Israel Matzav

What's a Haredi?

If this weren't so totally at odds with the idea that we are one Jewish nation, it might even be laughable. Naftali Bennett's Ministry of Economics has made a pathetic attempt at defining what a Haredi is for purposes of employment programs run by his ministry. Many Haredim are going to find themselves outside the definition (does that mean he doesn't care whether they work?). See how many holes you can poke in this one.

A chareidi woman must meet one of the following criteria:

1. The woman’s children must be learning in a chareidi school until the age of 18, placing an emphasis on ‘recognized but not official’ schools. This would include many Chabad yeshivos and Chinuch Atzmai. (The ministry is looking for a school with a license recognized by the Ministry of Education).

2. The woman’s husband learned in a yeshiva ketana and she studied in seminary.

A chareidi man must meet one of the following criteria:

1. His children must be learning in a chareidi school until the age of 18, placing an emphasis on ‘recognized but not official’ schools. This would include many Chabad yeshivos and Chinuch Atzmai.

2. Must have studied in yeshiva ketana.

3. Must has served in the IDF or recognized national program as per paragraph 6 (the law permitting one to push off military service after one declares limud Torah a full time profession).

4. Has been entitled to a minimum of a year during the past five years of a studies program to assist avreichim to integrate into the workplace.

The criteria will be problematic for many including baalei teshuvah, Shabbos observant Jews who recently became chareidi, those who attend yeshivos that are not recognized by the Education Ministry and others.

Talk about pigeonholing....

Labels: Haredim, Naftali Bennett

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:24 PM