Israelis prefer checks at weddings, bar-mitzvahs
New study reveals average check sum Israelis give at events is NIS 330, some 90 percent prefer money gifts to 'wrapped presents'
According to a report in Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, the study analyzed 1,024 checks given as presents in events held at the "Ahuzat Tal" event venue near the southern town of Ashdod.
The study found that 22 percent of guests gave NIS 200 (USD 43) checks in events, while 19 percent of invitees brought NIS 300 (USD 65) checks and 17 percent were generous enough to bring NIS 400 (USD 87) checks.
Only 6.6 percent of guests went as far as handing the lucky couple or happy bar-mitzvah boy checks going as high as 600-800 shekels (USD 130 - 174).
The majority of money-givers prefer to bring it in the form of a check, not cash, the study indicated.
Notably, these figures characterize gift checks in the general sector, where money gifts represent 85-90 percent of all gifts given in events. According to researchers, the more ultra-orthodox the audience in the occasion is, the less money gifts are common.
The rate of "wrapped gifts" (contrary to checks) is at its highest in haredi bar-mitzvahs, where almost 50 percent of all presents are not checks, but mostly books.
