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One of our principal goals is to raise public awareness about this unique sector, its challenges and its significant potential. We have worked in the past few years to change the conversation about former Haredim in the media from negative to positive. Through the successful management of communications strategy and public relations, we feel that we have mostly succeeded in this endeavor. We hope to continue this trend in the coming years and to completely turn the “leaving the fold” story from one of welfare and isolation to one of personal fulfillment, success and community. We plan to expand our storytelling tools from mostly media to cultural events open to the public, lecture series and parlor meetings.   Out for Change in the Media 

Mendy, age 24 Mendy was born in France into a Haredi family and immigrated to Israel at age 4. He studied in an anti-Zionist, Jerusalem chaider as a boy. After his sisters married members of the Sadigura Hasidic sect, the whole family was drawn closer to Hasidism and Mendy went to Sadigura yeshiva until the age of 17. Mendy’s decision to leave the Haredi fold did not occur all at once but developed slowly during his teenage years. At age 17, when it became apparent to his family that he would not be a Torah scholar, Mendy began a pre-academic program to begin bridging the educational gaps he acquired from years in the Haredi school system. At the time he was not serious about any of his studies except English, and eventually dropped out of the program, though not before he matriculated in English. Unmotivated and unsure of what he wanted to do or where he could do it, Mendy decided to try his luck abroad, traveling first to family in France and then to New York to work in matzah baking with former Haredi friends, a lucrative enterprise. Once in the US, Mendy became part of a close-knit group of former Haredim from Israel and New York, whose common language was Yiddish and who supported one another in their new lifestyle choices. No longer under pressure from his family and community, he was able to fully embrace a secular lifestyle while retaining Jewish traditions that were meaningful for him. Mendy worked in Jewish-owned restaurants and eventually purchased a van and began working in deliveries. However, the IDF, noticing he had left Israel without enlisting, began to take legal action against him and prevented him from renewing his passport. Mendy realized that it was time to go back to Israel and enlist. The intelligence tech program he was interested in – Shahar – was a Haredi program. So he donned a yarmulke once again and enlisted as a Haredi. Although he passed the technical entry exam, which would allow him to learn computer programming as part of his service, Mendy was unable to get security clearance for the highly classified unit and instead spent the better part of his 2.5-year service, somewhat ironically, enlisting Haredim to the Intelligence Corps. His interest in computer programming having been sparked, and not knowing how he would be able to be accepted to university with all of his educational gaps, he saw an advertisement for a computer science course offered at Out for Change and decided to join. The introduction to computer science course at Out for Change was a game changer for Mendy. Taught by an Amdocs expert, the course gave him basic skills and the confidence and knowledge to continue learning. He began study computer programming online at night, through YouTube videos, a Udemy course and tech blogs with online tutorials. Within a year, he was able to begin offering freelancing services on Fiverr at night and develop a small business in developing web applications. The IDF eventually agreed to grant him security clearance and he developed a new system for the Intelligence Corps. Now newly discharged, Mendy plans on returning to the US and joining the team of a New York-based startup as a front-end developer, take his GED examination and maybe even pursue a college degree. For Mendy, the biggest challenge in leaving the Haredi world is the lack of education he received growing up in the Haredi educational system. Despite being highly intelligent, capable and resourceful, Mendy’s interest in programming brought him face-to-face with the fact that he had studied no more than basic arithmetic during his school years. The educational gaps he deals with are vast. While he has already made an enormous amount of progress, he still has a way to go. We at Out for Change are gratified and proud to be part of Mendy’s journey – and expect great things from him. Yedidya, aged 23       Yedidya was born in Jerusalem to a Haredi family, one of twelve siblings. His father studied in yeshiva and his mother is a teacher. As a child, Yedidya loved books, especially fiction, and quickly exhausted the supply of books available in Har Nof. At the age of 12 he discovered the National Library in Givat Ram and the world of knights and chivalry. Despite his secular interests, Yedidya was a serious student and gained admission to the prominent Ponevezh yeshiva in Bnei Brak, famous for its violent public demonstrations and anti-secular activism. He spent his school years vacillating between yeshiva studies and secular literature. At Ponevezh, the extremism caused Yedidya to realize that he was not in fact anti-secular. He preferred to dress differently and got a motorcycle license. Eventually he left Ponovezh and travelled to London to study in a yeshiva there. With no English, and therefore uncomfortable roaming the streets of London, the yeshiva felt like a prison to him. His friends began to get married but Yedidya found little in common with the young Haredi women he met. At the age of 21, Yedidya left full-time yeshiva and began to work. Having no experience speaking to women, he did not feel comfortable working in a mixed-gender environment. He worked in menial jobs but felt that the strain of long hours of physically demanding work was destroying his creative side. He began to get in touch again with his love for literature, writing and creativity. He learned to ride a horse and began to work as an instructor, teaching children how to ride, and began to work toward his dream of becoming a pilot. Unable to afford flying lessons to manage his finances in general, Yedidya heard about Out for Change and came looking for individual guidance. Bruria Avraham, Out for Change’s guidance coordinator, helped him find a job in a home for adults struggling with mental illness, which he loves, and sent him to a psychologist, a financial advisor and a private English tutor. Yedidya is currently studying English regularly at HaSalon and plans to take the matriculation exam. He still dreams of studying to become a pilot and is interested in a program in the Czech Republic, once he has achieved a high level of English and saves some money. Yedidya is still in the early stages of leaving the Haredi fold and feels very much in-between. On the one hand, he no longer feels a part of Haredi society and institutions, and is angry when he recalls the intense pressure he felt to conform so completely to societal norms while he was in yeshiva. In terms of outlook, he finds he has more in common with the Modern Orthodox people he has encountered. However, he does not want to hurt his family or be part of any group that is anti-Haredi. Socially he feels very isolated but is beginning to attend events at Out for Change and make friends with whom he finds common ground. Yedidya has a long road ahead of him but is grateful for the support he is receiving so that he does not have to go it completely alone.

HaSalon Tel Aviv celebrates its official launch  On February 4, 2019,  several hundred former Haredim, partners and supporters joined us as we officially launched HaSalon, our community center in Tel Aviv where courses, workshops, individual guidance and community and cultural events are already being enthusiastically attended by local participants. Among the speakers: Avigdor Kaplan, Director-General of the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Services; Carmela Avlagon, Head of the Special Funds of the National Insurance Institute; Naftali Yaavetz, official in charge of former Haredim at the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Services; Moshe Shenfeld representing the Out for Change Board of Directors; Refael Germon representing former Haredim; and Aviva Borow of HaSalon Tel Aviv. Music, soup, cheese and wine were plentiful, and a good time was had by all. A pop-up art exhibition showcasing the works of former Haredi artists and participants in Out for Change’s photography and spoken work workshops adorned the walls of HaSalon and were enjoyed by the partygoers. 2018: Our year in numbers 2,000 young people participated in events, courses and workshops 450 people received individual guidance 150 community events were held 80 volunteers, 70% former Haredim, helped us grow 40 courses and workshops were held 43 former Haredi parents received legal guidance and 22 received comprehensive legal assistance 20 individuals took part in grassroots initiatives 10 participants in the National Service program pilot 1 in-depth qualitative study on former Haredim published, the first of its kind

This is a sector that for the most part does not require a long rehabilitation process but rather timely, focused Out for Change believes that the majority of the young people who have chosen this path have already proven that they are strong, motivated and capable long before they walk through our doors. and early intervention, after which they will be fully able to realize their own potential, give back to their community of former Haredim and contribute to Israel’s creative class. Our impact over the past five years inspires us daily to continue to do what we are doing. Community: Two community centers in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv (HaSalon) hosting hundreds of young people per month Events: Friday night dinners, social gatherings, cultural events, movie nights and courses offering creative outlets Dozens of volunteers, the majority of whom are former Haredim themselves Grassroots initiatives, developed by former Haredim for former Haredim Individual Guidance: Each young person who comes to our center receives a package of assistance including guidance, courses and tutoring. Hundreds of former Haredim participate in courses designed to bridge educational gaps Legal aid project: Former Haredi parents who are facing challenges in family court receive guidance and even comprehensive legal assistance. Advocacy: In the area of higher education, former Haredim are now eligible for all of the same rights and benefits as (current) Haredim, including scholarships. The IDF has recognized the unique needs of former Haredim and has granted them most of the rights and benefits afforded (current) Haredim. Highly subsidized vocational training courses are now offered to former Haredim. Program Development: Creation of pre-academic programs specifically geared toward former Haredim National service program for former Haredim Worked with the IDF to ensure that former Haredi soldiers receive the right to study a profession, with full funding, during their army service, an invaluable benefit that is given to (current) Haredi soldiers Raising Public Awareness: Through the successful management of communications strategy and public relations, we feel that we have mostly succeeded in changing the narrative of former Haredim from one of struggle to one of potential. Research: The creation of a quantitative basis upon which to advocate our case to decision makers, completed in 2014 An in-depth qualitative study from Dr. Neri Horowitz, completed in 2018

Out for Change works to assure equal opportunity for every individual who leaves the Haredi world and to provide tools that will assist them in reaching their full potential. Community: To provide former Haredim with a sense of belonging and support by creating a strong, resilient and self-organizing community structure and leadership so that those leaving the Haredi fold do not feel that they are stepping into the void but rather moving from one close-knit, supportive community to another, a community that will mentor them and help them realize their potential. Individual Guidance: To offer guidance adapted to the needs of each individual in the areas of higher education, military service, employment, life skills and legal issues, as well as psychological counseling and mentoring. We aim to ensure that every young person in our community receives the help s/he needs in order to fulfill his/her potential, whether via our services, public agencies or other organizations. Advocacy: To work with key decision makers to ensure that former Haredim are accorded the rights to which they are entitled, and to ensure that former Haredim are recognized as an official population sector for the purpose of eligibility for funding and integration into existing programs, with adaptation. Program Development: To create partnerships with academic and government institutions, as well as the IDF, to develop programs geared to meet the needs of former Haredim. We aim for the recognition by the State and its institutions of former Haredim as a population sector requiring particular attention in creating programs but whose potential is limitless. Raising Awareness: To raise public awareness about this unique sector, its challenges and its significant potential, and to change the conversation about former Haredim in the media and the public from negative to positive. Research: To have a complete body of research and data, both qualitative and quantitative, for the use of decision makers, researchers, the press and Out for Change, that will enable the creation of data-based programs and policy.

Out for Change is investing in a body of research that will enable the creation of data-based programs and policy. Our dream is to have a complete body of research and data, both qualitative and quantitative, for the use of decision makers, academia and the media. We began by working to create a quantitative basis upon which to advocate our case to decision makers. This initial research was completed in 2014. Thereafter we commissioned an in-depth qualitative study from Dr. Neri Horowitz, which was completed in 2018. Currently in the works are the expansion of the quantitative research and demographic study to include new statistical methods and information that we believe will provide the necessary basis for all future programs and policy. We are also expanding our qualitative research to include the gathering of more in-depth information from our participants. In addition, we have launched an in-house evaluation process that we hope will allow us to measure our own success and provide a basis upon which to develop future programs.   Haredi Disaffiliation - Risk, Potential and Social Policy

Our community goal is to provide former Haredim with a sense of belonging and support. Our dream is to create a strong, resilient and self-organizing community structure and leadership so that those leaving the Haredi fold do not feel that they are stepping into the void but rather moving from one close-knit, supportive community to another, a community that will mentor them and help them realize their potential. To this end, we have built community centers in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv (HaSalon) that serve a variety of social and cultural purposes. Friday night dinners, social gatherings, cultural events, movie nights and courses offering creative outlets are some of the means we use to achieve community goals. Run by volunteers who are former Haredim themselves, the HaSalon centers are already developing community leadership and continually expanding the ways in which they meets social and cultural needs. HaSalon center play host to regular art exhibitions and events showcasing contemporary music and art created by former Haredim, as well as the musical and culinary heritage of the Haredi communities they left behind. Currently, the centers host hundreds of visitors per year. We plan to expand to more cities using a pop-up model in conjunction with local youth authorities or NGOs. The strength of a community is measured in the achievements of its members, as well as their emotional and personal strength, the sense of mutuality and partnership, the capacity it has to produce volunteers and social activists, and to be a breeding ground for new initiatives and activities. We currently have dozens of volunteers, 70% of which are former Haredim, and serve as greenhouses for grassroots initiatives and the development of community leadership. We also hope to create partnerships with other communities and organizations and to expand our reach through collaboration.

Haredi Disaffiliation: Risk, Potential and Social Policy (Executive Summary) Download here Dr. Neri Horowitz, Jerusalem, 2018 Initiated by Out for Change, with the support of the Schusterman Family Foundation

Haredi society tends to be insular and unsupportive of those who choose to leave the fold, so that those who make the choice to leave are often cut off from their families and traditional support systems as they navigate an unfamiliar world. Providing these young people with a sense of community and support, while also helping them bridge significant social, cultural and educational gaps, enables them to become independent and contributing members of society, and to realize their full educational, professional and personal potential. Our goal is to offer professional counseling adapted to the needs of each individual in the areas of higher education, military service, employment, life skills and legal advice, as well as psychological counseling and mentoring. Our dream is to ensure that every young person in our community receives the help s/he needs in order to fulfill his/her potential, whether via our services or referrals to partner organizations or public agencies. Each young person who comes to our center receives a package of assistance including personal guidance, courses and workshops, including English, math, computers and the arts. The Out to Learn program provides academic tutoring to former Haredi students in a variety of subjects. Beginning in 2019, our package is expanding to include a volunteer mentoring program (social/cultural and professional), pro-bono psychological therapy and a full-time social worker in each center that will serve as a case manager for each individual, ensuring that they receive everything they need. Hundreds of young people receive guidance participate in courses and workshops every year.