This story originally appeared in the JC’s Israel Briefing newsletter. You can sign up to the free daily email briefing here
Larger numbers of young strictly Orthodox Jews in Israel are leaving Charedi society than previously estimated, new figures indicate.
More than three in 20 (15.3 per cent) of young men and three in 25 (11.9 per cent) of young women who were raised as strictly Orthodox no longer identify as Charedi by the age of 30, according to the data.
The figures, published by Yotzim L’Shinui, an organisation supporting former Charedim, are based on Israel’s latest population census and are higher than estimates published in its annual report earlier this year.
That report, drawing on data from Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, put the figures at 13.5 per cent of men and 9.6 per cent of women.
The new findings highlight the need for a national programme to help those leaving the community access education, employment, and military or national service, according to Adar Anisman, head of research and strategy, at Yotzim L’Shinui.
The organisation is calling on political parties to support such a programme, and believes that helping former Charedim build independent lives benefits Israeli society as a whole.
Former Charedim can face significant barriers to integration, including gaps in core-subject education, financial difficulties and limited family support as many are shunned. Many also lack access to existing government assistance programmes.
Leaving the strictly Orthodox community does not necessarily mean abandoning religious observance. About two-thirds of those who leave continue to identify as religious or traditional-religious, previous research from Yotzim L’Shinui found.
To get more Israel news, click here to sign up for our free Israel Briefing newsletter.