Question for Orthodox/practicing Jews

[Rory786]

Hello I had a question and will be very grateful if anyone can answer it.

*What is it like being an Orthodox Jew in the UK?
*Is it especially hard for teenagers (no electronics etc on the Sabbath, some non jewish teens would struggle with that)

• What do you do if a job requires you to check emails or be available on Saturday..? *How do you manage public transport if you cannot sit next to a lady

I hope these questions are not ignorant or offensive.

Did you mean Orthodox, or Ultra-Orthodox/Haredi?

The Haredi community don't really use the Internet much so not many of them would be reading this thread.

It's only the very Ultra-Orthodox men who won't sit next to women. The rest of us use buses normally like everyone else.

If someone observed the Sabbath and was offered a job, they might ask if the Saturday tasks could be done on a different day of the week. If the answer was no, they wouldn't take the job. I imagine a devout Christian wouldn't take a job that required Sunday working for the same reason. But again if you're talking about Ultra-Orthodox, many people take jobs within the community.

Many thanks ultra dilemma.

I had no idea there was ultra orthodox too!
Thank you for answering my question.

Also I think I posted this in the wrong group, should be in Philosophy and Religion.

Ultra-Orthodox people live in quite closed communities and only really socialise among themselves. Nearly everything they do is based around religious life. It can be difficult to leave if it's all you've ever known. There are actually organisations that help people leave and adjust to their new life which can be very difficult.

Normal Orthodox people are just religious people who lead otherwise normal lives and take normal jobs. In all religions you will find lots of different levels of observance.

It must be difficult for teens not to use electronic devices, but I think 25 hours off does them a lot of good. So much so that I understand lots of experts are recommending a "sabbath" even for non-religious kids just t get them off their phones. Usually they get together with friends in the same position, and it's nice that they actually see each other rather than just texting.

Thank you Cultural dilemma and SamG76

Its very interesting

We'll move this to Philosophy/Religion for you.

Rory, amongst the 'ultra' Orthodox there are several groups quite distinct from eachother with different customs and points of view. Some are for example quite anti Israel, others pro. Some are extremely prosperous and others are poor. Dress varies. The women, especially in the better off communities, are extremely powerful.

Google: Lubavicher, Haredi, Satmar.

This is an interesting site: www.chabad.org/

Other Jews go from Orthodox, observant, liberal, non-religious so lifestyles are quite different from the 'ultra' mentioned above. Btw they do not like being called 'UltraOrthodox', it's a term used by outsiders.

Where there are two Jews there are three opinions! They said that.
Good luck with your studies.

*What is it like being an Orthodox Jew in the UK?
*Is it especially hard for teenagers (no electronics etc on the Sabbath, some non jewish teens would struggle with that)

• What do you do if a job requires you to check emails or be available on Saturday..? *How do you manage public transport if you cannot sit next to a lady

I am orthodox in that I observe the Sabbath but your bus question made me giggle - just an urban myth for vast majority of Orthodox Jews.

It’s mostly great being orthodox and Jewish in the UK and it’s lovely having time out from electronics on Saturday. It’s not just not Jewish teens who struggle without devices - mine do too, but it means that you have to do other things like talk to people and it’s the most social day of the week - lots of meet ups/meals with friends and no one on their phone

My dh and I both have very full on jobs - love switching off but it can be stressful if a lot going on at work - always switch back on as soon as we can though.