Extra-Tech empowers exceptional ultra-Orthodox women, arming them with the tools to seamlessly integrate into prominent roles at the forefront of the Israeli hi-tech industry.
The Background
The State of Israel, ranked among the top ten countries globally in innovation and development, stands as an international hi-tech superpower. A synergy of human capital, venture capital investments, government support, and a nurturing ecosystem has propelled the Israeli hi-tech industry into a significant driving force in the economy. It boasts groundbreaking leading companies, hundreds of development centers for global technology giants, thousands of start-ups, and billions of dollars in exits. While the hi-tech sector accounts for approximately 46% of Israel’s exports and provides hundreds of thousands of high-paying jobs, the constant challenge of recruiting quality manpower poses a threat to its sustained growth.
While Israel’s success story in the hi-tech sector is notable, not all segments of the population share in its benefits. The ultra-Orthodox sector, comprising roughly 12% of the country’s population, contributes only 3% to the hi-tech workforce. With a rapidly growing population—about 60% of whom are under 20 years old—the Haredi community possesses untapped potential. Known for emphasizing learning abilities and logical thinking in its education, the Haredi community could significantly contribute to the hi-tech industry. In 2022, the government set an ambitious target to increase the hi-tech workforce’s share of all salaried employees from 8% to 15%. Achieving this goal requires the integration of more sectors and populations into the advanced industry, with a particular emphasis on making the inclusion of ultra-Orthodox men and women a national priority.
A Menomadin Foundation Impact Investment: Extra-Tech empowers exceptional ultra-Orthodox women to seamlessly integrate into prominent roles at the forefront of the Israeli hi-tech industry.
Photo By: Extra-Tech
The Challenge
The Orthodox Jewish community is a conservative religious society, distinguished from other population groups by its distinctive dress and lifestyle. Haredi life is characterized by a devout adherence to the Torah, strict observance of commandments and customs, and rigorous rules of modesty. To maintain its character, Haredi society erects a figurative wall of separation from the surrounding society, residing predominantly in homogeneous communities and neighborhoods. As a traditional collective, Haredi society upholds gender distinctions, designating men to the public sphere and women to the home and private sphere. The socialization into these roles begins at an early age.
Nevertheless, ongoing social and economic processes are expanding the presence of Haredi women in the public sphere. The prevailing ‘society of learners’ ethos, cultivated in Haredi communities in recent decades, demonstrates respect and admiration for men dedicated to a life of Torah study. This cultural shift has prompted many Haredi women to assume the role of primary breadwinners for their families. In supporting their husbands’ full-time pursuit of Torah study, a significant proportion of Haredi women balance external employment with the formidable task of raising children—an especially demanding responsibility given the typically large family sizes in the community.
For decades, teaching has been a traditional career path for Haredi women, allowing them to support their families while managing household responsibilities and childcare. However, the increasing cost of living in Israel and a reduction in government subsidies for large families have prompted Haredi women to explore more lucrative career options. A notable trend has emerged with many ultra-Orthodox women pursuing higher education to integrate into the hi-tech industry, where there is a pressing need for skilled professionals offering competitive wages.
In the past decade, Haredi women have successfully entered roles requiring fundamental technological skills in programming, quality assurance, and software development. This transition has brought about a substantial increase in pay and the flexibility of working hours. Specialized companies dedicated to employing ultra-Orthodox women provide tailored conditions, including shortened workdays and a protected female environment—shielding them from cultural differences and halachic dilemmas associated with mixed-gender workplaces. However, these advantages come at a cost, as workers of such companies receive relatively lower wages compared to their secular counterparts and face limited opportunities for career advancement.
Senior technological roles in the hi-tech industry remain less accessible to Haredi women, hindered by a combination of social and economic barriers. Limited socioeconomic resources, coupled with a cultural inclination toward separatism, steer Haredi women towards government-funded seminars tailored for the Haredi sector. However, these seminars often offer a lower level of IT studies compared to colleges and universities, placing Haredi women at a perceived disadvantage in the competitive hi-tech market. Furthermore, the cultural tendency towards separatism limits the network opportunities for Haredi women in the industry. With fewer connections, they face challenges in acquainting themselves with job opportunities and gaining acceptance into roles within the hi-tech sector.
The Opportunity
The Extra-Tech initiative equips ultra-Orthodox women with the tools and opportunities needed to excel in prominent roles within Israel’s dynamic hi-tech industry. This vocational training and placement initiative operates in collaboration with numerous private sector companies, leading multinational corporations, Israeli startups, and venture capital funds actively seeking top-tier talent for high-paying roles. Extra-Tech specifically focuses on the top 10% of Kama-Tech graduates, an ultra-Orthodox NGO specializing in advanced technological study programs for women. With a curriculum encompassing 700 hours of video lectures, courses, and training from globally renowned universities, this approach guarantees participants receive top-notch education, effectively closing educational gaps.
Extra-Tech specifically focuses on the top 10% of Kama-Tech graduates, an ultra-Orthodox NGO specializing in advanced technological study programs for women.
Photo by: Extra-Tech
The Extra-Tech initiative includes intensive boot camps in various IT fields, providing graduates with the skills required for seamless integration into sought-after hi-tech roles. Collaborating with industry leaders such as Microsoft, Google, Apple, Cisco, Western Digital, Qualcomm, Amazon, and Intel, the program not only enhances employability but also gives graduates a competitive edge. While companies are not obligated to hire female graduates, participation in Extra-Tech’s training programs significantly bolsters their candidacy for the positions they undergo training for. The business model of Extra-Tech relies on placement fees paid by high-tech companies upon hiring graduates. This ensures that seminary graduates can smoothly enter the hi-tech workforce with the essential tools for professional integration, all while maintaining their ultra-Orthodox identity intact.
Additional Reading:
Magazine Feature: “To take initiative— that’s the lesson we learned from October 7th. If you don’t act, you get hit.”
Magazine Feature: Integrating the Ultra-Orthodox into Premium Hi-Tech Jobs
