In most ultra-Orthodox communities, genetic testing is required. It becomes a religious obligation.
Tay-Sachs has nearly been eradicated from Jewish circles, both here and in Israel.
As far as inbreeding with Hasidim, I thought only dynasties did that? <shrug>
That is fatalistic of them, but not representative of the community.
I call it as I see it.
A+
Alessan, I don’t doubt you see it that way. That just makes it all the sadder. I realize that as an Israeli Hiloni, you have seen more than your share of Haredi adults who sit in full-time study in order to get out of the army, but IIRC, you’ve been in America for a number of years, and surely you’re aware that Hasidim are well represented in many sectors of the American workforce.
I’d go Amish. Even though my heritage (on my dad’s side) is Jewish, living a quiet, hard-working, agrarian lifestyle is kind of a fantasy of mine, so I’d give the Amish a shot.
Hasidic. The Hasidim, unlike the idiot Amish, don’t force people to leave school in eigth grade.
Hasidic. I figure there’ll be a pretty damn huge culture shock either way, but this way I can still have access to computers (6 days a week; I presume they’d be off limits on the Sabbath), TV (ditto), and other modern appliances.
Hasidic. You ever seen a Jewish Bar Mitzvah party or wedding reception? Much more fun.
I really can’t tell, but get the feeling this is an argument. But who’s disagreeing w/ whom here? 
Okay – partially raised by Mennonite grandparents, have spoken low German since I could talk, I would vote Amish. But a lot of people don’t realize that there are levels of Amish, from ones that shop at Walmart, after having driven there, to the Old Order that still live like it’s 1880. The ones I know use electricity in their barns, and have indoor plumbing. The electric/electronic things that are banned are ones that do not have a useful purpose to daily life, like the internet or TV. If it makes necessary work easier, they use it.
I live in Philly and regularly see the Amish using cell phones at the Reading Terminal Market and other Farmer’s Markets. They certainly aren’t using a horse and buggy to get to center city, either. The Farmer’s Market near my mother-in-law’s house has an Arby’s across the street from it and we’ve seen them eating there.
Lavendar Blue
In their community, they don’t need more than an 8th grade education. It’s not that they don’t value intelligence, but why get a PhD in Economics from Harvard if you are going to be a Wal-Mart cashier? It would be considered frivolous to waste time and money on education that is going to go unused.
Couldn’t live without my computer, so I’d choose to be Hasidic. But in reality, if thrust into either situation, I would probably kill myself. I’m an atheist who has strong philosophical problems with religion.
I was present today at the assembly of an 1850s timber frame which had been taken apart piece by piece, transported from another town, and then put back together on the property of a local doctor. All of the construction workers assembling the barn were Amish. (Apparently they are allowed to use mechanical hand tools but only outside of their own community. The heavy equipment [crane and lift] were operated by other guys.) I spoke to some of them. I noticed that they seemed to have uneven teeth, some of which were jagged or otherwise abnormal-looking. Do they not have modern dental techniques?
Most Amish don’t have insurance of any type (unequally yoked with unbelievers), and pay for everything in advance, in cash (no borrowing or lending).
They also have a pretty solid mandate to be “plain” and to remain humble, and actively try *not *to attract attention based on good looks.
Between those two factors, I can’t imagine that cosmetic dental work would be a very high priority for many of them.
Wait a minute - isn’t everyone supposed to have naturally straight teeth, and any damages to the teeth are the result of poor dental hygiene? In other words, it’s not superficial cosmetic dentistry that is needed to have normal looking teeth, it’s just normal brushing and avoiding too much sugary food?
Now I’m confused. If GilaB’s description of the Hasidic life is correct (and I’m pertty sure she knows) then I’d change my answer to Amish. But expect me to be shunned when Celtling reaches ninth grade.
Nawth Chucka:
I am disagreeing with Alessan’s and CitizenPained’s class slander against Hasidim.
You’re pulling our legs here, right? Left to their own devices my overcrowded teeth would have grown in such a fashion as to make closing my mouth painful and chewing nearly impossible.
I’m down w/ that - boo classism!
If the OP had said for a year, I’d choose Amish. But for the rest of my life I’d rather give up pork than give up the 21st century.