So we learn from this that a greater % of secular Israelis keep kosher than Progressive "Rabbis" in America. Not to worry, once Progressive Judaism takes hold in Israel, they'll sought that out. Along with belief in G-d, Torah and all the mitzvot.

What a shame that our orthodox brothers and sisters who shun us, the television and other mainstream media (but love the new car and mobile phone) dont reach out because they would find that their jewish brethren love and revel in our jewishness and in our own way respect and perform mitzvot, shabbat, celebrate the chagim, and above all, love G-d and thank Him for our Land of Israel. What a shame they stay closed in their world for their is so much love to share between us all. .

Your paper enjoys disturbing the status quo. Does it matter who lights candles and who does not, does it matter who eats kosher and who does not. One thing I guess is the ones who don't light don't eat kosher. They most probably eat bread on Pesach as well. What do these polls do, how do they help. If one wants to eat non kosher what do I care that's his or her choice just like I choose to keep the Shabbos and to eat kosher, that does not make me a better a Jew than the one who does not keep Shabbos and does not eat kosher, but that is what is written in the Torah. Just remember not all where a kippa on their head but they may still may keep Shabbos and kosher. Stop making a mix and stick to the news

This is encouraging news. A majority of the worlds jews are not Orthodox. As we are in the 21st century, it is refreshing to see cracks developing in the Orthodox Movement's power in Israel, as there are MILLIONS of Jews who do not follow their interpretation of Judaism. To #1, what an ignorant statement.

when somebody says they don't keep kosher "all the time"? You're either kosher...or you're not. It's like that tiresome cliche about being "a little bit pregnant." It seems that nowhere else in Judaism is there as much hypocrisy and rule-bending as there is with the whole issue of kashrut. It's reminiscent of those Jews who'll describe themselves as being kosher because when they eat in a Chinese restaurant...they won't order the pork

GET OVER IT!!!

If the ministery of healt was doing his work properly half the country food industry would be closed today. long live corruption

and other organizations around who are out there just to do that: "To reach out" to people like you? You must live in such a remote area where you've never seen nor heard any of them.

It pays for you and others who do not eat kosher to sit down for a few minutes and read this article: http://modiinjlc.com/md/raysec/item.php?itemid=5

... so what happend to his mind body an soul ? CORRUPTION OY CORRUPTION to the CORE of YISRAEL ! I am embarrased ! Self- Righteousness gone MAD !

Why do they keep kosher at home ? Most probably because they have "shomre Shabbat" relatives and/or friends , and they want them to feel confortabel in their home . And here in Israel it is not so difficult , not more expensive [ as it is begalut ] and most of all , it shows that seculars can be very tolerant , certainly when it is not imposed by others .

Of course those "rabbanim" will say kosher food is healthy , and you bring this as a proof , how stupid . Today meat , in developped countries is looked very well after . So why should this non kosher meat be less healthy than the kosher one ? Can you tell me why non kosher bread , from a known bakery , be less healthy than this with a "hachscher"

Firstly , the fact that you live in Eretz Yisrael makes you a more complete Jew than the most observant Jews living in exile. However, in just one generations time, Kosher will be the only available food in Eretz Yisrael. So Talula if you don't get over that, you'll just have to leave the true Jewish Israel, and eat your "treif'" elsewhere.

Read that article again. The Rambam, the Abarbanel and many other Rabbis mentioned in the article are saintly Rabbis and know what they're saying. It pays for you to read the article again.

In one generation only Kosher food available here ? Day dreams from a poor guy .

Statistics have never succeeded in predicting election results in Israel, because those who do not accept the preconceptions of the pollsters refuse to co-operate. Accepting these statistics is the same as believing that metetz will get the most votes in Bnei Brak, for the same reason. those who disagree will refuse to participate or vote with a puckish sense of humour. Actually most secular Israelis will accept Shabbat candles given out free all over the country. Most Israelis do not define themselves as secular. The only large numbers attending reform functions are those going to cultural events or on tours. But then what would I know? I only participate regularly in Meetings between different groups.

I am incredibly impressed. After all the obnoxious behaviors the desire to identify as kosher is wonderful.

This may be somewhat true in Israel, but it is certainly not the case in the United States or South America.

What is truly amazing about Judaism is it appeal to Israelis despite the best (worst?) efforts of its so-called leaders. I wonder how many Israelis would observe Shabbat, study Torah, etc. if only their exposure was to a Judaism that recognizes that the Torah was created for the sake of Israel and not the other way around. This does not mean that the demands of Judaism should be watered down. Judaism cannot survive as an al la carte menu of mitzvot. But neither does it mean that it should be used as a spade against those who disagree. Shame on those who advocate a narrow Judaism of restrictions for their own sake.

secular israelis are more religious than reform/"progressive" rabbis

So 99.8 % 0f world population does not eat healthy ? Only the kosher keeping Jews do so ? If you think that a fat Kosher "choulent" is healthy , go ask a dietetician . PS my kitchen at home is kosher , this for the reason i gave already .

And what do those seculars do with the "shabbat" candles they take ? They use them on non Shabbat days , they give some "sphere" when receiving friends . For the same "sphere" they light candles in good restaurants on every table . And a poll is not statistics , this for your ignorance .

I don't understand the cynicism demonstrated in some of these talkbacks. This is encouraging news, but only confirms what I saw in Israel in 2005. I could tell you of the "secular" Jew in the Golan who, seeing we were reciting the Shabbat kiddush during a break in our morning hike, rushed over to hear the words. I could tell you of the lovely young attorney I met on a bus back to Haifa, obviously not Orthodox, who told of her joy in lighting the Shabbat candles with her mother. This is the Jewish "spark" that needs to be nurtured, not derided, or suffocated by haredi oppression. Despite claims of "secularism", the majority of Jewish Israelis retain a traditional sensibility. But that's how it's always been. Some approach Jewish practice from an intellectual, Torah grounded perspective. But the majority followed Jewish tradition because "that's how it's done", or because it was a cultural, societal expectation.

atheists who want to minimize the extent of Jewish life, and orthodox in denial about religiosity among the Non-O, and Americans unable to recognize non-O religiosity that isnt expressed through R and C synagogues.

While it's certainly not inconceivable that many secular Israelis might light Sabbath candles (my mother lit them and she was an atheist), I find it nearly incomprehensible that 40% of them would keep kosher because for people who aren't religious, all the prohibitions involved with truly being kosher can begin to feel really oppressive.

the fact that many "secular" jews in israel keep kosher is taken by reform as a market opportunity for themselves ("hey we're secular too and some of us sometimes keep kosher too"). but their marketing program is aimed right at the heart of the jewish people. i am religious and i have friends who are secular israelis. they invited us over and we ate there because they kept kosher. if reform were to infiltrate israel we wouldn't be able to do that. we would be members of 2 different religious (just like jews and christians are)

keeping kosher at home oppressive ? OK , if you keep it always , abroad , it's difficult . But i think that most seculars who keep Kosher , do it only at home .

What do the Corservative or Reform Jews, Sufi Muslims and Unitarians have in common? They are all more humanistic-oriented streams within the respective religions with more inclusive, pluralistic and universalist approach. The second point is that they're all sharply critiziced, even persecuted (the case of the Sufis), by the more puritanistic segments of their religions, accused of herecy and claimed to be another religion (as you state about Reform Judaism). Please consider that any kind of religious orthodoxy is the only path to fundamentalist bigotry and religious extremism. Although I remain Orthodox in my personal practice I dissociate officially from Orthodox Judaism.

Well, I've seen similar heavy-duty plastic plates sold as non-disposable. It kind of depends on your attitude. If you approach something from the perspective of: "This is beautiful and if I'm not too tired or busy with other things, I'll keep it and wash it"...that's nice....but...I think it undermines the intrinsic value of the thing. A person who buys the same type plate not labeled as "disposable" ultimately will choose to undertake the work of maintaining it or will opt for something blatantly disposable that places no demands. It's all about the attitude and therein lies the difference between Orthodoxy and "Conservative/Reform". Secular Israelis tend to fit the classic definition of "the shul I don't go to is Orthodox" (keep it or throw it out, but don't water it down and call it authentic....you're willing to do what is required or you're not). Ironically, you can't really find the really heavy-duty fancy disposable plates here in Israel. It's not really a very Israeli concept....more of an American mentality.