An ultra-Orthodox group has been accused of exploiting a loophole in lockdown laws, leaving police powerless to fine people attending the services in Ripponlea and St Kilda East.
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish group has been accused of exploiting a loophole in lockdown laws to run clandestine religious ceremonies in Ripponlea and St Kilda East.
People have been seen entering centres in the area up to three times a day carrying prayer shawls and other religious paraphernalia.
But a loophole means the Satmar Hasidic group — believed to be a breakaway sect of the Adass Israel group which helped accused paedophile principal Malka Leifer flee Australia — isn’t breaking any of the strict lockdown laws.
Port Phillip Inspector Nigel McGuire-White told the Leader police had been inundated with calls about members of the group attending centres in Ripponlea and St Kilda East laden with prayer shawls.
Insp McGuire-White said nearby residents, including members of the Jewish community, were furious the group was putting lives at risk by continuing to meet.
“Police have attended a number of properties in Ripponlea and St Kilda East in response to complaints from the community,” he said.
“DHHS officers have accompanied police and confirmed that, at this stage, there has been no breach as the group is operating as a support service, rather than running religious ceremonies,” he said.
Read the article by Jordy Atkinson in the Herald Sun.