To what extent are Jewish Israelis religious?


The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics published a survey regarding Jewish tradition observance and changes in religiosity among the Jewish population in Israel. Less than half of Jewish Israelis define themselves as secular.

According to the survey, which was published shortly before the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the division of the Jewish Israeli population according to religious observance, tradition and faith is: 8% ultra Orthodox, 12% religious, 13% religious-traditional, 25% traditional but not too religious and 42% secular.

72% of those surveyed testified that they have attended synagogue at least once in the past year. Of those who declared themselves secular: 24% go to synagogue on Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, 26% fast on Yom Kippur, 17% build a sukkah in their homes on Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) and 82% participate in he Passover seder. 67% of the secular respondent light Hannuka candles and 17% even light Sabbath candles. 10% of secular Jews keep the dietary laws of kashrut and 22% do not eat bread during Passover.

21% of Jewish Israelis said that they were more religious today than in the past whereas 14% said they were less religious.

21% of Jewish Israeli men attend the synagogue every day and 25% every Sabbath. 24% of Israeli Jewish men said that they never attended synagogue.

To read the survey of the CBS in Hebrew

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