Rabbi Eliyahu Godlevsky named as father who sexually assaulted his daughters

Rabbi Eliyahu Godlevsky was named as the father who was convicted of sexually assaulting three of his daughters in July, after the Tel Aviv District Court agreed to the daughters’ request and lifted the gag order on the case on Sunday.

He was charged on April 9, 2024, and convicted on July 11 of that year to 10 years in prison, probation, and compensation to the victims. The daughters, who submitted the request to lift the gag order, did so through the legal aid office within the Justice Ministry, which is representing the three sisters in the criminal case against their father.

“I am happy to finally be able to breathe again,” one of the daughters said. “At last, the shame has shifted sides – and we no longer have to hide behind shame and guilt that do not belong to us.”

Godlevsky, a Breslov hassidic rabbi, is originally from Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York.

Attorney Likol Tamsut, who is representing the victims, said that criminal proceedings have been ongoing for over two years.

Attorney's statements

“During my time in this, I have witnessed the victims’ strengths and capabilities, alongside the difficulty of maintaining silence due to the gag order on the case. They are happy that justice was finally served, after years of torture, and after the complaint was filed over two years ago,” she said.

“Finally, not only did their father get what he deserved, but the courts understood their struggle, and now they no longer have to keep this a secret – something they were asked to do during the years they were assaulted. This is the beginning of a healing process for them,” she added.