Rabbi Kluwgant resigns from Jewish Care

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In the wake of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse  hearings at which he gave evidence Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant today resigned as the General Manager of Cultural & Spiritual services at Jewish Care Victoria.

Rabbi Meir Kluwgant at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

Jewish Care’s CEO Bill Appleby said: “I accepted Rabbi Kluwgant’s resignation following discussions about his ongoing employment including his testimony late last week to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The President of Jewish Care Victoria, Mike Debinski, and the Board, sought clarification following Rabbi Kluwgant’s appearance at the Royal Commission last Friday.

As a result of my discussions with Rabbi Kluwgant, where he expressed regret over the text message that was sent to Mr Zeddy Lawrence, Editor of The Australian Jewish News, Rabbi Kluwgant tendered his resignation, effective immediately.

I would like to thank Rabbi Kluwgant for his service over the last 26 years at Jewish Care Victoria.

Jewish Care Victoria has a strong record of supporting victims of abuse. In 2013 it established an independent scheme to investigate historical claims of child sexual abuse in children’s homes run by predecessor Jewish welfare organisations in the 1960s.

Jewish Care Victoria’s actions show that it supports not only practical help but legal redress for people who have experienced abuse.

There is never a circumstance in which the criminal act of child sexual abuse should go unreported. Where claims are proven, perpetrators should face the full force of the law.

Victims and supportive family members are never to blame for abuse. Our community has an obligation to support victims, and that is what Jewish Care Victoria will continue to do.

Senior Minister Rabbi Yoseph Nerenberg and our cultural and spiritual services team will continue to provide support services to the Jewish Care Victoria community pending a permanent appointment to the General Manager role.