In response to the Tzedek statement in which it denies having 'told [Mr Weiszberger] that it would be unsafe for students to have Kluwgant in this role', I would like to clarify:
Tzedek public statement (Facebook 2 July 2017):
Tzedek would like to distance itself from Manny Waks' blog (1/7/2017) about the proposed appointment of Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant as principal of the Adass school. Manny expressed his objection to the appointment and claimed that "Mr Weiszberger, (acting president of the Board) sought advice from Tzedek and others, and was told that it would be unsafe for students to have Kluwgant in this role. Adass seemingly chose to ignore this as well". We confirm that Mr. Weiszberger had sought advice from Tzedek but Tzedek had not made the said statement about Rabbi Kluwgant.
- On Friday 30 June, Mr Weiszberger spoke to at least two individuals regarding the intended Kluwgant appointment. The first was Tzedek CEO, Dr Michelle Meyer. The second was a victims advocate in Melbourne.
- Dr Meyer apparently informed Mr Weiszberger that there was additional information relating to Kluwgant, which they should follow up. And based on all the information, it would be unsafe for students to have Kluwgant in this role.
- Dr Meyer offered to contact the victims advocate to see if he would be willing to speak directly to Mr Weiszberger.
- Dr Meyer contacted the victims advocate who maintains that Dr Meyer informed him that she had been contacted by Mr Weiszberger regarding the intended appointment of Kluwgant, and that she warned Mr Weiszberger that Kluwgant had committed a criminal act involving dishonesty but charges were not pursued. She further stated that it would be unsafe to hire Kluwgant and urged Adass to delay the announcement until they could obtain more information.
- The victims advocate agreed to call Mr Weiszberger directly and discussed the matter with him. The victims advocate advised that he was precluded from disclosing Kluwgant's conduct due to an out of court settlement with Kluwgant but asked Mr Weiszberger to consider the public revelations at the Royal Commission and urged Adass, with its horrific history of child sexual abuse, cover-ups and intimidation of victims, to start taking the issue seriously. He also suggested they consider the impact of this appointment on their own victims and other victims within the community who worked so hard to have a Royal Commission and to expose the behaviour of people like Kluwgant.
- It was clear to the victims advocate that the decision to hire Kluwgant had already been made, as Mr Weiszberger noted that the Board had already approved the appointment and the contract was on his table simply awaiting a signature.
- The victims advocate has extensive notes of his phone calls with Dr Meyer and Mr Weiszberger and will attest to the above by statutory declaration if that becomes necessary.
- Dr Meyer now denies some of her comments.
- It should be emphasised that there was nothing to be gained by including a reference to Dr Meyer's conversation with Mr Weiszberger in our statement. Clearly Kluwgant's appointment in that role is untenable. However, we felt it added even greater weight to the argument that Adass is refusing to address this issue seriously.
- There may be two central reasons why Dr Meyer is now denying she ever said this. Firstly, to protect herself and/or Tzedek from potential litigation by Kluwgant. Secondly, to maintain her and Tzedek's relationship with Adass.
- It should be noted that the only statement Tzedek has issued about the outrageous Adass appointment of Kluwgant is to deny that they ever said he was unsafe for students in that role. They have not stated anything about his appointment at all. They have not clarified whether or not someone with his chequered history, who has profoundly hurt numerous victims (their families and supporters), is fit to serve in that capacity and at that institution.
- Tzedek was established as a victims advocacy and support group. Clearly they have failed in their mission, which is difficult for me, as Tzedek founder, to say or accept. If they are not prepared to advocate for victims, they may as well cease to exist.
- I do not wish for Tzedek's position to become a distraction from this appalling decision by Adass. We will continue to move forward constructively to ensure that justice is achieved for all victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, and for the safety and well being of our children today.
- We fully stand by our public statement, and will continue to advocate for the removal of Kluwgant from this untenable role.
Tzedek public statement (Facebook 2 July 2017):
Tzedek would like to distance itself from Manny Waks' blog (1/7/2017) about the proposed appointment of Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant as principal of the Adass school. Manny expressed his objection to the appointment and claimed that "Mr Weiszberger, (acting president of the Board) sought advice from Tzedek and others, and was told that it would be unsafe for students to have Kluwgant in this role. Adass seemingly chose to ignore this as well". We confirm that Mr. Weiszberger had sought advice from Tzedek but Tzedek had not made the said statement about Rabbi Kluwgant.
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