Australia The Age
MANNY Waks's behaviour started to change part-way through his schooling at Yeshivah College.
''I wasn't listening to the teachers and was getting into trouble,'' Mr Waks says.
Now, more than 20 years later, he believes his disruptive behaviour, his rebellion against his strict Hasidic upbringing, even the fact he is no longer an observant Jew, can potentially be linked to sexual abuse he says he was subjected to at the Orthodox Jewish school in St Kilda East.
Mr Waks claims he was repeatedly molested by a trusted figure of authority at the school who had unfettered access to the young boys.
"This was a man who was in a position of power and authority, who was trusted by the school and who repeatedly took advantage of his position in preying on young boys who looked up to him." The 35-year-old Canberra public servant says he was also abused by another member of the Chabad community. One of the alleged incidents is said to have occurred inside a synagogue.
''No wonder I feel so uncomfortable being in a synagogue, because it evokes in my subconscious some of these memories,'' Mr Waks says.[...]
MANNY Waks's behaviour started to change part-way through his schooling at Yeshivah College.
''I wasn't listening to the teachers and was getting into trouble,'' Mr Waks says.
Now, more than 20 years later, he believes his disruptive behaviour, his rebellion against his strict Hasidic upbringing, even the fact he is no longer an observant Jew, can potentially be linked to sexual abuse he says he was subjected to at the Orthodox Jewish school in St Kilda East.
Mr Waks claims he was repeatedly molested by a trusted figure of authority at the school who had unfettered access to the young boys.
"This was a man who was in a position of power and authority, who was trusted by the school and who repeatedly took advantage of his position in preying on young boys who looked up to him." The 35-year-old Canberra public servant says he was also abused by another member of the Chabad community. One of the alleged incidents is said to have occurred inside a synagogue.
''No wonder I feel so uncomfortable being in a synagogue, because it evokes in my subconscious some of these memories,'' Mr Waks says.[...]
I personally believe that Manny Waks is a totally amazing person and someone who deserves a great deal of respect and honor. I personally believe that each time Manny walks into a room everyone should stand up as they would any rabbi -- and also give him a round of applause.
ReplyDeleteManny if you read this, I want you to know that your actions is helping to save lives. THANK YOU!
Majorcan Descendants of Spanish Jews Who Converted Are Recognized as Jews
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/11/world/europe/11iht-conversos11.html