18Forty Podcast Ayala Fader: How Do Haredi Jews Deal With Religious Doubt? [OTD 3/3]
Jul 1, 2025
Ayala Fader, a Professor of Anthropology at Fordham University, dives into the complexities of Haredi Judaism and identity. She discusses how personal and communal struggles with belief and doubt manifest among Hasidic communities. The conversation highlights the impact of the internet on traditional practices and how external factors like antisemitism shape perspectives. Fader also explores the importance of open dialogue around religious doubt and the role of language, particularly Yiddish, in maintaining cultural integrity.
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Navigating Religious Dissonance
- Religious doubt brings dissonance: theological, sociological, and emotional.
- Embracing and discussing this discomfort builds faith resilience and community understanding.
Embedded Anthropological Study
- Ayala Fader studied Hasidic and Yeshivish communities for her anthropology dissertation.
- She focused on language socialization and cultural competence among young Hasidic girls.
Language as Social Action
- Language is a form of social action shaping cultural identity and behavior.
- Hasidic children learn language and modesty simultaneously as cultural socialization.
