Education and Employment Among Ultra-Orthodox Women in Israel: Modernity and Conservatism—The Case of the Shas Party

Abstract

In ultra-Orthodox Israeli societies, the male leadership controls sources of knowledge and education. The women are directed towards fields of knowledge regarding education and social welfare, so that they will remain in a home environment. Even when working outside the home. In contrast, this article will demonstrate that there is an ultra-Orthodox society in Israel, in which the male political and spiritual leadership encourages women to acquire an academic and professional education so they will be able to fulfill themselves and make a respectable living. The test case is the leadership of the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party and its attitude to women’s education and their employment outside the community. The article will also demonstrate that despite the modern values of education and employment, the men’s hierarchical status is retained.