TELL May-June 2020

the ongoing essential nature of
this conversation.
Lawyer Louise Amundsen and
public servant Gina Andrews-
Zucker spoke about the findings
of the commission and legal
reporting requirements that have
emanated from it, including the
Criminal Legislation Amendment
(Child Sexual Abuse) Act 2018
and the National Principles for
Child Safe Organisations. [Web
link to the 10 National Principles
for Child Safe Organisations:
https://pmc.gov.au/domesticpolicy/national-office-child-safety/
national-principles-child-safeorganisations]
Both Louise
and Gina spoke with incredible
sensitivity about the scourge of
child sexual abuse, and the need
for all of us to make this world
safe for our children. Louise
said to victims and survivors,
“I see you, I hear you, I believe
you.” Gina commented, “Our
obligation is to shine the brightest
of lights in the darkest of places
to protect our children.” We
recognised that holding this
conversation virtually could not
sufficiently address such a difficult
and distressing issue, and all of us
agreed to reconvene in different
forums at the Synagogue when
able. I want to acknowledge both
Louise and Gina for the work
they have done and the service
they have provided.
We recognise our mandate to
protect children and the need for
us to be responsive in any way
possible. In that light, it seems
appropriate at this time to reprint,
in part, the statement issued by
the Executive of the Union for
Progressive Judaism on 27 June
Gina Andrews Zucker
2013 concerning the issue of
allegations of child sexual abuse:
“Our Movement has a zero
tolerance with regard to such
matters and we welcome and
support any investigation into
these allegations.”
“Any person who did suffer such
abuse as a child will have carried
the emotional and psychological
burden of it throughout much of
their lives. We can only hope that
in sharing these experiences they
will be able to receive support
and assistance from the Tzedek
group and that this will enable
them to move forward with some
sense of resolution and closure.”
“It is an unfortunate fact that
no part of society is exempt
from having some people who
abuse their position of power
and influence in order to achieve
personal gain or, in such cases,
to abuse young and vulnerable
people. Without being able to
comment on these particular
incidents or the individuals
involved we can only express
the hope that a thorough
investigation will be carried out
and that if anyone is found to be
Louise Amundsen
guilty of such acts they should be
appropriately punished.”
“If any good at all can come
from such news it can only be
as a reminder to all communal
organisations that they must be
totally vigilant in their efforts
to protect those people trusted
to their care, whether it is for a
long period of time or for a few
hours. Although we know that
our member congregations and
organisations are aware of their
need to fulfill their duty of care
we will be encouraging each of
them to regularly review their
policies and procedures and to
ensure that they are rigorously
enforced.”
This time from Pesach to Shavuot
calls upon us to think of what it
means to move from the memory
of slavery and oppression in Egypt
to what it means to be individuals
and a people “who walk after
God”. We make peace and create
evil. What we say about God,
what we do in the name of God,
says far more about us than God.
Let it be said that we learned,
we grew, we cared, we loved, we
made peace, we helped make
others whole again.
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