Integrating the Ultra-Orthodox Community Into the Israeli Society and Economy

Question 1

What is another name for the Haredim?

Answer 1

Ultra-Orthodox Jews.

Question 2

What are the three main points of the Haredi way of life?

Answer 2

Traditionalism, piety, and Torah study.

Question 3

Traditionalism.

Answer 3

The decline of the generations; the best points of all times are in the past — the two best points in time is hearing the voice of God at Mount Sinai and the Garden of Eden.

Question 4

Piety.

Answer 4

Cancellation of the material world; preparing for another world, not this material world — living for the world to come.

Question 5

Torah study.

Answer 5

Total commitment to Torah and rabbis.

Question 6

Name aspects of the Haredi enclave culture.

Answer 6

Education, territory, community, clothing, politics, media, and Kashrut.

Question 7

How is Haredi education different as part of their enclave culture?

Answer 7

Private education culture, studying with other Haredim in order to teach youngsters to maintain the beliefs. Separation between men and women, and focusing religious studies, especially for men.

Question 8

How is Haredi territory different as part of their enclave culture?

Answer 8

There are areas where the entire area is Ultra-Orthodox.

Question 9

How is Haredi community different as part of their enclave culture?

Answer 9

Form communities within Jerusalem.

Question 10

How is Haredi clothing different as part of their enclave culture?

Answer 10

Traditional, clothing that they used to wear 100 or 150 years ago. Most came from East Europe, so they continued. If they wear black and white, it prevents them from standing out from each other. Modesty is important, especially for women.

Question 11

How is Haredi politics different as part of their enclave culture?

Answer 11

When they have the ability, they want to maintain the interests of the Haredim when it comes to budgets, legislation, and identity/culture of the State of Israel, especially connected to the Shabbat. There are two Ultra-Orthodox parties.

Question 12

How is Haredi media different as part of their enclave culture?

Answer 12

There is no television in Ultra-Orthodox homes — it is dangerous. The situation now is challenging due to smartphones and the internet.

Question 13

How is Haredi kashrut different as part of their enclave culture?

Answer 13

Rules surrounding food, eat in the community.

Question 14

What are the three main Haredi groups?

Answer 14

Hasidim, Lithuanians, and Sefaradim.

Question 15

Hasidim.

Answer 15

Focus on the emotional experience, closeness to God. Way of life is based on the Rabbi and the community. Appearance includes earlocks, beards, and long coats. Will be a great rabbi or a great leader if your father was a great leader.

Question 16

Lithuanians.

Answer 16

Origin is Lithuania. Much more rational and in some ways, more modern; the focus is on the rational experience of studying religious studies. Clothing is simple and modern: a hat, short suit, and on Shabbat, a tie. Leadership is under Gedolim. Those that are more learner and demonstrate and ability to lead are given the opportunity to lead.

Question 17

Sefaradim.

Answer 17

Originate from North Africa or Asia. Appearance is much like the Lithuanians. Aspire to revive the great Sefaradi tradition. Shas, the Sefaradi political party, is the biggest, most influential Haredi party. Those in extreme positions are against the State of Israel as it is a secular state; however, only five percent are part of this group.

Question 18

How did the Holocaust affect the Haredim?

Answer 18

There were not very many of them left, and had to reconstruct. Since the 1970s, have began to grow in numbers due to the high birth rate.

Question 19

What are the three rough time periods surrounding public policy regarding the Haredim?

Answer 19

First stage was from 1948 to 1977, second stage was from 1977 to 1998, and third stage is 1999 to 2018.

Question 20

What characterized the first stage of public policy regarding the Haredim?

Answer 20

The Haredim asked for postponement of military service, which Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion allowed because he wanted their political support and it was relatively inconsequential as they only numbered in the hundreds after the Holocaust. The Haredim were afraid of the army as those that went did not remain Ultra-Orthodox; were successful in their own communities, but not if they leave it. Autonomy in education “society of learners” – most men continue studying religious studies their whole life, as if they completed it, they would have to go to the army.

Question 21

What characterized the second stage of public policy regarding the Haredim?

Answer 21

Beautiful days. Entered the coalition and gained political power and state support. The Lekud became allies with the Ultra-Orthodox, and the Shas and Agudat Israel emerged. Policy implementations were made with regards to allowances, and the supporting of yeshivot and kollelim.

Question 22

What conditions for policy change emerged in the second stage of public policy regarding the Haredim?

Answer 22

Demographic growth, fear of market failure, unsatisfied sub-groups, and pluralism.

Question 23

Why did demographic growth spark policy change?

Answer 23

Most Haredim Jews live in poverty, with the rate of more than four times the rate of poverty among other Jews.

Question 24

Why did the fear of market failure spark policy change?

Answer 24

If there is a shrinking in productivity, there is less money going to Ultra-Orthodox communities.

Question 25

Why did unsatisfied sub-groups spark policy change?

Answer 25

There were pressures to make the Ultra-Orthodox go to work, go to the army, and to pay taxes.

Question 26

Why did pluralism spark policy change?

Answer 26

Policy-makers became more pluralistic and multi-cultural in order to do change in this community and to understand their needs and beliefs.

Question 27

Consociationalism.

Answer 27

Consociationalism is a form of democracy which seeks to regulate the sharing of power in a state that comprises of diverse societies by allocating these groups collective rights.

Question 28

What was the trend in Israeli politics that allowed the Haredim to gain new elites?

Answer 28

The rise in the governmental policy-makers, with politicians left behind. Non-governmental organizations are part of the game.

Question 29

What characterized the third stage of public policy regarding the Haredim?

Answer 29

The new era of public policy. Tal Law, Haredi branches in the army, national service. Secular studies with the “core” program, and entrance to the labour market with vocational training. Allowances were dialled back.

Question 30

True or false? Reform is the best way to implement change in Haredi society.

Answer 30

False, it is important to implement change incrementally.