Yeshivah Centre Apologises
Melbourne’s Yeshivah Centre has circulated a statement in which the organisation states “we sincerely and unreservedly apologise for any historical wrongs that may have occurred.” The statement focuses on the eradication of abuse “particularly sexual” in our community.
Manny Waks at Yeshiva College in 1988
Manny Waks today
Manny Waks, himself a victim of abuse at the Yeshivah as a schoolboy told J-Wire: “On behalf of some of the victims who were sexually abused as a result of the actions and inactions of the Yeshivah Centre, I commend the current Yeshivah leadership in finally taking the moral position in apologising, unreservedly, to all of us, and for recognising the profound impact sexual abuse has on children.
It has now been well over a year since this scandal has been in the public spotlight. Yeshivah’s behaviour to date has been unacceptable—their attitude and actions have caused additional significant pain and suffering to the past victims and their families.
The other past victims and I sought recognition of the ongoing and serious sexual abuse we suffered from the very institution that we hold partly responsible for that abuse. Today’s statement by the Yeshivah leadership is an acknowledgement of the abuse we suffered.
While there are some contentious points in Yeshivah’s letter, most notably regarding their cooperation with police and offers of support to the past victims, through their unreserved apology today we have reached an important milestone in this process.
It is worth noting that this letter was published in the lead up to Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), a time for reflection and repentance.
It is my sincere hope that the Yeshivah leadership will now act with integrity and morality, and most importantly, follow through with the views expressed in this letter.”
The Yeshivah statement:
Everyone who values justice should thank Manny Waks for his brave and tenacious stand.
A commendable statement that is well overdue.
Knowing full well the tracks the Catholic institution chose to take for decades+++ and the legal process chosen and the full support of the Jewish community themselves, is a sharp contrast and to be admired.
Haven’t I always said so?
The present inquiry already shows the lack of transparency of the former..
For our victims, the process to be acknowledged was so traumatic, by the time their signature was required for the church to have closure, they were not psychologically stable enough to address what they were compelled to sign.
The government counters that submissions are under parliamentry priviledge, yet the church refuses to lift the blanket on those who have signed these releases so they are exempt from participating.
Need one say anymore.