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

A 6-year-old girl rescued from the extremist Lev Tahor cult in Guatemala has been reunited with her extended family, who traveled from Israel to secure her release. The girl’s grandmother was granted custody following legal proceedings with Guatemalan authorities.

The Guatemalan Attorney General’s Office confirmed the transfer, stating that the family, after undergoing a background check, was deemed suitable to take her in.

"The 6-year-old girl from Lev Tahor was handed over to her extended family, who arrived from Israel to legally pick her up. The family will remain in Guatemala while the handover process continues," the office said. This marks the third reunion in recent weeks between rescued children from the cult and their families.

Last week, a Hasidic family who had been held captive by Lev Tahor managed to escape and flee to the United States. The parents, both former members of the cult, were granted custody of their children by a Guatemalan court. Their release followed efforts by businessmen, rabbis and activists, including former Lev Tahor members who survived the group’s harsh conditions.

The father is the son of a current cult leader, while the mother’s parents are also senior figures in Lev Tahor. A family member remains incarcerated in the United States on serious charges, including kidnapping.

Last month, another family left the cult and remains in Guatemala, where they are receiving support from local Jewish community members and benefactors. They have not yet decided on their next steps.

The rescues come after Guatemalan authorities raided the Lev Tahor compound in San Rosa, about 90 kilometers from Guatemala City, on December 20, 2024. The raid, prompted by reports of abuse, led to the rescue of at least 160 children and teenagers, along with approximately 40 women. 

Many had suffered severe mistreatment, including starvation and neglect, at the hands of cult members. They are now under the care of welfare services.

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