Most Israeli Jews fast on Yom Kippur, while over half take part in prayer services, survey finds
Only a small number of those reported to be fasting partially or not at all are older people, according to the survey data, suggesting that the reasons are more linked to health or principle.
A recent survey conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute found that most Israeli Jews fast on Yom Kippur, with 74% partaking in the tradition, while over half, at 57%, engage in prayer services. Among those who fast, approximately 63% engage in a full fast, while 11% observe a partial fast. However, this varies among secular, religious, and non-religious traditional Jews.
Secular Jews fast less frequently, with only 47% observing a full fast. Among non-religious traditional Jews, 90% fast on Yom Kippur, as do 97%-98% of Haredi, religious, and religious-traditional Jews. Mizrahi Jews are more likely to fast than Ashkenazi Jews and those of mixed background, with 81% of Mizrahi Jews fasting fully compared to 50.5% of Ashkenazi Jews.
In terms of gender, the survey found little variance among those who fast, with 65% of men fasting fully and 61% of women. However, among those aged 18-44, men are slightly more likely to fast fully than women. Gender differences are less pronounced for those over 44, with the same proportion fasting fully.
When it comes to prayer services, 51% of those who participate attend Orthodox services, while 6% attend Reform or Conservative services. Most religious-traditional Jews (90%) participate in Yom Kippur prayers, while 67% of non-religious traditional Jews, and only 20% of secular Jews do so. Among those attending Reform or Conservative services, 48% of traditional Jews and 50% of secular Jews participate.
Men are slightly more likely to participate in Yom Kippur prayers than women, with 54% of Orthodox men participating compared to 48% of Orthodox women.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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