"…We believe [Feldman's] position as a religious leader has become untenable. As painful as the Royal Commission [investigation into Chabad child sex abuse] is for us, it has performed an essential service in exposing deeply troubling and misguided thinking by certain religious figures and raises questions about their education and training.…"
Above: Rabbi Yosef "Yossi" Feldman
Jewish Leadership Dissociates Community from statements of Rabbi Yossi Feldman
9th February 2015
Rabbi Yossi Feldman’s reported statements to the Royal Commission have shocked and appalled his fellow rabbis, the Australian Jewish community and the wider community. Amongst his other objectionable comments, it is unacceptable for any religious leader to confess ignorance of basic law relating to the crime of child sexual abuse or to suggest that there are circumstances in which instances of such abuse should not be reported to the authorities. Nobody should take the law into their own hands, or be encouraged to do so.
Yossi Feldman’s statements are repugnant to Jewish values and to Judaism, which is centred on the sanctity and dignity of individual life, especially the life of a child.
We believe his position as a religious leader has become untenable. As painful as the Royal Commission is for us, it has performed an essential service in exposing deeply troubling and misguided thinking by certain religious figures and raises questions about their education and training.
Robert Goot AM SC,
President,
Executive Council
of Australian Jewry
Peter Wertheim AM,
Executive Director,
Executive Council
of Australian Jewry
A similar statement was reportedly made by the New South Wales (i.e., Sydney) Jewish Board of Deputies:
“The evidence which has emerged in the last two weeks has been absolutely disgraceful. It reflects appalling failures in dealing with incidents of child abuse and protecting children in care. While these awful events occurred in a small section of our community it is now up to all of us to ensure that the abhorrent practices, attitudes and failures that have come to light never again happen. It is our view that after his appalling comments to the Royal Commission Rabbi Yosef Feldman is unfit to hold any position of authority or leadership in the Jewish community,” NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president Jeremy Spinak reportedly said.
Update 11:28 am CST –. The Council of Orthodox Synagogues of Australia says Feldman can no longer represent the community in any way. Please click to enlarge:
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