TEL AVIV — In early October, Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York ordered schools to close in some areas with large populations of ultra-Orthodox Jews because of coronavirus outbreaks.
Some of the schools refused, and the governor threatened as a consequence to withhold state funding. At about the same time in Israel, a rabbi commanded his followers to open ultra-Orthodox schools, in defiance of government shutdown orders. Israel’s health minister warned these schools that they could face “heavy fines.” Two countries, two different systems of government — and a similar challenge: how to deal with ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities that while having high infection rates also refuse to take the necessary precautions.
Jews and gentiles must be careful not to single out the ultra-Orthodox, who look different and act different from most of us. I will try my best to be cautious. I will also state that I see much to admire in the ultra-Orthodox way of life: the sense of community and mutual responsibility, the emphasis on study, the devotion to tradition. And yet, I also feel an urgent need to advise ultra-Orthodox Jews to adapt to a new reality, one in which ultra-Orthodoxy’s great success — its ability to thrive in a modern world — has become its great challenge. Ultra-Orthodox Judaism today is based on strict adherence to Jewish law, a highly conservative worldview and a rejection of many components of the modern world (from evolutionary science to television), with the aim of erecting a shield against secularization and assimilation. In shorthand, the ultra-Orthodox are called Haredi — based on the Hebrew word for “trembling,” because these Jews tremble before God. On its own terms, ultra-Orthodoxy in Israel and the United States has been highly successful in achieving its goals.
What were those goals? To establish an undisturbed and vibrant community of mitzvot (commandments) and Torah study. Seventy years ago, with the destruction of most ultra-Orthodox communities in Europe in the Holocaust, some assumed that the end of this branch of Judaism was near. However, with stubbornness and sophistication, high birthrates and social cohesion, ultra-Orthodox communities are growing and thriving. This success hasn’t come without many challenges.
The first is economic: Ultra-Orthodox Jews tend to be poor by design. They prioritize study over work, and thus rely heavily on philanthropy and public support. The second is civil. Especially in Israel, where Haredi Jews both rely on public funds and still enjoy exemption from military service, there is a general feeling that this community does not pull its weight. Editors’ Picks On ‘S.N.L.’, Jim Carrey Reads a Spooky Election Update of ‘The Raven’ Will ‘Mank’ Be Netflix’s First Best-Picture Winner? A Podcast Answers a Fast-Food Question That Nobody Is Asking The third challenge is the relationship Haredi communities have with their surroundings.
A demographic rise of the Haredi world makes the population both more noticeable and more influential. In a democracy, numbers have meaning, and in Israel and New York, the Haredi are a highly effective voting bloc. Socially, Haredi neighborhoods and towns tend to be less than hospitable to outsiders, and as the neighborhoods expand, clashes with neighbors are common. So these communities are gradually becoming harder to ignore. And the pandemic might be the ultimate demonstration of the emerging problem. In Jerusalem and New York, where these Jews live in great and fast-growing numbers, a puzzled public begins to feel these communities have become too independent. Haredi Jews have large families and live in densely populated areas.
This enhances their model of togetherness and separateness. It also makes them more vulnerable to the coronavirus. By and large, like many closed communities, Haredi Jews are suspicious of outside institutions. (Some of this is born of a long history of persecution.) When outsiders demanded they shut down schools or cancel weddings or stop attending their synagogues, many of the leaders were thinking that such a decree could come only from people who do not understand the importance of these practices. They refused to comply. To these characteristics we must add Haredis’ suspicion of science (a feature of modernity) and their general stiff-necked mentality — the essence of resisting the temptations of a changing outer world. So it is not surprising that a sudden demand to change their community’s behavior was met by many Haredi Jews — and, notably, by many important Haredi leaders — with suspicion and open revolt. Some of them refuse to wear masks; some evade testing. Others send their children to school even when it is prohibited or attend mass funerals, where they clash with the police in New York and Jerusalem. Many attend crowded synagogues.
No wonder that the rate of infections in ultra-Orthodox communities has skyrocketed. Haredi Jews are well practiced in defying the larger society in which they live, and defiance is the tool they pulled out when new pandemic rules were dictated. They did it by using political clout and harsh rhetoric, arguing that the authorities were being discriminatory.
Of course, they have every right to use political clout to make their case. It is also reasonable to assume that in some cases Haredi Jews are being singled out. (The fact that they are easily identifiable because of their distinctive clothing makes it almost inevitable.) And yet it is time for Haredi leaders to realize that their model of isolation from the larger public is becoming archaic. Not because it failed, but because it succeeded. The Haredi model in Israel and the West over the past century was meant to keep a threatened enclave from being wiped out by a cultural tsunami. It was tolerated as such by a generally indifferent public in relatively tolerant countries, and in Israel, where Jewish sentimentality added another layer of commitment of the state to the survival of the Haredi world.
In short, it was designed for a weak group attempting to prevent decline. But as a model for a strong and thriving community it is flawed and dangerous. The thriving of the Haredi world in recent decades was made possible by an ability to be different, without being threatening; to reject the influence of the outside world, without being disruptive. Indeed, the disobedience of a weak minority can be tolerated.
But the disobedience of a strong community — particularly one that could affect the health of the larger public — is more difficult to defend. Few things prompt hatred, fear and vengefulness like a pandemic. What we have witnessed in recent months is dangerous, first and foremost for the future of the ultra-Orthodox world. If Israelis completely lose patience with the Haredi lifestyle, the consequences for the community could be drastic. If Americans become hostile to the community, the consequences could be even graver. Anti-Semitism, already on the rise, feeds on fear and suspicion.
So Haredi Jews are playing with fire. That is because they are not truly that powerful. Not if the world turns against them. No wonder that those of us who see value and beauty in the Haredi world — those of us who watch with admiration their prioritization of compassion over personal success, who identify with their prioritization of study over wealth and who respect their resistance to assimilation look at recent events with a growing sense of apprehension.
Shmuel Rosner (@rosnersdomain) is a contributing opinion writer, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute and the author, most recently, of “#IsraeliJudaism: Portrait of a Cultural Revolution.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/29/opinion/ultra-orthodox-jews-coronavirus.html
11 comments:
Who are the 'influential' shvantzes in Lawrence trying to influence everyone against virus precautions & doctors? Is one of them the career criminal pal of Belsky & Margo, Berish Fuchs? Berish has a nasty daughter or niece who is a pro-virus propagandist in Passaic. She even publicly attacked one of the local rabbonim for implementing a virus precaution in shul. This family thinks because they have a few ill gotten bucks they can do whatever they want
Weddings held with long guest lists again & shared Shabbat meals resuming. 100 doctors on Long Island, including Glatt, published a letter asking the community to continue trusting doctors after they noticed widespread relaxing of mask wearing & social distancing. At the time, one of the initiators of the letter cited local influential people who were fomenting anti-mask resistance in the community
Then in late Sept, an anonymous letter circulated accusing Glatt of promoting masks as magic, leading a “cult”
“We're upset because you only care about COVID, the elderly & vulnerable” the anonymous authors wrote. “Much how Fauci's policy is based on public health alone, you too ignore many effects of lockdowns on our lives”
To Glatt, personal attacks aren't what worries most. It's the message to community members following health guidance. “Convincing people unfortunately who otherwise do the right thing to do the wrong thing” he said
Dr. Stuart Ditchek, pediatrician in Brooklyn’s Midwood, is appalled by the attack on Glatt but notes critics of doctors remain anonymous
For Dr. Avi Rosenberg, renal pathologist at Johns Hopkins U Baltimore, the most important reason for Orthodox doctors advising Orthodox communities is ensuring culturally appropriate guidance
“There are nuanced questions well beyond cultural resonance of CDC & local DOH” Rosenberg said, noting unique circumstances: yeshiva study in pairs, arguing loudly over gemara, or infection in a large Orthodox family easily causing closures in multiple schools
“I work with DOHs around the country & they tremendously appreciate grassroots physicians designing strategies for environments they can’t fathom” Rosenberg said
He started a WhatsApp group for Orthodox doctors in Baltimore to share info of transmission in the community. He's also active in OrthoDOCS with 150+ doctors cross-country to share information on the virus, treating it & what works to contain spread
“Why remake the wheel every time?” Rosenberg asks. “It’s unique what we do & I don’t know how you organize it outside a communal setting”
As in Glatt’s community, Rosenberg too noticed diminished trust in doctors by the end of summer. Where people who call him about COVID previously accepted his advice almost without question, suddenly he got pushback from basing skepticism of medical guidance on hearsay
To Rosenberg, breakdown of trust in scientists-doctors came because of a quiet summer with few new COVID cases in Orthodox communities, while politicization of the virus increased
He said annual mourning called “the 3 weeks” was the reset switch of outbreaks in Orthodox communities down the East Coast from mid-Aug
“The amnesia was incredible. People start celebrating simchas in full. Those of us who said it’s a bad idea, people looked around & said but look there’s nothing. As political tone shifted in the country, it coalesced into the situation we see” he said
Ditchek noticed it too & attributed it to evolving guidelines as understanding of COVID develops. Even people who normally listen to doctors are confused
“People misunderstand changes in COVID, with discoveries taking place rapidly, it's inevitable we'd change direction & masks are a perfect example”
Israel's cabinet today endorsed increasing fines for violations of lockdown, but under pressure from Haredim is deferred for discussion Mon by the virus cabinet before advance to the Knesset for final approval.
Ministers from the Haredi Shas party either voted against the fines or were absent. Leaders of Haredi UTJ-Agudah — which doesn’t have ministers — reiterate they'd vote against the proposal in both Knesset committees & the plenum.
Haredim view regulations as targeting them since the majority of institutions violating rules are Haredi.
“The govt approved in principle the bill ‘Special authorities — fines’ & decided the virus cabinet will meet to discuss it before transfer to the Ministerial Committee for Legislation,” the PM’s Office said.
At the cabinet meeting Construction Minister Yitzhak Cohen of Shas called for the proposal to be dropped, but PM Bibi Netanyahu, stressing the important role fines play in enforcement, refused, Kan reports.
Immigration Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata, of Blue + White & Religious Affairs Minister Yaakov Avitan also oppose the bill.
The new regulations, if approved, increase the fine open a business or operate a site open to the public from NIS 5,000 ($1,467) to NIS 10,000 ($2,935).
The current NIS 5,000 fine for holding a party, conference, ceremony, festival, entertainment or art show in violation of rules would be increased to NIS 20,000 ($5,870).
Similarly, the fine to defy the ban to open education institutes (except preschool-grade 4) is upped from NIS 5,000 to NIS 20,000.
Many Haredi yeshivas opened earlier this month in defiance of govt rules. Since the pandemic, shul has also been linked to spread of the virus.
The row over fines came after Finance Minister Israel Katz & Health Minister Yuli Edelstein, both from Likud, clashed over stores as 2nd phase in easing virus restrictions.
Ministers last week approved opening shuls, beauty salons & some schools, but put off a decision on most stores, infuriating small business owners-merchants — who denounce govt handling of the crisis & say they're victimized.
On his Facebook page Katz calls for opening stores as early as Tues, accusing the Health Ministry of “baseless insistence” delaying the move & claims it leads Israel to “anarchy that'll increase morbidity.”
Edelstein tweets against letting populism interfere with decisions & accused those who rush ahead of “leading us knowingly to another lockdown + a financial-social-health disaster.”
In an interview about Yanky putting Agudah Fresser propaganda in R' Chaim's mouth, Yanky takes the Biden route - pretends he doesn't without actually denying it:
As Israel entered virus lockdown in March, a video emerged of a powerful rabbi, flanked by his grandson, professing ignorance on COVID & insisting yeshivas remain open.
The rabbi is Chaim Kanievsky, 92.
The video cast Kanievsky with grandson-adviser Yanky Kanievsky, 30, as central figures in debate consuming Israel.
For many secular Jews, refusal of Haredim to respect govt-mandated safety like closures undermine the national pandemic response.
In the March video — plus comments that became public as Israel began exiting lockdown last month — Kanievsky appears to openly defy closure orders.
The Jerusalem Post described the rabbi’s conduct as an “extremely dangerous” act of “civil disobedience” unprecedented in Israel’s history.
Other media & experts question how an unelected religious leader acquires enough power to defy mandatory orders without consequence.
In a rare interview in the rabbi’s modest Bnei Brak apt, Yanky Kanievsky told AFP his grandfather's grossly misunderstood.
“Nobody here's crazy,” Kanievsky says, noting the rabbi himself contracted COVID weeks ago & recovered. “Everyone understands the risk.”
In a cramped study lined with Jewish texts — 2 phones buzz incessantly on his desk — Kanievsky explains the video behind the uproar “wasn’t supposed to be public.”
“The rabbi didn't for a minute want to appear defiant / combative,” he said.
Kanievsky lists difficult choices his grandfather backs to protect his community: closing shuls-mikvas + authorizing phones on Shabbat day of rest, for urgent health information.
Kanievsky says secular Jews need to understand, for his grandfather, closure of yeshivas is a red line.
“For the rabbi, the most important thing in the world is Torah study. Without it, there's no point,” he said.
“The rabbi believes Jews can't exist without Torah. You can’t separate them.”
Haredim respond to the pandemic differently.
Sefardim largely observe guidelines.
Hasidic attitude, according to Hebrew U professor of Jewish Thought, Benjamin Brown, is summarized as “sheer & total disobedience.”
Some Hasidim shout “Nazi” at officers trying to enforce health restrictions.
Chaim Kanievsky, born in Pinsk, is de facto head of Lithuanian non-Hasidic Haredim & a very powerful figure in the society, Brown said.
Kanievsky’s refusal to accept govt restrictions worry some who see a religious leader operate beyond govt reach, Brown adds.
Gilad Malach, Haredi expert at Israel Democracy Institute think tank, said observers question if the elderly rabbi “is really aware” of the criticism he's faced.
Some believe his grandson “controls the situation” as gatekeeper, Malach said.
His powerful position was reinforced by a call this week with Bibi to discuss safe opening of yeshivas.
Yanky Kanievsky concedes infections are high among Haredim, but primarily because they have small apts & many children, fueling transmission within families.
Remote study is hard for Haredim who don’t use smartphones-tablets.
He also said there are differences between Lithuanians & some Hasidim, describing the latter as including “virus deniers.”
Kanievsky said those accusing his grandfather of ignoring health don't understand that, for the rabbi, “sanctity of life” is paramount.
He argues the national conversation around covid ultimately centers on selecting priorities
For some, to keep gyms-restaurants-shops open are the most important.
“We say children need to learn Torah,” Kanievsky adds. “Torah study's the most important.”
The head of one of the largest Hasidic sects calls for denunciation of anyone reporting violations of restrictions meant to contain the virus.
In a speech carried Sun by Hamodia & Hamevaser newspapers, both linked to Agudath Israel, Vizhnitzer Rebbe Yisroel Hager also vows Haredi yeshivas won't again be shut as part of any lockdown.
“Cry out bitterly & strongly protest against those who snitch & inform on other Jews who open yeshivas or host simchas,” Hager's quoted. “To interfere with another Jew hosting a simcha is offensive & fundamentally unacceptable.”
He said closing yeshivas caused “unbearable spiritual + material damage” vowing they won't again be closed.
He also claims there's discrimination against Haredim in enforcing virus rules.
“We suffer from persecution & severe incitement,” he said.
Hager himself was caught flouting restrictions last month attending a huge indoor gathering in Bnei Brak, in violation of lockdown.
"In shorthand, the ultra-Orthodox are called Haredi — based on the Hebrew word for “trembling,” because these Jews tremble before God."
No, they do not tremble before G-d, they tremble at the prospect of being seen by humans (G-d, of course, knows what they are doing, foul and fair, at all times)! They tremble in fear of being caught setting insurance fires in which firefighters are injured:
https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nye/pr/2005/2005nov22.html
They tremble in fear of being caught in extortion schemes:
https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nys/pressreleases/February11/balkanymiltonsentencingpr.pdf
They tremble in fear of being caught in Ebay fraud:
https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/newhaven/press-releases/2009/nh090909.htm
The Kaminetzkys say the Rebbitzen "spent years researching on the internet" before arriving at her crazed anti-vaxx shitos which she cattle prods old Shmuel into hijacking Agudah-TU-R' Chaim Kanievsky to go along with. Especially in the early days of anti-vaxx, all the anti-vaxx websites were run by Right Wing neo-Nazis or Leftist anti-Semites:
Online forums frequented by those opposed to vaccinations are hotbeds of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, according to a new report from the British government.
The 20-page report, titled “From anti-vaxxers to antisemitism: Conspiracy theory in the COVID pandemic,” was published this Oct by John Mann, the UK’s Special Adviser on anti-Semitism.
“Accusations the pandemic is 'fake' & Jewish conspirators created the virus are the most dominant in anti-vaxx communities,” says the report, based on 2 months of monitoring 25+ Facebook groups + Twitter accounts & other social networks.
“Whilst the groups themselves were not necessarily established to spread antisemitism, they become hotbeds for antisemitic conspiracy theories,” the report says, adding: “their propensity to conspiracy reduces their resilience to antisemitic beliefs & attitudes.”
The problem, the report said, has been growing exponentially since the start of the pandemic.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-experts-make-stink-over-coronavirus-surviving-in-treated-sewage/
Water cooler being set up in Philly yeshiva.
But it aint Poland Spring!
Filthydelphia 6:10 PM, November 01, 2020:
"The Kaminetzkys say the Rebbitzen 'spent years researching on the internet' before arriving at her crazed anti-vaxx shitos which she cattle prods old Shmuel into hijacking Agudah-TU-R' Chaim Kanievsky to go along with."
Isn't the Internet ossured? Didn't Kaminetzky ban the television?
https://www.rferl.org/a/bodies-are-everywhere-russia-struggles-with-covid-19-spike/30921622.html
Where is my pal Vladimir hiding all the bodies? I was wondering what brought Elly Kleinman to town.
12,000+ Muslims packed into the Temple Mount compound Fri, with noted lack of police enforcement against mass crowding, as Israel seeks to exit from lockdown.
Fri prayers regularly attract large crowds to the flashpoint site in the Old City of Jerusalem, but this week brought particularly high numbers, as Muslims mark Mawlid, birthday of Muhammad. The 1000s at the Mount also came to protest French President Macron’s vow to protect the right to caricature the prophet.
Footage shows worshipers packed close together, many not wearing masks.
Jerusalem municipality blamed police for failing to prevent mass crowding. “In the midst of severe restrictions to cut infection, especially among Arabs, we're puzzled who allows 1000s to gather at the Mount. Very irresponsible”
Police shot back no decision was made to ignore the massive gathering. “At the beginning, 1000s upheld health guidelines. Only at the end did tight gathering occur followed by mass procession, leading police to enter the mosque plaza to disperse the crowd & arrest 3.”
The protesters on Fri chanted, “With our souls & blood, we sacrifice for our prophet, Muhammad” & nationalist slogans. They also called Macron “enemy of God.”
The protests come amid rising tensions between France & Muslims, which flared up when a Muslim beheaded a French schoolteacher who'd shown caricatures of Muhammad in class.
Those images, published by satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo to mark the trial of the deadly 2015 attack at the publication, stir the ire of Muslims across the world who call depictions of the prophet "blasphemous"
A series of attacks French authorities attribute to Muslims ensued.
In Sept, the Islamic Waqf authority of the Mount ordered it closed following a spike in virus, only to reverse course hours later to remain open, over controversy if Jews visit during lockdown.
Closure was to coincide with lockdown in Israel, which controls the entrances of the compound.
The Waqf is owned by Jordan, custodian of the compound, known by Muslims as Haram al-Sharif, or Holy Sanctuary, and as the Temple Mount by Jews as site of the Temples. It's the 3rd holiest site in Islam & the holiest in Judaism.
The initial decision to close the Mount in Sept was the 2nd time the Waqf shut the compound since Israel captured East Jerusalem in 1967 — the 1st time in March, also in response to the pandemic.
Mostly secular Jews ascend the Mount, though they aren't allowed to pray in the compound. Palestinians decry the visits as “settler invasions.”
Israel previously blocked access to the flashpoint site, which is focus of Palestinian aspirations for statehood.
Don;t single them out????
they do a magnificent job of that all by themselves - and cause a massive Chillul HaShem as well as diminishing themselves in front of other jews and Hashem.
They come across as a cult. Unable and unwilling to break the consensus, they follow ignorance as if it were truth
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