Immigrants arrive in Israel
Photo: Reuters
Immigrants prefer religious holidays, poll says
Survey finds fifth of immigrants from former Soviet Union feel Independence Day is their favorite holiday. The rest prefer Rosh Hashana and Passover
Fitting in well in Israeli society, but not quite at home, is the conclusion arising from a survey taken with immigrants from Russia the former Soviet Union by the Immigrant Absorption Ministry, ahead of Israel's 59th Independence Day.
Eighty-nine percent of the 600 participants in the survey said that they would be using the holiday to celebrate with their families, but only a fifth stated feeling like Independence Day is their favorite holiday. The rest, 80 percent or so, said they consider Rosh Hashana and Passover – religious Jewish holidays – as more meaningful holidays.
Most of the immigrants taking part in the survey, about 82 percent, said speaking Hebrew was a must in order to feel like an Israeli, but only 56 percent speak Hebrew and Russian equally.
Forty-four percent of the participant stated they speak mainly or only Russian. Ninety-five percent of those participating in the survey stated they felt strongly about their children continuing to speak Russian.
The subject of names given by immigrants to their children indicates a mix trend: Thirty-five percent of children born to Russian speaking parents have Hebrew names, 35 percent have foreign names, and about 30 percent have names considered both Hebraic and foreign
The survey also covered native Israelis, who were asked to answer the same number of questions as the immigrant participants, resulting in 75 percent being satisfied with their financial state, as apposed to just 56 percent of immigrants.
Fifty-three percent of both Israeli and immigrant participants in the survey stated they would prefer their children to join a combat unit in the IDF.
