Published: 17 August 2021
Last updated: 4 March 2024
DASH LAWRENCE: Prominent member of Melbourne's ultra-Orthodox community says public shaming won’t work; police will issue a $5,500 fine to every person who attended videoed engagement party
SECRET JEWISH PRAYER gatherings, involving at least 10 men (“minyanim”), have operated illegally throughout Melbourne’s six lockdowns since March 2020, a prominent member of its ultra-Orthodox community has revealed.
The minyanim will continue regardless of lockdown laws, and Victorian authorities should consider an alternative approach, according to the man, who did not want to be identified.
His comments come as Victorian health authorities grapple with three positive cases of Covid-19 in Melbourne’s ultra-Orthodox communities, as well as revelations of clandestine gatherings including minyanim and an engagement party attended by up to 69 people last week.
The Victorian police commissioner, Shane Patton, said every adult who attended would receive a $5,500 fine. “That’s going to be over $350,000 worth of fines,” Patton said. “That’s an expensive engagement party but that’s what we’re going to be doing.”
The Victorian police commissioner said every adult who attended the party would receive a $5,500 fine. 'That’s going to be over $350,000 worth of fines.'
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) has condemned the actions of those within the community who did not follow Covid restrictions, and those who held an illegal gathering in a private house during lockdown, the JCCV said in a media release.
JCCV President Daniel Aghion said: “The majority of our community has done the right thing, just like most Victorians, and continue to do so. This event is a stark reminder to us all of why it is so important that every single one of us complies with mandatory lockdown restrictions, without exception.”
Speaking exclusively to The Jewish Independent, on the condition of anonymity, the member of Melbourne’s ultra-Orthodox community said minyanim were coordinated by individuals rather than congregations or rabbis. “I do know some rabbis who attended some, and some who were against.
“With each lockdown, there has been more cynicism and laxity about the rules,” he said.
'The minyanim will continue regardless of lockdown laws, and authorities should consider an alternative approach' - prominent community member.
Asked to explain why individuals flouted the laws, the source said: “A lot of it is driven by people in the year of mourning saying kaddish (a prayer for the dead) - and people wanting to support and enable them to say kaddish.”
He said while several secret minyanim will cease operating after being caught out over the weekend, state authorities should consider an alternative approach to deal with remaining groups.
“It's about harm minimisation - doing our own contact tracing without QR codes, and now that we have an outbreak in our community, getting tested and following the required protocols.”
On Saturday, Melbourne writer and lawyer Bram Presser publicly shared screenshots of a WhatsApp group appearing to show the coordination of a minyan.
“Shame on those who continue to attend secret minyanim in flagrant disregard of the health directives,” Presser wrote on Facebook. “Shame on those community leaders and rabbis who facilitate them.” The post has since generated nearly 1000 comments.
“You are the reason we continue to lock down. You are the reason our kids are stuck in a revolving door of social isolation and educational chaos. You are the reason we will not, once again, be able to celebrate Rosh Hashanah with our families or go to shul throughout the high holidays.”
The Jewish Independent understands Presser has been the subject of at least one threat of violence for speaking out.
While many members of Melbourne’s Jewish community supported Presser comments and took to social media to vent their outrage, others, including The Jewish Independent’s anonymous source have condemned Presser and the Australian Jewish News for “naming and shaming”.
Yesterday Presser responded to the outraged generated by his post.
“I certainly didn't intend for it to become the lightning rod for all that pent up anger, frustration or despair. To all those who wrote in support of what I posted - both publicly and privately, from all segments of the community, Jewish and non-Jewish, I thank you.
“To those who responded with anger, believe it or not I understand your where you're coming from even if I don't agree and I'm sorry to have upset you. That said, perhaps it is worth considering where your anger was directed and why.”
This stuff from Bram has brought out the worst in anti-frum hatred. All it will do is push minyanim further underground.
The source told The Jewish Independent: “This stuff from Bram has brought out the worst in anti-frum hatred and tropes.
“All it will do is push minyanim further underground,” he warned.
“Many of the cases in this outbreak have been from Muslim communities in the west (Melbourne’s western suburbs); I wonder if they would display such vitriol online against their own.”
On Sunday, the Rabbinical Council of Victoria called for an end to illegal gatherings, including for prayer.
“We implore anybody considering flouting the law to refrain from doing so. We unreservedly condemn such actions, which bring risk and shame to the entire community.”
Photo: Screen capture of the engagement video (Age)
