Norms and Breaking Norms in Ultra-Orthodox Society in Israel and the USA
Wed, September 25, 2024 5:30 PM - Wed, September 25, 2024 7:00 PM at Room 339 Case Hall
This lecture presents findings from two groundbreaking studies: one examining the impact of dress code changes on social perceptions in the Satmar community, and the other focusing on the challenges faced by young ultra-Orthodox Jews who enlist. The lecture will explore the complexities of deviating from community norms, discuss its implications on sense of belonging and personal and communal identity, and offer insights into strategies for supporting individuals who diverge from norms while maintaining their connection to their community and ensuring their psychological well-being.
Dr. Nechumi Yaffe is a faculty member in the Department of Public Policy at Tel Aviv University. Her research examines, from a social psychology perspective, how social norms and authority contribute to the creation and preservation of poverty, with a focus on the ultra-Orthodox communities in Israel and the U.S. Previously, she served as a consultant to the ultra-Orthodox education system, where she authored the curriculum and new history textbook currently used in all ultra-Orthodox high schools in Israel. Her work has been published in several journals, including Evolution and Human Behavior, Frontiers in Psychology, Cities, European Journal of Social Psychology, and Behavioral and Brain Sciences. Nechumi advised the Israeli government on ultra-Orthodox matters during the COVID-19 crisis and later founded the Hamel Ahdot frontline movement, which mobilized over 100,000 ultra-Orthodox volunteers. She is also the first ultra-Orthodox woman to integrate into Israeli academia.
Co-sponsors: College of Arts and Letters, James Madison College, College of Social Science, Residential College of Arts and Humanities, the Asian Studies Center, International Studies and Programs, and Department of Religious Studies.