In Bad Faith: Inside a secret ultra-Orthodox sect and the brutal betrayal it tried to hide

by Dassi Erlich

This powerful memoir gives extraordinary insight into a secretive sect, and the horror Dassi Erlich had to survive. Dassi's resilience and fight for justice is inspiring.

As a young girl growing up in a strict ultra-Orthodox family, Dassi's life was preordained - marry young, live a devout life and raise children within the Adass community's religious rules. This righteous path would keep her safe from the immodest, secular world just a few blocks away in suburban Melbourne.

But the Adass community was not safe for Dassi.

She was fifteen when her revered school principal, Malka Leifer, started to single her out. Dassi's cloistered and harsh upbringing meant she didn't have the words for what was happening to her, but she knew it was very, very wrong. It would take her years to break free of the secrecy which pervaded the community and tell the police of her betrayal. And only then would she find out others, including two of her sisters, had also been abused, and would learn some in the Adass community had helped Leifer flee to Israel. With the only world she knew crumbling around her, Dassi found the strength to fight, leading a brave fifteen-year campaign to bring Leifer back to face Australian courts.

This is Dassi's story.

'I am a sexual abuse survivor, but I am also more than a survivor. I will continue fighting for justice for all victims.'

'What a story . . . Heart-wrenching . . . What is remarkable about Dassi Erlich and her sisters is that somewhere they found the courage to confront what was going on, in their own lives and in other lives' SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

'Raw and revealing . . . Beautifully written and eloquently sheds light on the dark times Dassi experienced, breaking down stigmas by openly discussing abuse and mental health' AUSTRALIAN JEWISH NEWS

'Erlich has an exceptional voice, an openness and authority . . . Reading her life is an education. I read with fury, horror and shame. But admiration for the writer outshone everything' THE AGE

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2024

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and harrowing

[Shosh Paris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible story but so confronting … especially the first couple of chapters.
Worth the read 🙏🏻

[Mel Kronk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that was traumatic! What a horrific existence and life. Do not recommend if you have a history of experiencing abuse.

[Lewis W · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible gut wrenching and profound book that exposes the insidious nature child sexual abuse the lengths insular communities do to hide it and discredit its survivors. I couldn’t put this book down, and feel overwhelmed at the many years long struggle that these brave women had to wait for justice to be served. This is a great companion book to Who Gave You Permission? by Manny Waks which focus a on a similar community in Melbourne.

[Sophia Cosmas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A disarming and devastating insight.

So brave and honest. The writing of this book was clearly a therapeutic process, although there is pain coupled with fierce spirit in every chapter.

I watched this battle as it unfolded publicly but had no idea about the shocking abuse in the home that predated the criminal acts that followed.

My warmest wishes to Dassi and her sisters, and all the survivors/warriors for justice. I hope you can now find some peace.

[David Sandor · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most important readers you'll come across

Profoundly moving. Compellingly written. An incredibly important work for pioneering and lifting those wrongly pushed down, and enlightening and inspiring others to do their bit. Big reminder of being brave enough to question, for the good of oneself and generations of others

[Tioz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound!

A must read for everyone. Confronting on so many levels but completely compelling reading. Excellently written to provide revelations that we would otherwise be unaware. An honest story of amazing courage and resilience.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tragic but fascinating account of life inside the Addass community. The strength and resolve of Dassi and her sisters to overcome a traumatic childhood with no support, the insidious abuse and triumphant survival and tenacity in 15 years to bring their abuser back to the Australian court.

[Bri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horrific, tragic and also extremely informative regarding ultra-orthodox judaism and the shortcomings of the legal system in Australia. Just have read other memoirs that are better constructed but still very glad Dassi found a place to share her story. 3 ⭐️s.

[lipa mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read - empowering victims of sexual abuse

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. Dassi, thank you putting your world down on paper for us to read.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned about this from the Casefile episode and had to read Dassi's book. I sobbed so many times.