About Us

About Idealist

Idealist is an online brainstrust of Charedi men and women experts on diverse topics designed to serve producers, journalists, editors and conference organizers with a user-friendly professional tool to easily find Charedi speakers and sources. Our online database is constantly updated and includes experts in a wide arrange of fields including medicine, gender, high-tech, law, tourism, foreign policy, education and more fields in which it is generally rare to hear Charedi voices.

In fact, although 10% of Israelis are Charedi, there is a very low representation of this community in the mainstream media and it is often represented in a negative and stereotypical way.

The media is one of the most powerful tools we have to participate in the public debate. By appearing on television, writing op-eds, commenting on issues and speaking on panels, citizens have the ability to express their views and having a voice.  The lack of Charedi participants reinforces the negative bias against the Charedi community, and limits the Israeli public debate to benefit from important knowledge, expertise and perspectives.

We believe that by diversifying the media, we are increasing tolerance and solidarity, countering stereotypes, mistrust and fear perpetuated by the lack of understanding and communication with the Charedi community today.

The online database is part of a project for equal representation for women and minority groups in the Israeli media. Many experts will also receive media training workshops tailored to their needs and fields of expertise.

Idealist is an initiative by ANU, a nonprofit organization that galvanizes civil society to work together for a more egalitarian and inclusive Israel. By connecting the Israeli public with decision-makers through local and national campaigns we advance equality, social justice, economic fairness and sustainability. Our aim is to amplify the diverse voices and perspectives from within Israeli society; to increase the capacity of civil society to impact decision-makers and legislators; and to deepen the sense of civic responsibility among Israelis, mobilizing them to become part of the solution.

Idealist was created in partnership with CIC (Charedi Media Center) which works to generate positive encounters between the Charedi community and different groups in Israel and around the world. For more information about this project please contact yehuda@anu.org.il