Seeking Meaning Under Fire: Israel’s Youth Returns to Tradition

In the shadow of two relentless years of war, many Israelis are turning inward – toward tradition, spirituality and communal identity. A new survey by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) shows that since the outbreak of the war, large numbers of Jewish Israelis, particularly younger ones, say they have increased religious practices and feel more strongly connected to Jewish identity. The aphorism “no atheists in foxholes” may have found new resonance here – under rocket fire, missile attacks and constant insecurity, many Israelis say they are reaching for meaning, ritual and personal grounding.

The shift is notable in a few specific ways. Among Israelis under the age of 25, one-third said they are now performing religious practices more than before: attending synagogue, studying Torah, lighting Shabbat candles or putting on tefillin. Among those who described themselves as “traditional, but not so religious,” the figure rises to 37 %, while among “traditional, somewhat religious” young adults, 51 % reported increased observance. Meanwhile, about 28 % of Jewish respondents overall said their faith in God has strengthened (versus 9 % who said it has weakened).

Importantly for our work in education and civic formation, this rise in religious and communal identity comes alongside a political shift. Jewish Israelis report a pronounced drift to the right: those identifying as “hard right” nearly doubled (from 11 % to 19 %) while those identifying as “right” increased from 24 % to 28 %. The study contrasts this with Arab Israeli respondents, among whom religious observance also rose (for example 32 % say they pray more often, 37 % say their faith strengthened) but political identities remained largely unchanged.

For the Amal Educational Network, which is dedicated to fostering a democratic, shared society values through education – these findings carry both challenge and opportunity. The surge in identity, tradition and belonging reflects a deep human yearning for stability, meaning and community that our schools and programs already aim to nurture. At the same time, the entwining of religious resurgence with political polarization signals the need for educational environments where critical thinking, respectful pluralism and civic responsibility remain central. In a time when identity is intensifying, our mission to cultivate informed, engaged, democratic citizens is more urgent than ever.