Jewish religious movements

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish family wearing masks

Coronavirus restrictions challenge customs of ultra-Orthodox in Israel

COVID-19

After most of Israel went into isolation, Bnei Brak was slow to adopt the country’s social distancing regulations.

Benjamin Netanyahu sits with his hand covering his mouth.

What Israel’s new election reveals about the struggle over Jewishness

Identity
the silhouettes of members of the ultra orthodox community in Jerusalem

The ultra-Orthodox are the hottest thing on Israeli TV

Arts, Culture & Media
Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel blocked highways and clashed with police this week to protest a government decision to cut funds to seminary students who avoid military service.

Israel’s ultra-Orthodox protest to study Torah, instead of serve in the army

Lifestyle & Belief

Israel struggles as Orthodox, secular communities confront conflicts

Lifestyle & Belief

Violence and Abuse in Insular Communities

On Tuesday, December 11, a State Supreme Court jury in Brooklyn convicted 54-year-old Nechemya Weberman on 59 counts of sexual abuse. As an unlicensed therapist in the insular Satmar Hasidic community, Weberman worked with young, Orthodox women whose behavior was considered immodest or outside the Hasidic norm. One of the women in his care accused […]

Israel to Put More Liberal Rabbis on State Payroll

Conflict & Justice

Israel says it will put non-Orthodox rabbis on the state payroll.

Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox Jews Debate Mainstream Involvement

Global Politics

There is a debate going on within the Ultra-Orthodox community over how much they should integrate into the Israeli mainstream.

Top of the Hour: Ultra-Orthodox Jews Clash With Police in Israel, Morning Headlines

Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews clashed with police in the town of Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem, on Tuesday. The violence is the latest in a series of incidents in Israel in recent weeks. Authorities have challenged efforts by the ultra-Orthodox Jews to segregate women in public places. Such segregation is illegal in Israel.

The World

Ultra-Orthodox Jews protest girls’ school in Israeli town

Conflict & Justice

Groups of ultra-orthodox men have been picketing a new girls’ school, harassing the girls and their mothers. The men claim they are offended by what they say is the “immodesty” of elementary school-aged girls.