> The ultra-Orthodox, known in Hebrew as haredim, or those in awe
> of God, make up 10 percent of Israel’s population of 7.5
> million, but are increasing rapidly. In addition to the men,
> more than 50 percent of haredi women do not work, compared with
> 21 percent among mainstream Jewish women.
> > ...Officials say that about 56 percent of ultra-Orthodox live
> below the poverty line. Most are dependent on welfare payments
> like income support, child allowances or married student
> stipends.

> There are also signs of growing anger among mainstream
> Israelis: University students over the last weeks have blocked
> roads in protest of stipends amounting to $30 million a year
> for the eternal students of the kollels, which are seminaries
> for married men. They argued that they should receive similar
> benefits.

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