Israeli Rabbi imprisoned, enslaved women in a 'house of horrors' but will only do community service

Jerusalem rabbi Aharon Ramati kept numerous women in a small, overcrowded apartment, exercising complete authority over them while they provided him with financial support; Despite the slave-like conditions, he has received a lenient punishment

Ramati, who started assembling a group of young women - primarily from newly religious families or those exploring faith - around 2008, housed them in a facility he set up in the Sha'arei Chesed neighborhood in Jerusalem. Known as the "Be'er Miriam Seminary," this place was operated from the top floor of his house from 2009 to 2015.

The women who joined Ramati lived in the facility and attended daily spiritual and religious classes led by him. Initially, 12 women lived in his house, but over time the number grew to around 30, while Ramati moved to a house nearby. The indictment revealed that the women lived in extremely cramped and neglected conditions, with the building suffering leaks and dampness, and only three available bedrooms. In addition, some of the women had to sleep on moldy mattresses, and hot water was nonexistent. They were required to pay approximately $220 per month for a bed or around $170 for a place on a mattress. The women, who also worked every morning, were responsible for maintaining the apartment and managing their finances.

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