Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish Women: Beyond Tradition into the Workplace

Do Orthodox or Hasidic Jewish women work? This question often provokes curiosity and misunderstanding, as it frequently assumes that these women are confined to homemaking roles, neglecting the diverse and evolving realities of their lives.

Do They Make Money?

Yes, definitively. Despite the plethora of family responsibilities, which include childbirth and household chores, many Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish women engage in work to support their families. In fact, it is often the men who immerse themselves in religious study, particularly among the Hasidic communities, while the women work to uphold the family's financial stability.

How Common is It for Women to Work?

While the belief that solely men engage in religious study is quite common, the reality is more nuanced. The term Hareidi, which broadly encompasses both Orthodox and Hasidic Jews, illustrates this complexity. It is not uncommon for women to work, an increase highlighted by the rising employment rates among ultra-Orthodox women.

According to Ynet, the employment rate among ultra-Orthodox women has surged by almost 30 percent since 2000, with over 80 percent of Hareidi women now employed, surpassing the overall female labor force rate of 75.3 percent.

Salary Disparities and Part-Time Work

Despite this growth, Hareidi women often earn significantly lower salaries compared to their non-Hareidi counterparts. This can be attributed to the fact that many Hareidi women work in the public sector and often in part-time roles. For instance, a study found that Hareidi women, particularly in high-tech fields, work under special agreements and may be paid less than non-Hareidi women in similar positions.

High-income earners, such as Hareidi women, tend to have larger families. This can mean they have substantial domestic responsibilities, further impacting their working hours and financial contributions to their families.

The Self-Image of Hareidi Women

Interestingly, Hareidi women tend to have a remarkably positive self-image. Their sense of satisfaction with life and perception of themselves is higher than that of any other group, which contrasts with the lower self-image reported among secular women. This raised self-image suggests that, for many Hareidi women, their religious and familial roles contribute to a sense of fulfillment, which is often not the case for secular women.

Workplace Versus Religious Commitment

Importantly, for many Orthodox and Hasidic women, work is not a compromise to religious commitments but a means to support them. Some women, particularly in Hasidic communities, work to enable their husbands to focus on religious studies, thereby facilitating a blend of traditional values and modern realities.

Within my own Orthodox community, I have personally witnessed a diverse range of professional pursuits among women. From doctors, lawyers, accountants, and academics to speech pathologists, physical therapists, and Torah scholars, these women are highly skilled in their professions and demonstrate the richness of their lives beyond traditional roles.

Thus, the story of Hareidi and Orthodox Jewish women is multifaceted. While they face unique challenges, their work is often deeply intertwined with their religious and familial responsibilities, fostering a strong sense of purpose and fulfillment.