COVID-Related Concerns, the Need for Help, and Perceived Microaggression among Young Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Respondents in Israel

Abstract

Minority groups are especially vulnerable to the negative psychological and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study focused on one prominent minority group in Israel: ultra-Orthodox Jews. It examined the rate of exposure to COVID-19, adherence to COVID-19 mitigation guidelines, difficulties with adherence to COVID-19 guidelines, COVID-related concerns, financial hardships, the need for help, and microaggression during the first wave of the pandemic (April–May 2020). It then examined multivariate prediction of COVID-related concerns, the need for help, and microaggression. The sample comprised 252 respondents, with 67% female and a mean age of 32.85 (SD = 10.63). Results showed that 78.8% of the participants knew at least one person who had tested positive for COVID-19, and 31.4% knew at least one person who had passed away from COVID-19. Only 59.7% of the participants reported high adherence to social distancing guidelines. Perceived microaggression was predicted by the difficulties with adherence to COVID-19 guidelines, the level of stress associated with exposure to the media, and financial hardships. The study’s implications point to the centrality of perceived microaggression and the necessity of adopting culturally sensitive approaches to engage minorities in public efforts to fight the spread of viruses.

The Relationship between Religious Beliefs and Attitudes towards Public Health Infection Prevention Measures among an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Since these elements may be perceived differently, it is important to identify the specific beliefs, attitudes and perceptions of different societal groups. This article focuses upon the ultra-Orthodox or “Haredi” Jewish population in Israel, which maintains a distinctly religious-oriented identity [ 6 , 7 ].…”

“…The prevalence of COVID-19 infection in Israel varied among the different cultural and ethnic groups. At the initial phases of the pandemic, in March 2020, more than 40% of confirmed cases were identified among the ultra-Orthodox Jews, even though their representation in the society is only 12.5% [ 6 , 8 , 9 ]. Some of the characteristics of this specific sector of the population may have contributed to these high rates of infection, notably the dense populations, crowded housing conditions, a low level of trust in authorities, a high dependency on rabbinical (religious) rulings, a lower socio-economic level, as well as limited access to data that are generated by “secular” media sources [ 8 , 10 ].…”

“…During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ultra-Orthodox Haredi lifestyle resulted in tension between instructions relayed by their rabbinical leaders and the instructions and advisories from the public health authorities [ 6 , 10 ]. For example, studying the Talmud in the framework of partners learning together, for many hours, is considered a virtue, but it was strongly discouraged by the health authorities.…”

“…Issuing lockdowns and curfews (a measure adopted by many countries) [ 12 , 13 ] during holy religious holidays was perceived by ultra-Orthodox individuals as a threat to their core values and strongly felt beliefs [ 14 ]. While efforts were made to try to bridge gaps between religious beliefs and public health guidelines, the ultra-Orthodox community frequently perceived that it was being discriminated against and stigmatized [ 6 , 15 ].…”

“…With rabbinical leaders an important source of information, instructing their followers to continue to practice their religious customs, mistrust of information disseminated by secular channels of communication grew, even when the source was governmental. [ 6 ]. Furthermore, with regards to collective worship, many Haredi men feel purposeless when they cannot pray together.…”