In the shadow of October 7: How Yom Kippur has actually altered for some nonreligious Israelis

Marathon

ByLINDA GRADSTEIN
SEPTEMBER 20, 2026 12:58
Adele Raemer is an avowedly nonreligious Jew from Kibbutz Nirim, along the Gaza border, who is getting ready for Yom Kippur.

“I’m not a watchful Jew, and I do not quick on Yom Kippur due to the fact that I believe it would be hypocritical,” she informed The Jerusalem Post“For me it’s a day of peaceful self-questioning. Often we have conversation groups, however it’s a day that I value that I’m in my kibbutz, in my nation, and the Jewish country.”

On October 7, 2023, about 150 Hamas terrorists penetrated Nirim, eliminating 5 members of the neighborhood and kidnapping 5 others to Gaza. 3, all females, were released in a ceasefire handle Hamas, and 2 guys were eliminated in the tunnels.

3 Israeli soldiers were likewise eliminated battling in the kibbutz. Raemer concealed in her safe space for numerous hours before she was saved by Israeli soldiers and required to Eilat.

“When we lastly showed up in Eilat, I got my phone and googled Birkat Hagomel (the standard Jewish prayer stated after making it through a possible dangerous occasion),” she stated. “It was simply this impulse. The terrorists attempted to murder me due to the fact that of my Jewishness, and it was simply my impulse to do this.”

The October 7, 2023 attack has actually impacted all Israelis in some way, as everybody understands somebody who was either eliminated or hijacked. Some have actually questioned God’s presence.

ADELE RAEMER at her kibbutz, Nirim.(credit: YOAV DUDKEVITCH)

” Where was God on October 7?” asked Jonathan Livny, a Jerusalem attorney.”I believe we developed God due to the fact that it can’t be that a God would not avoid such a disaster.

Others, even if they are not spiritual in the conventional sense, do observe Yom Kippur.

” This year I can’t quick since I’ll be 8 months pregnant, however I’ll go to shul,”stated Danielle Glickman, 34, including that she generally fasts.”I believe I’ll attempt not to utilize innovation. Considering that October 7, I believe it’s much more crucial to keep customs, specifically when we are growing our household.”

Others, consisting of a few of the previous captives, have actually drawn closer to religious beliefs.

At his current wedding event, previous captive Eliya Cohen, who was kept in Hamas tunnels for more than 500 days and who had actually thought that his partner, Ziv Abud, had actually been eliminated, stated that he had actually pledged that if he ever wed Ziv he would openly state the “Shema Yisrael” prayer, which he did in the past over 1,000 visitors in a psychological minute.

Agam Berger mentioned keeping Shabbat in captivity, and Daniella Gilboa mentioned singing “Shalom Aleichem” in Arabic while in captivity. Other captives stated they fasted on Yom Kippur.

Israel’s unique relationship with Yom Kippur

ISRAELIS HAVE constantly had an unique relationship to Yom Kippur. The nation, consisting of the airport, entirely closes down, and kids ride bikes on significant highways.

A current research study by the Israel Democracy Institute discovered that 60% of Israelis quick entirely on Yom Kippur while another 5% do not consume however consume liquids. This comes as less than 25% of Israelis explain themselves as “Orthodox,” according to the Pew Research Foundation.

Numerous rabbis stated that because October 7, more Israelis are linking to Judaism, although not always in a standard method. Rabbi Haviva Ner David runs Shmaya: A Mikveh for Mind, Body, and Soul in Kibbutz Hanaton.

As part of her work, she assists those transforming to Judaism by means of the Reform motion immerse in the mikveh (routine bath). She stated she has actually seen a boost in individuals transforming to Judaism given that October 7, particularly non-Jews who are wed to Jewish Israelis.

“Many of them have actually been residing in Israel for many years, and they state that after October 7, they wish to toss their lot in with the Jewish individuals,” she informed the Post

RABBI HAVIVA Ner David (2nd right) with conversion prospects at Kibbutz Hanaton. (credit: HAVIVA NER DAVID)

Israelis have actually grown in spirituality because October 7, rabbi states

Yom Kippur is typically the busiest day of the year at the mikveh, she stated, as there is a custom to immerse on the day before Yom Kippur as part of the

procedure of satisfaction.

Rabbi Yael Vurgan, who deals with all of the kibbutzim near Gaza in the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council, stated there is a growing interest in non-traditional methods of linking to Judaism. She stated the Reform Movement has actually long used alternative services on Yom Kippur at one of the kibbutzim, and this year there will be services in 2 kibbutzim.

Simply a couple of days before October 7, she stated, she officiated at a bar and bat mitzvah event for individuals in their 80s and 90s who had actually never ever had this conventional Jewish initiation rite. She taught the group of 6 for 3 months, and on October 3, 2023, they held an event.

Given that October 7, she stated, there has actually been growing interest from numerous in her location for more connection to spirituality, consisting of parties that may consist of tune and poetry.

The break out of the war– and particularly the fate of the captives– urged prayers and psalms in nearly every synagogue.

“Many individuals had a growing number of require for methods to reveal their sensations in a cultural, spiritual method as a neighborhood together,” she stated.

“I felt that individuals desire what I need to provide– spirituality done by liberal voices and texts and tunes,” she stated.

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