Gesher has a dedicated department working to bridge the gap between Haredim and general Israeli society. We have identified the four areas where Haredim and Israeli society interface: IDF, Academia, Employment, and communities. In these areas, we run cultural awareness seminars for the Haredim and their secular/Religious Zionist counterparts.
Our goal is to strengthen the social fabric of society while reducing baseless and unnecessary hatred. Today, our prime focus is on a program in partnership with the Ministry of Education called “Israeli Dialogue,” which, for the first time, brings Haredim into the high school classrooms of non-Haredi students across Israel for an honest discussion which dispels pre-conceived notions and shatters stereotypes.
While significant private and government investments have focused on vocational training programs, the placement and retention rates must be more robust. Gesher works with employers to give them the awareness and the skills needed to hire and retain Haredi employees. Our cultural sensitivity program gives employers an overview of Haredi society and its value system, including a deeper understanding of sub-groups within the Haredi sector. The employers finish the program with a better understanding of Haredi’s lifestyle, needs, and practical ways to avoid integration pitfalls.
Dialogue Yisraeli helps create a cohesive society. The most significant factor perpetuating the dichotomous division between Haredim and General Israeli society is the separation that continues to exist and the lack of meeting the “other.” This manifests in education settings, in separate communities, etc.
It’s etched into the consciousness of the youth and produces a powerful perpetuating mechanism. Therefore, facilitating in-person meetings between groups is the key to creating change. This program will bring Haredim into classrooms across Israel for a frank, open, and deep discussion that will shatter stereotypes and break down barriers.
Every Israeli citizen at age 18 has to serve the country, either through the army or through national service. While the Haredim have typically been notoriously against conscription, recently, more and more Haredim are either joining the army or participating in National Service. For many Haredim who choose to serve, this is the first time in their lives that they are interacting with general Israeli society and meeting Jews who are different than them. Gesher works with these Haredim to prepare them to encounter this new environment. Gesher also works with the non-Haredi commanders and soldiers in those units to introduce them to Haredi society and give them a sense of Haredi culture and lifestyle.
More and more Haredim are studying in colleges and universities. Many of these institutions cater to the Haredim, creating specific tracks for their newly enrolled students. While the number of Haredim who enroll in institutions of higher learning is high, unfortunately, the dropout rate is also high. The last impediment to success is assisting young Haredi students in navigating the major cultural gaps they face. Having attended Yeshivot for most of their life, the new students are not equipped to deal with the new university environment on a social level. In addition, exposure to subjects and lecturers that until now were considered taboo can be a culture shock to the Haredi students.