Hasidism and Higher Education: Do They Clash?

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Hasidism and Higher Education; do they Clash? When Hasidim, who belong to an ultra-pious movement within Orthodox Judaism, immigrated during the post World War ll era in large numbers to America, they sought to build a community similar to the European Shtetl culture to which they were accustomed. In the Shtetl they had lived a traditional and insular lifestyle. Hasidic leaders of the new immigrants founded communities that shunned contemporary Western Culture. Their successors continue to lead the mainstream Hasidic establishment with the same ideals. The only contact with society at large these communities accept is the contact that is necessary for them to nourish themselves. Pursuing any form of higher education is frowned upon in Hasidic Circles. However, this should not be the case. While fifty or sixty years ago going to college was a mere advantage reserved for the elite, current market shifts have made a college education essential for one’s self sufficiency. Market globalization, and automated technology which took the place of many jobs once done by humans, have made...

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