Woman describes alleged sexual abuse by Rabbi Tau since she was 10-years-old

Nehama Te’ena, a resident of the West Bank city of Hebron, comes forward to publicly accuse Rabbi Zvi Tau, a prominent ultra-conservative rabbi, of sexually abusing her since she was 10 years old.

Choosing to reveal her identity in an interview with Channel 12, Te’ena says it was important for her to speak openly.

The interview comes days after several other prominent rabbis called publicly to investigate allegations of sexual abuse against Tau.

Te’ena says Tau was frequently around her family.

“He dragged me to a place and hurt me several times, also when I was a girl and even after I was married and a mother — he kept doing it,” she says.

“I tried to ask for help in different ways but I did not know how to express myself at the time,” she says, adding that one time as a 10-year-old she tried to call the police.

She says she faced enormous pressure from those around her to keep her allegations quiet, with many dismissing her claims because he was such a well-known powerful rabbi.

“He used his power and image to carry out the abuse,” she says.

Channel 12 reports that police are planning to open a probe and are looking for other potential victims.