The former principal of the Adass Israel School in Elsternwick is accused of sexually abusing three of her then students between 2004 and 2008.
Charge sheets allege most of the offences were committed in Elsternwick, but also in Elwood, Frankston and Emerald and the regional towns of Blampied and Rawson.
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Sisters Elly Sapper, Dassi Erlich and Nicole Meyer, the women who allege they were abused as children by Ms Leifer, were among the 30 people watching Thursday’s hearing via video link.
Ms Leifer has long maintained she is innocent.
She fled to Israel in 2008 when the allegations were first aired, but was extradited this week following the decision of the Supreme Court of Israel, which dismissed her final appearance and ordered she return to Australia to face prosecution.