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News about the community: a user’s guide

By Religion2 min read

A couple of articles were published recently (in The Age and the Herald Sun) about the latest very public scandal associated with the Yeshivah Centre. Below is a guide to the interpretation of often-used phrases in these and similar articles:

Phrase Interpretation/Comment
one of Melbourne’s most prestigious schools a private school that has been accused of something bad
questioned the way […] had handled complaints compiled a list of things previously published and stated publicly about the issue
one of the state’s most revered Jewish community leaders someone whose reverence and seniority increases every time something negative is printed about him
senior figures associated with the school anyone, really; they are all ‘senior’
a senior Yeshivah Centre figure someone who gossips a lot during the synagogue service
family member anyone who didn’t convert to Judaism yesterday; almost everyone else in the Jewish community is connected by marriage one way or another
Police dropped an investigation … said they would consider reopening the investigations if more evidence came to light the only way doubt can be cast on something acknowledged as a false accusation
In some ultra-orthodox communities … linkage phrase used to draw long bows
anyone [who spoke out against Yeshivah …] anyone of the people I closely associate with and who agree completely with my view of things
currently under investigation may or may not be actively under investigation
The institute does not provide public comment in relation to specific matters, including whether it has conducted, or is conducting, an investigation into a registered teacher it’s not currently under investigation
“unfathomable” a really useful quote that must be printed at every opportunity

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Join the discussion 2 Comments

  • Joe in Australia says:

    From your link to the Herald-Sun: "The college has been rocked by a worsening sexual abuse crisis that has seen numerous former employees jailed for the abuse of dozens of students over several decades."

    Numerous former employees? Two employees – or one plus a contractor – are hardly "numerous". It also alleges that "dozens" of students were abused. Does anyone credible actually allege that this is the case?

  • admin says:

    As the gemoro says: "miyut rabim shnayim", so numerous means at least 2 (although numerous is more than "several", so that may not really be correct).

    "dozens" is questionable. You could argue that for each victim that came forward, there is at least one who didn't. Based on the 2 cases that led to convictions, you might get as many as 24.

    But irrespective of the facts, the sentence makes for great press.

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