HAREDIM

The Haredim are ultra-orthodox Jewish people who strictly adhere to Jewish laws and traditions. They consist of Yeshivish and Hasidic peoples. Over 6% of North American Jewish people are Haredi, and this percentage is steadily growing because of high birth rates.

Yeshivish

As the Hasidic movement spread in the 18th century throughout Eastern Europe, the Misnagdim (opponents) spread to criticize, and sometimes persecute, Hasids for their fascination with magic and lack of Talmudic (Jewish traditions and commentaries) study. Over time, the persecution stopped, but this movement grew into an ultraorthdox community focused on Talmudic study and adherence. They are identified as Litvish, due to their origin in Lithuania, or Yeshivish, because of their emphasis on starting yeshivas (Orthodox Jewish schools).

Hasidic

Hasids carry on the dress and customs of 18th-century Europe but have chosen urban centers like New York City as the center of their courts, organized around their rebbe (tzaddik). Despite their urban abodes, they remain deeply insular and have little exposure to outside information (and the gospel). Intermarrying and socializing with one’s own Hasidic group is custom. Hasids who stray from the beliefs and customs of their Hasidic court, even toward another Hasidic court, are often shunned and expelled from their communities. Hasidic courts take their names from their town origins in the 18th century.