Photos

Today, Meah Shearim remains an Old World enclave in the heart of Jerusalem.[4] With its overwhelmingly Haredi population, the streets retain the flavor of an East European shtetl. Life revolves around strict adherence to Jewish law, prayer and the study of Jewish texts. Traditions in dress may include black frock coats and black or fur-trimmed hats for men (although there are many other clothing styles, depending on the religious sub-group to which they belong), and long-sleeved, modest clothing for women. In some groups, the women wear thick black stockings all year long, including summer. Married women wear a variety of headcoverings, from wigs to headscarves. The men have beards and some grow long sidecurls, called peyos.

Hasidic groups with a large number of followers in Meah Shearim include Breslov, Slonim and Toldos Aharon. Meah Shearim is also the stronghold of the 'anti-Zionist' Neturei Karta movement. The Edah HaChareidis, which supervises kashrut certification and runs a Jewish religious court, has its headquarters in Meah Shearim.