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SEPHARDI JEWS

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Sephardi Jews
"Despite the contentious tension [between Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews] and the lingering
strong sense of depravation, which is partly based on persistent gaps in occupation,
income, and housing, the enduring adherence to traditional communal practices, Sephardi
Jews today are more fully integrated into Israeli society, economy, and polity." (Sheffer,
S-H-E-F-F-E-R 1997, pg. 121)

Sephardi-Ashkenazi relations in Israel

"The Sephardim are more adequately represented in local authority, the Knesset, the
cabinet, the officers corps of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), the foreign service, and
senior positions in the public and private economic sector; for example, more than half the
ministers in the -- sorry private and economic sectors... Moreover, in comparison with the
situation of 20 years ago, more Sephardim graduate from high school; the number of
Sephardi-Ashkenazi intermarriages have been relatively high and stable (25 percent); and
there is an evidence similarity in the rate of birth between the two segments, and the
average age of marriage, and then material and cultural consumption patterns." (Sheffer,
S-H-E-F-F-E-R 1997, pg. 122)

The Haredi Sector

"It is evident that this segment [the ultraorthodox or Haredi sector] has launched a major
offensive to promote its interest. Both leaders and ranking file appear to regard this
offensive as successful, and this perception has led to further radicalization of the
fundamentalist religious camp as a whole, including both the Ashkenazi and Sephardi
groups." (Sheffer 1997, pg. 122-123)

Haredim in politics
"The enlarged [Haredi] representation in the Knesset and in the cabinet, and the enhanced
political assertiveness of the religious parties, is also related to a combination of internal

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developments and the greater need for material resources to improve the lot of many of its
poor veteran members, to attract new members, and to prevent their defection. The
religious segment is capable of achieving these resources partly due to its support by
certain groups of secular Jews, especially the far right, and partly to the religious and
ultra-religious parties' pivotal place in all governing coalitions." (Sheffer 1997, pg. 123)

Haredim in sovereignty
"Based on their religious fundamental list beliefs, they [the ultraorthodox] argue that the
redemption of the Jewish people, and its reconnection -- sorry they argue that the
redemption of the Jewish people, its reconcentration in the holy land, and the eventual
establishment of a Jewish sovereign democracy should not be expedited by any political
movement, not to speak of a secular national movement like Zionism. Rather, Jewish
redemption or revival, according to this view, depends on the coming of the Messiah.
Therefore, both Sephardi and Ashkenazi Haredim reject the legitimacy of the state of
Israel, which, according to their leaders, was founded and developed by the despised
Zionist Movement. On a symbolic level, none of the Haredi factions and associations
celebrate Israel's Independence Day, they tear and burn the Israeli national 'Zionist flag,'
and ridicule the national anthem. On the social level, the Haredim prefer to live in their
own quarters and enclaves - actually self-created ghettos - and abstain from mingling with
the rest of the Israelis on a social basis, despise and denigrate secular and national-
religious ideas, and reject western culture, especially 'Americanization.'" (Sheffer 1997,
pg. 131)

Haredim in politics
"On the political level, the Haredim negate the legitimacy of the 'Zionist state,' rejects its
right to regulate the lives of those who reside in the holy land, and do not obey most of
Israel's civil, and even criminal, laws." (Sheffer 1997, pg. 132)

Haredim and changing attitudes in politics

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"As a result of their growing numbers, the political visibility, the increase representation in
the Knesset, and consequently their tangible political cloud, they [the Haredim] have, like
other minority groups in Israeli society, become more assertive and active in the political
arena." (Sheffer 1997, pg. 132)

Ramifications of Haredi political power

"In recent years, Haredi parties and the associations that they have established have been
able to achieve control over substantial chunks of the national resources and over a large
state budget. Not surprisingly, all of these achievements have not ameliorated, A-M-E-L-
I-O-R-A-T-E-D their starch denigration and luck of respect of recognition of the state and
its sovereignty." (Sheffer 1997, pg. 132)

Conversion
"The immediate bone of contention in this heated controversy is the issue of conversion.
While reform and conservatives' rabbis and lay leaders demand pluralism in conversion,
orthodox and Haredi rabbis and lay leaders adamantly insist that the authority to convert
should exclusively remain in their hands. There is no doubt that this issue has touched a
very sensitive nerve and a vast majority of American Jews, who have shown great
readiness to encounter Israeli rabbis and politicians." (Shaffer 1997, pg. 135)

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