Study: Israeli Jews Becoming More Religious

Israeli Jews are becoming more religious, according to a study published Thursday by the Israel Democracy Institute in conjunction with the Avi Chai Foundation. The survey, entitled “A Portrait of Israeli Jews: Beliefs, Observance, and Values of Israeli Jews,” examined levels of religiosity of Israeli Jews in comparison with levels of the past twenty years.

According to the study, conducted in 2009 by face to face interviews of 2803 Israeli Jews, above the age of 20, the affinity of Jewish Israelis to their religion and religious traditions from 1999 to 2009 has noticeably increased.

“In 2009, we can say that Israeli Jews are interested in the role of religion in the State of Israel and in the significance of a “Jewish State,” and express positive attitudes towards expression of religion and tradition in the public realm,” the report concludes. “However, they seek to preserve freedom of personal choice, especially with regards to Sabbath observance in public.“

The two previous studies conducted by the institutes in 1991 and 1999 showed that between those years, a marked decline was recorded in the attachment to Jewish tradition and religion, most likely due the mass immigration of Jews from the former Soviet Union in those years.

The reversal of the trend, from 1999 to 2009, the study says, reflects both that the immigrants from the CIS have integrated into Israeli society and that the orthodox and ultra-orthodox (haredi) communities are increasing in democratic weight.

“The results of the survey are evidence that Israeli Jews are committed to two significant values: preserving Jewish tradition, on the one hand, and upholding individual freedom of choice, on the other,” said Dr. Eli Silver, director of Avi Chai–Israel. “This fascinating combination is a source of tension, but it is also the basis of a broad Israeli-Jewish consensus that facilitates coexistence in the twenty-first century.”

In addition to finding that Israeli society as a whole has become more religious, the IDI study stated that both the orthodox and haredi communities “observe religious precepts more stringently than they did in the past.” This trend was not present in either of the ”secular but not anti-religious“ and ”secular and anti-religious“ groups, who have not become more religious since the ’90s.

According to the study, a majority of Israeli Jews (85 percent) say that it is ”important to celebrate Jewish festivals in the traditional manner,” but do so selectively. 90% celebrate the Passover Seder, 67% are careful not to eat chametz (leaven) during Passover, 68% fast on Yom Kippur and 36% listen to the megila on Purim.

The controversial and very current issue of civil marriage was also addressed in the study, with 51% of respondents saying that absolutely agreed, agreed or possibly agreed that the option of civil marriage option should be established in Israel, not under the auspices of the chief rabbinate.

Support for the notion that public life in Israel should be conducted according to tradition is also on the increase with 61% of respondents saying they were in favor, against 44% who agreed with this sentiment in 1991.

However, regarding the Sabbath, 68% said that weekday activities, such as going to cinemas, cafes and restaurants, should be available on Shabbat, and 59% said they were in favor of public transport on Shabbat.

Regarding the status of women, the IDI study indicated significant differences of opinion on gender roles. Sixty-seven percent of haredim believe that the husband should work and support the family with the wife staying home to take care of the children, while only 35% of orthodox feel that way. Only 18-20% of the secular community are of that opinion.

Seventy-three percent of Israeli Jews feel that Israel and Diaspora Jews share a common destiny, while 61% feel that the Conservative and Reform movements should have equal status with the Orthodox.