“I live to serve the rabbi”: Women’s role in shaping ultra-Orthodox society in the twenty-first century – The Israeli case

This article discusses Jewish women who emigrated from Islamic countries to the State of Israel during 1950s. When they arrived in country, encountered a secular establishment that had originated Europe (Ashkenazic) and possessed an entirely different culture than these women, were religious come Africa Asia (Mizrahim). Alongside establishment, also small ultra-Orthodox community, which its origins Europe. The customs this group differed greatly those émigrés Asia. In society, role woman is financially support her sons husbands, immerse themselves study Torah for numerous years after marriage. focuses on manner Mizrahi was configured strengthened their demise, by political leaders rabbis, accordance with paradigm contemporary Ashkenazic society. primary research tools are obituaries first-generation immigrant authored male elite weekly party newspaper, throughout late twentieth early twenty-first centuries. findings Israel—the Shas party—is shaping new society immigrants society’s current ideal never extant outside Israel. It differs women’s traditional Diaspora as homemakers. uniqueness lies evidence regarding creates image deceased women.