Sephardim in Seattle and the Jewish Education Situation

In the following paper, we see how in Seattle (long a home for observant Turkish Jews), the haredi "black hat" form of Jewish schooling is challenging the long standing traditional Jewish community. This form of "kollel" education is one that we also have in the Brooklyn, New York Sephardic community, a troublesome one indeed; it is one based on a haredi mentality, one often based on emotion--not intellect--and one that is gaining popularity and strength.

This is an outstanding essay by David J. Balint of The Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals:

Excerpt: "...They came to the Kollel desiring to learn more about Torah Judaism and willing to make a commitment to serious observance. However, rather than receiving instruction in a model of Orthodoxy that reflects the diversity of views and includes the views that have traditionally formed the norm in our community, these eager students have been exposed to a limited and rather specific perspective on Orthodox Judaism. This perspective tends to the exclusionary, meaning that they believe and teach that their way of observance is the only way. It looks for authority not within the local rabbinate but rather to haredi authorities outside Seattle who are not themselves familiar with Seattle."


The full essay is here: The Seattle Kollel-Case Study in Unintended Consequences