Who are the Haredim?
Grow in your understanding of this unique Jewish community.
Foundations
A widespread ultra-Orthodox movement has its roots in the 17th century (during the Enlightenment, or the Age of Reason). While the Haredi life we see today evolved from that phenomenon, it’s also very different. Times have changed since the Holocaust.
Culture
Haredi culture is completely its own, and completely devoted to a way of life that seems very foreign—even to those living right next door.
Getting to know the Haredim is similar to acclimating to a different country—we wouldn’t do so without first learning the language and the culture! Showing understanding of another person’s way of life demonstrates care and goes a long way toward building trusting relationships.
Belonging vs. Belief
Christian faith focuses heavily on belief: what the individual believes as well as what the community believes.
Haredi communities focus more on belonging. How will we belong to each other, and what threats exist that could endanger our sense of belonging?
Beliefs that could alienate a person from the Haredi community are strongly discouraged.
Honor-Shame
Haredi social structure functions with very specific expectations. Each individual has a duty to bring honor and respect, not shame or embarrassment, to their family and community.
The good news is, though this is very different from the Western cultures we know so well, you might understand it better than you think you do. The Bible was written by and to individuals from honor-shame cultures.
Visit our favorite resource on ministry to honor-shame cultures ›
Holistic Ministry
Caring for the Haredim must focus on the whole person, and caring for a whole person takes time. This chronicle of Aden’s journey begins with the day his dad rejected his faith, describes years of a faithful ministry of presence, and shows how Aden’s dad ultimately understood his faith.
Want to Keep Learning?
Many Haredim have never met a Christian. When you reach out to a Haredi community, you might be the first believer in Jesus to do so. We’ve got lots of resources and stories to encourage you!
