Rebbetzens join fight against child abuse

HEIDI HURWITZ
O’ Callaghan’s workshop was organised and sponsored by Kidsafe SA. And thanks to the Union of Orthodox Synagogues (UOS), she was able to share information to the rebbetzens in the South African community.
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“The goal of the course is to create a common language about safety throughout our community,” said Robyn Goldstein, social worker and founder of Kidsafe SA.

Goldstein is hopeful and excited by the rebbetzens’ response to the Protective Behaviours course. “I started Kidsafe SA because I recognised that, as a Jewish community, we needed to build our confidence and competence when it comes to recognising, dealing with and reacting to sexual abuse concerns… The rebbetzens are all on board.”

Rebbetzen Gina Goldstein, wife of Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, welcomed participants. “This morning’s workshop is particularly important, because it is dedicated to the rebbetzens of our community who play such important roles in our shuls, in our schools, and throughout our communities.

“Child abuse is an evil that thrives in an environment and climate which tolerates it. It thrives where it isn’t acknowledged, where it isn’t recognised and confronted. It thrives where good people do nothing.

“’Kol Yisroel Areivin zeh lazeh’ – all of Israel is responsible for one another… When it comes to facing problems in the Jewish community, a Jew never says: ‘It’s none of my business.’ We never say: ‘It’s not my problem.’ We all look out for each other.”

Rebbetzen Wendy Hendler, a founder of Koleinu, a helpline for victims of abuse in the Jewish community, said: “We are at a turning point. The community is becoming more alert to the fact that abuse happens everywhere, including in our own community. We have an incredibly special community and yet we are not unscathed by this pandemic of abuse. It’s present here as much as anywhere else.”

We must take action, she urged. “’Al Talmud dam re’echa’… Our Torah stands on these principles. We can’t stand idly by and watch our children get hurt, because each one of us is responsible.”

Rebbetzen Sharon Froom, a nursery school teacher at Hirsch Lyons who attended the course, said: “This is our community, our children, our children’s playground. It’s all of our responsibility to be proactive and involved in order to keep our children safe.”

Also at the course was Lee-at Goldstein, principal of Yeshiva Maharsha Girls’ Primary School and rebbetzen of Ohr Somayach Savoy. She said people were not being held accountable. “Show up! Things fall under the radar if we’re not more proactive and involved in our community.”

Kidsafe SA’s Goldstein concluded: “I want to create an environment where we can all support one another and talk about concerning behaviour in a matter-of-fact way, without blame, shame, or fear.”