Rebbetzin Peninah Feldman, wife of Rabbi Pinchas
Feldman (right), the Head Chabad Emissary to Sydney, Australia
and the head of the Yeshiva Centre there, allegedly called Manny Waks – an alleged victim of child sexual abuse and the head of the anti-abuse advocacy group Tzedek – and his
family mosrim, informers or collaborators with the enemy. A moser can be
killed on sight if necessary to stop him from informing on a Jew to
non-Jewish police or government officials. It was the labeling of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin a moser that led to his assassination by an Orthodox Jew.
Rabbi Pinchos Feldman. His wife allegedly called Manny Waks and his family "massers," mosrim, informants last Wednesday.
Manny Waks writes:
Tzedek has confirmed the following incident, which occurred last Wednesday (6 March):
Rebbetzin Peninah Feldman, wife of the Head Chabad Emissary to Sydney and Spiritual Leader of the Yeshiva Centre in Sydney, Rabbi Pinchas Feldman, referred publicly to Tzedek President, Manny Waks, and his family as “Massers” (in Hebrew: collaborators with the secular authorities – in clear reference to their work in combating child sexual abuse). The statement was made in the presence of others during an unprovoked attack by the Rebbetzin on the young brother-in-law of Manny Waks, 24-year old Dovy Rapoport.
This incident confirms what so many of us have known for a long time; that this type of attitude is fairly prevalent among many within the ultra-Orthodox community. It also demonstrates, yet again, the ongoing harassment and intimidation many victims and their families are subjected to, including by those in leadership positions.
Tzedek would like to acknowledge and thank Rebbetzin Feldman for sharing with the public views that are generally kept behind closed doors, and for highlighting the importance of our work and just how far we still have to go.
Enough is enough – we will no longer remain silent.