Satmar Hasidic group: Jewish sect avoiding coronavirus lockdown

EXCLUSIVE: An ultra-Orthodox group has been accused of exploiting a loophole in lockdown laws, leaving police powerless to fine people attending the services in Ripponlea and St Kilda East.

In April police fined members of a Jewish Synagogue for breaking social distancing rules. Picture: Tony Gough

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish group has been accused of exploiting a loophole in lockdown laws to run clandestine religious ceremonies in Ripponlea and St Kilda East.

People have been seen entering centres in the area up to three times a day carrying prayer shawls and other religious paraphernalia.

But a loophole means the Satmar Hasidic group — believed to be a breakaway sect of the Adass Israel group which helped accused paedophile principal Malka Leifer flee Australia — isn’t breaking any of the strict lockdown laws.

Port Phillip Inspector Nigel McGuire-White told the Leader police had been inundated with calls about members of the group attending centres in Ripponlea and St Kilda East laden with prayer shawls.

Insp McGuire-White said nearby residents, including members of the Jewish community, were furious the group was putting lives at risk by continuing to meet.

“Police have attended a number of properties in Ripponlea and St Kilda East in response to complaints from the community,” he said.

“DHHS officers have accompanied police and confirmed that, at this stage, there has been no breach as the group is operating as a support service, rather than running religious ceremonies,” he said.

Under stage three restrictions, support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous can hold socially distanced meetings of up to 20 people.

A resident, who did not want to be named, said the group was “clearly exploiting this loophole”.

“They meet on Jewish holy days and attend with prayer shawls, it’s obvious they’re breaching restrictions,” he said.

Insp McGuire-White said police continued to work with Department officials and members of the Jewish community to ensure compliance.

DHHS did not respond directly to the Leader’s questions about the issue but a spokesman confirmed “all places of worship in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire are closed for private worship or religious ceremonies”.

“Places of worship may be opened for the purposes of conducting weddings or funerals with strict number limits, and to carry out essential public support services such as food banks, help for the homeless or other essential activities,” he said.

Ceremonies and services can still be recorded or broadcast live by a maximum of five people, as long as those who are recording or broadcasting maintain physical distancing.

In April police raided an ultra-orthodox Jewish prayer group being held above an IGA store in Ripponlea.

At least 10 men were found praying in contravention of social distancing rules and fined the group’s leader $1652 for failing to adhere to lockdown directives.

The Leader has attempted to make contract with the group concerned.

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