual halakhic hiyyuvim, Waks had to be given an aliyah.

But, in what has become Chabad's trademark, Waks was not so honored.

The Australian anti-child-sexual-abuse organization Tzedek writes:

Some of you would be aware of the birth of a grand-daughter over the weekend to Zephaniah Waks, father of Tzedek President Manny Waks. As is customary within the Chabad Yeshivah community, members of that community receive a ritual honour by receiving an Aliyah (when one is called up to the Torah). As many of you would know, Zephaniah Waks has been denied this honour in the past since he has taken a public position in support of his son Manny who came out publicly in July 2011 that he was a dual victim of child sexual abuse within the Yeshivah community. As Rabbi Telsner, the Yeshivah rabbi, has previously stated publicly “To give Mr Waks an Aliyah was not deemed appropriate”.

So yesterday morning (on the Sabbath), when Mr Waks approached Mr Herschel Herbst, the Yeshivah Synagogue Committee Head, to inform him that “I had another granddaughter born last night”, Mr Herbst’s response was “I’m not interested”. Once again Yeshivah has denied Mr Waks the opportunity to receive this ritual honour, which is afforded to everyone else within the Yeshivah community (Mr Waks ultimately had to make his own arrangements later in the day to receive this ritual honour).

While this incident may be surprising to those who have not heard about this in the past, to the rest of us it is simply consistent with the attitude and actions of the Yeshivah leadership since the child sexual abuse scandal became public in July 2011. In his own words, Mr Waks has “been the subject of innuendo, lies, vilification, victimisation and discrimination by some of the leadership of the Yeshivah Centre (and many members)”. Mr Waks has tried speaking to the Yeshivah leadership directly and through intermediaries and has been consistently refused a hearing. He has tried going to a Jewish Court, which Yeshivah also refused. Finally, with no other redress possible, Mr Waks was given permission in Jewish Law to go to the secular courts, and the internationally well-respected Rabbi Yosef Blau from Yeshivah University (who sits on the Tzedek Board of Advisors) has explicitly endorsed this course of action. So there is currently an investigation by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission into Yeshivah’s actions (http://www.theage.com.au/national/yeshivah-probe-broadens-20130328-2gxfg.html).

On the face of it perhaps it is understandable to some that Yeshivah would not want to give this ritual honour to a long-standing member who has initiated action against them and therefore their action yesterday is somewhat acceptable. But for this ultra-Orthodox community that perceives itself as “a light unto the nations” and one of the most egregious transgressions within Jewish Law is to act out in revenge, this would merely seem as yet another hypocritical action by this community (as it was a leadership decision sadly the entire community is implicated in this – despite the fact that many would disagree with Yeshivah’s attitude and behaviour). The Yeshivah’s immoral and irreligious behaviour is once again there for everyone to see.

We commend the actions of Mr Waks in standing up to the bullies – despite the personal costs to himself and his family. The much easier option would have been to succumb to the ongoing harassment and intimidation and to leave the Yeshivah Centre, his community of almost three decades.

“Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof” – “Justice you shall pursue”.

Enough! No more silence.

 

Related articles

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Child Sexual Abuse Victim's Father's Harassment Complaint Against Chabad To Be Heard By Gov't

Wife Of Senior Chabad Rabbi Calls Victim Of Child Sex Abuse And His Family, "Massers," "Informers"

Child Sex Abuse Victim's Father Files Complaint With Human Rights Commission Over Chabad Intimidation, Harassment And Shunning

Chabad Continues To Shun Abuse Survivor's Father; Parliament Testimony On Chabad Sex Abuse Released

Chabad Child Sex Abuse Scandal Speards To Sydney

Chabad's Sydney Branch Issues Statement On Child Sex Abuse After Police Reportedly Open Investigation

Survivors Outraged Over Holocaust Remarks Made By Chabad's Rabbi Manis Friedman

Comments

[abc]

Seems he is a glutton for punishment! Why the heck would anyone continue to daven in a shul that disrespects him?

Like father, like son, both like the attention.

[Bob Guthrie]

Vindictive, yet petty. All signs and deeds of going against the tenants of G*d himself.

But, hey, Haredim Pedophiles and their excusers/apologists are not very kin/knowledgeable in basic Human kindness and interaction.

"Rabbi Telsner, the Yeshivah rabbi, has previously stated publicly 'To give Mr Waks an Aliyah was not deemed appropriate'."

(Bitter, party of one. Would you like some cheese with your whine?).

Hmm, if he had molested a kid, then him and his granddaughter would been carried on the rebbeh's shoulders to the ceremony. =/

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: abc
"Why the heck would anyone continue to daven in a shul that disrespects him?."

Gee, skippy, could it be it was/is his shul for many years?. Don't blame him for trying to attend, blame the מניאק rebbeh that prevents him to partake of what the shul should offer to all Jews with no fear of retribution.

"Like father, like son, both like the attention."

Yes, because pedophile molested children are just in it for the limelight, you terminal putz.

Thank you for providing nothing to the discussion.

[BeenThereDoneThat]

Here's why:

''It would have been much easier to heed the advice of some and to simply leave that synagogue. But why should he? He's been a member there for almost 30 years and has done absolutely nothing wrong. Also, if he would simply walk away, it would provide legitimacy for these bullies,'' he said.

[Rebitzman]

When someone is shomer Shabbes, changing Shuls isn't all that easy. Granted, Melbourne has about 13 othe Shuls ....... But not sure how many f those Shuls are Orthodox and within walking distance.

Practical issues aside, as pointed out - he has been a member of the shul 30 years and has undoubtably seen leadership come and go. In the end, the shul is the people, and obviously he still feels part of them. As to the leadership - wind is blowing away from them. 2 years tops, Rabbi Telsner will be gone, his a key will be as well.......Waks and his family will still be there.

[Shua]

The man has 17 children. Are you gonna report every time he doesn't get an aliya when one of them have a baby? Shmarya, you're boring us, and coming across as desperate.

[Shmarya Rosenberg]

Shua –

I realize that you are neither astute or caring, but the shunning of Zephania Waks by Chabad in Melbourne is currently the subject of a government investigation. Chabad already refused to go to beit din over it, and all of this will probably end up being used at trial against Chabad.

Now why dont you toddle off and tell Rabbi Telsner I said hello.

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: Shua
"The man has 17 children. Are you gonna report every time he doesn't get an aliya when one of them have a baby?."

Yes, because it will show that this Religious man of G*d, again, is a petty, resentful little person that would/will deny this basic right to a Jewish child based on a non-religious decision, and people will known more and more how much of a gonif he is with each repeating case.

"Shmarya, you're boring us, and coming across as desperate."

What do you mean "Us", Kemosabe?. And you are coming across as your typical Extremist Haredim apologist.

[Shua]

Shmarya-

It's not a matter of caring, it's a matter if newsworthiness. Which part of my comment did you not get? Are you that dumb?

And BTW, I'm from NY, and have never met Rabbi Telsner. Aderaba, had i met him, maybe your obsession with him and Zephanya Waks wouldn't bore me that much...

[dh]

Seventeen children? No wonder Manny writes in the third person.

Seventeen?

[Isa]

If this was in the USA and a catholic place

He would soon own the WHOLE building and then HE would get to decide who would get an Aliya

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: Shua
"Are you that dumb?."

Don't know about him, but your dismissal of explanations by users to your question does pegged you as one, or just being your typical "f*ck dialogue!. Just insult and antagonize" little Rabbinate brainwashed meat popsicle.

Oh, and an apologist for the rebbeh's actions. =)

But do go on. You are predictably entertaining, but not boring, bubbeh. =)

[shul congregant]

mr waks has received two aliyos this past year. most congregants havent received more than one. if the yeshivah feels that mr waks is working against them then they have no obligation to give him one. just ask mr bruce who was offered an aliya for a yortzeit but declined because it would not be appropriate due to his stand against the yeshivah. at least he realizes that it would not be aporopriate to take one.

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: dh
"Seventeen?."

Official world record still held by Mister and Mrs. Feodor Vassilyev: 69. =)

There's a looooot of friction and scaffolding jokes there, but I ain't touching those. ^.^

[Shua]

Dear Bob Guthrie,

Thanks for the live demonstration of the sort of dialogue you described...

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: shul congregant
"If the yeshivah feels that mr waks is working against them then they have no obligation to give him one."

The man spoke about his son's sexual molestation that occurred in the community, he didn't "go against them" (they "felt" he shouldn't have done that, hence the denial). So educate us were in the Halakha it dictates that the rebbeh can refuse aliya for a Jewish baby for free expression of grievance by the grandparent.

This must be "Saturday Nite's Apologist Happy Hour". =p

[dh]

Bob, what are their names?

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: Shua
"Thanks for the live demonstration of the sort of dialogue you described..."

An "i know what i am but what are you?" retort?. Really?. Firing blanks tonight, Shua?.

Do try harder. Add insults, make fun fun of my name, call me an anti-semite/nazi/goyim lover,... You know, the Extremist Hareidim classics!. But a children's playground riposte?.

Tisk tisk.

[Shua]

Sir Guthrie, you need medical attention... urgently!

I won't bother engaging in discussion with you anymore as not one intelligent word has come forth from your keybored in your numerous comments on this post.

Bye now (just please don't redirect you anger now on your family members - those who haven't disowned you yet...)

[Bob Guthrie]

@dh

Guinness lists them as Mr. Feodor Vassilyevand and Mrs. Vassilyeva Vassilyev.

The number was so high because they were not single births: 16 pairs of twins, 7 sets of triplets and 4 sets of quadruplets.

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: Shua
"Sir Guthrie, you need medical attention... urgently!."

There you go!. Name insult, veiled remark about a possible medical condition...

"I won't bother engaging in discussion with you anymore as not one intelligent word has come forth from your keybored in your numerous comments on this post."

...Insulting the user's intelligence (and the word is "keyboard", chav)...

"Bye now (just please don't redirect you anger now on your family members - those who haven't disowned you yet...)."

...And insinuation of domestic violence and possible family strife. See?. Was that hard, Shua?.

You little Haredi apologist, you. ^.^

[dh]

I meant, what were the kids' names. Joke.

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: Rebitzman
"Rabbi Telsner will be gone, his a key will be as well.......Waks and his family will still be there."

But this decision was also mirrored by the Yeshivah Synagogue committee head, Mr Herschel Herbst. What guarantees are in place that even with Telsner leaving, the bias will go away, with present Yeshiva members seeming privy of the same mindset.

And could this mindset be inculcated on future board members?.

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: dh
"I meant, what were the kids' names. Joke."

Oh, sorry. Probably numerical based ones after the 20th, or selected cursed words given by the mother after that milestone. =D

[Shua]

Mr. Guthrie,

As i said, i'm done with you.

I'll let the other readers choose between a voice of reason and a drivel-laden hatemonger... (On a side note, each and every time i cross paths with you and your ilk i thank G-d once again for being Haredi, and shading me from hate-filled lowlifes as yourself.)

[dh]

Personally, Bob, I would have been at a loss after Happy, Dopey and Doc. After the thirtieth they all probably thought their names were "Take care of the baby."

Shua, what kind of ilk did you expect to find here? Chabad ilk?

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: Shua
"Mr. Guthrie,

As i said, i'm done with you."

Apparently bloody not, guv'nor. Didn't you "Bye now" me a few posts back?. Now what?.

"I'll let the other readers choose between a voice of reason and a drivel-laden hatemonger..."

Hey, that's quite uncouth and uncalled for!. You posts are not drivel-laden!.

"On a side note, each and every time i cross paths with you and your ilk... hate-filled lowlifes as yourself."

Better a lowlife than an Haredim apologist that said word one about the Haredi pedophile that sexually attacked Waks' son, nor any rebuttal about the uncalled actions of the Rebbeh that shunned him for daring to speak about such horrible act in public.

See you in a few posts, bub (oh, I know you will, or you will stew you raw waiting to do so. You are not the first Haredim crime/malfeasance apologist to do this).

Sayonara, Herr putz. ^.^

[Shua]

dh-

No. Just reasonable, sensible people who would realize that a post for every one of Zephanya's (minimum) 150 future grandchildren would be, how do i put this, superfluous. But i was wrong. The blind-hate to anything Haredi led Mr. Guthrie on a senseless diatribe.

[Bob Guthrie]

No, no, Shua, not the whole of Chareidim. Only the Extremist Religious, Criminal, or Brainwashing Chareidim and/or apologists.

Here's a clue and a half to refute your over-dramatic statement: What branch of Judaism is Waks, the person we are speaking for against the petty, extremist people of the same community that are treating him and his granddaughter so unfairly?.

(Here is a hint: He ain't Buddist). =)

Now go on and continue to dismiss the suggestion that documentation of every refusal of the rebbes to assist Mr. Waks is "superfluous", which by the way, you have no bloody say about it since this is not your blog, and calling somebody "desesparate" for doing so is insulting.

Your serve.^.^

[Bob Guthrie]

@dh

I was actually listening to American comedian Jim Gaffigan, and apropos:

"(Catholic) parents get burned out in big families. You can even see it in the naming of children. It’s always, like, the first kid: ‘You were named after Grandma’; the seventh kid: ‘You were named after a sandwich I had. I loved that. Now, get your brother Reuben'."

^.^

[Jake]

By his own admission , ZW behaved disrespectfully to the Rabbi of the shul.
Ostracization would occur in any orthodox synagogue under the same circumstances , regardless who was perceived to have "started" it.

[Bob Guthrie]

Posted by: Jake
"By his own admission , ZW behaved disrespectfully to the Rabbi of the shul."

After Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Telsner own disrespect towards Mr. Waks, asking him to leave his droshas, calling him a moser and shunning him after he spoke about the pedophile sexual problem at Rabbi Telsner's Yeshiva after one of his kids was molested.

You have the right to defend yourself, even in a crude form when receiving this kind of treatment, even from a Religious man (be it Rebbeh, Priest or Imam).

"Ostracization would occur in any orthodox synagogue under the same circumstances, regardless who was perceived to have "started" it"."

No, it would not. There's no legal precedent to deny any Jew, Christian or Muslim a religious act or ceremony because of animosity between a congregation member and his Rabbi. It's not a law of Man or a transcribed word of G*d.

You cannot and should not, as a Man of G*d, blackball, blacklist, boycott, cast out, reject, shun, hinder, interdict, limit, or obstruct a person of the same faith his/hers religious desires because the Rabbi, Priest, or Imam felt "slighted", specially since all news hits on Google and other net sites indicates Chabad as the initiator.

In short, even IF Waks was the only guilty party, Rabbi Telsner should have been the bigger man, turn the other cheek, and perform the religious duties entrusted to him by G*d, not obey the political dictates of man.

[Lo K'darkah]

...turn the other cheek, and perform the religious duties entrusted to him by G*d, not obey the political dictates of man.
Posted by: Bob Guthrie

Where's that from, Bob? The Artscroll edition of the New Testament?
I agree with your sentiment, but I do not believe that Rabbis are entrusted by God more than others to perform religious duties... they're not priests. And an Aliyah is not a sacrament. And Jews do not aspire to turn the other cheek... they modify their behavior towards being a mensch. (v-daiy lameivin)

[Bob Guthrie]

@Lo K'darkah

You are right. It was an amalgameted Religious generalization of the roles and purpose of Holy Men. Not completely literal to what a Rabbi is or does.

If more to an exact point, Rabbi, the teachers of Torah, are suppose to be the spiritual leaders, counselors, and role models of the Jewish community.

The same way they lead spiritual services and officiate at life-cycle events, Chareidim rebbe also have more decision power over the religious desire of Haredim members, including granting this ritual.

To deny such on the basis of feeling "slighted" is discreditable. To deny it on the basis of silencing an individual is abhorrent.

In short, disregarding ויקרא יט:יח is unbecoming of rebbe Telsner and the rest of the Chabad committee at Waks' shul.

Shorter?: Not a bloody nice thing for this gents to pull.

[Yosef ben Matitya]

isn't it hi time this guy deffecate on chabad and look for judaism where it is to be found? unless he is an idiot hooked on tanya.

[smile!]

to Shua;
I for one think it is VERY important to document each and every event of "shunning" Even those that would, under normal circumstances not be newsworthy. This is not a normal situation. It is very newsworthy because it is the shunning that causes these cases to go unreported and unindicted which in turn allows them to go on. The dear unfortunate man in New Square was first shunned (btw he davened in another Shul exactly because of this type of behavior in the main shul so leaving a shul doesn't always help) then his car was keyed then well we all know the end of that story... At what point in that story did the shunning become newsworthy? Only at the burn unit? Maybe had all the late night threatening phone calls been reported the rest never would have happened because they knew people were watching. or are you now going to say there were no late night phone calls because they weren't reported?

[dh]

Bob @ 1:29 lol. Thanks!

Shua @ 12:29. Yeah, I understand. But here's what I was thinking. How will this affect the grandchildren? Will there be any latent (or even patent) negative fall-out for them based on Gramps' refusal of Aliyah?

There are many incredibly articulate intelligent fair minded people who post on FM. I have found it is equally possible to learn from all the others, from whom Bob Guthrie is an oft times intelligent, pleasant relief.

I doubt that Shmarya will post 150 times about this, but then I still think the knock-knock joke that ends with "aren't you glad I didn't say banana?" is funny.

I lose a tremendous amount by not understanding Australian mainstream society, culture and politics, but the Waks (what's the plural of that?) are on, it seems to me, untested cultural (religious and non-religious) ground. I know how it looks from where I'm sitting, but I don't know from where they are sitting. I don't think we have any choice but to back them up, notwithstanding some of my scathing remarks about the manner in which they bring the war to the forefront.

[boruch]

I fail to Understand the change of behavior of Emmanuel Althaus and his cronies in the past for years they would intimidate Rabbi Telsner no matter what he did

[Moshe Aron kestenbaum, Williamsburg]

Give rabbi waks an Aliya this shaboss and make him a mi sheberack , if the gabbi refuses then sue the gabbais ass, that's what I would do. Most gabbaim don't want shit , Rabbi waks has to be more assertive and demand an Aliya or whatever he wants to do , be it a bal tefillla or if he has to say Kaddish . Certain places you don't ask, you demand and if the demand is not met , you go straight to the amid or the bima and you make shaboss for yourself, or they could do is hiss or scream, so you hiss back and scream back, if he screams shaigets you scream back shaboss goi, in short you operate on the same level as these shiisters do, you can't show fear or subservient , the minute they feel you are sheep they will, so rabbi waks take matters in your own hands.i was once walked out by some pothead from shull, what ya think I did? I walked back in from the second door and it ended there, you can't show fear for these guys, they are like real animals, you have to stand up to them.

[Double Helix]

So Manny you have conjured up another storm based on lies and invention. It's been conmfirmed that Waks conversation is not as you claim. But facts and Waks don't mix.
Did Waks ask for an aliya, no!
Did Waks refuse a Din Torah or Zablo, Yes! confirmed by Rabbi Glasman.
Waks emailed out last week why he's not getting an aliya and how this can be resolved. Sholom doesn's work for Waks, he loves confrontation and the limelight he thinks he's getting. Pathetic.
Was told by a realiable source, that Waks has said he wouldn't take an aliya on Rabbi Groner's obm Sefer Torah even if he was called up. Pathetic

[Emanuel Newgant]

Double Helix (Emmanuel Alhaus): Pathetic. And a liar. And see boruch | April 07, 2013 at 02:44 PM above.

[Double Helix]

EN only 4 people witnessed the event, where you one of them?
But you don't deny anything, just as you didn’t deny last week that you are Waks, who claims not to use pseudonyms, another lie!
Your just worried who I am, and very wrong on that also.
If you think I'm EA confront me.

[dh]

If he's not Waks he's also not going to say he's not Waks. I would lose all respect if there is a Waks sockpuppet. So, I think we have to rely on the fact that Shmarya is not a sock-puppeteer.

The both of you are in a house of mirrors. Soon you will cease to enjoy chasing eachother around. What do you have to gain? I can't figure it out? Is there a third act?

[Emanuel Newgant]

"I don't think we have any choice but to back them up, notwithstanding some of my scathing remarks about the manner in which they bring the war to the forefront.
Posted by: dh | April 07, 2013 at 01:38 PM"

I agree with "no choice", disagree with "the manner" complaint. You don't know how evil some of the YC Melbourne hierarchy actually are, including Double Helix. Partly in deference to you, I'll stop with him now, and also it's just getting boring. He has nothing to say, can't write, and I've been warned he might have a heart attack from all the excitement.

[dh]

At great risk, FM is largely about exposing evil, but it has to be identifiable, discoverable and vetted, even if only alleged. I hope that can be done.

We all started out, or at least I did, believing in religious hierarchy. Too few end up wishing they had a recorder running the whole time.But in the end, how does one record shunning?

[Reuven Segal]

Why are you all afraid to give your real names? Are you afraid that you too will be shunned by the Yeshiva? Stand up for what you believe in.

It is easy to blame Manny Waks and family. After all, the best way to cover up your own mistakes is to blame someone else. I seem to recall someone saying something about the Jews being the cause for all the bad in the world....who was that guy again?

For those of you who don't know the Waks family, you have missed out. Manny's father is a truly decent guy, religious (and not just dressed up to act the part) and well educated religiously and secularly. Don't slam those who you don't know.

Telsner on the other hand has shown himself to have not a single religious bone in his body, and would have difficulty spelling the word 'ignorant'. Those who support him are cowards, for no-one could actually support such an ignoramus. They are just afraid to stand out from the crowd. This is the way of the Yeshiva. Always was and always will be.

As for Mr Waks having been given 2 aliyot in the past year, Yeshiva does not have so many members that it is unreasonable to do so. If need be, there are ways to create extra aliyot and the yeshiva could do so if they wished. If he would have been making a considerable donation then he would have surely received them.

I find it unbelievable that Yeshiva shul and school and the board, have allowed the children they are responsible for to be abused in so many ways. Avraham Glick, headmaster of Yeshiva, had a child in the same year as Manny (and myself) and stood back whilst his son's friend was being abused. Are these people at peace with themselves knowing innocent children were being terrorised whilst they awarded prizes and awards to themselves, and still continue to do so? Not anymore. They should be scared that they will have to answer to the courts. Perhaps Glick thinks that lying to the Court is OK, but he will have to atone for his sins. The day of judgement is near, and when he and his kind are judged, I hope they are sentenced to the maximum that is allowable. Everyone knows what child abusers get in prison.

Stand up and be counted. Don't hide behind pseudonyms. Don't be afraid to say enough is enough.

[GAON]

@abc april 6, 9:34PM

"like father, like son, both like the attention".

yours is the first comment on this article, and your only one here. one would assume you have huge motivation and possibly multiple names. you wouldn't be the first for the latter. People like you need to time share a prison cell with Nehmiah Weberman, maybe you will develop compassion, maybe you will like it. But, then again, we cannot be certain that he does "mishkav zachor", your tough luck, someone else in the prison will certainly teach you some humanity. Human ashpah she kamocha..
MYRIH. figure it out, you evil cretin.