Haredi Judaism facts for kids

Haredi (pronounced Ha-REH-dee) is a special and very traditional way of practicing Orthodox Judaism. It's sometimes called Ultra-Orthodox Judaism. Haredi Jews follow Jewish laws and traditions very closely, often trying to live as their ancestors did many years ago.

Haredi Judaism includes many different groups, each with its own customs. Some are part of Hasidic Judaism, which started in Eastern Europe. Others are Sephardic Haredim, whose families came from places like Spain, North Africa, or the Middle East. These groups can be different in their beliefs, how they live, and how they practice their religion. They often choose to live somewhat separately from the general culture around them.

Where do Haredi Jews Live?

Most Haredi Jews live in Israel, North America, and Western Europe. Their population is growing very quickly because families often have many children. Their numbers can double every 12 to 20 years.

It's hard to know exactly how many Haredi Jews there are in the world. This is because the definition of "Haredi" can be different for some people. Also, there hasn't been much information collected, and the numbers change fast. One newspaper estimated there were about 1.3 million Haredi Jews in 2011.

The Me'a She'arim neighborhood in Jerusalem is a well-known area where many Haredi Jews live.

Images for kids

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  Haredi Jewish men during a Torah reading.

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  Young Haredi Jews in Jerusalem, 2005

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  Hasidic boys in Łódź, 1910

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  Haredi Jews from Galicia at the Karmelitermarkt [de] in Vienna's second district, Leopoldstadt, 1915

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  Haredi Jewish women and girls in Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, 2013

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  Styles of Haredi dress

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  Typical Haredi dress for men and women

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  The Bais Yaakov graduating class of 1934 in Łódź, Poland

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  Tziporah Heller, a weekly columnist for Hamodia

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  Members of Neturei Karta protest against Israel (Washington, 2005)

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  Haredi demonstration against the conscription of yeshiva pupils

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  Hasidim walk to the synagogue, Rehovot, Israel.

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  Haredi Rabbis and students writing a Torah scroll (Haredi settlement of Beitar Illit, Gush Etzion)

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  Hasidic family on the street in Borough Park, Brooklyn

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  Students of Telshe yeshiva, 1936

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In Spanish: Judaísmo ultraortodoxo para niños