Jerusalem – Former Shas chairman Aryeh Deri said Thursday that the ultra-Orthodox sector needed better PR, in light of a secular campaign criticizing its small representation in the workforce.
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Responding to a secular attack on the haredi work ethic led by journalists Gabi Gazit and Yair Lapid, Deri recommended an ultra-Orthodox research facility be established in order to prove the claims wrong.
“Instead of crying out ‘anti-Semitism’ and ‘racism’ – which are unperceivable claims – we need to give a positive answer.” Deri added that an academic research center was needed in order to “present the true data”.
The politician added that he did not believe the statistical reports on which the claims were based, because much of the research was conducted by hostile agents and presented “in a manner that induces fear of haredim”.
He said the ultra-Orthodox research facility could present data on the number of jobs held by haredim at companies such as Tara, Tnuva, Strauss, and Ossem.
“Has anyone checked the profits we provide cabin and hotel owners with? While the seculars go to Turkey, haredim turn to local tourism which provides for dozens of people throughout Israel,” he said.
Deri added that the research should also check haredi spending on supermarket products such as food, baby food, and diapers. “And who has checked how many haredi Jews from abroad – the US, France, and England – buy apartments in Israel and provide for its citizens?” he asked.
‘We don’t all sit and study Torah’
The former Shas chairman also answered criticism about anti-Israeli haredi behavior, such as flag-torching and walking during the Memorial Day siren, calling these “phenomena that create problems”.
He said the haredim who study Torah instead of working are only those belonging to the Levy Tribe. “Their studies actually save Israel and protect it, but not everyone gets to be part of the Levy Tribe,” he said.
Deri went on to say that yeshiva students were “the people of Israel’s Sayeret Matkal”, (referring to the elite IDF unit) and that he was proud to represent them.
But he was forgiving towards the secular leaders critical of his sect, such as Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai. “He may really be concerned. To my mind he is a serious man. It seems he is expressing a fear that was ingrained in him and that someone has nurtured,” Deri said.
When asked whether the secular public had anything to fear he answered, “I promise them that when we are the majority and the regime is in ourhands, we will be more democratic than they are towards us.”
Deri added, “The oppression that exists today is not religious but anti-religious.” In his vision of the future, he said, no one would tell anyone else how to live.
“The change will be in public. Education will not be haredi, but more Jewish. We want to tell you: we will not damage your lifestyle, and you will run your private lives any way you wish, but the character of the public sphere will be more Jewish.”
The solution is not better PR, but rather going out and working. Its time that they contribute to society.
Chareidim need better manners.
No, No, No!! He missed the point completely! Charedim don’t need better PR, they need better leadership! They need a massive overhaul of their whole system so that they no longer produce 65% of their population that won’t work and have violent, extremist tendencies! The abundance of articles about charedi misbehavior is a function of charedi misbehavior, not of a lack of good PR!
An ‘Ish Emes’ tries to change his deeds, not to cover them up.
The truth is that most Haredim ultimately enter the job market. Many spend a good deal of money within and without the Jewish “system”. Look at all of the businesses, large and small in Monsey, Boro Park, Williamsburg, etc. Going into “chinuch” is not “parasitical”. We need Rabbeim, Mashgichim, Mohalim, and Shochatim. The militants are only a handful. Most Haredim couldn’t care less if I have a beard, or wear a shtreimel.
At the same time, they do need a bit of PR, and some need a little common sense. You can be just as frum, and say good evening to your neighbor. Please and thank you are not obscenities. Personal hygiene is sometimes an issue (obviously a minority, but unfortunately, d’minkirah).
Dislike of the unlike, is a common human failure. When the “unlike” are outwardly pleasant, clean and friendly, a little of the “dislike” will vanish, too!
“More” PR? It is more like the “need” PR along with competent and constructive leadership.
Even though he’s right, Litaim won’t listen to a Sephardi about this.
Who from the chareidy people are upset or bothers what this stupid self hating jew gabi gazit says ignore him he needs pr(its called attention)
It would be worthwhile to gather actual data – but then you have to be willing to live with the results.
KT
No, Joe, the solution is for people like you to open their minds and learn the facts.
The ultra-orthodox do not need better PR. What they need is to start behaving like menchen. Until then all the PR in the world will not help them.
During the U.S. presidential campaign, Sarah Palin talked about “putting lipstick on a le’havdil pig”…this is the same issue. More “PR” will not change the underlying reasons why so many yiddin in EY and throughout the world are so turned off and disgusted by the lifestyles and behavior of the chareidim.
He’s right and he made some very good points. We had a very good week, first Alan Dershowits, then Elie Wiesel and now Aryeh Deri, all of who spoke the absolute truth. Those who are biased will never admit that he is right, just as those who are anti Zionist will never admit that Dershowitz and Wiesel are right; but those who are open minded will see the truth in his and in their words. It’s high time that we stop bickering and put up a united stand against all those who hate Israel and Judaism. The internet is full of hate and defamation of us, so why are we adding oil to the fire? Yes, we need a lot of PR and all the help we can get. Let’s stop fighting.
But R’ Aryeh, PR is not the only problem.
The Torah says Derech Eretz Kadma L’Torah.
This does not only mean Derach Eretz as in good manners, being Mekadesh Shaim Shomayim etc.
It includes respecting Hashems creation called Derech Eretz, meaning the ways of the world.
Until this is taught in Cheder, Caredim are not, they are imitators.
Great idea the PR – so start throwing stones, set more fires and hold a press conference about being model citizens in a state you will not protect in the army.
Who from the chareidy people are upset or bothers what this stupid self hating jew gabi gazit says ignore him he needs pr(its called attention)
What’s wrong with a little PR? The Palestinians rely entirely on PR. Look how successful they have been in the PR to promote terrorism.
Deri should have done that research. he had 22 months with nothing to do while he was in jail….
i suppose the hate spewed by some commentors here proves deri’s point that our pr is bad. but, you have to realize that we will never satisfy haters and anti-semites, like #s 20 and 30 for example.
there will always be goyim that hate jews, chilonim that hate datiim, and “charedim” who hate bnei Torah, as is constantly demonstrated by irritating commentors on this and other sites.
I long for the beautiful haredi culture of my grandparents in 1950 -60’s Brooklyn. Music and art coupled with a demure persona filled with love and food and wonderful, wonderful Shabbos. Pleasantries exchanged with neighbors whether Jew or goyim and respect offered to all. What has happened? Sad.
Please note: The following observation is not for the regular vin news comment writers as the majority of the commentators are very smart, open-minded, educated individuals with opinions to comment even before reading the article let alone before verifying, and checking facts some just read the caption and some professors do need to glimpse some more
However for the readers like myself that are wondering as to why the Chradi population in Israel would just not try to take care of business and make sure they are self sustainable (as they do in the u.s.a I do business with a lot of Charaidem I find them to be smart and intelligent
I was told the the following The army is their main obstacle as in Israel it’s the law, you can’t start a career or go into the working force without 3 years of army duty …….. Find out more for yourself about this problem (let’s be realistic yes it is a problem as Charidem can’t just blend in to a secular lifestyle for 3 years)
I was told that they are considering changing the law ………..
A Git Shabbos
How come we don’t hear any response, to the recent attacks on chareidim, from any Gedolim in EY ? I think it is their responsibility to speak out and defend the charaidim in EY that follow their leadership,its just common sense.
Please correct me if i’m wrong.
The problem is not PR the problem is leadership.
The audacity of the former Shas leader R’ aryeh Deri to talk about PR when he really means spin. Does he take the public for fools?. Does he not know that have the Shas party have been indicted, imprisoned, or censured for corruption?
Aryeh Deri himself sat in Jail
Shlomo Benizri in Jail
Yair Peretz, falsefying diplomas to augment his Knesset salary..when in fact he never attended college!!
The problem is that the Chareidi leadership (Shas, Degel HaTorah etc) don’t care AT ALL about the Country, the most pressing issue to them is securing funds for their sector. Whether that means joining or opposing the coalition. Once a deal is struck the parties just as easily turn and all is well.
Can anyone wonder why there is so much animosity towards the Chareidi population? and its ‘leadership’? . The Chareidim in Israel and in America hve very little Loyalty to Israel. Sure they will demonstrae, and riot and campaign. but ask anyone to sacrifice for Artzeinu Hakedosh, you’ll get all sorts of creative answers…1) in the time of David Hamelech you also had people learning or 2) There is no guarantee something won’t happen to me
….3) They don’t serve Gefilte fish in the baracks.
The Chareidi leadership is sorely lacking today. Our Gedolim are silent. We collectively have fallen into a lazy complacency where we are happy for someone else to do the work for us, whether in the realm of the financial, military, or intellectual and sit confortably in our own delusion believing we are doing G-d’s work…by sitting within the 4 Amos of the Beis Hamidrash.
Our Leadership itself does not believe in the righteousness of our path! How do we expect those less religious or observant to respect or much less follow our lead when it comes to sensitiveTorah issues such as the sanctity of Life, Shabbos, Medical Ethics, Education, Economic Policy, the Military etc.
Shalom!