AUSTRALIA
The Australian Jewish News
Adass Israel school will not contest allegations of sexual abuse by its former principal, the Supreme Court of Victoria heard today.
Barrister Christopher Blanden SC, representing the school in a lawsuit by a former pupil, told Justice Jack Rush in court this morning that the school will argue that it is not liable for the conduct of Malka Leifer, an Israeli educator hired by Adass in 2000 until her quick departure from Australia in 2008 after accusations surfaced she had molested several students, including the plaintiff.
In testimony today, Adass’s current principal Israel Herszberg said Leifer was hired by the congregation in 2000.
He said a group including three rabbis decided to stand her down after the allegations arose in 2008 and she subsequently resigned.
He said the congregation board had no choice except to pay her and her family’s air fares and costs of her move back to Israel as these were stipulated in her contract.
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