Posted on 05/24/2006 7:52:33 PM PDT by Alouette
Haredi families moving into previously secular neighborhoods in capital, pushing border between religious and non-religious areas further south; secular architect: This is natural process whereby haredi population is growing at rate ten times higher than secular population
Most Israeli citizens are well-aware of the division between east and West Jerusalem, but there exists another border in the capital, that which runs from north to south and separates the secular part of the city (south) and the ultra-Orthodox.
Even some northern neighborhoods previously considered to be secular enclaves are becoming more and more religious.
“On Mishmar Hagvul Street, near the religious Sanhedria neighborhood, you won’t see any TV antennas on the rooftops,” ultra-Orthodox reporter Yisrael Gliss says.
The situation in neighborhoods such as Ramot Eshkol or Maalot Dafna is most indicative of the fact that north Jerusalem is becoming more and more ultra-Orthodox, so much so that the northern part of the city is attracting many religious couples, most of whom are Anglo-Saxon ["Anglo-Saxon" are what Israelis call immigrants from English-speaking countries, US, Canada and UK].
Architect David Kroyanker says “the ultra-Orthodox are settling predominantly in the north, but the problem is that the border continues to move south. At first traditional religious people arrive, then come the more modern ultra-Orthodox, but it is not long before the neighborhoods become completely ultra-Orthodox.”
Former Mayor Teddy Kollek, who understood in the early 1980s that something has to be done, initiated the construction of a sports complex in north Jerusalem to attract the secular population. The ultra-Orthodox protested against the plan, saying the cars traveling in the area would disrupt the Sabbath. Some haredim even went as far as throwing sand and stones in the tractors’ engines to interfere with the construction works.
Eventually the plan was foiled, and the city’s soccer stadium, which was named after mayor Kollek, was built in the southern Malcha neighborhood.
The history of the Edison movie theater is one of the best examples of the ultra-Orthodox takeover of the city.
For many years the theater served as a culture center; artists from all over the world performed there, and political parties held their conferences at the venue.
In the 50s the ultra-Orthodox population began protesting at the site against the selling of tickets on Saturday; a leading rabbi told demonstrators at the time, “You have nothing to be worried about – Edison will be ours.”
And he was right. Four months ago the theater was sold to the Satmar hasidic sect, which plans to build apartment buildings on the site for its members.
'There is no solution to this problem'
The old secular-religious border used to run near Edison, and its purchase by haredim marks the first time the religious population has eyed the city’s central area.
Each year the religious population takes control of additional Jerusalem neighborhoods and sites, such as the Schneller military base, which is set to be cleared in the coming year. According to an agreement between United Torah Judaism and Agudat Yisrael, the Gur hasidic sect will own the site, and 800 housing units will be built there for its members.
Across the street from Schneller is the Tnuva compound, which was also sold to haredi real estate entrepreneurs.
Kroyanker, who lives in Malcha, is not optimistic regarding Jerusalem’s future.
“The city’s story is one of simple demographics,” he says. “This is a natural process whereby the haredi population is growing at a rate ten times higher than the secular population.”
“There is no solution this problem,” he says.
Gliss, the haredi journalist, says “the ultra-Orthodox will take control over Jerusalem, and those who don’t like it can leave.
“Jerusalem is special and should be a haredi city. Every time a school or plot that was once in Zionist hands comes under ultra-Orthodox ownership is cause for celebration,” he says.
Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, the founder and chairman of the religious ZAKA organization, says “haredim are not taking control of the city because a few rabbis planned it. They are taking control because ultra-Orthodox couples have many children – that’s just how it is.
“Those who want to stop us should have killed us when we were young,” he says.
What's the problem?
Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.
The solution? What does he ask for a repeat of Hebron 1929, by implication, G-d forbid?
Only in a socialist country is the purchase of private property by the non-elites viewed as a "takeover."
The stock of pinko Jews is dwindling fast.:)
It seems that Ultra-orthodox Jews solved the Israel's demographic problem. The familiar mantra that Arab populations, both inside and outside Israel, grow far faster than Jewish ones should be put to rest.
Jews can "outbaby" Arabs.
Is there any possibility that Evangelical Christians in "Red Zone" take this cue and "outbaby" pinkos in both coasts?:)
Israel has a "Jewish Problem."
It is one reason why the Northeastern states are losing population and the south and midwest are growing.
This not just occurring in Jerusalem. The Religious Jews of Israel are a demographic force to be reckoned with.
The demographic trends were going fine... until Mexico and several other countries started pouring millions of leftist into the mix.
Some do serve and quite proudly. My son was in a Nahal combat unit stationed in the Jordan Valley.
...
What would an ultra-orthodox Rastafarian be like? Permanently stoned, probably...
btt for later
The interesting question is whether Latinos will be Republican because of religion and family values, or Democratic because of corruption, and poverty.
(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")
Sorry, I can't see the problem with faithful Jews becoming the majority in Jerusalem...
The Latinos will be democratic. People from a premodern society entering thisone are almost 100% on the left. This is a country of unthinkable riches and they must be shared because there is far more than any sane people could need and the democrats will reinforce that attitude totally. Voting Repubicanis like jumping rightout of that horn of plenty onto the working world. As hard workers as they may be they simply see no sense in not partaking of the ambrosia when it is offered, insisted on, even. They have no sense that they will be destroying the conditions that made this society rich and keeps it rich. The Mexicans will recreate Mexic and the Democrats will eagerly help them do it. Bush and the Senatorial Republicans are handing the Democrats a permanent majority in every facet of the government by promoting this invasion.
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