Yom Kippur’s renewed meaning for secular Israelis after attack

Following the October 7th attack, some secular Israelis are reexamining their relationship with Jewish traditions, particularly around Yom Kippur.

Adele Raemer, a secular Jew from Kibbutz Nirim near the Gaza border, prepares for Yom Kippur as a day of quiet reflection after surviving the Hamas attack on her community, where five residents were killed and five were taken hostage. The attack prompted her to instinctively recite a Jewish prayer for survival, despite not being traditionally observant.

Many Israelis experienced a crisis of faith after the attack, questioning the existence of God in the face of such tragedy. However, others, like Danielle Glickman, are choosing to observe Yom Kippur despite personal circumstances. She intends to attend synagogue even while eight months pregnant. Former hostages, including Eliya Cohen who was held for over 500 days, have also demonstrated a renewed connection to Judaism, with Cohen publicly reciting the “Shema Yisrael” prayer at his wedding.

Beyond individual observances, the events of October 7th have prompted increased interest in Jewish conversion, particularly among non-Jews married to Israelis. Rabbi Haviva Ner David noted a rise in conversions at her mikveh (ritual bath) since the attack, as people seek to align themselves with the Jewish people. Additionally, there is a growing demand for non-traditional Jewish practices and services, such as those offered by the Reform Movement in kibbutzim near Gaza.