Waks quits Tzedek
Manny Waks, the founder of child sexual abuse advocacy group Tzedek will leave the organisation in November.
Manny Waks
In a statement released today Waks says: ““It has been a great honour and privilege to establish and lead Tzedek. Over three years ago, when I publicly disclosed my personal experience of abuse, I set out on a long and challenging journey, which has led to great achievements both personally and professionally,” Mr Waks said.
“We could not have achieved what we achieved without the support, assistance and guidance of the Board of Management and Board of Advisors, the generous donors, volunteers and support agencies. Most importantly, I wish to thank my family and friends who supported me while undertaking this most challenging work,” Mr Waks said.
He went on to say, “I have accomplished what I set out to achieve, and am comfortable moving forward knowing that I leave behind a strong foundation from which Tzedek’s important vision and mission can continue to grow. This position wasn’t a life tenure, rather a role I felt compelled to undertake at a particular point in time. I feel a great sense of pride and satisfaction in what I have accomplished. Indeed it is humbling to have been part of creating a cultural shift in the context of child sexual abuse within the Jewish community – not only in Australia. While we have made significant progress, there is still much work to do.”
Tzedek was formed three years ago by Waks who recently appeared in “Code of Silence” a documentary produced for ABC-TV’s Compass program dealing with the effect on the lives of Waks’s family after he exposed sexual abuse at Melbourne Yeshiva resulting on a reported black ban on his father’s normal rights in synagogue life.
Well done and good luck with your next endeavour, Manny!
Well done Manny. Congratulations. Have a well earned rest, get your voice back and enjoy your life to the MAX!!!
I can only take it that this chorus of “well done Manny” for quitting Tzedek means that these well wishers are happy to see him ….quit Tzedek.
And I thought all along that Manny was synonymous with Tzedek, that Tzedek, the brain (!!!!) child of Manny, were practically joined at the umbilical cord and Manny was kinda sine qua non ( Latin for ” couldn’t do withoutya”). Geez, I must have been wrong because it looks like Tzedek does not need Manny any more and vice versa.
Now I am sure that our Manny will surface somewhere else no doubt as el Presidente of some new outfit to trump all outfits, the mother of all proverbial stirers !!!
Not just your dad but thousands if others who will miss you but know the work you’ve done together with the same pioneers that were victims in the Cathokic church, wouldn’t have happened without you.
Congratulations in starting something exceptional. You chose to protect the most vulnerable despite the despicable people who still try to blame the victims and cover up abuse
Your father is still carrying the torch for you by all appearances on The Jerusalem Post, unless he’s quitting too.