Some devout Orthodox Jewish communities have been slow to follow lockdown orders in Israel, helping drive a surge in coronavirus cases that officials are struggling to contain.Known in Israel as Haredim, or God-fearers, ultra-Orthodox Jews make up about 12% of Israel’s population — but they account for as much as 60% of Israel’s COVID-19 cases, hospitals estimate. More than 6,000 Israelis have been infected and at least 25 have died.This week marked a turning point for the community’s leadership, after a senior rabbi finally urged his followers to obey government lockdown orders.
