Orthodoxy – in Israel and the Diaspora

As I once again spent a few weeks in Yerushalayim for family reasons I had opportunity to observe how Orthodox religious life in Israel – especially that termed Charedi – differs from its counterpart in Diaspora communities such as here in Australia.

Let me preface my comments by saying that certain segments of the local Orthodox community may well resemble their Israeli counterparts in regard to the intensity of much religious practice. And, Ashkenazi and Sephardi heritage and cultural differences aside, the Orthodox Jewish world of Israel like that represented in Australia, is composed of a continuum of levels of “religious” involvement rather than just segmented communities.

Nevertheless, there clearly are differences between Israeli and Diaspora communities which will amaze, bewilder or simply concern the onlooker.

Firstly there is the issue of communal isolation. Whereas in the Diaspora Orthodox Jews live among the general community and inevitably absorb, at least by osmosis, aspects of the general way of life, most Israelis – secular or religious – have very limited – even little – contact with non-Jews (other than Arab workers) in their daily lives.

But beyond that reality, many members of the Israeli Charedi community also have little regular contact with Israeli Jews outside their own community. And I have been amazed to find how many secular Israelis have literally never had anything to do with “religious” Jews or “religion” (perhaps other than a chance meeting with a Chabad shaliach stopping them in the street).