Senior Australian Rabbi Apologizes To Victims Of Child Sex Abuse
In a written apology, Rabbi
Moshe Gutnick says the issue has been handled inappropriately with a culture of covering up abuse. Gutnick asked victims of abuse for forgiveness and urged them to
come forward to ensure police can prosecute the perpetrators.
Rabbi Moshe Gutnick
ABC News Australia reports:
Australia's most senior [Chabad] orthodox rabbi, Moshe Gutnick, has formally apologised for child sexual abuse within the Jewish community.
In a written apology, he says the issue has been handled inappropriately with a culture of covering up abuse.
Rabbi Gutnick has asked victims of abuse for forgiveness and urged them to come forward to ensure police can prosecute the perpetrators.
Tzedek, a group advocating for Jewish victims of child sexual abuse, has welcomed the letter, describing it as a ground breaking milestone for the Jewish community.
The founder and CEO of Tzedek, Manny Waks, says an apology is an important step in the healing process for victims.
"I don't necessarily think that it is all of a sudden going to change overnight," he said.
"But it certainly does send out a very strong message that the peak body of the rabbinate and the orthodox community in Australia has taken an unequivocal position on this matter.
"It leaves no ambiguity on how they need to respond to this issue."
This is an excellent step forward. Will Rabbi Moshe Gutnick now be going to the police with any information he has about abusers? After all, he seemed to be aware about lots of "inaction".
Let us see whether he is prepared to do the right thing before he gets his forgiveness. It is all too easy to put out public messages that are simply hollow words with absolutely nothing tangible behind them.
Posted by: Smacked Tochus | September 11, 2013 at 04:15 AM
What time is the cherem ceremony?
Posted by: Jeff | September 11, 2013 at 07:10 AM
I guess Chabad will start burning Gutnick Chummashim.
It's ok if they do. It's not as sacred as the Tanya
Posted by: (The other) Eli | September 11, 2013 at 10:03 AM
An apology which contains lies is not an apology at all.....
From the ABC article....
Gutnick claims that there was an anonymous phone call....
THERE WAS NOT....
There were 2 victims who came to Gutnick....Gutnick spoke face to face with them and at the end he was convinced they told the truth.....
Gutnick also knew who the perpetrator was and did his part to ship him off to NY to find a wife....
Only part Gutnick didn't lie about was the fact that had he acted there would not have been more victims....
Posted by: Aussie | September 12, 2013 at 12:05 AM
Rabbi Gutnicks letter was read out by R Boroda on Yom Kippur .My friend told me you could hear a pin drop & the congregation was attentive as never before.The Rabbi said R M Gutnick had asked all Rabbis to read out the apology.I am not aware of any other Rabbis who did as he asked,are you?
How appropriate to fess up & apologize on Yom Kippur.R M Gutnick should be blessed as were Judah & Reuben (see Sotah 7b)who admitted their wrongdoings & Hashem showered them with blessings.
Posted by: Bruce J Cooke | September 15, 2013 at 01:58 AM