Scores of Jewish leaders: Nix sex-law limits

A COALITION of more than 130 Jewish leaders now back the Child Victims Act which would eliminate the statute of limitation in New York — allowing countless child sex abuse victims to seek justice as adults

The show of support on Thursday comes just days before advocates of the bill plan a two-day lobbying effort in Albany to win passage of the long-languishing legislation.

“After decades of denial, coverups and darkness across New York State, light is finally being shone on the scourge of child sexual abuse,” read the petition signed by scores of high-profile leaders.

“The lasting and far-reaching damage caused by abusers is intolerable, and it is incumbent upon all the citizens of New York State to work to reduce it.”

The writers also acknowledged the role played by religious institutions in blocking the legislation in past years.

Agudath Israel of America, an umbrella group representing Orthodox Jewish groups, joined the Catholic Church in successfully lobbying to derail the proposed law. The bill was first introduced a decade ago byb statet tA Assemblybl woman Margaret Markey (DQueens), and has failed to pass in four previous tries.

Nine Jewish organizations are planning a trip to Albany to add their voices to the chorus supporting a change in the law on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“The most exciting thing about it is the range of voices — from right wing Orthodox to left-wing, secular Jews and everything in between,” Rabbi Ari Hart said.

Among those signing the petition were close to 100 rabbis and former Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger.

“We need to demonstrate that some large groups who oppose this bill don’t speak for everyone,” said Chaim Levin, 26, of the group Kol Voz — a new global organization attempting to combat abuse in Jewish communities.

“We want to show our lawmakers that the Agudath does not represent everyone,” the Crown Height resident continued. “One of the most important parts of dealing with abuse is to give people the power of the court to hold their abuser accountable.”

Current New York law gives the victims up until the age of 23 to seek recourse in the court system — although many victims need years to deal with their abuse, and miss the deadline.

lmcshane@nydailynews.com HUNDREDS of art school hopefuls had to go back to the drawing board Thursday after their grad school dreams were crushed by a computer glitch.

The School of Visual Arts mistakenly sent out emails congratulating recipients on being accepted to the school’s elite Visual Narrative MFA program.

Many of those who received the acceptance letters hadn’t even applied to the program.

“I just got into SVA’s MFA program! I didn’t apply! Or graduate from art school! Or attend art school! Or get a college degree period! Yay!!!” artist Rennie Kingsley wrote on Twitter.

SVA officials did not say how many people received the acceptance letters.