Who owns Judaism? Israel must take it back from the religious establishment

The upcoming Israeli elections present a critical juncture, not only determining the next government but also defining the nation's future identity. Amid debates on ultra-Orthodox military enlistment and religious services, a more fundamental question remains largely unaddressed: Who truly owns Judaism in Israel?

A problematic equation has taken hold, equating Judaism with religiosity, religiosity with Orthodoxy, and Orthodoxy with the Haredi political parties and rabbinical establishment. This framework fosters a sense of Jewish superiority, suggesting that those adhering to a religious lifestyle are the sole preservers of Judaism for the entire public. Consequently, they claim entitlements such as exemption from military service and public subsidies for a non-productive way of life, the costs of which continue to escalate.

The ongoing conflicts underscore the urgent need for the integration of Haredim into Israeli society, particularly into the IDF. This necessity is intrinsically linked to the struggle over the state's Jewish identity. The Haredi control over the religious establishment and services translates directly into influence over the state's Jewish character. Matters like kashrut, the Chief Rabbinate, religious councils, rabbinical appointments, and marriage and divorce laws have become instruments of political power, reinforcing a divisive and alienating perception of Judaism.

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In Israel of 2026, this is no longer a philosophical or theological question. It has become a political and civic question – and even a question about our very ability to live here together.

Conversely, outside the official religious establishment, a diverse and flourishing Israeli Judaism thrives. This traditional, popular, cultural, and communal Judaism manifests in music, literature, customs, and the very fabric of Israeli life. The author contends that the notion that Judaism belongs exclusively to those who wear a kippah is outdated and politically charged.

Israelis have not abandoned Judaism; rather, they are distancing themselves from those who claim exclusive ownership. The effort to integrate Haredim into the military and workforce must begin with returning Judaism to the Jewish people. This involves challenging the idea that any single group can claim to be the "owners" of Judaism, a crucial step for fostering a shared national identity and coexistence.

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Israelis have not abandoned Judaism. They are abandoning those who claim ownership over it.