Just what Manhigut Yehudit has been saying all along

Israel National News: Judaism Attracts Modern          Israeli Youth

Tishrei 4, 5770, 22 September          09 05:56
by Hillel Fendel


(Israelnationalnews.com) A survey of nearly 2,900 Jewish youths from          around the country finds that 85% feel it is important to maintain religion          and tradition.

The poll was carried out by TGI (Target Group Index) Israel, of the global          TGI network of single-source market research surveys, on 2,897 young Israelis          between the ages of 18 and 35. It was commissioned by L'Omek HaTodaah (To          the Depth of Awareness), a public relations firm targeting youth.
The survey turned up some surprising results, especially for those who are          disappointed by what appears to be an increasingly secular society. Over          71% said they plan to fast on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), and 73%          define "religious faith" as something "very important."
In addition, 84.3% say it's important to maintain religion and tradition,          while nearly 60% make sure to separate meat and dairy products. Kissing          the mezuzah - Torah passages affixed to the doorpost - is more popular than          might be assumed; 38.5% practice this custom.
Three out of every seven - 43% - say they feel more Jewish than Israeli,          and 40.4% say that bars, theaters, and the like should be closed on the          Sabbath.

Ziv Poplevsky, Chairman of L'Omek HaTodaah, explained, "Despite the permissiveness          and adventurousness of Israeli youth, it appears that many of them believe          that there is a Jewish tradition that must be maintained and accepted. It's          part of a recent trend that we call ‘pro-religion.' We see many performers,          from Madonna to Evyatar Banai, who pull the crowds in this direction."

Tel Aviv's Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau attributes more significance to          the findings. "I sense an increasing interest in the treasures of Judaism          on the part of youth that did not grow up in the lap of Torah. Instead of          grazing in foreign pastures in India, Nepal and Latin America, many of the          youth are finding their way to the Jewish bookshelf and tradition."

Rabbi David Stav of the Tzohar Rabbis Organization, and rabbi of the city          of Shoham, said, "We all see that there is a thirst for Judaism among the          public. When I gave a talk to the public high school in Shoham, 90% of the          students raised their hands when I asked who would fast on Yom Kippur -          and when I asked if their parents would fast as well, far fewer hands were          raised."

"There might be many reasons for this awakening," said Rabbi Stav, "including          disappointment in the State institutions, disillusionment from the idols          of silver and gold, or maybe even because the idols themselves returned          to Judaism. But in the end there is one very simple root cause: G-d's promise          that the soul will not go to waste, and will always try to awaken and rouse          sparks among each of us. We are happy to be in this generation that sees          this happen."