Off the Derech by Ezra Cappell; Jessica Lang

Author:Ezra Cappell; Jessica Lang
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: State University of New York Press
Published: 2020-11-14T16:00:00+00:00

Launch of Programs to Integrate Haredim into the Israeli Society

Parallel to the battle to enforce the Core Subjects requirement in the Haredi educational system, policymakers began helping Haredi education graduates who wished to bridge their educational gaps and to integrate into the labor market.36 In 2004, Project Tevet (lit. Momentum in Employment) was established in collaboration with the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, making the Haredi society one of its target groups. In 2007, the first Shachar (lit. Integration of Haredim) track was started in the army.37 In 2009, a comprehensive study was conducted on the subject of Haredi employment by the National Economic Council,38 and its conclusions led to the setting of unique employment targets for the Haredi society for the first time.39 In 2012 and 2017, the Council for Higher Education’s (CHE) Planning and Budgeting Committee (PBC) published the first and second five-year plan for the education of Haredim, respectively. In addition to the many funds that the State invests in these programs, Haredim also receive assistance from various philanthropic foundations, most prominent of which are the JDC, the Kemach Foundation, and the Toronto Foundation, which are supported by private donors around the world.

Over the years, the extent of the educational gap-closing tracks intended for Haredim has expanded. As of 2017 there were special tracks for Haredim in nineteen colleges and universities, which, beyond being adjusted to the Haredi lifestyle, also include modified admission requirements, funding, additional academic assistance, and curricula adjustment. The Haredi students also receive scholarships from the State and various philanthropic foundations.40 The new five-year plan that was approved by the PBC in 2017 includes a budget of NIS 1.2 billion for this purpose for the next 6 years.41 In addition to this assistance, the Ministry of Education operates, through an outside franchisee, free Bagrut-completing courses for Haredim.42

Army integration tracks are divided in two. The various Shachar tracks are mainly intended for married men and include partial educational gap-closing and professional training prior to the start of service, which allows them to serve in roles that prepare them for the labor market. The Netzach Yehuda tracks include service in gender-segregated battalions and companies, mostly in combat roles for only two years (instead of close to three years like the rest of Israeli men). In the remainder of the time, the soldier has the option to attend a preparatory program or an employment training track, while still benefiting from the army’s support, with the understanding that these men lack the skills, expertise, and education that are relevant to the labor market. Additionally, Haredim benefit from adjusted classification, which allows them to integrate in preferred tracks and commanding roles, despite their low-profile classification as a result of their educational gaps.43

In terms of employment, the State operates various assistance programs. Over the years, eleven employment guidance centers were established throughout Israel, operated by the JDC, various municipalities, and the Ministry of Labor and Welfare,44 which provide information and assistance for integration of Haredim into the labor market.

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