Ultra-Orthodox Jews ask Israeli media to help rid them of extremists
Ultra-Orthodox community says fear of radicals has created leadership vacuum; many think secular media plays key role in increasing pressure on Beit Shemesh, Jerusalem extremists.
By Yair Ettinger Tags: Orthodox Jews Benjamin Netanyahu Jewish WorldOne after another the Haredim came up to the reporters. Some gave their full names, some refused to give any name or - as with one leading rabbi - asked that their names not be published. Some approached in the streets of Beit Shemesh, some made a phone call.
They're not reaching out to protest the media's portrayal of the ultra-Orthodox, after Haredi residents of Beit Shemesh harassed and spat at religious Zionist schoolgirls, attacked a television news crew trying to film a sign that ordered women to walk on the other side of the street, and called the police "Nazis" when they escorted municipal officials who took down the sign.
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Secular and ultra-Orthodox protesters arguing in Beit Shemesh Monday. |
| Photo by: Olivier Fitoussi |
They're reaching out to plead for the help of journalists who work for secular newspapers, which many ultra-Orthodox now think will play a decisive role in increasing the public pressure on the extremists living in Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem. They want the police and the government to get on the extremists' case, because the leadership vacuum created by politicians, rabbis and newspapers that serve the ultra-Orthodox world has left mainstream Haredim looking for help in places they normally wouldn't go.
Changes are afoot even within the Haredi media. True, the ultra-Orthodox Yated Neeman newspaper warned in its lead headline on Monday of an "incitement campaign" against the ultra-Orthodox, which it said was aimed at breaking up the coalition alliance between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Haredi parties, as well as putting a damper on the goal of making more Jews Torah-observant. But several writers for Haredi websites are consistently and vigorously attacking the extremists - and even declaring them to be enemies of the ultra-Orthodox, no less.
"This is the time to create a barrier between us and the extremists," said Aryeh Goldhaber, an activist in the Tov movement, which represents moderate Haredim on the Beit Shemesh and Betar Ilit city councils. "People, even among the secular population, are beginning to realize that those who are going wild in Beit Shemesh are a crazy extremist group spreading fear through the streets, beating people, vandalizing, using violence. The public is afraid of them, the rabbis are afraid of them. This has to stop."
Tov representatives, who paid a visit Monday to the home of Na'ama Margolese, an 8-year-old girl who was spat upon by Haredim protesting the "immodesty" of religious schoolgirls on their way to class, see themselves as an alternative to the ultra-Orthodox parties United Torah Judaism and Shas. In addition to seeking a crackdown on the extremists, Tov also wants to develop a different model of ultra-Orthodox, said Goldhaber.
For instance, though many ultra-Orthodox men refuse to work for a living, Goldhaber does, and he is trying to foster a larger group of Haredim who both work and learn Torah. He spoke of an ultra-Orthodox yeshiva, Metivta Beit Shemesh, that is one of the few Haredi yeshivas in Israel in which high school students take the bagrut matriculation exams.
He says Haredim like him fall between the cracks.
"Instead of helping us, the establishment ignores us or makes it hard for us," said Goldhaber.
The Beit Shemesh municipality did not allocate land for the yeshiva, forcing the founders to solicit donations from the parents of prospective students and rent a building. Goldhaber said the Education Ministry does not officially recognize the yeshiva and that it has faced many bureaucratic obstacles.
"The more support we get from the outside, the more effective we will be able to be," he said. "But if we aren't granted legitimacy, both from the public at large and from the ultra-Orthodox population, if we don't manage to establish more normal yeshivas where you can take the bagrut, then we're on the sure path to civil war."
Another area resident, a Hasidic man who lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh, called on the police to take action against the extremists.
"The police have to crack down on them," he said. "They're violent, they threaten us, they're strangling us and their own rabbis. They don't let anyone live."
The man said his wife quit what he said was her "kosher" job, for which she studied at a Haredi institute for professional training, because extremists warned them they would put up flyers condeming them if she didn't.
"Their rabbis don't dare say a word to them," the man said. "I think that the ones responsible for excluding women here are the state, the police - for not doing anything about them."
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torah = sharia. take your pick
It seems to me that a group with "ultra" in their description is in itself an "extremist" group. Ultra means extreme, does is not? Any group that throws stones at cars going to hospitals on Shabbat is obviously an EXTREMIST group. Little grace towards others, so why do they think they deserve grace themselves?
The story about the (hopefully) few extremists in Beth Shemesh was in our Dutch newspaper this morning. I found it extremely worrying. A lot of people in the Metherlands still feel very positively about the State of Israel, not about its politics which seem foolish occasionnally. Last week there was a report in our media about laws waiting to be passed in the Knesset which (the laws) in effect pose a large threat to the freedom off the press. I was happy to read in Haaretz that a lot of orthodox people do not agree withe teh extremists. Raise your voice, address the governement, make sure you are heared in foreign media, PLease. I know that some (a lot?) utra orthodox men refuse to wrk. Hod do they support there household, where do they "find"an income? Regards and respect Cees Kuijlaars
"As long as People believe in Absurdities, they will continue to commit Atrocities"
it shows how good is israel´s democracy. in all other neighbours, muslim countries in middle east, this debate will never happen, because the secular people would be killed at the first minute. (many times, by their own government, leaded by religious extremist like iran, saudi arabia etc)
Can somebody provide an e-mail address for Aryeh Goldhaber
It's ridiculous. They are in leadership positions so that they should lead
Criminals, mafia, perversion, moral failure, robbers, embezzlers, liars - not a pretty picture, Israel. They should be caught and put behind bars.
So, hard-core Muslims and hard-core Jews stand united on their shabby, second-class treatment of women? Abraham's children: The Flintstones!
in Muslim countries, it's the law of the land. So, a ridiculous comparison
and hopefully into the right direction. When Israel becomes a moral power again, the Lord will return his eye on Zion what will mean peace and security for Israel. And even Iran will shake hands with Israelis.
None of this discussion would be necessary of the State of Israel were not a theocracy. there should be no support - direct or indirect - for religious activities in a democratic state. When people want to band together to follow religious precepts that is their right - but that does not give them the right to impose their precepts on others, either directly - as in the case of the Ultra-Orthodox - or indirectly, through government subsidies.
......and start calling them "Jewish Taliban" instead. It more appropriately describes their true objectives.
via our Facebook page (facebook.com/thejidf) "For so long we thought the "radicals" were victims of antisemitic bias. But now, after dealing with people like David Haivri, who embraces antisemitic Christian missionaries in his attempts to breach the privacy, safety, and security of fellow Jewish advocates he does not like, we understand that there is truly a problem within the religious community. We are pro-settler, but we are certainly against attacking the IDF and police. And we're against anyone (Jewish or otherwise) who tries to bring harm to other Jews."
They have lost their love for the Jewish people and have descended into a Neturi Karta type mentality. To do this to a little girl is just awful!!
One may be tempted to compare it with Iranian or Saudi pudicity rules and police. However, analogies are dangerous. Haredim spit, push and insult, but don't lash, hang and stone. More important, Muslim countries enforce it, while Israel condemns and combats it. Not strongly enough, you may say and you will be right, but still it does it. This being said, Israels existence is endangered by religious fanatics. She can defend herself from the Islamists, but not from the more dangerous Jewish fundamentalists who may shatter her from within.
if its enemies start to compare ultra-orthodox extremists with the mad mullahs of the Arab world. It is debatable if comparisons can be made with Saudi Arabia where they oppress women institutionally and do not let them drive. What is encouraging, is the mobilization of the public and opinion in nipping this extremism in the bud. It gives hope that public opinion can be galvanized in shaping Israel for the better.
Israel now is too religious and its going to be like Saudi Arabia State to the establishment of the last of the illegal settlements and outposts in the West Bank - Israel is operating in the shadow of the commandments of religion.
Wow dude ...your explanation is weird it's like saying what is ... is I still say they brought antisemitism on the rest of the Jews because of their fanaticism like it or not .... dude
this is such a shame - buit people see now . what when they find out that zionist were financed since decade from vatican and other sources to make devide and rule shepples . they dont let the woman read . islamistas (did the mossad already found out who made them ????and financed them ????) alos dont allow the woman read . i feel very much very soon there will be an uppraise from very pissed of extremly angry woman who declare "woman republic of jerusalem" and try to fix the huge mistaces done by very evil men . it is only a question of time untill they take over there . and than doplomatic ties under woman leadership , woman controll intel , woman ministries 8also one christioan and one muslim would be just fine) will open a great diplomatic gap to reach out to those who eventually only eventually will sit down with the leaders from free gender republic feminina jerusalem and try to fix what fanatic men did very very wrong
I do not understand why there is so much fuss against Ultra-Orthodox. I agree there are a few extremists that want to create an image of intolerance, hate, and violence. The vast majority of Orthodox Jews want us to be more Torah-observant and are peaceful. As for the secular, there are those who are also intolerant, resentful, even anti-semitic (but non-violent). We need Jews to stand up for Judaism, not assimilation.
This headline makes me rethink the word or words ULTRA-ORTHODOX ? To ask the secular news media, non-believers, makes me question the validity of this article.
It really is striking and sad that the only parallel that can be drawn with this is the treatment of women in Afghanistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
The one solution might be as some blogger pointed out to establish more yeshiva high schools. In the States ultra religious youngsters go to the yeshiva and also study secular subjects in order to matriculate from high school. This should be a model also in Israel. They should also serve the state after their matriculation. After that they can choose whether they want to continue full study of Torah or to work and study on the side. This should be made a law instead of paying the religious sector for evading their responsibilities and sit in yeshivas getting brainwashed by their rabbis.
Why is there a special group of people who have no responsibility to the state for defense, who get paid to study and not work, and who can impose their beliefs on others? What an outrage! They make 'Nazi' and 'Muslim' look respectable.
Do you raelly think those people you have treated like dogs will come to your aid. Dream on --you lot brought this shower in order to fill the homes of those you kicked out of theirs. Live with it and fight amongst your selves.
50% of first grade Jews in Israel are ultra orthodox!
You are getting the words "ultra" as in ultra orthodox and extreme mixed up. More than 99% of ultraorthodox aren't extremists just like all muslims aren't radicals. I am ultraorthodox and everybody i associate with is against the extremists beliefs and actions.
Only solution is to foster love and respect. Every time there is a fight add another chesed, help, love back. I am a ultra-orthodox. i am a chassid, I live in Bet Shemesh.
This is a civil rights issue - not a religious one. There is nothing in the halacha about the need to separate men and women in public spaces. This is about a few people wanting to control all the people. If anyone is behaving like "Nazis" it is these fanatics who are not content with their own religious observance - they have to control everyone else's. Israel is a democracy and we will fight for our freedom from these evil people who are hilul hashem.
i completely agree with u, but you dont understand that all this story is a huge lie of the mass media. they invented everything to do hilul Hashem. Religious jews will be hated even if they all behave the best, this is the nature of the antisemitism, in this case perpetrated by secular israelis
If this is the geniune belief of non extreme haridim then it is time to see them demonstrating. It is time to condem the moves towards seperation. Lets see them stand sid-by-side men and women and call for an end to this madness.
In our age to have this cave dwelling Jewish element.... Hoping they will finally regress with the new generation of Jews being more and more secular
It is another sign of this Haredi insanity that they now claim it is the State's fault for not enforcing its laws. It is indeed time for the State to enforce its laws and it is time for the teachers of these extremists to speak out loudly against them.