Be-Shem Ha-Av

Storyline

Eliezer Schik was a great Rabbi in the Satmar Hassidic community in Brooklyn. Known widely as Mohorosh he was deeply controversial, but revered, with the following of many thousands. In the 1980s, rejected by the religious establishment, Mohorosh decided to form his own community in a remote part of Israel, far from the authorities, where he would be King. Today this is a closed community-based in both Israel and the USA. Behind the façade of Orthodox Jewish belief lies what amount to a secret criminal organization, extorting millions of dollars. And within the community, violence, sexual abuse, and underage marriage are allegedly the norm. Human rights are violated daily. The reason we are able to tell the story is that, following Mohorosh's death four years ago, the community had fractured. His 40-year-old son, Moishi, who was expecting to inherit his father's mantel (and millions) feels like a Prince whose legacy was stolen from him. And now he and his supporters want to tell the extraordinary inside story to director Bat-dor Ojalvo who has spent years building their trust. Uniquely though, she has secured both sides of this vicious dispute. As important as Project this story, more runaway members of the community have come forward, and are sharing with us the secretive day-to-day life of Mohorosh community. From dressing and behavioral codes to any life-important decision. The authorities in New York and in Israel have long turned a blind eye to the activities of this organization.