A viral segment on the Israeli current-affairs show "Davar Rishon" with host Moshe Mans featured musician and violinist Gabriel Shuraki, also known as Tziruki, after his post praising the ultra-Orthodox community drew wide attention online. Shuraki, who comes from a secular background and describes himself as having long hair and a ponytail, said he decided to stop the public "storm" and publish a heartfelt manifesto of 13 reasons why he admires the Haredi sector.
The post, which the program said it was reproducing in full, opens by comparing the idea to therapy, asking people to look past anger and ask what they still love and value. Shuraki says the same approach should be taken toward the Haredi public, especially during a tense period, and that despite serious criticism of the sector, people should ask what can be learned from it.
He then lists his points: Haredi children are not addicted to smartphones and "stupid videos"; they preserve Jewish tradition; they are serious and all-in; learned in Torah; polite; devoted to music; honest; generous and active in volunteer work, including ZAKA, Hatzalah, Yad Sarah and Yedidim; resistant to herd behavior; dress respectfully; live simply and save money; know how to conduct respectful debate; and are more open than many assume. He adds that Haredi families invite him to perform at weddings and trust him to teach their children violin, despite his appearance, and that he feels at home among them.
At the end, Shuraki says the post had been forming in his mind for years and was published now because of the sensitive moment. He says he agrees there is much criticism of Haredim, but believes they should "wake up" and enlist in the IDF, arguing that this is necessary to prevent mass killing if Israel lacks a strong army. Still, he insists this demand must come with love, because "they are not the enemy, they are us, and we are them," and ends by calling to see the good in people and increase "ahavat chinam," baseless love.
