Ultra-Orthodox Employment in Israeli High-Tech Sector Surges Over Past Decade

A new report titled "The Ultra-Orthodox High-Tech Report 2026," produced by Tel Aviv University and the nonprofit Kama-Tech, reveals significant growth in the employment of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel's high-tech industry over the past decade. The study, led by Dr. Nahomi Yaffe, doctoral candidate Chaya Lerfeld, and Kama-Tech CEO Moshe Friedman, shows that the proportion of ultra-Orthodox individuals aged 25-35 working in high-tech rose from about 2% to 6% in ten years. In 2016, approximately 8,500 ultra-Orthodox people were employed in high-tech, representing 3% of the ultra-Orthodox workforce; by 2024, this number increased to around 12,750 (nearly 5%). Friedman estimates the current figure is close to 15,000.

The report highlights a particularly strong rise among ultra-Orthodox women, who make up about two-thirds of ultra-Orthodox high-tech workers. Their employment rate jumped 77% from 3.1% in 2014 to 5.5% in 2023, exceeding natural population growth by 23%. In contrast, ultra-Orthodox men’s employment in the sector grew modestly from 0.9% to 1.1%. Among young high-tech workers aged 25-35, ultra-Orthodox representation increased from 2% to 6%, with new entrants to the industry including about 11% ultra-Orthodox annually.

The report also notes a 45% increase in ultra-Orthodox students studying high-tech fields between 2018 and 2021, with 67% being women. Entrepreneurship is growing as well, with around 200 ultra-Orthodox startups founded in the last decade and 5-9% of innovation grants awarded to ultra-Orthodox entrepreneurs. Kama-Tech’s accelerator has helped launch 80 startups, some becoming success stories.

Despite progress, challenges remain, including wage gaps of approximately 57% between ultra-Orthodox and non-ultra-Orthodox workers, limited early digital literacy, late workforce entry due to religious study models, and employer biases. Friedman emphasizes that ultra-Orthodox integration into high-tech is now an economic necessity for Israel, as the sector contributes nearly 20% of the national GDP.

Friedman, a descendant of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, founded Kama-Tech about 15 years ago after meeting tech pioneer Yossi Vardi. The organization provides training, supports entrepreneurs, and promotes awareness within the ultra-Orthodox community and high-tech companies. Friedman notes that initial rabbinical concerns about ultra-Orthodox participation in high-tech have diminished as successful role models emerged. He is optimistic about artificial intelligence expanding opportunities for ultra-Orthodox workers by lowering technical barriers. He also links high-tech employment to improved living standards, especially for women, encouraging more ultra-Orthodox individuals to enter the sector.