It is difficult to know just what the character of Charish is going to be. Until a few months ago most believed it was to be the largest chareidi city in Israel. However, since then the secular community has awakened and become proactive, petitioning government agencies and ministries, now an active player in the tenders for government subsidized housing.
A recently as two weeks ago it was announced that many chassidim were heading to the new community. However, this week, it is reported that the latest housing tender has gone to a secular majority. 319 housing units that were not sold last time around were put up for sale. 255 of the apartments went to non-frum buyers. Both the chareidim and the secularists are working hard to gain a foothold in the city, each seeking to declare itself representative of the majority.
With both sides working to advance interests in the city, it appears to be too early in the battle to predict who will emerge the victor. Some askanim involved in the project are signaling, albeit unofficially, the battle is lost for whatever the case, the city will be a far cry from an exclusive chareidi city.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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9 Responses
Why do we need an “exlusively chareidi city”? Has there ever been such a thing in the history of the world?
bem684:
Yes.
Many shtetlach in Europe about a hundred years ago.
Neharda’a
Pumpedisa
Sura
etc.
Ottisville.
Many people who were considered “religious” back in Europe would not be considered “Chareidi” today.
And I still don’t see why it’s needed. 90+% of the Chareidi tzibur lives alongside non-Chareidi Jews, and gentiles.
How about a flagship city of Charedim and Secular (sort of like most of the USA cities)? Make it a model of coexistence.
The reality is that both Secular, Traditional, Religious and Charedi Jews all need housing in Israel. Believe it or not….all are marrying, having children and want a reasonable priced dirah.
1. There never were “pure” haredi (meaning frum) cities in the past – it’s just that we never talked about the goyim (archeologists find proof they existed – we just ignored them).
2. It is unwise to allow a concept of “zoning” for religion when the people who run the government are bigots who have been showing significant prejudice against you.
3. The hilonim definitely don’t want frum neighbors. Since almost by definition, the hilonim have the money, they will choose which neighborhoods they want, and we can get the rest. If you want to build a development that will only attract frum people, the housing should be shoddy and it should include such undesirable features that most hilonim will stay away – and it should NOT rely on the government for anything.
Here’s an idea. Live in your home how you like, respect your neighbors, and keep public places public, within the law. If you think the laws allow things you would rather not see or have around, do your hishtadlus to change opinions and vote in a government that will change the law to circumstances you favour. Until then, live and let live.
What a novel concept.
yichusdik***** Say, from where did you get this novel idea?
Sounds too logical, too mentchlach, too sensible, too uncontroversial, too civilized and has potential for a —- may I say it?—–kiddush Hashem.
Gee yichusdik ,who’d a thunk it?
P.S. **** Got a good daughter/granddaughter for my grandson?
#6. You can turn your points around. Zoning Laws are not religious based. The Chareidim don’t want Chilonim for neighbors.
There have been a number of communities expected to be Chiloni that Chareidim took over, ie. Har Nof.
As #7 said, live where you weants, have respect for others, be a mentch and live and let live.
Under those conditions, they may have a positive influence that would encourage more Baalei Teshuvah.
I’ll add one more thing; Keep the Kedusha of the Land and don’t TRASH it.