Interested in bringing 'No Child Spared' to a wider audience? Contact us to discuss distribution and investment opportunities.

ABOUT THE FILM

In No Child Spared, director Meni Philip lifts the veil on the ongoing abuse that persists in ultra-Orthodox Jewish educational institutions in Israel and around the world. What many assume to be a relic of the past—teachers physically disciplining students—remains an entrenched, systemic issue today.

Meni himself believed the days of classroom violence were long gone, dismissing his own childhood experiences as distant memories. But when his brother shared a personal testimony of being beaten by his teachers, the post went viral, igniting an outpouring of stories from others who had endured similar—or worse—treatment. The responses revealed a shocking truth: the same brutal practices that Meni and his peers suffered decades ago continue to this day.

Compelled to confront this reality, Meni set out to document the firsthand experiences of survivors, speaking with both adults and children who have endured this state-sanctioned violence disguised as education. Their testimonies paint a chilling portrait of a world where physical punishment is framed as discipline, where suffering is justified through religious teachings, and where silence is imposed through fear. As the stories unfold, a devastating pattern emerges—one that conditions children to accept violence as virtue and leaves lasting trauma well into adulthood.

Yet No Child Spared is not a film about pointing fingers. It is an empathetic exploration of the trauma woven into this system—trauma that does not end when a child leaves the classroom. The pain echoes through generations, affecting not only the victims but also the abusers and the communities that enable the cycle to continue. By giving voice to those who have long been silenced, the film seeks to foster understanding, not condemnation—an opportunity to break the cycle, not just expose it.

Through these conversations, Meni is forced to re-examine his own past—not just as a victim, but as someone who unknowingly perpetuated the very system that harmed him. His intimate perspective allows him to capture the raw pain, resilience, and reckoning of those who dared to speak out, breaking a silence that has endured for generations.

No Child Spared is not just a documentary; it is an urgent call to recognize and dismantle a system that thrives on secrecy. It is a film about confronting the past, exposing the present, and fighting for a future where no child suffers in silence.

Meni Philip

Meni Philip is an acclaimed filmmaker known for his powerful and deeply personal storytelling. His work often explores themes of identity, trauma, and resilience, offering audiences a window into complex and often hidden worlds.

Philip first gained international recognition with his short film Sinner, which won Best European Short Film at the 2009 Venice International Film Festival. His documentary Let There Be Light chronicled his transformation from a celebrated Hasidic singer to a father fighting for his paternity rights, shedding light on the deep rift between religious and secular life in Israel.

His latest documentary, No Child Spared, expands on his commitment to exposing difficult truths with empathy and nuance. Sparked by a viral post revealing the hidden abuse within ultra-Orthodox Jewish schools, Philip delves into the lasting trauma endured not only by the victims but also by the perpetrators and the society that enables the cycle to persist. Through intimate survivor testimonies and self-examination, he presents a thoughtful and empathetic exploration of a system that has remained in the shadows for too long.

With each film, Meni Philip continues to challenge narratives, provoke conversation, and bring to light the stories that demand to be told.

Aharon Trietel

Aharon Treitel is a filmmaker, producer, and actor. He graduated with honors from the Minshar School of Art in Tel Aviv and has since worked in various roles in film and television, including directing, editing, research, and content consulting.

He has served as a consultant on notable productions, including The Ghost Valley (dir. Avi Nesher), the TV series Iron Dome (dir. Alon Zingman), and the feature film Lot’s Wife (dir. Avishai Sivan). He was also responsible for research and casting for Lina Chaplin’s documentary Gingers, produced for the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation.

As an actor, Treitel played the lead role in Tikkun (dir. Avishai Sivan), which screened at over 50 festivals worldwide and won multiple awards, including the Silver Leopard at Locarno and Best Actor at the Fantaspoa Festival in Brazil. He also appeared in The Death of That One (dir. Avishai Sivan) and A Friendly Tale (dir. Anat Zuria and Shira Winter), which won Best Film at the Jerusalem Film Festival.

Treitel was the executive producer of No Child Spared, a documentary supported by the New Fund for Cinema and Television and HOT8. He also produced and directed the documentary That Man, which was featured at the Docaviv Film Festival and received the Perlov Fund grant.