"I went through terrible suffering": Haredi singer Lipa Schmelzer revealed that he was sexually assaulted as a child - Walla! culture

Lipa Schmelzer, one of the greatest singers in the ultra-Orthodox sector, revealed that he was sexually assaulted as a child. In a video posted to his YouTube page, Schmelzer said that he went through "severe suffering" as a child, explaining: "I went through many, many difficult things in life. At that time, they would take the child to live somewhere else, without going into trials, without calling it rape and things like that. I don't want to make a story out of it, I'm not looking to go back and judge people, I want to move on.

"I'm telling this after a lot of thought, to be at peace with myself, with all the families who hear my music, so that they really know who Lipa is from within," added Schmelzer, who said it feels good to speak from the heart to his audience. Schmelzer, who lives in New York, clarified that he "prays it changes someone's life." Alongside the video, Schmelzer wrote: "I didn't review this video before it was published. I simply speak from the heart and share my personal experiences. I pray the messages make a difference in someone's life."

Schmutzler's video made waves in haredi society and all haredi websites reported it. Haredi reporter Aharon Rabinowitz (Haaretz) tweeted: "Something good is happening in Haredi society. A great truth comes out." On Schmelzer's YouTube page, he also received many supportive responses: "Congratulations on your courage!", "Congratulations to dear Lipa for your openness, wishing you much good and comfort from yourself", "You are a great inspiration", "You were really moved", "Your truth is a very great Kiddush Hashem".

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