Adass and Rabbi Kluwgant part ways

The Adass Israel School and Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant are parting ways.

In June, Abe Weiszberger, Adass board secretary wrote to all staff informing them that Rabbi Kluwgant would assume the role of principal and CEO next year. Several victims of child sexual abuse were outraged at the appointment. While there has never been any claim or implication that Rabbi Kluwgant acted inappropriately with children himself, concerns were raised over how he had previously handled issues related to child sexual abuse.

Dassi Erlich, an abuse victim of former Adass principal Malka Leifer, met with the board last month and was informed that Rabbi Kluwgant’s position is not secure.

Weiszberger told Erlich, who was accompanied by former Victoria Premier Ted Baillieu that Rabbi Kluwgant is currently “a consultant” and that he would only take over as principal if victims’ advocacy group Tzedek gave Adass “the go ahead”.

That has seemingly not occurred, and Rabbi Kluwgant and Adass have agreed to part ways.

The AJN understands that the two parties are still working out final details and it is unclear how much longer Rabbi Kluwgant will be at school for.

JOSHUA LEVI

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