Research
The Ultra-Orthodox in Crisis
Population growth, high poverty rates, internal divisions, advanced media technologies and failure to combat effectively Covid-19 have put the ultra-orthodox community in Israel in crisis.
Dr. Sara Zalcberg and Dr. Sima Zalcberg are currently engaged in several projects, fully supported by the SDU-TAU Joint Institute, that explore different aspects of the crisis. Their study about ultra-orthodox responses to Covid-19 analyzes the reasons for the relatively high mortality rates in those communities. In a separate endeavor, they explore the diverse and conflicting explanations presented in ultra-orthodox media for the pandemic, including those suggesting that it is a divine means to enforce strict modesty codes and gender-segregation.
Another project the two scholars pursue with the SDU-TAU Joint Institute examines internal opposition to the exclusion of women from ultra-orthodox lists running in municipal and national elections. Their study analyzes the arguments and modes of operation of ultra-orthodox advocacy groups that call for greater inclusion of women in Israeli electoral politics, and explores why these groups have thus far failed to reform Haredi politics. This study is pursued together with Mr. Zhuang Shitao, a graduate student at Shandong University.
Dr. Sima Zalcberg-Black specializes in the study of the ultra-orthodox community in Israel, with a focus on ethnographic research. She teaches at TAU's Graduate Program in Religious Studies and other distinguished academic programs, and has authored numerous studies in the field.
Dr. Sara Zalcberg specializes in the study of the ultra-orthodox community in Israel, with special focus on gender relations. She teaches at TAU's Graduate Program in Religious Studies and other distinguished academic programs, and has authored numerous studies in the field.
Zhuang Shitao is a graduate student at the center for Judaic and Inter-Religious Studies, Shandong University. Shitao is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Religious Studies, majoring in Judaism, under the supervision of Prof. Fu Youde. He focuses on the study of Hasidic sects and praying rituals in Judaism.
