Case of Malka Leifer
Currently Resides - Emmanuel, Israel
Beit Shemesh, Israel
Nachala Umenucha, Israel
B'nai Brak, Israel
Former Principal - Adass Israel Girls School, Elsernwick, Australia
Former Principal - Adass Israel Girls School, Elsernwick, Australia
Tel Aviv, Israel
Principal at the Adass Israel Girls School Accused of molesting teenage girls. She fled to Israel prior to case being prosecuted. It is believed that Malka Leifer currently resides in Emmanuel, Israel.
If you have any updated information about this case, please forward it to The Awareness Center, Inc.
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Table of Contents:
2008
- Background History (04/25/2008)
- Adass principal flees Australia in disgrace (03/13/2008)
- 'Misbehaving' teacher leaves for Israel (03/13/2008)
- Allegations send principal packing (03/13/2008)
- Principal 'molested schoolgirls' (03/14/2008)
- Isolated from the rest of the world, and proud to be so (03/14/2008)
- Jewish school 'devastated' (03/14/2008)
- Claims female Jewish school principal molested students, fled (03/14/2008)
- School principal flees after claims she molested students (03/14/2008)
- Claim Jewish principal molested students (03/14/2008)
- School acting on claims, says lawyer (03/15/2008)
- Female principal at Jewish school stood down over claims of inappropriate conduct (03/15/2008)
- Head flees over school scandal (03/19/2008)
- Adass denies paying for principal to flee (03/24/2008)
- Letters to the Editor - Rabbinic Responsibility (03/28/2008)
- Letters to the Editor - Speaking is Healing (03/28/2008)
- Rabbis urge victims to speak out (03/27/2008)
- Abuses alleged in Melbourne community (03/30/2008)
- Letters to the Editor - Lashon Hara Versus Speaking Out (04/04/2008)
- Letters to the Editor - Against Family Violence (04/04/2008)
- JCCV: swift action must be taken on sexual abuse (04/08/2008)
- Letter to the Editor - Defining Child Abuse (04/11/2008)
- Letter to the Editor - Prevention is Key (04/11/2008)
- UPDATE: Malka Leifer - Principal from Australia (04/24/2008)
Background History
By Vicki Polin
The Awareness Center's Daily Newsletter - April 25, 2008
Malka Leifer went from Elsternwick (Melbourne), Australia to Bnai Brak, Israel, then moving to Beit Shemesh, Nachala Umenucha, and on to Emmanuel, Israel, where it is believed she currently resides.
This is a case of alleged cult like behavior, Malka Leifer being the leader. It is a case of power and control. Leifer had the complete power over the relationship, 24 hours a day and some cases still has a complete hold over many of these women.
Malka Leifer validated all of her actions through religion, she would consult with the rabbi of the Adass community, usually phoning him ten times a day, quoting other Rabbis as a source for her actions. One source said "You name it this woman had unbelievable Chutzpah and gall and used it to her own advantage, totally twisting everything to suit her needs". The forced criminal sexual behavior included digital penetration, and oral sex.
Malka Leifer is described as being a danger to young women anywhere she resides. "She's a very clever woman and will attempt to befriend and become close to new young women, where ever she is." Her modus operandi is to become a very important person part of their lives, helps with lesson preparations, helps with buying them dresses, helps with researching shidduchim, etc. She made herself available to the girls, 24 hours a day, so when she began to be intimate with them, it was difficult for them to extrapolate themselves from her as they were so indebted to her. The Adas community is a very secluded community which is extremely religious/devote. Going to a local rape center or knowing what to do in this sort of situation is not on their radar.
The ongoing problem with this case is the fact that none of the survivors have been working with law enforcement. Many of the survivors range from ages 19-22. The women have been terrified to go to the police because they are still terrified of Malka Leifer. The Charedi community of Melbourne is very small, and those within the Adass community is even smaller. If any of the survivors would come forward those who have been sexually victimized would be easily identified, by not only the community but my Leifer. Many of those who were sexually victimized are at the age of looking for shidduchim (marriage partners) at this time, a few are married.
Over the last seven years The Awareness Center has seen "the culturally appropriate way" in many orthodox communities is to let the rabbis "handle" these sorts situations, by either doing nothing or protecting the alleged sexual predator not to embarrass his or her family, at the expense of those who have been criminally violated.
It's not very often we will see rabbonim encouraging survivors of sex crimes to work with law enforcement, instead they encourage survivors to have their cases heard in a Jewish religious court. According to Jewish law there needs to be two `kosher' witnesses to a crime. It's important to note that women do not count as kosher witnesses. When you are dealing with sex crimes, there is hardly ever one witness, let alone two.
We all must be aware that our rabbis are not trained to conduct victim sensitive interviews nor have knowledge in how to collect forensic evidence. The "cultural norm" in more insulated communities is to scare those who have been victimized into silence by warning them they will not find good marriage partner or be allowed in good yeshivas (schools) if it was known they or a family member were a victim of a sex crime.
Instead of instilling fear, our rabbis should be encouraging survivors to work with law enforcement, to insure no more innocent children, adolescents or adults are harmed by alleged sexual predators. Instead of promoting fear, our rabbonim have a responsibility to be educating our communities that all survivor of sex crimes should be honored and respected.
The Awareness Center wants to encourage all survivors of sex crimes to contact their local rape crisis center and to work with law enforcement. It is the only way to insure that there is hope in stopping a sexual predator from creating more victims.
Adass principal flees Australia in disgrace
By Naomi Levin and Ashley Browne
Australian Jewish News - March 13, 2008
Malka Leifer, who joined the school as a teacher eight years ago and has been principal for five years, had her employment terminated and left Melbourne within 24 hours of being investigated by the school board.
President of the Adass Israel congregation, Benjamin Koppel, told The AJN that the school first acted on Tuesday last week after receiving a call suggesting that inappropriate behaviour may have taken place with one or more of the school's current or former students.
In a statement to The AJN, Koppel said that the "relevant authority" had been notified of the allegations, but would not confirm whether the authority in question was a rabbinical court, an independent schools board or the Victoria Police.
A police spokesperson was unable to confirm whether or not an investigation is underway into Leifer's behaviour because of the sensitive nature of the allegations. However, The AJN understands that the principal's conduct was reported to the police by concerned parents.
Adass has engaged two psychologists – one from Melbourne and another brought especially from Israel – who they claim will counsel the students at the school, which has about 250 students.
"The school is deeply saddened by these events, and is taking every step possible to ensure the welfare of the students is protected and that everything is done to minimise the prospect of any such behaviour occurring in the future," Koppel said.
"The school's policy is to always place the welfare of its students as its highest priority, and constantly reviews and revises its endeavours to protect the students entrusted to its care."
The tight-knit Adass community has been in turmoil since a notice was placed on a school noticeboard last Thursday, indicating that Leifer had suddenly left the school.
On Shabbat morning last week, the spiritual leader of the Adass Israel community, Rabbi Avrohom Zvi Beck, addressed the small community and said they should not consider Leifer guilty of any crimes because there has been no investigation. He also told congregants that they are forbidden to discuss the matter and if they do, it will be considered lashon hara (malicious gossip).
A number of parents from the school contacted The AJN this week. Their attitudes ranged from disgust to disappointment some parents want the principal's behaviour to be investigated, others are more concerned that the school has not been forthcoming in providing counselling for those students who claim to have had inappropriate contact with Leifer
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'Misbehaving' teacher leaves for Israel
By Larissa Ham
The Age - March 13, 2008
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| Adass Israel Girls School |
A senior staff member at an Elsternwick Jewish school's girl's campus has left amid allegations of "misbehaviour" involving students.
The head of campus for Jewish studies at Adass Israel Girls School, Malka Leifer, was forced to resign last week and left for Israel shortly after, school committee member Issac Benedikt told The Age.
"It came both at the same time, she was told she can't be at the school, she said in that case I'm resigning," Mr Benedikt said.
The allegations involve some students at the school aged 18 and 19, he said.
"We are investigating it at the moment. At the moment we don't have any conclusive evidence," Mr Benedikt said.
"We can't really say what happened and what didn't happen."
He said professionals including psychologists had been hired to conduct the investigation, but would not say whether the matter had been reported to police.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Constable Kate Lawson said she could not confirm whether a report had been made to police.
"We would never release information concerning an investigation or the status of an investigation, particularly those victims that are underage," Constable Lawson said.
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Allegations send principal packing
JTA - March 13, 2008
Allegations of inappropriate behavior have forced the principal of an Australian girls' school to leave her post.
Malka Leifer, the head of the fervently Orthodox Adass Israel Girls School in Melbourne for five years, returned to her native Israel last week following an internal investigation.
According to the Australian Jewish News, the allegations concern inappropriate behavior between Leifer, a mother of eight, and several students. Some parents are believed to have notified police, although it is unclear if an official investigation is under way.
Two counselors, including one from Israel, have been called into the school due to the sensitive nature of the allegations, the newspaper reported. Adass Israel has about 250 students.
"The school is deeply saddened by these events," Adass Israel president Benjamin Koppel said in a statement. "It is taking every step possible to ensure the welfare of the students is protected and that everything is done to minimize the prospect of such behavior occurring in the future."
In a Shabbat address to the community, Adass Israel spiritual leader Rabbi Avrohom Zvi Beck said Leifer should not be considered guilty because no charges have been pressed, the Australian Jewish News reported.
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Principal 'molested schoolgirls'
By Barney Zwartz and Bridie Smith
The Age - March 14, 2008
The principal of a private Jewish girls' school in Melbourne has fled Australia facing accusations that she sexually molested some of the students.
Outraged parents claim that the Adass Israel Girls' School in Elsternwick paid for Malka Leifer, a mother of eight, to return to Israel before reporting the complaints to the police.
She left Melbourne on Wednesday last week, 24 hours after being investigated and sacked by the school's board.
The Adass community is a small, ultra-orthodox and reclusive group of about 150 families based in Elsternwick and Ripponlea. They have little contact with the wider Jewish community and non-Jewish society.
It is believed the complaints against Mrs Leifer involve girls aged 15 and 16.
The president of the Adass Israel synagogue, Benjamin Koppel, has confirmed that the school acted after receiving a call suggesting that inappropriate behaviour may have taken place with one or more of the school's present or former students.
Mr Koppel did not return calls from The Age, but in a statement to The Australian Jewish News, he said a "relevant authority" had been informed. He would not confirm whether that was police, a religious court or an independent schools board.
A spokeswoman for Victoria Police said the force was aware of the claims but could not confirm whether there was an investigation because the victims might be under age.
Raphael Aron, a counsellor with Gateway Family Counselling Centre in Caulfield, said his agency had referred some families with children at the school to specialists. "This has hit the community like a ton of bricks, it's absolutely out of character with the nature of the school, staff and faculty," he said.
Mr Aron, who is also director of Cult Counselling Australia, which tries to get people out of cults, said he was concerned for the girls' welfare. "In a school where kids don't have much exposure to the outside world, there is a possibility of vulnerability ... they may not have the street wisdom to recognise that something is wrong," he said.
Parents of present and past students said Mrs Leifer had molested students at school, at her home and probably at school camps. They said one victim had attempted suicide.
The parents, who would not be named, said that Mrs Leifer would share her bed with different students when her rabbi husband was away. She would tell the students she was scared, although she had five children, aged five to 12, in the house.
The parents said that Mrs Leifer always went on school camps — five or six a year — and would stay an extra night with two or three girls to "clean up".
One parent said problems emerged a year ago when a daughter, 16, stopped eating and became unsociable. Her parents took her to a psychologist, and it came out that she had been molested but was too embarrassed to tell her parents.
"It's very sensitive, because a girl who has been molested would find it hard to get married, so it's very secret, hush-hush — no one wants to admit their child is a victim," the parent said.
Girls and boys in the community are segregated from kindergarten, are not allowed television or to mix with the wider community and do not attend university until after they are married.
They leave the Adass schools at 16 and go to seminaries, usually overseas, until they marry, usually much younger than the Australian norm.
One parent told The Age that Mrs Leifer, who is believed to be in her late 40s, was hand-picked from Israel to teach at the girls' school eight years ago, not because of her teaching abilities but for her ultra-orthodox beliefs. The parent said she was widely regarded as the second holiest person in the community, behind spiritual leader Rabbi Avrohom Zvi Beck.
Some parents are livid with the way the school has handled the claims and frustrated by the "silence of the establishment".
At a meeting with parents yesterday, Mr Koppel avoided answering repeated questions from parents about the identity of the "relevant authorities".
Parents were also concerned that the psychological treatment of the girls had been compromised because the school had refused to release information to outside psychologists. Students and parents were instead referred to school-nominated psychologists.
There are also claims that Mrs Leifer left Australia with up to $100,000 borrowed from a family within the community, two days before she flew to Israel. She is also alleged to have taken about $20,000 from a pool of money earned from some students' part-time jobs.
The money, managed by Mrs Leifer, was pooled in a community fund and then lent to people in need.
The Age was told that Adass leaders at one stage sought the advice of Mark Leibler, a prominent leader of the wider Jewish community, but he declined to get involved.
Barrister Norman Rosenbaum confirmed that he had been retained by the community. "For reasons of privacy, and to protect those affected, we are not saying anything further, other than that all issues are being addressed by pre-eminent qualified professionals," he said.
The Australian Jewish News also reported that on Saturday last week, Rabbi Beck addressed the community and said they should not consider Mrs Leifer guilty of any crimes because there had been no investigation. He told the congregation that if they discussed the matter, it would be considered lashon hara (malicious gossip), the paper reported.
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Isolated from the rest of the world, and proud to be so
By Barney Zwartz
The Age - March 14, 2008
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| Adass boys in class. The community separates the sexes at school from of about eight. |
Melbourne's Adass community is secretive and reclusive. That's how its members like it, writes Barney Zwartz.
THEY could be called the Amish of the Jewish community: ultra-orthodox, ultra-reclusive and ultra-strict. On the Jewish Sabbath and holy days, the men of Melbourne's Adass community stand out with their tall fur hats and long, black silk coats, while the women usually cover their heads with a scarf or hat.
There's no TV or iPods, no skimpy clothing, no children's stories in which boys and girls are friends, no sex education before marriage — and almost no drop-outs from the community. The strict seclusion works.
People come to Elsternwick and Ripponlea like tourists to stare at this apparently medieval cultural relic from eastern Europe.
But during the rest of the week, Adass members look much like anyone else, if more modestly dressed, and fit comfortably into modern life.
They have as little to do with outsiders — and that includes other Jews, even Orthodox ones — as possible.
"The reason we are so reclusive is that if we want our children to uphold our religion the way we believe it, to the dot of the law, dress code etc, the only way is to isolate children from all outside influences," one member of the community said yesterday.
The community of about 150 families is almost entirely self-sufficient, with its own kindergartens, schools, doctors, butcher, baker, circumciser and cemetery. Most are not rich, and families tend to be large. Most have six children and some have 13 or 14.
They are remarkably stringent about separating the sexes.
"Some will not use their wife's name in public or before anyone except their children. Neighbours are always Mrs. Once you call a woman by her first name, that's the beginning of a possible illicit relationship," the Adass member said.
Boys and girls, other than siblings or cousins, do not talk to each other after they are about eight. There are separate kindergartens for boys and girls, and separate schools that are kept so distinct that boys and girls cannot be dropped off in the same street in case they talk to each other, The Age was told.
Children go to school until they are 16, then to full-time religious school — usually seminaries in Israel, the US or Britain — until they are married, at which point they can go to university or to work.
Another Adass member, who also spoke to The Age anonymously, said the community had got much stricter in the past 10 years under spiritual leader Rabbi Avrohom Zvi Beck, and the younger members were more fanatical in their religious observance than their parents.
"Walking, we are supposed to gaze at the ground, looking up only enough for safety, because we might look at a woman."
Adass women wear stockings, long skirts — never trousers or jeans — and cover their arms to the wrist. Clothes must not be tight or see-through or red — because red attracts the eye, and women are supposed to blend in to the landscape, according to the community member. "All women in Adass have to cover their hair. Fanatics shave after their weddings and wear wigs, and ultra-fanatics wear a scarf over the wig."
Adass members marry within the community, often finding partners in Israel, the US or Britain. Marriages are not arranged, precisely, but the parents play an active role. They find prospective partners, then let the children meet — but not alone. If they don't suit there is no pressure. "No one wants their children to have a bad marriage or have problems later," the member said.
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Jewish School 'devastated'
By Beck Eleven
By Beck Eleven
The Age - March 14, 2008 - 1:04PM
The scandal erupted after the principal of the Adass Israel Girls' School in Elsternwick fled Australia facing accusations that she sexually molested some of the students.
Outraged parents claim that the private Jewish girls' school paid for Malka Leifer, a mother of eight, to return to Israel before reporting the complaints to the police.
She left Melbourne on Wednesday last week, 24 hours after being investigated and sacked by the school's board.
The Adass community is a small, ultra-orthodox and reclusive group of about 150 families based in Elsternwick and Ripponlea.
Barrister Norman Rosenbaum spoke on behalf of the school outside its grounds today.
He would not discuss the allegations, citing legal bounds and respect for the confidentiality of those affected.
"People are devastated because even the mere allegation is something which goes to the very core of the principles and the morals and ethics which this school intends to inculcate in its students," he said.
"Certainly we have the best interests of those affected at the forefront and we are fully cognisant of the other issues, legal and otherwise, which go with that.
He said he would not comment further. other than to provide assurance that issues were being addressed by qualified professionals.
He would not comment on the number of victims and said he was not aware of the school demanding parents not discuss the allegations to media.
However, a security guard was employed by the school today and one parent who stopped to say she was shaken by the story, was quickly ushered away by another staff member.
Mr Rosenbaum said neither he nor the school, to the best of his knowledge, had spoken to the former principal since she left.
"I don't know first hand but there is popular rumour around that she went back to her home of origin."
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Claims female jewish school principal molested students, fled
Herald Sun - March 14, 2008
Herald Sun - March 14, 2008
THE former principal of an exclusive Melbourne private Jewish girls' school was sacked this week and has left Australia amid accusations she molested students.
Fairfax media reported today that mother-of-eight Malka Leifer was dismissed as principal of the Adass Israel Girls' School in Elsternwick last Tuesday week, and returned to her native Israel a day later.
The Adass community is described as a small, ultra-orthodox and reclusive group of about 150 families based in Elsternwick and Ripponlea who have little contact with the wider Jewish community.
The complaints are believed to involve girls aged 15 and 16, the report said.
The president of the Adass Israel synagogue, Benjamin Koppel, said in a statement to the Australian Jewish News newspaper that the school acted after receiving a call suggesting inappropriate behaviour may have have occurred with one or more present or former students.
The statement said a "relevant authority'' had been informed of the allegations, but did not confirm if the authority was police, a religious court or an independent schools board.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the force was aware of the claims but could not confirm there was an investigation because any alleged victims may be underage.
A counsellor with Gateway Family Counselling Centre in Caulfield, Raphael Aron, said his agency had referred some families with students at Adass to specialists.
"This has hit the community like a ton of bricks, it's absolutely out of character with the nature of the school, staff and faculty,'' he said.
Parents of present and past students told Fairfax Mrs Leifer had molested students at school, at her home and possibly at school camps. One girl had attempted suicide.
There are claims that Mrs Leifer left Australia with up to $100,000 borrowed from a family in the community two days before she flew to Israel.
She was also alleged to have taken about $20,000 from a pool she managed of money earned by students in part-time jobs to loan to people in need.
School principal flees after claims she molested students
Live News - March 14, 2008
The principal of an exclusive Melbourne private Jewish girls' school has reportedly been sacked and left Australia this week, amid claims she molested students.
The Age newspaper reports the woman was dismissed by the Adass Israel Girls' School in Elsternwick a week ago last Tuesday and returned to her native Israel a day later.
The Adass community is described by The Age as a small ultra-orthodox and reclusive group of about 150 families based in Elsternwick and Ripponlea.
It says they have little contact with the wider Jewish community.
The complaints are believed to involve girls aged 15 and 16.
The president of the Adass Israel synagogue, Benjamin Koppel has told the Australian Jewish News the school acted after receiving a call, suggesting inappropriate behaviour may have have occurred with one or more present or former students.
And Raphael Aron, a counsellor with Gateway Family Counselling Centre in Caulfield says his agency has referred some families with students at Adass to specialists.
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Claim Jewish principal molested students
News Nine - March 14, 2008
The principal of an exclusive Melbourne private Jewish girls' school has been sacked and has left Australia amid accusations she molested students.
The Age newspaper reported on Friday that mother-of-eight Malka Leifer was dismissed as principal of the Adass Israel Girls' School in Elsternwick last Tuesday week, and returned to her native Israel a day later.
The Adass community is described by the Fairfax paper as a small, ultra-orthodox and reclusive group of about 150 families based in Elsternwick and Ripponlea who have little contact with the wider Jewish community.
The complaints are believed to involve girls aged 15 and 16, the report said.
The president of the Adass Israel synagogue, Benjamin Koppel, said in a statement to the Australian Jewish News newspaper that the school acted after receiving a call suggesting inappropriate behaviour may have occurred with one or more present or former students.
The statement said a "relevant authority" had been informed of the allegations, but did not confirm if the authority was police, a religious court or an independent schools board, The Age said.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the force was aware of the claims but could not confirm there was an investigation because any alleged victims may be underage.
A counsellor with Gateway Family Counselling Centre in Caulfield, Raphael Aron, said his agency had referred some families with students at Adass to specialists.
"This has hit the community like a tonne of bricks, it's absolutely out of character with the nature of the school, staff and faculty," he said.
Parents of present and past students told newspaper Mrs Leifer had molested students at school, at her home and possibly at school camps. One girl had attempted suicide.
There are claims that Mrs Leifer left Australia with up to $100,000 borrowed from a family in the community two days before she flew to Israel, The Age said.
She was also alleged to have taken about $20,000 from a pool she managed of money earned by students in part-time jobs to loan to people in need.
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School acting on claims, says lawyer
By Beck Eleven
The Age - March 15, 2008
Norman Rosenbaum, lawyer for the Adass Israel Girls' School in Elsternwick, says the school has the "best interests of those affected at the forefront". Photo: Pat Scala
THE lawyer for an ultra-orthodox Jewish school said yesterday that no representative had yet spoken to the former principal accused of molesting students.
Parents say the Adass Israel Girls' School in Elsternwick paid for its principal, Malka Leifer, to return to Israel after sexual molestation allegations emerged against her last week. She left Melbourne 24 hours after being investigated and sacked by the school's board.
The Adass community is a small, ultra-orthodox and reclusive group of about 150 families based in Elsternwick and Ripponlea.
The school monitors its own curriculum, down to morals and dress code.
All comment yesterday was referred to Mr Rosenbaum.
He said outside the school's grounds that he would not discuss the allegations, citing legal bounds and respect for the confidentiality of those affected.
But Mr Rosenbaum gave assurances that issues were being dealt with by professionals.
A police spokeswoman said yesterday that Victoria Police had not received a complaint.
Mr Rosenbaum said: "People are devastated because even the mere allegation is something which goes to the very core of the principles and the morals and ethics which this school intends to inculcate in its students.
"Certainly we have the best interests of those affected at the forefront and we are fully cognisant of the other issues, legal and otherwise, which go with that," he said.
"It is small community, a close-knit community. Not only are the children with one another at school but their parents are invariably close friends."
Mr Rosenbaum said neither he nor the school, to the best of his knowledge, had spoken to the former principal since she left.
"I don't know first hand but there is popular rumour around that she went back to her home of origin," he said.
A security guard stood watch and staff guarded the private school's gates yesterday after the allegations against Mrs Leifer, a mother of eight, appeared in The Age and The Australian Jewish News.
Parents approached by media representatives were unwilling to talk, and one woman who wanted to speak was whisked inside school grounds by a staff member.
Australia has an extradition treaty with Israel, but Israel does not extradite its citizens.
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Female principal at Jewish school stood down over claims of inappropriate conduct
By Conor Duffy
Australian Broadcasting Corporation - March 15, 2008
The female principal of a private orthodox Jewish girls school has returned to Israel 24 hours after being accused of inappropriate conduct with students.
Transcript
VIRGINIA TRIOLI: The principal of an Orthodox Jewish girls' school in Melbourne has been stood down after being accused of inappropriate conduct with students.
The president of the Adass Israel Congregation has confirmed that the allegations are being investigated and says the principal left the country 24 hours after the accusation was made.
Conor Duffy reports.
CONOR DUFFY, REPORTER: This is the Adass Israel Girls School in inner Melbourne. The Melbourne Adass community is made up of just 150 families. It's very small, ultra Orthodox and is considered reclusive even by the wider Jewish community.
Today, that anonymity was pierced when the Australian Jewish News published reports that the female principal of the girls' school, Malka Leifer, a mother of eight, had been stood down because of allegations about improper conduct with her students.
The Age newspaper went further, saying the accusations were that the principal had shared a bed with some of the girls in her care.
In a statement to Lateline, the president of the Adass Israel Congregation, Benjamin Koppel, confirmed the school had investigated an employee after a complaint to the school last Tuesday. He said:
BENJAMIN KOPPEL'S STATEMENT (voice over): The employee denied any wrongdoing, but was suspended from all school duties on Tuesday 4 March 2008, the day of the telephone call, pending further investigation.
The person who was suspended is regarded by the school board as being no longer employed by the school, as that person left Australia, seemingly indefinitely, on the evening of Wednesday 5 March 2008.
NORMAN ROSENBAUM, LAWYER: When the allegations came to the attention of the school council, they immediately stood Mrs Leifer down. Our information is she has now left the country.
CONOR DUFFY: With her family?
NORMAN ROSENBAUM: I believe with her family, yes.
CONOR DUFFY: Members of the ultra Orthodox community say it's not unusual for people to visit Israel at short notice. Mr Koppel says the school has engaged a psychologist to counsel the students.
BENJAMIN KOPPEL'S STATEMENT (voice over): The school is taking every step possible to ensure the welfare of the students is protected and that everything is done to minimise the prospect of any such behaviour occurring in the future.
CONOR DUFFY: As well as counsellors, the school has engaged a lawyer, Norman Rosenbaum, who says police are aware of the allegations.
NORMAN ROSENBAUM: The school is really an extension of family for the students and this has rocked the community to its core. The mere allegations of misconduct by any teacher, but in particular this teacher, goes against all the principles, beliefs and practices that this school stands for.
CONOR DUFFY: Mr Rosenbaum says he believes girls at the school are more vulnerable than other teenagers.
NORMAN ROSENBAUM: The girls do really lead a sheltered life. They are very innocent, they're very naive almost to many worldly aspects which other teenagers their age may come into contact with. So, on that basis alone, I believe it is not an unfair comment to say that they are more vulnerable.
CONOR DUFFY: One of the few others prepared to talk on camera today was counsellor Rafael Aron. He says the principal was well respected.
RAPHAEL ARON, COUNSELLOR: This wasn't a person who came in as a one-off, fill-in teacher or somebody who was doing some emergency teaching who was not known. This was a person who was part of the community, part of the faculty, part of the staff, part of the whole organisation over years and years and years.
CONOR DUFFY: He's spoken to a number of parents from the school and says that the claims are still only allegations but that there is a high level of distress.
RAPHAEL ARON: I think it would be fair to say that the reaction of the community in relation to this is one of shock and one of amazement, one of disbelief. The notion of a person and a principal in a position of authority who is a female allegedly being involved inappropriately with other females is something which we just generally don't hear about.
CONOR DUFFY: Lateline has been told that the rabbi for the small community has asked the congregation not to speculate on the case or to pass judgment until the accusations have been investigated.
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Head flees over school scandal
London Jewish Chronicle - March 19, 2008
By Dan Goldberg Sydney
An Israeli principal at the centre of an alleged lesbian sex scandal at a strictly Orthodox girls' school in Melbourne has fled the country amid allegations of molestation.
Malka Leifer, head of the Adass Israel Girls' School for five years, flew home on March 5 — less than 24 hours after the school board confronted her with allegations of sexual misconduct.
She denied any wrongdoing, according to Binyomin Koppel, the president of the Adass Israel community.
At least three alleged victims are believed to have come forward to counsellors. The JC understands that they are recent graduates who became teachers at the school.
Mrs Leifer, who is in her late 40s and has eight children, is believed to have gone into hiding at her parents' home in Bnei Brak.
The school has engaged a number of psychologists to counsel the 250 students, as well their parents, former students and staff.
It is also alleged that, before fleeing, Mrs Leifer borrowed up to $A100,000 (£46,000) from Adass members who were unaware of the scandal.
The school's spokesman, Norman Rosenbaum, said he knew nothing about that allegation. But he strenuously denied any inference that the school paid for Mrs Leifer to flee.
The school had acted "responsibly and expeditiously", he said.
"The school's first priority is the welfare and safety of all persons affected by her. The mere allegation [of sexual misconduct] has gone to the very core of the Torah principles, ethos and practices of that whole community," Mr Rosenbaum said. "It is devastating. This has shattered people."
Raizl Fogel, an Adass member whose daughters have graduated from the school, said she was devastated.
"I was totally blinded by it. People are up in arms about it. It's havoc in our community."
Since the story broke in last week's Australian Jewish News, it has been seized upon by the mainstream media. "Principal `molested schoolgirls'," screamed the front-page headline in The Age newspaper in Melbourne last Friday. "Fury over girls' school sex claims," thundered The Australian on Saturday.
Mrs Leifer was told on March 4 that she would be suspended pending a full investigation. According to Mr Rosenbaum, she denied the allegations but said she "may as well resign".
Victoria Police were aware of the allegations but would neither confirm nor deny whether any girls had reported claims against Mrs Leifer or whether a police investigation was underway. A spokesman said all information about the case was suppressed under the Children and Young Persons Act.
The Adass Israel is a tight-knit community of about 1,200 strictly Orthodox Jews who speak Yiddish. They tend to marry within their own community, and have little contact with the outside world.
Adass denies paying for principal to flee
By NAOMI LEVIN
Australia Jewish News - March 24, 2008
ADASS Israel girls school did not pay for former principal Malka Leifer to return to Israel, according to the school's spokesperson, Norman Rosenbaum.
Rosenbaum said it was "categorically just not true" that the school purchased Leifer's ticket to Israel after she resigned amid still unconfirmed rumours that she behaved inappropriately toward students.
Meanwhile, a prominent Orthodox psychologist, Zipporah Oliver, has encouraged anybody who feels traumatised by the events to seek help in a culturally appropriate way.
Rosenbaum told The AJN he would not comment on specifics of the situation because any potential victims deserved their privacy.
"Privacy laws and rights of confidentiality mean that the school is unable to make public comment on many aspects of this matter," he said.
"The same laws apply across the board.
"Not withstanding that, the school is dedicated to ensuring the best interests of those affected are protected and their welfare is maintained."
He denied the school had tried to cover up allegations, and said "the school has not yet received any complaints".
But Jewish Community Council of Victoria president Anton Block – who this week offered a helping hand to Adass Israel congregation president Benjamin Koppel – warned the school that it has serious responsibilities.
"This is not something that should be swept under the carpet," Block said.
Rabbi Ralph Genende from Caulfield Hebrew Congregation echoed these sentiments last Shabbat.
"Let there be no cover-up, no concealment, no attempts to rationalise or defend such actions," Rabbi Genende said.
"There needs to be justice and accountability, and we as a wider Jewish community need to be exacting in our demands of Adass."
At the same time, both Block and Rabbi Genende separately extended their sympathy and support to the Adass community.
"Our heart goes out to any children or families who might have been affected" and if the allegations prove correct, Block said, "she should be brought to justice".
Psychologist Oliver, who has experience helping victims of abuse, said additional challenges could arise when assisting members of a community, such as the Adass.
"I think it is a very delicate situation because this is a culture that has a strong value of modesty and privacy," Oliver said. She added that the prevalence of arranged marriages in the Adass community was an extra issue to consider.
"Whatever it is that has to be offered in the way of support services, it needs to be informed by an understanding of this culture."
Oliver said there were two types of trauma that could arise out of an abusive event – the trauma of experience and information trauma. The former usually affects those who have been exposed and the latter was often experienced by people who have heard about a traumatic event, but have not personally experienced it.
"People can be carrying trauma and it can cause people to be anxious and frightened and worried and behaving in a panicky or angry way and they may not realise that they are suffering this other level of information trauma," she said.
Oliver said that anybody who feels they may have been affected should seek assistance.
"The people within the Adass organisation, it behoves them to set up a very good system that can meet the needs of their community," she said.
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Letters to the Editor
Rabbinic Responsibility
By Vicki Polin
Australian Jewish News - March 28, 2008
IN your article entitled "Adass denies paying for principal to flee" (AJN 21/03), an Orthodox psychologist encouraged anybody who felt traumatised to seek help in a culturally appropriate way.
Over the past seven years, the Awareness Centre has seen that "the culturally appropriate way" in many Orthodox communities is to let the rabbis "handle" these sorts of situations, by either doing nothing or protecting the alleged sexual predator so as not to embarrass his or her family, at the expense of those who have been criminally violated.
(THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH IN RED WAS NOT PUBLISHED BY THE PAPER): It is not very often we will see rabbonim encouraging survivors of sex crimes to work with law enforcement, instead they encourage survivors to have their cases heard in a Jewish religious court. According to Jewish law there needs to be two `kosher'' witnesses to a crime. It''s important to note that women do not count as kosher witnesses. When you are dealing with sex crimes, there is hardly ever one witness, let alone two.
We all must be aware that our rabbis are not trained to conduct victim-sensitive interviews, nor do they have knowledge in how to collect forensic evidence. The "cultural norm" in more insulated communities is to scare those who have been victimised into silence, by warning them they will not find good marriage partners or be allowed in good yeshivahs if it were known they or a family member were a victim of a sex crime.
Instead of instilling fear, our rabbis should be encouraging survivors to work with law enforcement, to ensure that alleged sexual predators can do no more harm. Rabbonim have a responsibility to educate our communities that all survivors of sex crimes should be honoured and respected.
The Awareness Centre wants to encourage survivors of sex crimes to contact their local rape crisis centre and to work with law enforcement. It is the only way to ensure that there is hope in stopping a sexual predator from creating more victims.
VICKI POLIN
Founder, executive director
The Awareness Centre, Inc
(the international Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Abuse/Assault)
Baltimore, USA
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Letter to the Editor - Speaking is Healing
By Cathy Kezelman
I OBSERVE the impact of failing to acknowledge and address the repercussions of child sexual abuse every day in my work.
I see adults battling addictions and self harm, attempting suicide and succeeding, people struggling simply to get out of bed. It is not for me to comment on the validity of the Adass allegations or the guilt or otherwise of those involved.
However, I am outraged at the apparent justification of "not speaking up" under the cover of lashon hara. Secrecy not only fuels the very conditions which foster ongoing abuse, but prevents those who have been violated from finding the help they need.
It is naive to imagine that "not speaking" about something bad means that it doesn't exist. And therefore does no harm. How invalidating and destructive for those against whom a crime has been committed!
And yet how convenient for those who would rather deny the possibility that members of the Jewish community sometimes abuse their children just like members of other communities sometimes do.
It is time for this community to learn to acknowledge whatever scourges do exist within its walls so that those affected can begin to reclaim a sense of health and wellbeing.
This community, more than any other, should appreciate the repercussions of remaining silent in the face of insidious harm. Shame on those who seek to do the same!
DR CATHY KEZELMAN
Chairperson, ASCA: Advocates for Survivors of Child Abuse
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Rabbis urge victims to speak out
By ASHLEY BROWNE
Australian Jewish News - March 27, 2008
NOTE: Over the last seven years The Awareness Center has seen "the culturally appropriate way" in many orthodox communities is to let the rabbis "handle" these sorts situations, by either doing nothing or protecting the alleged sexual predator not to embarrass his or her family, at the expense of those who have been criminally violated.
It's not very often we will see rabbonim encouraging survivors of sex crimes to work with law enforcement, instead they encourage survivors to have their cases heard in a Jewish religious court. According to Jewish law there needs to be two `kosher' witnesses to a crime. It's important to note that women do not count as kosher witnesses. When you are dealing with sex crimes, there is hardly ever one witness, let alone two.
We all must be aware that our rabbis are not trained to conduct victim sensitive interviews nor have knowledge in how to collect forensic evidence. The "cultural norm" in more insulated communities is to scare those who have been victimized into silence by warning them they will not find good marriage partner or be allowed in good yeshivas (schools) if it was known they or a family member were a victim of a sex crime.
Instead of instilling fear, our rabbis should be encouraging survivors to work with law enforcement, to insure no more innocent children, adolescents or adults are harmed by alleged sexual predators. Instead of promoting fear, our rabbonim have a responsibility to be educating our communities that all survivor of sex crimes should be honored and respected.
The Awareness Center wants to encourage all survivors of sex crimes to contact their local rape crisis center and to work with law enforcement. It is the only way to insure that there is hope in stopping a sexual predator from creating more victims.
Vicki Polin, MA, NCC, LCPC, ATR-BC
Founder, Executive Director -The Awareness Center, Inc.
REPORTS of alleged sexual abuse by the former principal of the Adass Israel girls school have sparked Melbourne's Orthodox rabbis into action amid reports that another high-profile figure within the community has been engaging in inappropriate behaviour.
The Rabbinical Council of Victoria (RCV) has shored up its processes and is seeking to reassure the community that victims of abuse can come forward and seek assistance from qualified legal, psychological and rabbinical authorities in a confidential manner.
The high-profile figure in question is not affiliated with the Adass school or congregation, nor a member of the RCV, but the person's identity and details of alleged inappropriate behaviour have been the subject of widespread speculation throughout Melbourne's Orthodox community for the past few weeks.
It is believed the latest allegations involve both inappropriate physical contact, as well as improper financial transactions.
In a statement to The AJN, the RCV said: "We have been aware for some time now that there have been concerns regarding alleged abuse by a trusted official in the Jewish community.
"During this period, the RCV has continued to encourage alleged victims to come forward and confidentially present their issues to the RCV, so that halachic and legal counsel may be provided.
"In light of recent occurrences, the RCV wishes to make it known that its good offices are available for the purpose of assisting victims and alleged victims of abuse by trusted officials in our community.
"A small, but highly-qualified group of professionals has been engaged by the RCV to assist with legal and psychological counselling as required."
It is believed that until late last week, there was division within the RCV as to how to deal with the community identity in question, and it was felt that this was deterring some of the alleged victims from coming forward and seeking assistance.
But this issue was resolved after a series of meetings over the weekend, so that a completely confidential environment can be created for those who wish to seek comfort.
"It needs to be made clear that if alleged victims do come forward, there will be no cover-ups and no sweeping of any issues under the carpet," said RCV president Rabbi Meir Kluwgant.
"We're equipped to offer whatever sort of assistance is required."
The AJN understands that two high-profile community identities, who have previously held leadership positions within the general Jewish community, have agreed to work with the RCV and talk to individuals who may come forward seeking assistance.
All approaches on this matter should be made directly to the RCV on (03) 8517 5684 during business hours. All discussions will be treated in the strictest confidence and will be directed with the permission of the complainant to the appropriate venue.
Abuses alleged in Melbourne community
JTA - March 30, 2008
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."
Letter to the Editor
Lashon Hara Versus Speaking Out
By Darren Barker
Australian Jewish News - April 4, 2008
TWO basic misconceptions have recently plagued this paper. One, that refraining from speaking lashon hara and a victim of abuse speaking out are mutually exclusive. Two, that opposition to The AJN publishing stories about abuse means that the person thinks such offences should be covered up.
A victim of abuse opening up to the authorities and seeking justice does not constitute lashon hara. People, however, spreading unsubstantiated reports based on hearsay does.
In a similar vein, as people look to The AJN as a reliable source of news, reporting "news" based on hearsay is not only unjustified but, if untrue, also damaging. If an investigative reporter does indeed have firsthand real evidence, then they should first go to the authorities like anyone else.
What could be damaging? Why should we be held back by this "lashon hara" barrier? As any victim of false rumours will readily admit, even if the widely spread allegations are proven to be false, the damage is still done and often these victims and their family members can end up suffering long-term depression, self harm and even consider suicide.
DARREN BARKER
Caulfield, Vic
Against Family Violence
By Andrea Bliss
Australian Jewish News - April 4, 2008
FOLLOWING recent events, there has been much discussion regarding the rights and wrongs of public disclosure of abuse. The community has become aware that no group is immune from abuse or the resultant trauma to the victims that manifests in a variety of behavioural changes in children, including learning difficulties, eating and sleep disorders and changes in physical wellbeing.
Initial intervention with those who do disclose will have a profound effect on the victim in repairing the damage. Victims who do not receive appropriate support or counselling may well carry the trauma and effects into adulthood and future relationships.
The Jewish Taskforce Against Family Violence (JTAFV) is working to increase awareness that abuse can and does happen in our community and that we must protect and empower our children by giving them the confidence to speak up when confronted by inappropriate or threatening situations.
Thus the JTAFV has encouraged all Jewish schools to implement protective strategy programs.
The taskforce has established an anonymous, confidential telephone support line to assist victims of any kind of abuse, by providing a culturally sensitive and empathetic response. Trained responders are available to provide non-judgemental and caring advice and to assist with appropriate information and referral options.
ANDREA BLISS
Board of JTAFV
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JCCV: swift action must be taken on sexual abuse
By Adam Kamien
Australian Jewish News - April 8, 2008
THE Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) has called for a swift response to allegations of sexual abuse by a high-profile member of the Melbourne Jewish community reported in The AJN last week.
JCCV president Anton Block described the recent spate of alleged misconduct, which also included reports of inappropriate behaviour by a former principal of the Adass Israel girls school, as "ugly" and "distressing".
"As the peak body of the Victorian Jewish community, our primary concern is for any victims of such behaviour and that appropriate action be taken to redress their concerns, be they health-related, social or legal," Block said.
Block went on to express concern about the "secrecy" surrounding the incidents.
"No community is immune to inappropriate behaviour. What is crucial, however, is that consequent wounds not be allowed to fester and become malignant. Decisive and prompt action and frankness will help to prevent this from happening."
According to the president of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria, Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant, the appropriate steps are being taken.
Rabbi Kluwgant told The AJN that several high-level healthcare and legal professionals had agreed to assist with the process, as well as four social workers and psychologists.
"I can confirm we have consulted with Professor Leon Pittman [deputy dean of Monash University and the head of its school of primary health care] and other eminent professionals with regard to the process we have undertaken," Rabbi Kluwgant said.
"Mary Mass [social worker] has agreed to run the initial interviews [with victims] and we have asked Professor Louis Waller [law professor] and another senior and respected members of the community to assist with legal advice to victims."
Meanwhile, a national organisation, established and supported by leading Melbourne Jewish family foundations, has developed a program to help safeguard children from abuse. The Australian Council for Children and Youth Organisations, (ACCYO) this week offered the program to Jewish schools and the wider Jewish community.
"ACCYO's Safeguarding Children Program provides a comprehensive set of standards and a transparent accreditation process," CEO Katherine Sylvan said.
Established in 2001 as an initiative of the Jack and Robert Smorgon Families Foundation, ACCYO has also received philanthropic support from the Pratt, Besen, Gandel and Liberman family foundations.
Letter to the Editor
Defining Child Abuse
By Emmy Elbaum and Dr. Tova Rosenbaum
Australian Jewish News - April 11, 2008
WE were encouraged to read that the issue of child abuse has at last been publicly aired. Once issues are acknowledged, community members are able to respond and begin the healing process and implementation of preventative strategies.
However, we wish to remind the readers that child abuse includes verbal, physical, psychological and emotional abuse. It also includes unjust and/or illegal exclusion of children from school, groups or classes, as well as injustice of any description.
In order to protect children from all kinds of abuse, the community must be vigilant when appointing people to roles that deal with children and young adults. Prevention strategies need to be implemented and include: thorough investigation of the background and professional histories of candidates mandated police checks implementing reporting procedures that enhance early detection of abuse introducing a range of educative processes as to how to seek help in cases of abuse appointing a children's ombudsperson.
It is essential to change the culture of the conspiracy of silence that protects perpetrators. This code of silence that exists in our community regarding abuse of children must be broken, and members of the community have a moral obligation to report such cases to the authorities. People who hide the truth are co-conspirators
The Jewish taskforce has started a most valuable process of "child protection strategies" (AJN 28/03). This project needs to be strengthened so that all members in the Jewish community are aware of its work and have access to its services.
EMMY ELBAUM
DR TOVA ROSENBAUM
Caulfield North, Vic
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Prevention is Key
By Vivien Resofsky
Australian Jewish News - April 11, 2008
THE Jewish community was recently shocked and its trust in a previously respected school principal shattered. The Jewish taskforce's response to this shocking crime was about public disclosure: "Following recent events there has been discussion regarding the rights and wrongs of public disclosure of abuse." (AJN 04/04).
We strongly disagree. This is not the main issue and if it is, then we are living in the Dark Ages and our children will continue to be abused.
Aside from issues relating to the wellbeing and recovery of the victim, our Jewish community should be focusing on how to prevent this crime from happening. Because it happens a lot, in fact it is the most prevalent danger to all our children. We adults need to learn how to prevent, recognise and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.
VIVIEN RESOFSKY
Prevent Child Abuse Australia
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UPDATE: Malka Leifer - Principal from Australia
By Vicki Polin
The Awareness Center's Daily Newsletter - April 24, 2008
According to reliable sources Malka Leifer is currently in Emmanuel, Israel. She attempted to secure a teaching postion, yet was was declined. I'm told she is still trying to relocate to Emmanuel.
Malka Leifer's current attorney is Isaac Brott and is using Rabbi Kaminetsky as a Toen' (religious advocate) in hopes of returning to Australia. I'm told her goal is to file a civil suit against Adass Israel Girls School in Elsternwick (Melbourne, Australia) for unfair dismissal.
According to sources Leifer has been contacting many of those she sexually victimized in hopes of silencing them. The rumor going around is that Malka Leifer believes that since there is no official police report made against her she can use this fact to her benefit. It's important to remember that the rabbonim in Melbourne have been encouraging those who have been allegedly sexually victimized NOT to report the crimes to the police and instead let the religious court handle the matter. We all need to do what we can to encourage the school to `report' the incident, even in the absence of any victims willing to come forward.
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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
--Margaret Mead
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