Casefile True Crime: Case 334 — Nicole Meyer, Dassi Erlich & Elly Sapper

Episode Date: October 18, 2025
Podcast: Casefile True Crime
Host: Casefile Presents

Overview

This gripping episode examines the harrowing case of Malka Leifer, a once-revered principal at Melbourne’s ultra-Orthodox Adas Israel School, and her serial sexual abuse of students Nicole Meyer, Dassi Erlich, and Elly Sapper. The episode follows the sisters' journey from childhood trauma and community silencing to their courageous, years-long fight for justice across continents. It delves into systemic failures, religious and institutional complicity, and the eventual legal reckoning for Leifer — as well as the ongoing impacts on the survivors.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Insular World of Adas Israel School

• [00:33 - 03:50] The episode opens by contextualizing the Adas Israel School: an isolated all-girls institution serving Melbourne’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish community.
  • Strict gender segregation, banned media, limited curriculum, and a culture of obedience and secrecy.
  • “Girls were primarily expected to become wives and mothers, and much of their education centred around this.” (Host, 01:10)

2. Malka Leifer's Arrival and Charismatic Authority

• [04:45 - 06:00] Leifer, new from Israel, is described as warm, funny, and approachable, a dramatic contrast to previous staff. This charm, coupled with her status as “Rebbetzin,” wins over students and parents alike, making her trusted and revered.

3. Home Abuse and Vulnerability of the Sapper Sisters

• [06:30 - 09:20] Details the abusive and controlling environment Nicole, Dassi, and Elly experienced at home, which left them isolated and desperate for affection — grooming them for Leifer's manipulation.

4. Grooming and Sexual Abuse Patterns

• [10:30 - 18:45]
  • Leifer deliberately singles out vulnerable girls, offering individual attention that quickly escalates from emotional support to sexual abuse.
  • Dassi recalls: “I love Mrs. Leifer. She is the only person I feel has ever loved me.” (15:50)
  • Abuse is shrouded in secrecy, compounded by the students' ignorance around sex and abuse (“Children in the Adas community didn’t receive sexual education,” 19:10), and fear of community reprisals or being unmatchable for marriage.

5. Expanding Abuse, Power Dynamics, and Control

• [19:30 - 24:00]
  • Leifer uses her authority, alternating between special treatment and emotional coldness, to keep her victims compliant and silent.
  • She tells Dassi the abuse is “preparing her for marriage” (23:45).

6. Breakdowns, Confessions, and the Start of Justice

• [26:00 - 34:40]
  • In Israel, trauma catches up with Dassi; nightmares and depression drive her to a counselor, leading to the first disclosure of Leifer’s abuse.
  • Nicole also admits suffering abuse after being directly asked: “Yes, I was.” (31:50)
  • Other victims emerge, and by March 2008, the school board confronts Leifer — who flees Australia overnight, her escape facilitated by the school.

7. Aftermath: Psychological Fallout and the Sisters’ Continued Suffering

• [35:00 - 39:30]
  • The community is thrown into turmoil, speculating and blaming. The sisters experience isolation, PTSD, and further mental health crises.
  • Elly, the youngest, is also abused by Leifer and eventually goes to police on the advice of a friend outside her community.

8. Legal Battles: Reporting, Charges, and the Long Road to Extradition

• [40:20 - 56:40]
  • Police investigate, ultimately charging Leifer with 74 counts of sexual abuse.
  • Australian authorities seek Leifer’s extradition from Israel, but she feigns mental illness and avoids court for years.
  • Footage finally reveals Leifer living normally; she is re-arrested in 2018.
  • “Police captured more than 200 hours of footage that showed Malka Leifer leading a normal life.” (54:00)

9. Community and Institutional Corruption

• [59:00 - 66:40]
  • School board members, instead of reporting, help Leifer escape.
  • Israel’s Deputy Health Minister Litzmann is found to have criminally assisted her in avoiding extradition.
  • The judge in the civil case lambasts the school: “The conduct amounts to disgraceful behaviour demonstrating a complete disregard for Lifea’s victims.” (71:00)

10. Malka Leifer’s Trial and Aftermath

• [68:40 - 75:00]
  • Leifer is convicted on 18 counts (the jury acquits on all Nicole’s charges, a devastating blow for her).
  • Powerful victim impact statements are read:
    • “Her abuse still lives within my body. In some ways, her trauma will always live within my body.” (Dassi, 73:10)
    • “Malka Leifer, you shattered my trust... but you could not break my spirit. Today I stand as a survivor.” (Dassi, 74:00)
    • Ellie tells the court that trauma may have contributed to the loss of her unborn daughter during the trial.
  • Leifer is sentenced to 15 years, with evidence of further abuse in prison emerging.

11. Ongoing Impacts, Advocacy, and Hope

• [75:20 - 81:20]
  • Nicole, Dassi, and Elly become advocates for survivors in faith communities.
  • Documentary “Surviving Malka Leifer” premieres in 2025; Dassi’s memoir “In Bad Faith” published in January 2024.
  • Nicole continues community outreach, aiming to show survivors they can seek justice and retain their faith, though the verdict makes this difficult.
  • Survivors worldwide now reach out for support; the sisters’ public stand inspires others to break silence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Mrs. Leifer was warm, vivacious and charming with a good sense of humour. From the moment she arrived, she engaged with students and took the time to chat with them one on one.” (Host, 05:30)
• “She is the only person I feel has ever loved me.” (Dassi’s diary entry, 15:50)
• “Her abuse still lives within my body. In some ways, her trauma will always live within my body. The abuse has forced me numerous times to choose between life and death.” (Dassi’s victim impact, 73:10)
• “I will never know if the stress, the worry, the anxiety or the years of trauma played any part in the loss of my little girl.” (Ellie Sapper, 74:50)
• “Malka Leifer, you shattered my trust and stole my body and altered my life’s course, but you could not break my spirit. Today I stand as a survivor.” (Dassi, 74:00)
• On the school board’s actions: “The conduct amounts to disgraceful behaviour demonstrating a complete disregard for Lifea’s victims.” (Judge, 71:00)
• Nicole Meyer: “Mrs. Leifer took away the part of me that would have known how to trust my own instinct and feel I don’t deserve to get hurt…care from some people is a very dangerous thing.” (78:20)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:33] – Introduction to Adas Israel School’s culture
• [04:45] – Malka Leifer’s arrival, charisma, and rapid influence
• [10:30–18:45] – Grooming and first instances of sexual abuse
• [26:00–34:40] – Revelations, disclosures, and Leifer flees
• [40:20–56:40] – Reporting to police, extradition battles, and evidence-gathering
• [59:00–66:40] – Facilitation of escape and institutional cover-up
• [68:40–75:00] – The trial, verdicts, and powerful impact statements
• [75:20–81:20] – The sisters’ advocacy, civil suits, and survivor outreach

Conclusion

This episode starkly highlights how child sexual abuse can flourish in tightly knit, insular communities, particularly when those in power prioritize reputation over justice. Case 334 is not just a chilling account of Malka Leifer’s crimes, but a tribute to the immense courage of Nicole Meyer, Dassi Erlich, and Elly Sapper. Through devastating detail and survivor testimony, it reveals both the suffering caused by abuse and the transformative power of speaking out — inspiring others to fight for truth and change.