Following last month's rescue of 200 children from the notorious Lev Tahor cult, Israel is dispatching its top cult experts to Guatemala this weekend. The mission comes as authorities grapple with the aftermath of the raid on the secretive group, known for its extreme practices and globe-spanning attempts to evade law enforcement.
The Crisis
The Israeli welfare ministry team will share critical expertise gained from a decade of tracking and helping victims of Lev Tahor, whose members have fled across three continents. In perhaps their most shocking escape attempt, cult members even tried to seek refuge in Iran.
Inside the Cult
Lev Tahor, which means "Pure Heart," has earned the chilling nickname "Jewish Taliban" for its oppressive practices. After its founder, Israeli citizen Shlomo Helbrans, drowned in Mexico in 2017, the group reportedly became even more extreme under his son Nachman's leadership. The cult enforces:
- Arranged marriages of minors
- Brutal punishment systems
- Total isolation from the outside world
- Severing of family ties
"We're especially concerned about the children in the cult," says Ilan Sharif, head of Israel's cult victim department. "We know all too well the system of control and punishment used to maintain power over cult members."
Rescue Mission
Israel's Welfare Minister Yaakov Margi emphasized the urgency of sharing their expertise: "When we're talking about helping Jewish and Israeli communities under their control, this support becomes even more crucial."
The delegation will meet with Guatemalan welfare, mental health, and law enforcement officials to develop targeted strategies for helping the rescued victims rebuild their lives.
Walla contributed to this article.
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