Eliezer Shlomo Schik

Early life

Eliezer Shlomo Schick was born in Jerusalem, Israel, to Rabbi Menachem Zev, the gaavad (head of the rabbinical court) of Tokaj, Hungary, and his wife Malka.

In 1962 he married Shifra Rotenberg, daughter of the Kossoner Rav, Rabbi Asher Yeshaya Halevi Rotenberg. The pamphlets were criticised for misrepresenting Rebbe Nachman’s teachings and offering misleading or false interpretations of them.

Shick was condemned by senior figures from the traditional Breslov community, including Levi Yitzchok Bender, who published a letter criticising his works in the name of the community.

He also printed thousands of copies of Rebbe Nachman’s Likutei Moharan and Sippurei Maasiyos and sold them at cost price, popularizing Breslov teachings around the world. Among present-day Breslov leaders who were introduced to Breslov teachings through Schick's pamphlets was Rabbi Shalom Arush. of sefarim, among them Erech Apayim (on anger management), Ilan Hachaim (on not wasting time), and commentaries on Rebbe Nachman's works. and chesed and tzedaka organizations.

Schick divided his time between his homes in Yavne'el and Boro Park. He also established synagogues in Monsey, Monroe, and Williamsburg, and spoke at them frequently. He had thousands of Hasidim around the world. in Williamsburg for Breslover students, led by Rabbi Yoel Roth.

Final years In April 2012, Schick suffered a heart attack and underwent surgery, from which he recovered. In 2015 he was treated for the final stages of leukemia at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, where he died on February 6, 2015.

Legacy In 2023, the documentary In the Name of the Father (A Hasidic Crime Story), directed by Bat Dor Ojalvo, took an in-depth look at the controversial Breslov Hasidic community of Yavne'el, Israel, and its leader, Rabbi Eliezer Shlomo Schick, known as Mohorosh. The film highlighted the shocking revelations that emerged after Schick's death regarding the inner workings of the community, which had been shrouded in secrecy. Central to the documentary’s findings were allegations of widespread corruption, abuse, violence, sexual assault, and forced child marriages. These disturbing practices were perpetuated under the guise of religious devotion and absolute loyalty to the late rabbi's teachings. The documentary painted a grim portrait of the community’s manipulation and control over its members, using fear and isolation to protect its interests. It also explored the conflict that arose after Schick's death when two wills were discovered, one favoring his son Moishi and the other benefiting prominent community leaders. This division further fueled the scandal and brought the hidden crimes into the public eye.

The documentary sparked outrage across Israel, with many citizens and advocacy groups calling for justice and accountability. As a result, police investigations were launched, with a focus on uncovering the systemic abuse that had been concealed for decades. In the Name of the Father was instrumental in revealing the lengths to which the community had gone to maintain its control, using surveillance and coercion to silence dissent. Testimonies from former members—some of whom had been victims of the abuse—came forward to share their harrowing experiences. These included accounts of sexual abuse, the forcing of underage girls into marriages, and physical violence aimed at enforcing loyalty and obedience. The film also highlighted the ongoing trauma faced by survivors who had been victims of these practices.