Book: Who gave you permission?
2015 Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (in the media)
Manny Waks
Consultant Advocate author SPEAKER
Blatant Hypocrisy by Mizrachi Melbourne's Rabbi Daniel Mirvis
​In recent days, Mizrachi Melbourne's Rabbi Daniel Mirvis, son of the Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth, Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, addressed the following letter to the madrichim (leaders) of his organisation's youth group (B'nei Akiva):
Rabbi Danny Mirvis
​This letter is one of the most blatant examples of hypocrisy I have come across in my time dealing with the issue of child sexual abuse in Jewish communities around the globe.
In his letter, Mirvis claims to be deeply troubled by 'the shameful support of R' Moti Elon', referring to a convicted child sexual offender and the support he received from Rabbi Chaim Druckman, another leading figure in the religious Zionist movement, which led to Elon being able to continue his sexual predatory behaviour. Mirvis also claims to be reminded of the 'mishandling of allegations' and the 'mistreatment of victims' and warns against complacency which can result from pointing the finger at 'celebrated child protection failures at other organisations in Melbourne'.
Yet Mirvis had no issue with paying tribute to Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner at an event hosted by Yeshivah last year, where Mirvis spoke on the subject of 'Models of Jewish leadership'. The Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse found that Groner was directly responsible for the sexual abuse of countless children in his care by multiple perpetrators over a period of decades.
Pray tell Rabbi Mirvis, what is the difference between Druckman's 'shameful support of R' Moti Elon' which you find troubling and the actions of Groner, whom you glorify?
In defending his participation at the Groner tribute event (which did not include an acknowledgement of his failures or an apology to his countless victims/survivors and their families), Mirvis stated: "it is possible to both acknowledge the ongoing suffering caused by the failures posthumously identified by the Royal Commission, and mark Rabbi Groner's contribution to Melbourne Jewry".
No, Rabbi Mirvis. It is not possible. Just as it is not possible any more to honour Cardinal Pell on account of the good work he may have done. And no, there is no difference in terms of the culpability of a sexual abuser and their accomplice who allows abuse to occur and assists the abusers to avoid justice and endanger additional children (and to remind Mirvis, at least two convicted Yeshivah pedophiles continued offending after Groner covered up for them - David Cyprys and David Kramer).
Finally, I can assure Mirvis that neither I, nor any victims/survivors I have ever met, would consider the atrocities committed against us at Yeshivah to be 'celebrated child protection failures'. The rape and assaults against screaming children, including at knife point, and the numerous other unspeakable horrors inflicted by people in positions of power against innocent Jewish children and young teenagers at Yeshivah are not 'celebrated child protection failures'. They are soul-destroying crimes, which often impact victims every day of their lives.
Make no mistake, Mirvis is no friend of child sexual abuse victims and survivors. And in honouring Groner and speaking on the subject of 'Models of Jewish Leadership', Mirvis sent a far clearer message to the youth group leaders within his organisation as to his attitude towards child sexual abuse than he communicated in this letter.
First let Mirvis and Mizrachi apologise and acknowledge the distress he and his organisation have caused to child sexual abuse victims/survivors, their families and advocates, and then let him preach on the subject.
Senior Israeli rabbi publicly criticises (Rabbi) Chaim Druckman
(Rabbi) Chaim Druckman
​Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein, a senior rabbi in the National Religious movement and the head of one of its most prominent educational institutions, has written the following letter to (Rabbi) Chaim Druckman, which he has now made public. This is the most powerful public letter on this ongoing scandal that has been published. Unfortunately, the only thing missing from it is a call to Druckman to resign immediately from his leadership positions. This continues to highlight the power, influence and respect that Druckman wields. The original letter in Hebrew is after the English translated version.
Letter from Head of Yeshiva Rav Mosheh Lichtenstein shlita to Rabbi Chaim Druckman shlita
Dear Rabbi Chaim Druckman shlita,
Wishing you well, all the best. The following is written with a heavy heart and full recognition of the rabbi's many accomplishments in the field of Torah education and public leadership, but also out of deep internal conviction that the following should be put in writing.
I read carefully the rabbi's letter sent to the heads of the yeshivot and the teachers last week, and I must say with regret that the letter is very disappointing. For more than a month, the sons and daughters of Religious Zionism and their parents have been waiting for the rabbi's response to his well-documented support of Moti Alon over the years, even after his disgrace was publicised and even convicted. The position of the rabbi's leadership, the public support given to Alon, and the conduct against the opinions of many good colleagues, require a public response. The way to respond to this is not by a casual remark in a letter dedicated to broad and agreed statements, but rather in a direct and explicit reference in a letter or statement devoted exclusively and explicitly to the case. When there is an elephant in the room, you have to relate to it directly and not to comment on its shadow.
However, the disappointment with the casual way of dealing with this matter is nothing compared to the disappointment in the content of the words that have no apology, no admission of error, even no error of judgment, and no attempt to ask forgiveness from those who were harmed. I do not understand how it is possible to tell the public that mistakes made are merely a mistaken impression? Did the need to appease his friend [Elon] and ask his forgiveness be satisfied by blaming the public for lack of understanding?
Since it is clear to me that the Rabbi recognises the importance of acknowledging the mistake and the seeking of forgiveness and I do not consider that he would not apologise for hurting anyone, There is no escaping the conclusion that the Rabbi still does not recognise the gravity of the matter, is unaware of the power of his instinct and his subterfuge, and does not understand that kashrut and repentance are not the way to deal with sex offenders. In any event, the significance of support for a serial offender and the damage caused by it are not reflected in the said letter and do not provide a response to the public's view of taking responsibility and seeking forgiveness.
The letter and atmosphere broadcast from it achieve the exact opposite of its declared goal of emphasising "our full commitment to address the sexual assaults, stand to the right of the victims and stand up against the perpetrators." The dissonance between the declared goals and the acts and statements of recent years and the lack of responsibility in the letter harms the victims, disappoints the public, undermines the goals of the letter and will cause doubts and mistrust in the seriousness in which future sexual abuse will be dealt with.
In light of this, I turn to the Rabbi and ask him to issue a new and dedicated letter that takes responsibility and recognition of the damage caused and clarifies the steps that will be taken in the future in order to prevent a similar situation in the future.
I pass the letter to the Rabbi for his preliminary study and in the hope that a new letter will be written. However, since the Rabbi's existing letter has been disseminated widely and has even received media exposure, I am considering publishing my letter in public if necessary.
Respectfully and dearly,
Mosheh Lichtenstein
Adass
Chaim Druckman
Danny Lamm
David Cyprys
Executive Council Of Australian Jewry
Jewish Care Victoria
Mizrachi Melbourne
Moti Elon
National Religious
Pinchus Feldman
Royal Commission
Ultra Orthodox
Yeshiva Centre Sydney
Yeshivah Centre Melbourne
Copyright ©2015 Manny Waks