Melbourne's Yeshivah Centre Rabbi resigns and apologises over child abuse handling
ABC AM
Stephanie Corsetti
2 September 2015
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MICHAEL BRISSENDEN: A senior rabbi from Melbourne's Yeshivah Centre has stepped down from his head role and apologised to the Jewish community.
In February, the Royal Commission into Child Sexual abuse heard Rabbi Zvi Telsner used sermons to question abuse victims for speaking out.
A victim advocate says the Yeshivah Centre community is in shock because many thought Rabbi Telsner would never leave his position.
Stephanie Corsetti reports.
STEPHANIE CORSETTI: When Rabbi Zvi Telsner gave evidence to the Royal Commission earlier this year, he was asked to explain comments he'd made in sermons that have been interpreted as criticisms of victims.
ZVI TELSNER: I mentioned previously that if anyone thought that the sermon or anything that I said is offensive or is hurting or has caused him any damage, I sincerely regret that it has.
STEPHANIE CORSETTI: And now he's delivered a longer more formal apology, accompanied by his resignation.
Victim advocate Manny Waks says it was long overdue.
MANNY WAKS: The overwhelming emotion is that of relief and vindication because we've all had to endure this additional and unnecessary pain and suffering.
STEPHANIE CORSETTI: Manny Waks was a former student at the Yeshivah Centre. He went public with allegations he was repeatedly sexually abused as a boy in 2011.
Mr Waks has provided the ABC with a letter signed by Rabbi Telsner which reads:
EXTRACT FROM LETTER: I recognise that my conduct towards victims and their families did not demonstrate these values or behaviour to the extent necessary of a Rabbi in my position.
We all must be aware of how our words and actions impact on others and therefore would like to take this opportunity to apologise for my conduct and urge everyone to show compassion and support towards victims and their families.
STEPHANIE CORSETTI: But Mr Waks says Rabbi Zvi Telsner should have resigned a long time ago.
MANNY WAKS: He has caused immense pain and suffering to victims, to our families - but also to the broader Jewish community, not just the Yeshivah community, because he has tainted all of us.
STEPHANIE CORSETTI: Mr Waks wants the Yeshivah Centre to have a stronger governance structure in place and says other leaders haven't yet taken responsibility.
MANNY WAKS: Compensation needs to be claimed, genuine apologies must be given, and those kinds of things. So there is still a great deal of work that needs to be done.
STEPHANIE CORSETTI: The centre's committee of management has also published a letter stating it's working hard to guarantee a safe environment for children.
The Victorian Jewish Community council's Jennifer Huppert says this resignation will have wider implications.
JENNIFER HUPPERT: So clearly this is just another step and the Jewish community broadly will see that these community organisations are taking on board the learnings from the Royal Commission, and are doing what they can to improve their practises and policies so that members of the Jewish community don't become victims in the future.
MICHAEL BRISSENDEN: Victorian Jewish Community council's Jennifer Huppert ending Stephanie Corsetti's report.
And AM tried to contact the Yeshivah Centre for comment but we've had no response.
Originally published at ABC AM.
MICHAEL BRISSENDEN: A senior rabbi from Melbourne's Yeshivah Centre has stepped down from his head role and apologised to the Jewish community.
In February, the Royal Commission into Child Sexual abuse heard Rabbi Zvi Telsner used sermons to question abuse victims for speaking out.
A victim advocate says the Yeshivah Centre community is in shock because many thought Rabbi Telsner would never leave his position.
Stephanie Corsetti reports.
STEPHANIE CORSETTI: When Rabbi Zvi Telsner gave evidence to the Royal Commission earlier this year, he was asked to explain comments he'd made in sermons that have been interpreted as criticisms of victims.
ZVI TELSNER: I mentioned previously that if anyone thought that the sermon or anything that I said is offensive or is hurting or has caused him any damage, I sincerely regret that it has.
STEPHANIE CORSETTI: And now he's delivered a longer more formal apology, accompanied by his resignation.
Victim advocate Manny Waks says it was long overdue.
MANNY WAKS: The overwhelming emotion is that of relief and vindication because we've all had to endure this additional and unnecessary pain and suffering.
STEPHANIE CORSETTI: Manny Waks was a former student at the Yeshivah Centre. He went public with allegations he was repeatedly sexually abused as a boy in 2011.
Mr Waks has provided the ABC with a letter signed by Rabbi Telsner which reads:
EXTRACT FROM LETTER: I recognise that my conduct towards victims and their families did not demonstrate these values or behaviour to the extent necessary of a Rabbi in my position.
We all must be aware of how our words and actions impact on others and therefore would like to take this opportunity to apologise for my conduct and urge everyone to show compassion and support towards victims and their families.
STEPHANIE CORSETTI: But Mr Waks says Rabbi Zvi Telsner should have resigned a long time ago.
MANNY WAKS: He has caused immense pain and suffering to victims, to our families - but also to the broader Jewish community, not just the Yeshivah community, because he has tainted all of us.
STEPHANIE CORSETTI: Mr Waks wants the Yeshivah Centre to have a stronger governance structure in place and says other leaders haven't yet taken responsibility.
MANNY WAKS: Compensation needs to be claimed, genuine apologies must be given, and those kinds of things. So there is still a great deal of work that needs to be done.
STEPHANIE CORSETTI: The centre's committee of management has also published a letter stating it's working hard to guarantee a safe environment for children.
The Victorian Jewish Community council's Jennifer Huppert says this resignation will have wider implications.
JENNIFER HUPPERT: So clearly this is just another step and the Jewish community broadly will see that these community organisations are taking on board the learnings from the Royal Commission, and are doing what they can to improve their practises and policies so that members of the Jewish community don't become victims in the future.
MICHAEL BRISSENDEN: Victorian Jewish Community council's Jennifer Huppert ending Stephanie Corsetti's report.
And AM tried to contact the Yeshivah Centre for comment but we've had no response.
Originally published at ABC AM.