Alex Dafner:Malka Leifer the former principal of the Addass Israel School in Melbourne was arrested in Israel 18.2.18

Our unique weekly Yiddish report with Alex Dafner: Australia has been in the Israeli news for all the wrong reasons this week, beginning with the arrest in Israel of Malka Leifer the former principal of the Addass Israel School in Melbourne, who is facing 74 charges of sexual abuse and assault against former students at the school, which she headed up until her sudden departure to Israel in 2008 and from where she has so far avoided extradition calls on grounds of alleged mental illness. A second well known Australian, James Packer, made the Israeli news this week following findings by the Israeli Police that he was one of the generous gift givers to Israels PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who is under police investigation for alleged fraud, bribery and of loss of trust. A NSW State Greens Parliamentarian Dr Mehreen Faruqi has moved a motion to cancel a reception for the Christian Friends of Israeli Communities organisation, to be hosted by fellow rep Rev Fred Niles, on the grounds that it is supporting settlements on the West Bank, a cause made illegal by the resolution of the Security Council of the UN. Virulent anti-Semitic leaflets were disseminated in the West Melbourne suburb of Footscray in which Jews were described as enemies of the whole world and pure evil and blamed for numerous social and economic problems from excessive immigration, to unhealthy processed food to expensive childcare. Anns: Shikered: A Purim Cabaret, the first of the Balaganeyden (Messy Paradise) cabaret series for the year will be held on Sat February the 24th and Sunday 25th. For more details and booking information visit the Kadimahs website: www.kadimah.org.au

ex-Melbourne school principal Malka Leifer, who is accused of child abuse. Source: AAP