The Haredi Empire Strikes Back!
In the latest blow to the self-image of the mighty Tel-Avivian, a haredi contestant beat out his closest competitors to take top honors in the “Quiz of the State” sponsored by Arutz-2. Moshe Abu-Aziz, a 38 year old father of eight, looked like he didn’t quite belong on a television set in his black suit, despite showing coolness and aplomb under fire.
Abu-Aziz, may not be a “typical” haredi male (he has an MA from Bar-Ilan, and teaches in a Chadera junior high school), but I have been told that he is not a baal teshuvah. He fielded questions about politics, history of the State, and pop-culture, despite not fully participating in it. (He does not own a television, but reads columns about it. He is also expert in solving riddles.)
As winner of the Quiz, which is cosponsored by Nefesh B’Nefesh, Abu-Aziz will be treated to a free trip to New York and three day vacation there, as well as a meeting with President Peres.
It is not known at this time whether, while in the US, he will try to appear on American Idol.
[Thanks to Doron Beckerman]
His name may provide a clue; traditionally, sefardim often valued/received a good secular education.
Has the haredi media picked up this story?
KT
And how about Avner Netanyahu (son of PM Bibi) placing 3rd in the International Bible Contest today.
May Hashem help Bibi himself shteig in Torah and maassim tovim. He is a good man. I heard he is a descendent of (HOLD YOUR BREATH)………….the Vilna Gaon.
He’s an FFB so therefore qualifies as a genuine Chareidi, as opposed to a cheap, imitation BT chareidi? Or, I guess, you’re referring to a person that may have received a secular education. No resentment here (seriously), I guess it’s just the way the article was written.
Could it be that in time, most of the chareidim will become Israelis speaking Hebrew, not Yiddish, sharing in the saga of the country they are citizens of and then , lo and behold, sharing in its economy and feeling a sense of responsibility for Israel. In other words, from being a group of outsiders feeling no stake in the Zionist experiment, the religious will become team players and eventually maybe even become very significant. Despite all the efforts to prevent it, are little chareidim absorbing zionist culture by osmosis?
L. Oberstein: hear, hear!!