It is especially difficult for such a campaign to succeed if the "them" looks just like us. How do you identify easily whom it is you are supposed to be boycotting?
Right now we have two groups of people upset at the results of the elections, that they have decided to promote "do not give them" campaigns. [some] Leftists and [some] Haredim.
The Leftists were so upset with the results of the election that they said if that's what they want, if they don't want to help themselves (and vote for our guy), then we won't help them. No more assistance to those communities, no more charity. no more solidarity. They are on their own.
And now some Haredim are saying the same thing about Haredim who did not vote for the classic, mainstream, Haredi parties. They took themselves out of the camp, we will not give to them, no more help. They are no longer part of us. The Haredim promoting this even qualify it by saying they do not refer to those people who voted for other parties under the instructions of their rabbonim, but only those who voted so on their own decision.
Not only do I have no idea how they would identify most of the people who voted differently, but I also do not know how would they then find out if the person did it because his rabbi told him to or because he wanted to on his own.
Haredi charities are normally very proud of the fact that their organizations help everybody, and not just Haredim. They point to organizations like Ezra Lamarpeh, Ezer Mtzion, Yad Sarah, and many others that give and assist indiscriminately.
Are they just fig leaves - like holding up the Haredi doctor or Haredi scientist (usually baalei teshuva or immigrants from abroad) as amazing people and as examples, even though you don't encourage (actually discourage) your kids to go to medical school or study science, so these organizations as well - we give to our own but we can show the world we care because some give to everyone despite our preference, or do they really prefer that? I don't know.
Regardless, I think it is a dangerous move to start such a campaign. Haredim are of the biggest givers, but they are also of the biggest receivers. If they start a campaign not to give "them", it may boomerang as "they" will retaliate and stop giving the Haredim.
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Usual strong-arm bullying tactics from the Haredi leadership. Don't agree with us? Your kids are kicked out of school! Why? Daas Tora !!! You are an 18 year old and you are considering serving in the army? Forget about a shiduch for your sister (or maybe she will only be "good enough" for a baal teshuva or a Sephardic -- her 'value' goes down). Why?? Daas Tora !!
ReplyDeleteSo now they want to deprive anyone who doesn't toe the line of tzedakah. Of course, if someone did that to THEM it would be a SHMAD.
MY PROPOSAL -- if they do this, the non-haredi community should NOT cut tzedakeh for the haredim as a whole. The rank-and-file haredi is not guilty for the sinat hinam of their leadership -- BUT, the non-haredi community should make sure that WITHIN THE HAREDI COMMUNITY those 'punished' in this manner get higher priority, over those NOT denied tzedakeh by their community.
PS This is yet ANOTHER reason why it is critical to help rank-and-file haredim obtain decent paying (e.g. high-tech jobs) -- so they can't get bullied around and threatened in this manner.