Haredim, Capoeira, Post 10/7... Oh my.

Before October 7th, the biggest news of the year in Israel was judicial reform and broader societal issues. As the founding generation of Israel passed, the population of 2023 was confronting what it meant to be a Jewish religious state, a Jewish democratic state, a combination of both, or many other possibilities. 

Last May, I was fortunate to travel to Israel to learn about and grapple with these issues with the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation. We met with leaders in their Haredi community program, one of which was Miki Chayat, who started an NGO to teach capoeira, self-defense, and wellness to Haredi youth to help build confidence and exist with the broader society. Miki overcame these struggles as he was removed from his Yeshiva as a teen and found himself in a bad way on the streets of Tel Aviv. Through capoeira, a form of Brazilian martial arts, Miki found his way back to being a proud and healthy Jewish community leader. He has risen the ranks, becoming the European champion and world-renowned capoeira artist. 

Miki is not only a genuinely good person, but an example of an evolving Israeli society. He is a member of the Haredi community, which represents 13% of the Israeli population and a bit less than one-third of the Rehovot population. Generally, the Haredi are an insular community, turning away from smartphones because of outside influence and information, as well as many elements of broader society, such as army service, because it hinders what they view as their main purpose in life, studying Torah. 

Whatever one thinks about the Haredi outlook, involvement, and contribution to Israeli society and its economy, Miki is an example of those trying to make the world a better place for all. He sees a way to meld the old with the new for a better future. 

This is what we have to do now, we have to meld an "old" Israel with a "new" Israel. We have to meld what was happening in Israel pre-October 7th with what continues to evolve day by day, and will continue for months and years to come. 

Being here is the first step in doing that, capoeira and all. 

Visit Minneapolis Jewish Federation’s website to learn more and donate to the Israel Emergency Fund.