The sisters were among 27 inductees announced last week. The diverse honour roll recognises contributions spanning television, cultural education, emergency services, medicine, music, healthcare, First Nations health, advocacy and community leadership.
Victorian Honour Roll of Women
Nicole Meyer, Dassi Erlich and Elly Lichter
Their induction citation reads:
“Sisters Nicole Meyer, Dassi Erlich and Elly Lichter transformed their personal pain into tireless advocacy against child sexual abuse.
The sisters were raised in a culturally marginalised, ultra-Orthodox, Melbourne Jewish community. They attended Adass Israel School, where they were subjected to sexual abuse by the school principal, Malka Leifer.
Leifer fled to Israel and resisted extradition. For more than a decade the sisters fought for justice in two countries.
This pursuit of justice was extraordinary. The sisters navigated legal systems in Australia and Israel and lobbied government officials. They won public and media attention through the #bringleiferback campaign.
This achievement delivered accountability and sent a clear message. Truth and justice can prevail. No matter how powerful the opposition.
Leifer was finally brought back to Australia in August 2023. She was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in jail for more than 18 sexual offences against Elly and Dassi.
For more than five years, the sisters allowed unprecedented access to documentary filmmakers. Revealed: Surviving Malka Leifer won the Human Rights Jury Award at the 26th Atlanta Jewish Film Festival in 2026.
Dassi Erlich wrote an autobiography: In Bad Faith – Inside a secret ultra-Orthodox sect and the brutal betrayal it tried to hide. It has a powerful message to abuse victims that they have a voice.
Nicole, Dassi and Elly continue to champion survivors’ rights. They speak with honesty and vulnerability in the media, community forums, and with policymakers. They keep abuse visible and impossible to ignore.
Their advocacy has strengthened institutional accountability and elevated survivor needs. It accelerated cultural change within both Jewish and wider communities.”
