A Mandatory Listen – Nechumi Yaffe: An insider’s dire prognosis for the Haredi world – and its cure

Welcome to “A Mandatory Listen,” a new weekly podcast in which The Times of Israel deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan asks the big questions facing Israel and the Jewish people. For this fourth episode in the new series, we speak with Prof. Nechumi Yaffe, an ultra-Orthodox woman running for Knesset for the Charedi Public Party ( HaTzibur HaCharedi ). WATCH the full episode here: A faculty member at Tel Aviv University since 2019, Yaffe is currently a tenured senior lecturer at the School of Public Policy and co-director of the Haredi Research Group at UCLA. More from A Mandatory Listen October 6, 2026 A Mandatory Listen - Bret Stephens: Israel regained deterrence. The US lost it October 1, 2026 A Mandatory Listen - Micah Goodman: The one issue that unites America's radical left and right September 23, 2026 A Mandatory Listen - Haviv Rettig Gur: Is the IDF justified in picking off Hamas terrorists? Among other fields of interest, Yaffe delves into the issues of poverty and identity in Haredi society. We hear how the October 7, 2023, Hamas onslaught on southern Israel made Yaffe rethink the ideas of civil obligations and rights. While she believes that youths who are not fit for yeshiva can — and should — be conscripted into the IDF, she is deeply concerned with allowing the ultra-Orthodox community to remain strictly observant. How can a delicate balance between religious observance and national burden be forged? Only through education, says Yaffe. Over time, she relates, her friends and neighbors in the ultra-Orthodox world stopped accusing her of airing their dirty laundry in the secular public and began understanding the dire situation their community is in. But will this increased awareness lead to a gain in the polls? Perhaps through the Haredi world’s overlooked weapon — women. A Mandatory Listen podcast episodes are available for download on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Yitzchak Ledee. Check out last week’s episode: Help us report truthfully on social media As a multimedia journalist, my job is to take the quality, fact-based journalism produced by The Times of Israel newsroom and make it accessible across every platform — from Instagram posts to podcasts to short-form videos. This is how many, especially young people, consume news these days. But misinformation is rampant on social media. Our team at ToI produces accurate, responsible short-form reporting on Israel and the Jewish world. If you believe in the importance of factual social media journalism , please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. Your financial support is essential to sustain responsible multimedia reporting. — Gabriella Jacobs, multimedia journalist Support our work Support our work Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this read more: Israel & the Region A Mandatory Listen Times of Israel podcasts podcasts 2023-2025 Israel-Hamas war The Charedi Public If you’d like to comment, join The Times of Israel Community. JOIN THE TOI COMMUNITY Already a member? Log in here close popup Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community Sign in or Register Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles Email address * Please use the following structure: [email protected] Continue Or Continue with By joining you agree to the terms and conditions Send me The Times of Israel Daily Edition back close popup Register to continue Email address * Change REGISTER Or Continue with back close popup Log in to continue Email address * Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.. Continue back close popup Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community Sign in or Register You are currently registered. Please join The Times of Israel Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits Only ToI Community members can comment below articles Email address * Password * Incorrect password. Please try again or choose an option below. Forgot your password? / Send me a login link Continue Sign in without joining Or Continue with close popup Check your email We sent an email to you at . It has a link that will sign you in. Click the link in that email to complete registration so you can comment. back close popup Join The Times of Israel Community Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits. Email address * Please use the following structure: [email protected] JOIN NOW! close popup Thank you! Now check your email You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.