Hiddush Activities

Hiddush News

Featured Story

From the Legal Front - June 2026

From the Legal Front - June 2026

10/06/2026 10:09

Hiddush's work on the legal front is broad and impactful — though, as we have noted in the past, it demands staying power and resolve

Full Story »


More Stories

What Does the Public Really Think About Religion and State in Israel?

What Does the Public Really Think About Religion and State in Israel?

23/04/2023 14:31

Since its establishment in 2009, Hiddush has published a unique annual report called the "Religion and State Index", which is based on a comprehensive survey and a large representative sample of the adult Jewish public in Israel. Its findings, which are published every year just before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year [you can find the 2022 index report here], have been demonstrating for years that the politicians' cynical statements about the public's support for the "status quo" on matters of religion and state (and especially the false declarations by the speakers of the current coalition that the results of the last elections prove the public's preference for a traditional and religious country ) are completely baseless. A large and consistent majority expresses support for the principle of freedom of religion and conscience guaranteed in the Declaration of Independence and its opposition to every element of religious coercion and excess privileges granted to the ultra-Orthodox sector.



Between Freedom and Independence

Between Freedom and Independence

23/04/2023 11:30

We have just concluded the celebration of Passover, the Festival of Freedom, and next week we will celebrate Israeli Independence Day. Both holidays have an added special meaning this year. The festival of freedom reminds us that freedom is not granted without a struggle, and Independence Day heightens our awareness that independence gained by blood 75 years ago is likewise not to be taken for granted nor guaranteed forever.

Another submission for civil burial in Modi'in

Another submission for civil burial in Modi'in

08/02/2023 14:36

Another submission for civil burial in Modi'in

Update from Supreme Court Hearing on Registration of “Utah Marriages”

Update from Supreme Court Hearing on Registration of “Utah Marriages”

08/02/2023 14:23

On Monday, January 30, 2023, the Supreme Court held a hearing on the State's appeal regarding the registration of Utah marriages in the Israeli population registry, as the population authority is required to do for civil marriages of Israelis that take place in all other countries of the world

In the Legal Trenches: The State Appeals Marriage Rulings

In the Legal Trenches: The State Appeals Marriage Rulings

10/11/2022 22:53

After resounding victories in the Administrative Courts the State Attorney's Office refused to accept the defeat and filed an appeal to the Supreme Court challenging the rulings ordering registration of Utah “zoom weddings” and requested that their implementation be delayed.

Court Rules: Israeli Couples Married via

Court Rules: Israeli Couples Married via "Utah Marriage" to be registered

30/09/2022 10:41

The Administrative Court in Jerusalem ruled in favor of a petition filed by the NGO Hiddush - for Religious Freedom and Equality, directing the Population Authority and the Ministry of the Interior to register as married any couple that gets married via "Utah marriage” (A marriage platform created by Utah County, Utah, USA. Marriages are conducted via video conferencing with a marriage officiant in Utah and which can take place even if both spouses are in Israel or elsewhere in the world).

Religious Discrimination in Allocation of Municipal Funds

Religious Discrimination in Allocation of Municipal Funds

08/09/2022 23:18

Over the past 5 years the Jerusalem municipality has allocated NIS 100 million to religious institutions - and not even one shekel of this sum was allocated for Christian and Muslim communities or liberal strands of Judaism.

In the Legal Trenches

In the Legal Trenches

18/08/2022 20:23

As the conclusion of the court’s summer recess approaches, we are preparing to renew litigation next month.

Court orders the State of Israel to register Utah online marriages

Court orders the State of Israel to register Utah online marriages

10/07/2022 20:43

Hiddush - For Religious Freedom and Equality, responds to ruling by Administrative Court ordering the State of Israel to register Utah online marriages

On the Legal Front

On the Legal Front

30/06/2022 19:27

the battle goes on. It is not just the Women of the Wall or the Pride Parade that are at stake. It’s the soul of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, and that is why safeguarding the independence and the authority of the Supreme Court is so important in Israel, even if we do not always agree with its rulings.

On the Legal Front

On the Legal Front

12/05/2022 22:30

Recently we received a reminder of how important it is to not merely be able to petition the court in order to correct wrongs, but also to monitor implementation of court rulings and of the actual change in policy. That takes time, perseverance, and patience - a requisite for legal advocacy which by its nature is ongoing and can stretch out over a long period of time.

54% Israelis: IDF soldiers have right to eat chametz

54% Israelis: IDF soldiers have right to eat chametz

17/03/2022 14:31

In light of the public and political battle that accompanies the petition Hiddush submitted (on behalf of itself, the Secular Forum, and a group of parents of IDF soldiers) to reduce the sweeping ban against leavened foods during Passover on IDF bases, Hiddush decided to survey the positions of Israel’s adult Jewish public on this matter.

Why do they do it? Because they can!

Why do they do it? Because they can!

03/03/2022 20:33

This week, the Supreme Court issued a ‘show cause’ order against the IDF in a petition Hiddush submitted regarding non-observant and non-Jewish soldiers being allowed to possess chametz in their own private domain (or in pre-designated spaces) and consume it during Passover.

Civil Marriage – are we getting closer?

Civil Marriage – are we getting closer?

18/02/2022 00:02

In Israel, there has been increased attention on marriage rights in general and civil marriage in particular. A significant part of Hiddush’s work is focused on these very issues. This month alone, two Knesset committees have held hearings on the matter.

Haredi leaders employing extortion by threats

Haredi leaders employing extortion by threats

05/01/2022 11:54

On Tuesday, Hiddush filed a complaint against senior rabbis in ultra-Orthodox Judaism following their declaration that city rabbis who dare to act in accordance with the law after the adoption of a kashrut reform in the Knesset and certify food as kosher outside their city limits will have their kashrut certification banned everywhere, including in their own cities, and they will be considered as " having departed from the congregation of God and transgressing against the will of God." The declaration is signed by Rabbi Shalom Cohen, the spiritual leader of the Shas movement and Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky and Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, the leaders of the ultra-Orthodox-Lithuanian community.

Take Action!

Go to Top ^