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Brothers who escaped the Lev Tahor extremist cult as teens rescue their family, reunite in Israel

After years trapped in Lev Tahor’s brutal regime, nine children and their parents were reunited with relatives and flown to Israel; Led by Mendy, Yoel and Aryeh Levy, the rescue ended years of abuse, neglect and forced marriages inside the cult

Itamar Eichner | 08.21.25

What happens when religious leaders have a bad trip? Controversial study reveals

Twenty-four US clergymen, including five rabbis, took a controlled dose of psilocybin, the active compound in hallucinogenic mushrooms, as part of a clinical trial to explore its spiritual effects; here's what they said

Daniel Edelson, New York | 06.12.25

$Guatemalan police forces rescuing children from 'Lev Tahor' premises (Photo: Guatemalan Attorney General of the Nation's Office \ AFP)$

Israel intensifies diplomacy with Guatemala to repatriate 'Lev Tahor' cult survivors

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar speaks with his Guatemalan counterpart in attempted move to repatriate rescued Israeli children despite bureaucratic obstacles

Itamar Eichner | 03.26.25

Lev Tahor cult members extradited to Guatemala after smuggling children to Belize

Three leaders of extremist Jewish sect were extradited to Guatemala on suspicion of kidnapping eight children and smuggling them to Belize; search for missing children continues

Itamar Eichner | 02.27.25

הגשת כתב אישום נגד אלעזר רומפלר חבר ״לב טהור״ בגין עבירות התעללות בקטינים שביצע בקנדה

Israel seeks extradition of Lev Tahor cult leader from El Salvador

Elazar Rompler, arrested following Interpol red notice, wanted by authorities after he was indicted of severe physical and psychological abuse of minors and fled the country

Ynet | 02.23.25

Girl rescued from Lev Tahor cult, 6, reunites with Israeli family

This marks the third recent reunification of Lev Tahor children with their families in Guatemala; 6-year-old girl placed with her relatives after Guatemalan authorities conducted a background check and deemed them fit to take her in

Itamar Eichner | 02.09.25

'She has no choice': Woman from Lev Tahor cult forced to cry in front of cameras in Guatemala

Lev Tahor cult forces women and children to starve following the authorities' raid on the cult's compound in Guatemala; Senior sect leader looks to pressure authorities for their release

Itamar Eichner | 01.19.25

Mothers were starving their children: Lev Tahor cult members protest outside Guatemala facility

Children and women rescued from the extremist cult were separated by order of the judge; Court’s decision came amid concerns about the severe physical and psychological abuse allegedly inflicted under the cult’s direction; 'The children were instructed to harm themselves and starve to create leverage over the government'

Itamar Eichner | 01.16.25

International arrest warrant issued for Lev Tahor cult member suspected of child abuse

Some cult members say Jonathan Emanuel Cardona Castillo was expelled from the compound in Guatemala due to his violent behavior toward other members, particularly women and children

Itamar Eichner | 12.29.24

עובדות רווחה מחזיקות נושאות ילדה שחולצה מהכת

200 rescued from Lev Tahor cult in Guatemala remain under welfare protection

According to authorities and witness accounts, the rescued individuals were reportedly subjected to practices including brainwashing

Itamar Eichner | 12.27.24

$Children are rescued from the Lev Tahor cult compound (Photo: Guatemalan Attorney General of the Nation's Office \ AFP)$

After girl, 14, gives birth, Lev Tahor member admits cult marries off children

Cult member Michael Goldman admits in interview that in the compound, from which about 200 children and boys were rescued, girls are being married off; 'We are marrying off minors, for sure'; Release of interview comes as 14-year-old girl gives birth to baby boy days after being rescued

Itamar Eichner | 12.26.24

אפולו קוויבולוי מנהיג כת נמלט הפיליפינים

Filipino evangelist preacher arrested sex trafficking charges following bunker raid

In 2021, U.S. federal prosecutors indicted Quiboloy, accusing him of sex trafficking minors under threats of abuse and ‘eternal damnation’

Ynetnews | 09.10.24

Jerusalem rabbi suspected of leading a cult and sexually abusing boys

Rabbi Menachem Yaveh, a student of Rabbi Berland, allegedly sexually abused boys while making them believe he was the messiah behind closed doors; Reader discretion is advised

Ynet | 07.05.24

קניה זירת ה טבח של כת ה הרעבה של ה כומר פול מקנזי

Kenya's 'starvation cult' shocks world with over 200 victims dead

International reports say the cult's actions, led by pastor Paul Mackenzie, are the most horrifying event of cult killing in the modern era; the victims believed they would meet Jesus

Ynet | 05.17.23

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