Tel-Chai Nation

I'm sure this came as a surprise for Mishpacha, but according to a poll published last month - something I wish I was able to address earlier - most Israelis don't hold hateful views of Haredis as they might want to think:

It might be shocking to some, but a poll sponsored by a Haredi newspapers shows that the talk about hatred against Haredim and personal angst against the community by Secular Jews in Israel are at most exaggerated and overblown. Mishpacha, a Haredi weekly magazine and newspaper, sponsored a poll to determine the attitudes of secular Israelis towards Haredim.

The results are somewhat astonishing.

A majority of 77% of secular Jews residing in Israel said they know Haredim personally and 83% have a favorable outlook towards the Haredim who they do know, the poll commissioned by Dr. Mina Tzemach from Midgam research shows. Among those who live in neighborhoods with Haredim, 77% say that the Haredim do not disturb their lives in any way.

The poll also shows that the workforce is open for Haredim. 83% said they are willing to hire Haredim to work in their companies. A majority of 67% believe that the IDF is obligated to provide Haredim who serve with all of their religious needs to make sure that their lifestyle is not impacted negatively by their army service.

Isn't that something. This shows that there are plenty of folks in the wider public who don't think Haredis are inherently bad. That doesn't mean they fully approve of everything in their lifestyle, but still, they realize that most Haredis are capable of taking up a civilized MO. What does put off the public is when Haredis allow their beliefs to get the better of them to the point of hijacking the rabbinate solely to be represented by people of their community, act like being a Haredi makes you a saint and never have to say you're sorry, and also when they don't join the wider workforce and make more of themselves than they actually are. If they can improve upon this and abandon the more troubling imposing elements some of the sects have taken up over time, then public opinion would be even better.

Harry Maryles has more.

Labels: haredi corruption, Israel, military