The Israeli Center for Cult Victims

The Israeli Center for Cult Victims (Hebrew: המרכז הישראלי לנפגעי כתות) is an Israeli nonprofit public benefit company (חברה לתועלת הציבור) dedicated to assisting people harmed by cults and destructive groups, as well as their families. It was founded in August 2006 by journalist Ayelet Kedem, who had infiltrated several cults for investigative reporting for Yedioth Ahronoth, together with a group of other individuals who initially remained anonymous. Kedem served as the organization's first CEO. The organization was initially registered as "Kav LeMaslul – Public Benefit Company Ltd." and later changed its name to "The Center for Cult Victims in Israel" and then to its current name. The Center operates a hotline (03-6708811) and provides emotional and therapeutic response, legal assistance, and support for families whose loved ones are in destructive cults. It initiates group activities for family members to support one another and take joint action, and organizes study evenings, events, and lectures for the general public. For those leaving cults, the Center assists in the disengagement and rehabilitation process, including support, referral to therapeutic frameworks, support groups, and legal aid. It also provides information about cults, how they operate, and common recruitment methods, and its staff give media interviews to raise public awareness. The Center is based in Ramat Gan (24 Ben Gurion Street, Beit Ligav) and operates a hotline with extended hours (Sunday–Thursday 09:00–01:00, Friday 09:00–15:00). It is funded through donations and volunteers. In 2013 it received the Knesset Speaker's Award for Quality of Life for promoting the rule of law, democratic values, and human rights. The organization has been the subject of criticism and legal proceedings. The concept of "brainwashing," central to its definition of a dangerous cult, is disputed in the scientific and therapeutic community. Some researchers oppose the very label "cult," viewing it as a negative stigma applied to religious minorities, and others argue that some organizations on the Center's list do not meet the definition of a dangerous cult, criticizing the fact that a private body not operating by academic standards is perceived as a state body and even advised a state committee in 2011. A March 2011 investigative report in Yedioth Ahronoth's "7 Days" supplement stated that in its early years the Center was supported by Haredi businessman Rami Feller, and that Feller and then-CEO Rachel Lichtenstein had both previously worked for the Haredi organization Yad LeAchim. In December 2018, the Seventh Eye website revealed that publicist Moti Morel, hired by one of the groups criticized by the Center, was involved in preparing that investigation in order to harm the organization's reputation. Over the years the organization has also been attacked by anonymous blogs, apparently operated by elements against which it acted, including claims that it operates out of Haredi motives. In 2009 the Bnei Baruch – Kabbalah La'am organization sued the Center following a statement by its then-CEO on Channel 2 about criminal acts by Bnei Baruch members; the Center retracted the statement and, as part of a legal settlement in 2010, removed the organization from its list of cults. However, in August 2017 the Center again published claims against the group on its website, saying it had gathered additional information about it.

The Israeli Center for Cult Victims was founded in August 2006 by journalist Ayelet Kedem, who had infiltrated several cults for investigative reporting for Yedioth Ahronoth, along with a group of other individuals who initially remained anonymous. Kedem served as the organization's first CEO. The organization was initially registered as "Kav LeMaslul – Public Benefit Company Ltd." and later changed its name to "The Center for Cult Victims in Israel" and then to its current name. The Center was established to provide a response to cult victims in Israel and their families. At the time, cults were operating in Israel without interference, harming and exploiting participants mentally, physically, and financially. Public awareness of the existence of cults and destructive spiritual groups was low, and many people joined groups without knowing who stood behind them and what their true goals were. To establish the Center, interested parties joined together with the aim of promoting awareness of the issue and improving cooperation between various bodies in the field. The Center operates for the Israeli public in several ways, offering support and information to individuals, groups, educational and state bodies. It also develops ties with similar organizations abroad. It assists in counseling families whose loved ones are in a destructive cult and initiates group activities for family members for support and joint action. The Center holds study evenings, events, and lectures for the general public. For those leaving cults, it assists in the disengagement and rehabilitation process, including support, referral to therapeutic frameworks, support groups, and legal aid. It provides information on cults, how they operate, and common recruitment methods. Its staff give media interviews to promote public awareness of the issue and action against cults. In 2013, the Center received the Knesset Speaker's Award for Quality of Life for the years 2012/2013 (תשע"ב/תשע"ג) in the field of promoting the rule of law, democratic values, and human rights. The award was given following a letter from a mother whose daughter left a cult that the Center helped dismantle. Over the years, the Center has faced criticism and legal proceedings. The concept of "brainwashing," one of the central concepts underlying its definition of a "dangerous cult," is disputed in the scientific and therapeutic community. Some researchers oppose the very definition of "cult," arguing that it is a negative label or derogatory term that can be applied to religious minorities. Others believe that some of the organizations on the Center's list of cults do not meet the definition of a dangerous cult, and criticize the fact that the Center, a private body not operating according to academic standards, is perceived as a state body and even advised a state committee in 2011. According to a March 2011 investigation by the "7 Days" supplement of Yedioth Ahronoth, in its early years the Center was supported by Haredi businessman Rami Feller. The investigation also revealed that Feller and the Center's CEO Rachel Lichtenstein had both previously worked for the Haredi organization Yad LeAchim, which operates against assimilation and what it defines as missionary activity among Jews. In December 2018, the Seventh Eye website revealed that publicist Moti Morel, hired by one of the groups criticized by the Center, was involved in preparing this investigation in order to harm the organization's reputation. Over the years, the organization has also been attacked by anonymous blogs, apparently operated by elements against which it acted, including claims that the Center operates out of Haredi motives. In 2009, the Bnei Baruch – Kabbalah La'am organization sued the Center following a statement by the then-CEO on Channel 2 about criminal acts by Bnei Baruch members. The Center retracted this statement and, as part of a legal settlement in 2010, removed the organization from its list of cults. However, in August 2017, the Center again published claims against the group on its website, saying it had gathered additional information about it.

• The Israeli Center for Cult Victims is founded by journalist Ayelet Kedem and a group of anonymous individuals.

• Initially registered as "Kav LeMaslul – Public Benefit Company Ltd."

• Bnei Baruch – Kabbalah La'am sues the Center over statements by its CEO.

• Legal settlement reached; the Center removes Bnei Baruch from its list of cults.

• Yedioth Ahronoth '7 Days' investigation reports on the Center's early support and links.

• The Center receives the Knesset Speaker's Award for Quality of Life for 2012/2013.

• The Center republishes claims against Bnei Baruch on its website.

• Seventh Eye reveals publicist Moti Morel's involvement in the 2011 investigation.

Nonprofit public benefit company providing support, information, and advocacy for cult victims and their families in Israel.

• Hotline 03-6708811

  A hotline providing information and support, operating Sunday–Thursday 09:00–01:00 and Friday 09:00–15:00.

• Legal aid

  Legal assistance for cult victims and their families.

• Emotional and therapeutic response

  Emotional and therapeutic support for victims.

• Support groups for families

  Group activities for family members of cult members for support and joint action.

• Public awareness and lectures

  Study evenings, events, and lectures for the general public.

• Information about cults

  Information on cults, how they operate, and common recruitment methods.

1. 1המרכז הישראלי לנפגעי כתות – המרכז לנפגעי כתותinfokatot.com
2. 2The Israeli Center for Cult Victims - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3המרכז הישראלי לנפגעי כתות - Wikipediahe.wikipedia.org