Jewish Diversity in Israel

דתיים -חילונים זהות יהודית-ישראלית חברה ישראלית חרדים מסורתיים סוציולוגיה עמיות יהודית

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolving landscape of Jewish identity in Israel over the last two decades. Rebhun identifies a trend of polarization: while the "edges" of Israeli society - the ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) and the strictly secular - are expanding, the "traditional middle" is notably shrinking. The study tracks how religious identification shifts across the life cycle, noting that while some individuals move toward greater observance, others drift further away from religious practice. Despite these growing divisions in lifestyle and political values (especially regarding the tension between Judaism and democracy), the research highlights areas of broad national consensus. These include a strong sense of belonging to the Jewish people, the collective memory of the Holocaust, and the celebration of major Jewish holidays as cultural milestones. The author concludes by comparing these Israeli patterns with Jewish identity in Europe, suggesting that Israel's unique mix of ethnicity and nationality creates a "thick" identity that differs significantly from the more "privatized" religious affiliation common in the Diaspora.