Hayman Told He's Not Welcome

J-Wire
November 6, 2013

http://www.jwire.com.au/news/hayman-told-hes-not-welcome/38093

Daniel Hayman

The president of the Yeshiva Centre has told Daniel “Gug” Hayman he is not welcome at the syngagogue following confirmed reports that he lead prayers on the same day he was granted bail on charges of indecent assault against two young boys in the 1980s.

Tzedek, an advocacy group focusing on child sex abuse, issued the following statement:

“This morning Tzedek received an anonymous phone call from a concerned member of the Sydney Yeshiva community stating that last night Daniel “Gug” Hayman, soon after his release on bail, went to Sydney’s Yeshiva Centre and led the evening services (as a cantor) in their main synagogue. We have now been able to confirm this with a Yeshiva congregant who was present during these services. Apparently Mr Hayman led the second, smaller service.

It should be noted that Mr Hayman recently lost his mother and there is a special prayer (Kaddish) that mourners are required to say during services for one year (and on other special occasions). However, there is no obligation to lead the services – this is only a custom within mainly the ultra-Orthodox community. There is also no obligation for these prayers to be conducted in a synagogue – they may be conducted anywhere where there are ten Jews (a Minyan).

We believe that everyone should be given the opportunity to adhere to their religious beliefs and practices, but questions must be asked. Importantly, how is it that Mr Hayman was given this honour on the day he was released from prison – and within the same institution that the offences were alleged to have been committed and in light of the allegations that the leadership were themselves involved in a cover-up? It is also astounding that so many members of this congregation felt that it was befitting Mr Hayman to be their conduit to God through this prayer service.

It is reasonable to assume that if someone was alleged to have committed other serious crimes (e.g. serious assaults, especially against multiple innocent and defenceless victims), that he would be an unwelcome guest at Yeshiva – certainly not seen fit to lead a prayer service.

Allowing Mr Hayman to proceed in a way that indicates business as usual sends out a very poor message to the victims and to the community.

There are many within the Yeshiva community who want to see sustainable change in terms of how their community addresses the issue of child sexual abuse. For this to occur, they must take action. In this case, they need to hold the leadership to account for their words and deeds.”

President of the Yeshiva Synagogue Gaby Amzalak told J-Wire: “I have sent e-mails and voice messages to Hayman telling he is not welcome in our Shule and have asked him to confirm receipt. However, the matter was been discussed at length with various community members and Rabbis, following his attendance at the minyan in Yeshiva last night. He has subsequently been notified to find an alternate location for minyonim and Kaddish, until the matter has been resolved by the authorities. He has acknowledged this request.”