The majority of the Jewish community in Melbourne was embarrassed by the extensive media coverage of an appeal, by mainly Orthodox Jewish religious leaders, to the Andrews Victorian State Government, to grant them an exemption from the strict Covid-19 lockdown restrictions on religious gatherings, over the Yom Kippur Holyday.
The State Government of NSW did grant the Jewish community an exemption to meet for Yom Kippur in small Covid-19 safe, 10 person minyan gatherings, of 15 minutes each and only for those participants over the age of 16 years who have already had a double vaccination.
Members of the Jewish community in Melbourne lodged complaints of excessive intimidation and threats, by members of the Victorian Police over the Jewish Holy Days, especially during the outdoor Shofar blowing gatherings, whilst a meeting between religious leaders and the police also expressed gratitude for the protection and sensitivities displayed by most of the police force during that time.
Malka Leifer, who faces 74 charges relating to child sexual abuse allegedly committed while she was principal of the Adass Israel Girls’ School in Melbourne between 2004 and 2008, appeared by video link in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, for the committal hearings testing evidence to determine whether she will stand trial over these charges.
