Conviction Jewish institutions and contexts Other Jewish institution or hearing Jerusalem, Israel · 2016

Israel: Shuvu Bonim leader Eliezer Berland — convictions for indecent acts and for selling 'blessings' to the sick

Record class

Core record

Evidence status

Convicted

Authority role

leader of the Shuvu Bonim Breslov community, venerated by followers as a holy man

Organization

Shuvu Bonim (Breslov)

Spiritual nexus

Women who could not refuse a man their community venerated as holy, and sick followers who paid for his blessings — sexual and financial exploitation running on the same authority.

Guru or spiritual-teacher authority
Spiritual healing or treatment
Prosperity, divination, or curse-removal claim

Evidence structure

Proceedings

2016-11-01 · two separate convictions on plea — both stand

Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, Israel. Eliezer Berland, leader of the Shuvu Bonim Breslov community, was convicted on plea in November 2016 of two counts of indecent acts and one of assault against female followers, receiving 18 months including time served after years as a fugitive across four countries. In June 2021 he was convicted again on plea — fraud, exploitation and money laundering for selling 'blessings' and 'cures' to sick and elderly followers — receiving a further 18 months. Both convictions stand; later cold-case questioning produced no charges and is not asserted.

Documented coercion mechanisms

guru-grade veneration by followers
sale of 'blessings' and 'cures' to the sick and elderly

Primary record

Sources

national newspaper court reporting plea and sentencing report The Times of Israel on the 2016 plea and sentence.: Reports the first conviction.
national newspaper court reporting sentencing report The Times of Israel on the 2021 fraud sentence.: Reports the second conviction and imprisonment.

Related record

Related cases · Jewish institutions and contexts

← Explore all cases