Tikvah
Subscribe
Editor's Pick

February 17, 2022

Israeli Finance Minister Releases Plan to Incentivize Haredi Men to Join the Workforce

Avigdor Lieberman cuts in half the number of hours of religious study necessary to receive financial support from the government.

The Israeli finance minister Avigdor Lieberman, who has frequently clashed with ḥaredi leaders, unveiled a plan this week to draw ḥaredi men to the workforce by “halving the hours spent in religious study in return for the same state stipend.” About half of ḥaredi men work while the rest study during the work week and receive state funding—a practice dating back to the formation of the state, when the ḥaredi population was far smaller. As Steven Scheer notes, this arrangement has long concerned economists and policymakers.

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Get the best Jewish ideas and conversations. Subscribe to Tikvah Ideas All Access for

Login or Subscribe
Save