Asaf Malchi

The author is a researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute and the research department of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

Prayer at the Belz Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Belz is a Hassidic dynasty founded in the Ukrainian town of Belz.

The needs of Israel's haredim are changing – will leaders find solutions?

Ultra-Orthodox rabbis and educators are well aware of the depth of the crisis and of the problems faced by the young men; but they are afraid, and perhaps should be.

FEBRUARY 10, 2023

Young Israeli students with their parents make their way to school and kindergarten in Jerusalem on September 30, 2021.

The issue of Israel's lost youth

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased school dropout rates due to its exacerbation of the already emotional, social, and academic crises affecting multiple age and population groups.

JANUARY 1, 2022

POLICE OFFICERS stand by the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City amid tension with Palestinians during Ramadan earlier this week.

Right-wing protests hold growing appeal for ultra-Orthodox men - opinion

Though this handful of demonstrators is not representative of ultra-Orthodox society as a whole, it reflects a growing trend among young ultra-Orthodox men who find an outlet in right-wing protests.

MAY 1, 2021

On the fringes of ultra-Orthodox society

Government agencies have not geared up to effectively address the phenomenon of marginalized ultra-Orthodox youth, which carries with it the risk of more serious problems.

FEBRUARY 21, 2021

Israeli police officers clash with ultra-Orthodox Jewish men during enforcement of coronavirus emergency regulations, Jerusalem, January 26, 2021

The haredi fears behind the opening of yeshivot amid COVID-19 – opinion

For many, the spiritual and educational dangers inherent in leaving large numbers of young people with no binding religious framework outweigh the health risks in keeping these institutions open.

DECEMBER 1, 2020

STUDENTS STUDY in separation compartments at the Kamenitz Yeshiva in Jerusalem in September to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Climbing up the socioeconomic ladder: Military service among the Haredim

Even though military service is one of the most blatant threats to the ultra-Orthodox lifestyle, it has become a rather attractive channel for broad segments of the community.

JANUARY 27, 2019

Ultra-Orthodox and affirmative action: Justice and not charity

For the ultra-Orthodox sector and for us as a society, justice is not charity.

JANUARY 16, 2018

A haredi man embraces a youth from the Orthodox community who has joined the army

Comment: Employment springboard- how haredi men benefit from IDF service

It is true that the Israeli army is not meeting its induction goals.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2017

Ultra-Orthodox Jews attend a protest against a law calling for members of their community to serve in the army, in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood December 22, 2015.