Poll Finds 74% of Israelis Fast on Yom Kippur, Bridging Secular and Religious Divides

A recent poll conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute reveals that 74% of Israelis observe the fast on Yom Kippur, highlighting the holiday's role as a unifying force in the country. The study indicates that for many secular Israelis, Yom Kippur is the sole occasion they attend synagogue.

Observance of the fast varies by religious observance, with 97-98% fasting in ultra-Orthodox and religious communities. However, a significant portion of secular citizens also participate: 90% of those identifying as "traditional" and 47% of self-identified secular Israelis fast either fully or partially.

The poll also identified a notable difference based on communal origin. Among respondents of Middle Eastern descent (Mizrahim), 88% fast, compared to 64% of Ashkenazi respondents. This gap persists even among secular individuals, with 63% of secular Mizrahim observing the tradition versus 39% of secular Ashkenazim.

Beyond fasting, 57% of the Jewish population attends public services on Yom Kippur, with 51% choosing Orthodox synagogues and 6% opting for Conservative or Reform congregations. The phenomenon of "once-a-year" synagogue attendance is pronounced, with 18% of Israeli Jews entering a synagogue only on this holiday. Among secular Israelis who attend services, nearly 79% do so exclusively on Yom Kippur.