Attention: Rabbinical Council of Victoria
Via email (25 February 2026)

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to seek justice and redress for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and our families, as well as for the broader Australian Jewish community.

It was recently brought to my attention that the Chabad leadership and its emissaries in Australia gathered in Bondi for a memorial event honouring those murdered in the antisemitic Chanukah attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

In the group photo from that event, several prominent rabbis who have brought deep shame to our community were present. Some appear to have been placed, or to have placed themselves, front and centre.

I am referring to the following individuals (listed alphabetically):

• Pinchus Feldman
• Yosef Feldman
• Chaim Zvi Groner
• Zvi Telsner
• Shimshon Yurkowicz

The Feldmans are a father and son. The remaining three are brothers-in-law. That dynamic may help explain the longstanding inaction in addressing their mis-conduct.

I do not believe it is necessary to detail their record here. If required, I encourage you to review the transcripts and findings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Seeing this photograph was deeply triggering for me and for others in our community. It sends a message that the leadership of Chabad and Yeshivah Centre institutions in Australia is willing to overlook what occurred within their institutions, including widespread child sexual abuse, subsequent cover-ups, and the intimidation of victims/survivors and our families. It also suggests a willingness to publicly embrace individuals whose actions caused significant harm to many, including me and my family.

After seeing the photo, I raised my concerns directly with RCV President Rabbi Moshe Kahn and RCV Vice President Rabbi Daniel Rabin. Their responses highlighted a troubling contrast.

Rabbi Kahn responded that he had no authority to move the rabbis in question and emphasised the purpose of the gathering. While I acknowledge the memorial’s importance, this reply did not address the core issue: the public honoring of individuals condemned by the Royal Commission and the impact this has on survivors.

By contrast, Rabbi Rabin acknowledged the triggering nature of the situation, affirmed the need to take survivors’ concerns seriously, and indicated that matters of this gravity should be brought before the full RCV committee for collective and responsible consideration. He expressed openness to further discussion and a principled approach.

These exchanges demonstrate that there is a right and a wrong way to respond to survivors. Deflection and procedural distancing only deepen harm. Acknowledgment, collective responsibility, and a willingness to engage constructively are essential.

In light of this, I urge the Rabbinical Council of Victoria to take immediate and appropriate action.

First, the RCV should issue a clear and unequivocal public apology to those impacted by this latest incident, particularly survivors of child sexual abuse within Chabad institutions and our families.

Second, the RCV should commit to ceasing any current or future involvement with the above-named rabbis and their institutions.

None of these individuals has been meaningfully held to account. Despite multiple opportunities, none has offered an unequivocal apology or accepted full responsibility for the serious harm caused. Should that occur, I would be prepared to reconsider my position.

For the sake of accountability and transparency, I intend to share this formal complaint publicly. My goal is not to inflame, but to educate and to encourage leadership that responds to survivors with seriousness and integrity.

Unless this matter is addressed clearly and responsibly, it will also continue to damage the RCV, Chabad, and the broader Jewish community.

Sincerely,
Manny Waks
On behalf of myself, other survivors and our families

Response from the Rabbinical Council of Victoria (31 March 2026):

Thank you for your email of 26 February 2026 and for taking the time to share your concerns with us.

The RCV acknowledges and appreciates your comments that certain events and images can trigger memories and emotions connected to past tragic and deeply painful experiences. We recognise how significant and lasting these impacts can be. We also wish to acknowledge your longstanding efforts to advocate for victims of child sexual abuse and to promote greater awareness and protection for children within the community.

Since 2010, the RCV has on several occasions publicly expressed its unequivocal condemnation of all forms of child abuse and has continued to facilitate training and education for its members to assist them in understanding and responding appropriately to these issues.

In relation to the specific Rabbis referred to in your email, Rabbis Pinchus Feldman and Yosef Feldman are Sydney-based Rabbis and are not, and have never been, members of the RCV. Rabbi Tzvi Telsner ceased to be a member of the RCV many years ago. As such, the RCV can only represent those Rabbis who are members of the Council.

Rabbi Yurkowicz did make a public apology on 6 December 2016. At the time, you acknowledged this apology when you wrote on your website: “We welcome Rabbi Yurkowicz’s apology and his public commitment to child protection within the community.”

On 13 February 2013, members of the RCV publicly reaffirmed their commitment to addressing sexual abuse within the community. Among those named were Rabbi Telsner (who was an RCV member at that time), Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Groner and Rabbi Yurkowicz. This statement was circulated by the RCV as a public media release.

Additionally, your website includes a letter of apology from the children of the late Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner, which was signed by a number of individuals including Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Groner.

In summary, the position of the RCV in relation to child sexual abuse is on the public record, as are the apologies of Rabbis Groner and Yurkowicz.

The RCV recognises that its role in relation to child protection and the care for the victims is ongoing. With this in mind, the RCV is scheduling a professional development session for its members in the coming months, during which particular emphasis will be placed on sensitivity toward survivors of abuse and the broader issues surrounding child protection and trauma awareness.

In addition, the RCV will be writing to other Australian rabbinic bodies, to share with them the RCV’s position on the sensitivities surrounding the issues you have raised and the importance for the need for ongoing training in relation to the awareness of the impact on the survivors of abuse.

We appreciate you sharing your perspective and wish you well in your ongoing efforts on behalf of survivors and the protection of children.

Wishing you a Chag Kasher V’Sameach.

Warm regards,
The RCV Committee

My response (9 April 2026):

Thank you for your response.

However, I won’t dignify it with a detailed response, other than to say it contains inaccuracies and misses the main point of my complaint. It’s also outrageous and offensive that you try to claim credit for your work in this area between 2010 and the 2015 Royal Commission public hearings - did you not follow the hearings and ultimate findings, including against the rabbis you trained? Shocking and outrageous. 

With all due respect, you’ve highlighted to me why I view the Rabbinate (not just the Rabbinical Council of Victoria) with contempt. With few exceptions, it acts comparably to all other organisations by prioritising to protect itself and its interests over the interests of community members and behaving morally and being a genuine Light Unto the Nations. 

Having said the above, I can still respect individual rabbis based on personal knowledge and interactions with them. 

Sincerely,
Manny

My addendum (19 April 2026):

​I left my response to the Rabbinical Council of Victoria (RCV) brief, as I don't feel it's worth spending any more of my time on them.

The most shocking and outrageous aspect of their response was their absurd claim that since 2010 they have 'facilitate[d] training and education for its members to assist them in understanding and responding appropriately to these issues.'

Clearly, they forgot how those esteemed trained and educated rabbis behaved between 2010 and the Royal Commission public hearings (and beyond). If anyone needs a reminder, feel free to watch Code of Silence and Breaking the Silence for some insight.

Moreover, the fact that three of the rabbis are not members of the RCV does not prevent the RCV from distancing itself from them or from criticising them - it certainly does not prevent them from apologising for including them in the group photo with them.

The RCV further claims that the brothers-in-law "Rabbis" Groner and Yurkowicz both apologised for their disgraceful behaviour. In fact, after the Royal Commission hearings, Groner, together with his siblings, apologised to me on behalf of his late father (not for what transpired under his leadership) - at some point, Groner and I commenced a restorative justice process, which ultimately failed. And at my meeting with the Groner siblings, Yurkowicz's wife told me that my criticism of her husband was unfair - I encouraged her to get her husband to contact me and I could explain my position to him. I'm still awaiting his call. So, no, neither of them apologised, certainly not meeting the Halachik (Jewish law) threshold of an apology - very far from it.
​
As I've repeatedly claimed, certain community institutions are rotten to the core. It seems the RCV falls into this category. At the very least, they are cowards and hypocrites.

Due to the controversy that has arisen from the Dom Lucre “documentary” titled The Tunnels, in which I featured, I would like to formally clarify my position:

First up, below is an unedited email correspondence between a Ms Mable Norton (on behalf of Lauren Witzke from Truth & Light Media) and myself. Below that I will make further clarifications.

Mable Norton (17/1):
Hello, I am writing a paper on abuse and came across your story. I was wondering if you would be willing to speak with me for my story?

Me (17/1):
Hi, for which publication?

Mable (17/1):
I am working with a small team to produce an independent research paper with an accompanying video on the subject. It would be released on social media and YouTube. The team had previously helped release the documentary "Died Suddenly" which was a resounding success.
If willing, I could connect you with my boss and she could give you more of or all of the information you are looking for.
I am her grunt :)

Me (18/1):
Thanks Mable.
I’m just limiting my activities regarding this issue, which has consumed my life since 2011. So I’m just trying to be more selective.
I’m also preparing for the impending court case against my first abuser, which will take place in Melbourne in March (he was recently extradited from the US). My second abuser has already been convicted and served his time.
I’d just like to request a little more detail, happy for you to both send me the link to the documentary you referenced and to connect me with your boss.

Mable (18/1):
Thank you so much. I understand completely.
Here is our website https://tlmglobalproductions.com/
This is my boss, Lauren [REDACTED]
Thank you again, Manny.
God bless

Mable (20/1):
Hey, Manny. Sorry, I know you are probably busy, and you have other things going on.
I am re-sending this to you in hopes that you considered meeting with us.
Thank you again :)

Me (20/1):
Hi Mable,
Happy to set up a teleconference to discuss this further.
I’m quite flexible, the earlier in the day, the better for me (so ideally your morning/my afternoon).
Feel free to suggest some options.
Regards,
Manny

Mable (20/1):
Thank you, Manny!
How would Monday morning work for you? 9:30 New York time? We can be a little flexible of course. And just to be sure, you have zoom, right? That is typically what we use for this sort of thing.
Thank you, again, Manny!

Me (21/1):
Sounds good!
Are in NY? Just trying to work out the time difference. Please give me a time in Israel and we’ll speak then.
And yes, Zoom is fine.

Me (22/1):
Hi Mable,
I’m back home and will be ready in 20-30 minutes. I’ll send you a message when I’m ready.
I just wanted to mention that I wasn’t really expecting the interview to take place today, which explains why I wasn’t really prepared for it. I wrote that I was happy to have a teleconference today to further discuss this (see my email below).
Nevertheless, I’m comfortable proceeding, so I’ll speak to Lauren soon.
Manny

Mable (22/1):
Ah, Lauren told me - I’m so embarrassed! I’m sorry for not having been more articulate. Lauren said another 30 minutes and then she’ll send the link. Thank you so much, and again I apologize I was traveling, but there’s no excuse for me to be so absent minded.

Me (31/1):
Mable,
Someone sent me the link to your story, which featured me, and having just watched it, I’m still recovering from the shock.

You approached me on completely false pretences - you claimed that it was to share my personal, difficult story of child sexual abuse and to provide guidance and support for those in similar situations. That’s the basis on which I agreed to participate.

Once we concluded our interview, you briefly asked me about the recent events in 770. I made it clear to you that I have no idea about any child abuse allegations but that what transpired suggested lawlessness, which leads to increased vulnerability for children. And while you briefly covered my story, you didn’t cover anything at all regarding the advice I gave for the benefit of other victims/survivors - you’re basically insinuating in your shoddy documentary that I support your bizarre theory. So I’d like to make it clear, I absolutely reject this insinuation.

I’m bitterly disappointed as I should’ve listened to my gut instinct, which was to deny the interview. I merely wanted to assist other survivors by sharing my story and knowledge, not to be used as an endorsement for your unfounded conspiracies.

The tunnels in 770 being systematically used for child abductions? You didn’t provide an ounce of evidence for this ludicrous claim. Finding a high chair and a soiled mattress in the tunnels doesn’t prove a thing!

You lied to me in your claim regarding the aim of the documentary; it wasn’t about child sexual abuse, my story and/or to assist other victims/survivors. Rather, it was focused entirely on the recent Chabad 770 story (which I agree is a major issue) and you tried to use me to make it sound more credible.

You and your network need to take a hard look at yourselves. You have zero credibility.

Shame on you all!

Sincerely,
Manny

​For anyone who watched the unedited interview, which lasted for over an hour and consisted of many questions, at the very end of the interview Lauren stated that she had one final question. That was the first time anything about the 770 Eastern Parkway Chabad-Lubavitch Headquarters scandal came up. This was a deliberate attempt to mislead me regarding the focus of this “documentary” – I was told that it was about the issue of child sexual abuse, which would focus on my personal story, and, as a long-time, prominent victims’ advocate, to provide advice to other victims/survivors. I was never told that this was a story about the tunnels of the Chabad Headquarters or that it was going to be a part of a Dom Lucre "documentary". I had never heard of Dom until a random person sent me the link to the "documentary". They effectively misled me and I feel that they did so for the purpose of gaining credibility for their false narrative.

To be clear, The Tunnels is not a documentary, it is certainly not journalism and it is not based on reality – rather, it is a conspiracy theory. There is absolutely no evidence to support Dom’s outrageous and baseless claims.

And as I said in the interview in response to Lauren’s question regarding what transpired at the Chabad Headquarters, I believe that the lawlessness that was recently exhibited within that institution is an added vulnerability for children. The Chabad leadership should’ve been aware that the tunnels were being built and should’ve taken steps against those involved. And if they weren’t aware of the tunnels, that’s at least just as concerning, as it would suggest that they have no idea was is occurring within their own institutions. Having re-listened to my response to Lauren, I’m proud of what I said and fully stand by it.

This “documentary” seems to benefit primarily Dom himself. It certainly does not help victims/survivors of child sexual abuse or the broader community – it diverts attention from facts and reality, which is far from what Dom portrays.

I accept some responsibility for this debacle, as I should've done my due diligence. I'll ensure to learn from this experience.

Click here to purchase my memoir, Who gave you permission?.

For the past six months or so, VoiCSA has been dealing with serious allegations of child sexual abuse and the response to it by Cheder Levi Yitzchok, an ultra-Orthodox Chabad school based in Melbourne.

Around a month ago, The Age published an article titled ​Parents told the best protection is prayer after school child-sex abuse claims. Several days ago, it published another article titled ​Students expelled after parents refuse to keep quiet on child sex abuse claims.

In response to this ongoing latest child sexual abuse scandal, the Cheder's Founder and Principal, Mr Eliezer Kornhauser, published an Open Letter to the community. VoiCSA has responded by publishing our own Open Letter. Please see both letters below.

TO MY JEWISH COMMUNITY: YOU TAUGHT ME TO THINK
GABRIELLA PEARL KATZ

To my Jewish community,

I have grown up in a community which has nurtured and nourished me. A community that has provided me with all the tools to question my existence and to pursue a life of meaning, purpose, and happiness. Truly, I attribute my intellect and my love for learning to my Jewish education at Mount Scopus Memorial College (MSMC) and more generally the Jewish based values I hold dear. Indeed, the presupposition of the Talmudic approach to life is that rigorous inquiry and rationality is better than an unquestioning and submissive existence. To be mindless is to lose touch with the heart of the Talmud, one of the greatest examples of critical thinking. However, while the community has taught me lessons of deep thinking and bold action, I have felt disillusioned by members and leaders who have persistently failed to live by those values when it matters most.

The plethora of sexual misconduct and grooming allegations, substantiated by an external review, which came to light in December 2021 against a former senior teacher at MSMC were deeply shocking and disturbing. It should have been a watershed moment for our community. Why does it feel like not much has changed and that things are back to ‘normal’? More specifically, why does it feel like this devastating experience has not informed or changed our community’s understanding of child safety and Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)? Where was the discourse in Jewish media outlets? Where was the provision of counselling for students? Where was the open discussion and transparency from community leaders? I fear that the lack of discourse and questioning of the allegations at MSMC evidenced that our community wanted to sweep it under the rug. Recent allegations against an 88-year-old caretaker at Caulfield Hebrew Shule (CHC) remind us that the problems surrounding CSA in our community are far from solved.

The Royal Commission public hearing into Australian Jewish institutions that were involved in repeat instances of CSA, cover-ups as well as intimidation of victims has certainly led to ground-breaking and ongoing changes within the Jewish community. But nearly seven years later issues of CSA are pervasive. We are so quick to criticise the Ultra-Orthodox community for the way they have previously responded to CSA that we have become incapable of recognising it in our own backyard. It is easier to blame a section of the Jewish community when they are ‘other’, or not part of what you understand to be your community. However, when the MSMC and CHC allegations surfaced, the members who condemned and were disgusted by the abuse that occurred at Yeshiva disappeared into thin air, nowhere to be seen. There was no public show of support for the victims. There were no opinion piece articles. There were no social media posts. The truth is that CSA must be recognised no matter where it occurs. But it appears to only concern my Jewish community when it happens in Orthodox or Ultra-Orthodox settings. Where are the people critically condemning such gross misconduct wherever it happens, completely and with no qualifications?
 
I have spoken with many people whose personal connection to a community, a family, and a shule has completely blindsided them from properly grappling with the fact that members of this community can be sexual predators. Indeed, I can understand that many may struggle reconciling their personal relationships and the tight-knit nature of our community with such gross allegations. But personal feelings ought not trump the absolute denunciation of such gross misconduct and breach of human and children’s rights. We must stop protecting predators by invoking values of personal loyalty at the expense of vulnerable and victimised young people. It seems that basic human rights are not really an indisputable standard in our community. That is, the right of a female to freely and safely attend shule. The right of a female to feel free to attend high school without worrying that she will be a victim of a predator. The community’s response to the allegations felt like a deliberate choice to choose a ‘side’ over a principle.

To the reader of this letter: what questions were raised for you after reading ‘Students accused senior teacher of misconduct at prestigious Melbourne school’ in The Age, published December 31, 2021? Did you just accept the article as it was, like reading the football scores after a match? Perhaps you thought that what you read sounded terrible but that it was fixed with the solutions outlined in the article. Maybe you contemplated that you are missing many pieces of information? Nevertheless, I was disappointed by the reluctance of individuals to rigorously inquire into what had just unfolded. It felt like no one was grappling with the key questions: Which other staff noticed that the school environment was not conducive to child safety? What culture normalised such behaviour that it went unchecked for 20 plus years?
These are some questions that should have been asked. The reluctance by individuals to question has left me feeling ostracised and I cannot help but think that members of this community really don’t care.

When you are in a position of privilege, having received top-notch education, access to plenty of financial resources, and you live in a community like the one I was raised in, you have a duty to remove your blinkers and see such a relationship in its true colours. When you have the skills and resources to subject events to critical analysis, you are morally responsible and accountable for the blinkers you choose to wear. We must not fool ourselves. What I fear is that my community has failed to recognise what happened at MSMC and CHC was part of a broader pattern. A pattern whereby male predators go unchecked for years, enabled by poor child safety policy enforcement, by unquestioning and ill-educated staff and where victims are not empowered or encouraged to disclose abuse. The damaging outcome is that silence can be a form of survival for many victims who have not come forward. It is little wonder why victims wait decades to come forward, or I am sure for many, decide to not report their abuse, harassment, or assault at all.

Indeed, the fact that grotesque predatory behaviour happens in our community does not mean that it should not be labelled for what it is. Justice must not remain elusive for the aggrieved because the perpetrator is a member of a community you feel attached to.

An edited version of this article first appeared in The Australian Jewish News.

VoiCSA notes with grave concern the joint statement issued on 31 January 2022 by the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) and Blake Street Hebrew Congregation (BSHC) (below) regarding the child protection policies of BSHC.

The statement refers to a letter which the JCCV apparently wrote to BSHC in December questioning the quality of BSHC’s Child Protection Policy. The JCCV appears to have then forwarded that letter to The Age, who referred to it in an article on 31 December 2021.

In a stunning reversal of its initial position, the JCCV now claims the letter was 'written in error'. It now asserts that 'BSHC has a strong child protection policy in place'. Similarly, BSHC states that 'having again reviewed our Child Protection Policy and procedures, we are able to confirm that they are of the highest quality'. Neither the JCCV nor BSHC provide any evidence of the Policy having been independently reviewed by experts in the field and it is unclear on what basis they now claim the policy is 'strong'.

In December, VoiCSA engaged an independent consultancy firm with expertise in child protection to audit BSHC’s full suite of Child Protection documents. The audit (below), conducted by Ms Andrea O'Byrne (formerly the Deputy Regional Director with the Department of Human Services when the Victorian Child Safe standards were developed), found that BSHC’s documents only 'partially met' each of the seven Child Safe Standards and identified numerous areas of concern.

Late last year, multiple allegations of serious misconduct were made against former Mount Scopus Memorial College long-time director of student development, Mr Jared Alford, who VoiCSA understands is a member of BSHC and had been engaged as a volunteer at the synagogue. The allegations relate to his conduct while employed at Mount Scopus and independent of his involvement with BSHC.  

VoiCSA wrote to BSHC on two occasions in December (below) and reminded them of their obligations in connection with the allegations, including under Victoria’s Reportable Conduct Scheme and the recently introduced Failure to Protect offence.

VoiCSA also highlighted potential historical breaches by BSHC of the Child Safe Standards, which may not have had a Child Protection Policy in place until September 2021, despite this being mandated since 2016. VoiCSA also noted the absence of a policy specifically dealing with Persons of Concern and the real possibility of victims/survivors or their families having to face the accused in synagogue. We suggested that BSHC may benefit from engaging an independent and internationally recognised organisation such as Child Wise to assist with compliance with the Standards, which are set to become more onerous in July 2022.

The report commissioned by VoiCSA also includes Incident Recommendations (below), which describes what would be a best practice response by BSHC in the situation. Disappointingly, the response to date has been completely inadequate. We specifically note that Ms O'Byrne has stated that BSHC 'have not created a child safe environment to sufficiently encourage safe disclosure of past or current allegations from any incident involving any congregant'.

Please see the additional material below.