Israelis are Getting Religion, Despite a Coercive Chief Rabbinate

But if you asked many of the non-kippah wearing soldiers who wanted to wear these tzitzit if they would formally identify as “religious,” the answer would be a clear “no.” There are also stories of soldiers unfamiliar with the blessing of Hagomel — recited when one is saved from a dangerous situation — asking their religious soldier mates to recite the blessing with them. Women who did not formally identify as religious are holding challah-baking parties both to feed and support the soldiers and many have also embraced lighting additional Shabbat candles on Friday evenings for the hostages in Gaza. Tel Aviv restaurateurs who prided themselves on not being kosher flipped over their restaurants to kosher so their cuisine could be delivered to the front lines.