Jewish, Eastern Yiddish-speaking in Israel

People Name:	Jewish, Eastern Yiddish-speaking
Country:	Israel
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	191,000
World Population:	794,400
Primary Language:	Yiddish, Eastern
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Jewish
Affinity Bloc:	Jewish
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The stream of immigrants into Israel began in the 1880s with the national and cultural revival known as "Zionism." The first among these were Eastern Yiddish speakers who came in large numbers during Russia’s pogroms between 1880-1930. When Israel first became a nation in 1948, there was a dispute about whether the trade language should be Hebrew or Yiddish. In 1949, Yiddish theater and publications were banned in Israel. Eastern Yiddish was called a “foreign language.” With Jewish populations from all over the world coming in, speaking many different languages, it became clear they needed a neutral language, in this case the ancient Hebrew language.

Yiddish is divided into two major dialects, Western Yiddish and Eastern Yiddish. The former was spoken in Germany and other Central European countries while Eastern Yiddish was spoken in Russia and Eastern Europe where it morphed into the language that defined the Jewish populations. Not surprisingly, Eastern Yiddish contains many Slavic words. It is far more common than Western Yiddish, especially in Israel.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Language is one of the distinguishing features among Jewish people in Israel. Hebrew is the trade language but at home Eastern Yiddish is the heart language for tens of thousands of Israelis.

Most Eastern Yiddish-speaking Jewish people in Jews live in cities. Attempts to start new towns and populate rural areas have been difficult. In fact, such attempts have often become scenes of ethnic unrest between Jews and Palestinians. Most of the Jews who live in rural areas are part of the well-known kibbutzim (collective farms or settlements in Israel).

Unlike many Jewish communities outside Israel, extended families do not play an important part in the lives of the Israeli Jews, including the Eastern Yiddish speaking community. Rather, the nuclear family is the most important unit. In many cases, grandparents live with the younger generations, but households and neighborhoods don’t extend to cousins, etc.

All Israelis, including the Yiddish speaking population, value education as an important means of advancing their country. Education is mandatory through high school. Israeli schools are known for their high academic standards. Parents push their children to do well in school. They emphasize math and science, which has paid off. Israelis often hold high paying tech jobs.

Each Israeli, male or female, must serve in the military. Men must serve for nearly three years and women are in the military for two years.

What Are Their Beliefs?

In simplest terms, Judaism has three main denominations.

Orthodox Jews (AKA, Rabbinical Judaism) generally follow the traditional religious beliefs and practices found in the Jewish literature that interprets scripture regarding ethical, religious, civil and criminal matters. It replaced the temple with the synagogue, the priesthood with the rabbi and the sacrificial ceremony with the prayer service. They believe the function of this world is to prepare us for the world to come. In Israel, they have much political power; they are often viewed as the spiritual ones. All religious Jews believe in the coming of a Messianic Age, but only the Orthodox Jew looks for a personal Messiah.

Conservative Judaism is less traditional than Orthodox and combines different ethical, philosophical, and spiritual schools of thought. They believe the Law of the Torah is still binding but they balance it with modern demands.

Reformed Jews believe in the evolving nature of Judaism; there is a continuous revelation. Contemporary thought strongly affects their spiritual views. Some believe in the moral and ceremonial teachings of the Torah while others do not believe the Jewish Law is divinely inspired. They are not restricted to kosher (traditional, approved) foods, nor do they wear the skull cap (yarmulke) when praying or use Hebrew in prayer.

There is an exceptionally high percentage who are functionally atheistic, but they identify with Jewish culture. They usually participate in events where religion and Jewish celebrations merge. Along with them many have converted to a Westernized form of Buddhism or New Age practices.

What Are Their Needs?

Yiddish speaking Jewish people have lost a personal relationship with Jehovah Jireh, resulting in spiritual confusion. Their history has taught them that Christians are antisemitic. It will be difficult for any Christ bearer to go to them because of this barrier caused by traditional Christians.

Prayer Points

ray for a spiritual hunger among the Yiddish speaking Jews who view their "Jewishness" as an ethnic identity and are not open to change.
Ask the Holy Spirit to grant wisdom and favor to the missions agencies that are focusing on Yiddish speaking Jews.
Pray that Yiddish speaking Jewish people will understand that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah.
Pray that God will grant Yiddish speaking Jewish believers favor as they share their faith in Christ with their own people.