Is It Enough to 'Speak Haredi'? Cultural Sensitivity in Social Workers Encountering Jewish Ultra-Orthodox Clients in Israel

Abstract

Cultural sensitivity is expressed in every therapeutic session, in particular when working with communities characterised by specific internal cultural codes, such as the Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox Jewish) community in Israel. The present article explores how social workers express their cultural sensitivity in encounters with Haredi clients. A qualitative research was conducted, consisting of thirty-three in-depth interviews with social workers intervening with Haredi clients. Three major themes emerged: the social worker’s preparation for the encounter; use of conventional Haredi language and content in the therapy session; therapeutic intervention: between rabbinical and professionalauthorities.Theactof‘speakingHaredi’reflectsthecomplexrealityofdemonstrating cultural sensitivity in social work practice. It requires a conscientious and reflective process, which enables social workers to construct their own professional identity and analysetheirattitudestowardsthe Ultra-Orthodoxclient.SpeakingbothHarediand professional languages, the unfamiliar becomes familiar to both parties.