Rabbi blasts ultra-Orthodox Jewish group for exploiting coronavirus lockdown loopholes
A Jewish leader has blasted members of an exclusive ultra-Orthodox sect for continuing to hold gatherings despite tough lockdown restrictions. It comes as the Premier warns religious groups caught exploiting loopholes would face harsh penalties.
Inner South
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Jewish community leader has blasted an ultra-Orthodox sect for continuing to “exploit loopholes” to hold religious gatherings during stage 4 lockdown.
The Leader last month revealed the Satmar Hasidic group were holding clandestine prayer groups and ceremonies in Ripponlea against the lockdown laws.
But authorities have been forced to turn a blind-eye to the allegedly illegal meetings, with the group claiming it is a support group and therefore exempt from gathering restrictions.
Support groups, including drug and alcohol counselling services, are allowed to hold socially distanced meetings of up to 20 people.
But Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann told the Leader the group had was “an embarrassment” to the wider Jewish community.
“It’s appalling, what they’ve done,” he said.
“They’ve thrust the Jewish community into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons by exploiting this loophole.
“You’ve got 99 per cent of us doing the right thing, not meeting and yes, it’s difficult, but the sanctity of life is the most important thing and stemming the tide of this pandemic must come first.”
Rabbi Gabi said he had adapted to lockdown laws by holding ceremonies online but it had meant changing the times of services so they did not occur when people were prevented from using electronic devices.
“We’ve gone out of our way to try and find ways to continue deliver spiritual services without breaching COVID restrictions and then you’ve got this fringe, far-right group who have found a loophole and they’re exploiting it,” he said.
“They’re a stain on the Jewish community.”
And Premier Dan Andrews has warned anyone found to be exploiting loopholes in coronavirus lockdown restrictions to gather for worship will be hit with “significant penalties”.
The Australian Jewish News has reported Mr Andrews confirmed he had heard reports about the members of the Jewish community claiming to be holding support groups in order to get around the restrictions.
“I would have thought at a time like this, those who have that gift of faith and are religiously observant … would have a unique understanding that kindness and generosity towards others and the acceptance of the fact that we’re all in this together,” he said.
“It would be a terrible thing if families were forced to plan funerals because anyone in any community had thought that this virus didn’t apply to them.
“Anyone who’s breaking the rules is putting themselves at risk, every family at risk, and sadly Victoria Police will have no hesitation and no alternative but to apply significant penalties.”
Police are continuing to work with authorities, including DHHS, to ensure compliance.
MORE:
MAN TASERS VICTIM IN ST KILDA OVER DRUG DEBT