Victims Advocacy Group Call On Chabad To Set Up "Compensation Fund" For Abuse Victims
“…We
are aware that civil action against the [Chabad] Yeshivah Centre is currently
being discussed at various levels. We call on Yeshivah to recognise the
terrible and prolonged pain and suffering of the innocent children
entrusted to their care, and to do the right thing and establish a fund
to compensate the many victims and their families who have come forward
and the many who are still to speak out.…"
Tzedek writes:
Tzedek, Australia’s only dedicated organisation advocating for Jewish victims/survivors of child sexual abuse, is calling on [Chabad's] Yeshivah Centre to establish a compensation fund for the many victims/survivors of child sexual abuse within its institutions.
Tzedek founder and CEO Manny Waks said:
“We are aware that civil action against the Yeshivah Centre is currently being discussed at various levels. We call on Yeshivah to recognise the terrible and prolonged pain and suffering of the innocent children entrusted to their care, and to do the right thing and establish a fund to compensate the many victims and their families who have come forward and the many who are still to speak out.
We strongly believe that Yeshivah and its leadership team must be held to full account, including through the provision of compensation. The position of Rabbi Glick – the Yeshivah College Principal during the period of most of the current allegations and who still works at the school as Head of Jewish Studies and until recently responsible for student welfare – and others who were aware of the abuse and failed to respond appropriately is untenable.
In the recent David Kramer case, as stated in the court, when the allegations were brought to Yeshivah’s attention they were reluctant to deal with it due to their concerns for the welfare of the perpetrator. Astoundingly, they could not care less about the welfare of his victims. The only reason Yeshivah finally responded to the allegations was due to pressure by parents, who were not in a position to take action that was contrary to that of the institution due to the consequences of doing so. And when they did act Yeshivah simply sent Kramer overseas where he re-offended. As the US victim’s spokesperson said, from the family’s perspective Yeshivah has blood on its hands.
There is significant evidence mounting that Yeshivah was also aware of other cases. From personal experience, I know that Yeshivah was fully aware of at least some of the allegations relating to David Cyprys as I personally discussed the matter with the former Yeshivah head. In the case of Cyprys, it is unfathomable that he was still undertaking security duties at Yeshivah up until only a few years ago.
It took Yeshivah years to finally apologise, although their sincerity is questionable due to their ongoing actions. Indeed, not a single victim/survivor whom we are in contact with has said that they accept Yeshivah’s apology – in fact, the few we have spoken to since the apology have rejected it. Importantly, at no stage has Yeshivah offered genuine support to any of the victims that we’re in contact with – not then and not even now.
We are pleased and humbled to note that numerous victims/survivors have indicated their intention to contribute some or all of any compensation they may receive to Tzedek. This will help ensure that Tzedek will be well placed to continue to carry out its essential mission.”
We note that in a recent article in the Herald Sun, the US-based family of one of David Kramer’s victims/survivors has indicated that it may launch legal action against Yeshivah.
Sorry, can't do it. We spent all of our disposable cash on getting college kids inebriated so they wouldn't think too clearly about the bullshit we peddle.
Posted by: Jeff | July 30, 2013 at 06:19 AM
Eli,
You are mixing up Manny, the son, who I believe is not religous, and is the one quoted here, with his father Tzfanya(i think that is his name)
The Waks family is one of the largest in Australia and even had a television documentary done on them.
As for the father, he has the right to daven in the same synagogue he has attended for years, but your point does stand, that maybe it's time he and other unhappy members open up a new synagogue.
Posted by: jimmyInBkln | July 30, 2013 at 11:59 AM
Chabad? Giving people money? Lmfao, that'll be the day.
I don't think anyone is more shameless in urging people to donate time and money to them, all while acting completely entitled and showing absolutely no gratitude
Posted by: (The other) Eli | July 30, 2013 at 12:01 PM
I fail to understand the change of the behavior
of Emmanuel Althaus and his cronies in the past for years they would intimidate Rabbi Telsner no matter what he did, and what happened to the genuine Shul elections
Posted by: boruch | July 30, 2013 at 12:07 PM
This is total bullshit. It was always about the money in the first place. ZW already received millions of dollars via free education for his kids.MW is having a hard time raising funds for his newly found enterprise (Tzedek missed out completely on government funding... why?), so he is now trying to bully the Yeshivah into establishing funds for compensations?
Why should the victims give any of their compensation money to Tzedek anyway? It's compensation for their suffering, not his alone. The community should fund Tzedek!!
Where is the Tzedek in that? Is he working on getting the perpetrators to justice or is he just on a fund raising binge?
I am gradually losing faith in MW. He is a PR machine in full throttle, but for what purpose... really.
Posted by: Orion | July 30, 2013 at 07:19 PM
Orion you are the last person to cry about the Waks family getting a discount on school fees as not a dime was paid for you or your brothers and sisters due to your brothers position at Yeshivah....
And what about your own kids??...How much did you pay for them when they were at the school??....
No wonder you had so much spare cash to lose on the craps table at Crown...))
Posted by: Aussie | July 31, 2013 at 06:42 PM
Gee Aussie, you are so off the mark.
You have no clue about me, and furthermore, I don't gamble.
There were no discounts for Waks, just no payments at all. So is what has been said. This is his MO!
I'd like to meet that brother of mine that has a position in Yeshivah.
Posted by: Orion | July 31, 2013 at 09:28 PM
Orion at least you don't deny that you and your family got huge discount on school fees or maybe like Waks you paid none at all....
No doubt the cops would also like to meet your brother...I'm sure they will when they good and ready to lay charges for fail to report....
Would you like my shabbat order now or should I just phone the store??....
Seen you with my own eyes at the craps table though that was some years ago...
You still betting the win line??...How about the "horn" bet??....
Posted by: Aussie | August 01, 2013 at 12:16 AM
Did anyone ever ask Waks if he pays school fees?
Posted by: Emanuel Newgant | August 01, 2013 at 06:12 AM
Aussie, again you are full of crap. You think you know who I am? I am not even from Aussieland.
So do what you want with your Shabbat order and choke on it.
Do you actually observe the Shabbat?
EN, ask Waks if he pays school fees???
Look in the mirror and ask!
I ain't sure but methinks EN and Waks are one and the same. If not , they might as well be
Posted by: Orion | August 01, 2013 at 07:01 PM