Again England: Did the Gab"d of London cover up for abusers?

The usually sleepy London has no rest lately: After the Reb Chaim affair which gripped the nation and which echoes are yet to be subsided, the next sensational story comes along: 'Padwa affair'.


According to sources in the local community, a research is to be published in a local communication channel, in which, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Ephraim Padwa, the rabbi of London allegedly ordered not to file a police complaint against an educational staff member who abused children.


According to the allegations, an avrech, whose children have been abused hard by educational staff in one of the institutions of the community, decided to call the police and complain about it.

The latter requested the opinion of Hgr"a, and he told him to hold back and not complain to the police. The avrech brought a tape recorder and recorded Hgr"a in secret. He again returned to Hgr"a several times about it over and over again. The recording was transferred to the British media - apparently to Channel 4, to publish the story. They turned to Hgr"a's residence to receive his reaction, for publishing the article.


The investigation also includes further evidence that the community officials covered cases of child abuse, which constitutes a serious criminal offense under British law.

To minimize damage, Hgr"a rushed to publish a letter to the rabbis and administrators of educational institutions in which he warns against child abuse. Simultaneously, he informs them about the anticipated with the release of the affair, and its implications.


On the outset printed on an official document of the Association of Haredim Community in London, he insists that "parents and educational institutions in our community dedicate themselves to educate souls, and raise them and preserve them in holiness and purity and are succeeding at it. Looking after our cute children and their protection from damage and abuse, is of course necessary, and from that, we need to consider with any claim of abuse, God forbid, a very serious thing, and should know how to discuss it properly and hedge protections and prevent this and give proper assistance to all those who were abused by them.

After this introduction, Hgr"a refreshes the memory of educators and tells them that "There is an association on behalf of the community, a committee to discuss the cases of abuse of children of the community. Committee members are rabbis, educators and community members, who are educated in the proper handling of this situation.


"The Rabbinate understands that there are certain cases that it is right to contact the social bureau or the police, the Committee will consult with the Rabbinate to determine a correct way in any case. The committee will endeavor to help with advice and assistance of experts to help children or families who have suffered abuse", promises Hgr"a.

Here, Hgr"a reveals a little, what is happening behind the scenes: "Unfortunately, a program has been prepared, and they plan on publishing the story on a TV show regarding abuse of our children in our community, which claim that actions of abusers has become known, they can continue their acts. The committee for the welfare of the children and setting a proper method to take care of the children in our community will hopefully silence the words which undermine their claim that the community does not fulfill its duty in this regard."

Hgr"a ends his letter with a promise and a request that "in any case brought before one of the rabbis or directors of institutions, concerning the preservation of the child, the matter should be referred to the attention of the committee, to address it on the advice of the Badatz and according to the law of the land."


At the end of the letter Hgr"a also publishes the number of the committee, to file a complaint and treatment of similar cases.

Is this clarification enough, or will the event unfold after publication to unexpected proportions? The Reb Chaim Halperin affair shows that you cannot predict the future.


A community source said to B'Chadrei Charedim that the chances are the article will be published next Wednesday, "there is a chance that it will be postponed a little," he says, adding: "This can result in the intervention of the police and the arrest of seniors in the Haredi community in London, and no doubt the damage will be very large."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!