Custody Battle Erupts After Israeli Mother Leaves Ultra-Orthodox Lifestyle
A mother who left the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel is fighting for custody of her children after a prominent rabbi ordered them to sever all ties.
A painful custody battle highlights the growing challenges faced by parents leaving the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel. D., a mother of five from Bnei Brak, has been fighting to maintain contact with her children after her husband turned to Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox leader Rabbi Dov Lando, who ordered the children to sever all ties with their mother due to her departure from a religious lifestyle.
The Breakdown of the Marriage and Family
D. separated from her husband about a year ago, though the couple remains legally married. Initially, the rabbinical court established a joint custody arrangement after D. assured the court she would maintain a traditional home environment for the children. However, tensions escalated when D. informed her children that she was leaving religious observance behind while promising to support whatever life paths they chose.
Seeking to prevent her departure, the husband appealed to Rabbi Dov Lando, presenting a letter detailing D.'s lifestyle and views. Accompanied by family members, the children met with the rabbi, who subsequently ruled that communicating with their mother was strictly forbidden, labeling her influence as incitement to secularism.
The Impact of Parental Alienation
Following the rabbinical ruling, the children were removed from the family home. D. described harrowing encounters where her younger children fled from her in fear, exhibiting cold and distant behavior. Despite temporary visitation orders issued by the rabbinical court granting her limited access, D. reported that the father has routinely failed to comply, leaving her with minimal contact and deep emotional distress.
Advocates emphasize that this case is part of a broader phenomenon. Attorney Neta Kamer, director of the Tsadkim program supporting parents who leave the ultra-Orthodox community, noted that the rising number of departures frequently leads to contentious divorce proceedings where community leaders and activists actively intervene to sever or restrict ties between the children and the non-religious parent.
The Response of Authorities
The Rabbinical Courts Administration stated that it cannot comment on specific ongoing legal proceedings due to confidentiality. In a general statement, the administration emphasized that it takes allegations of parental alienation extremely seriously, acts solely in the best interest of the children, and offers avenues for appeal if parties are dissatisfied with judicial decisions.
