ShalomNewYork.com

 There used to be tens of thousands of diamond cutters in the Belgian port of Antwerp. Now there are only a few hundred. It is within the city’s Jewish community that most of the jobs have been lost - particularly among the Hasidic Jews who adhere strictly to religious laws. Out of about 2,000 Hasidic families in Antwerp, 1,000 are now headed by a man who has no job. Unemployment of 50% would cause great hardship among any group of people. But for Hasidic Jews it brings special problems. Women do not usually work - they raise large families, with nine children on average - and the children are often given private religious education. Jobs move abroad.In fact, diamonds still make a lot of money in Antwerp - but it is shared among a small elite. Setting up as an independent dealer has become almost impossible. But Alan Majerczyk, a director of the Antwerp Diamond Bourse, denies there is any prejudice against any particular group. more@BBC