Alleged abuses by a “trusted official” in Melbourne’s Jewish community have been going on “for some time,” an umbrella organization of rabbis acknowledged.
The Rabbinical Council of Victoria, in a statement in Friday’s Australian Jewish News, admitted it was aware of the alleged abuses and “encouraged alleged victims to come forward and confidentially present their issues to the RCV, so that halachic and legal counsel may be provided.”
The alleged abuser is believed to be a rabbi who is not a council member. It is also understood the rabbi has no connection to the Adass Israel community, which is still reeling following allegations of molestation at its Jewish day school by former principal Malka Leifer, who fled to Israel earlier this month.
Council President Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant told the Australian Jewish News that if alleged victims come forward, “there will be no cover-ups and no sweeping of any issues under the carpet.”
The newspaper said the latest allegations are believed to involve “inappropriate physical behavior as well as improper financial transactions.”
