With the opening of the wedding season after Lag BaOmer: The Ministry of Religious Services publishes current data, which shows that in 2024 there was a significant increase of approximately 10% in the number of couples who registered for marriage through marriage bureaus.
According to data published by the Marriage and Rabbinate Division of the Ministry of Religious Services, in 2024, 38,835 couples chose to register their marriage through marriage bureaus – an increase of approximately 101% compared to the previous year. In 2023, only 35,136 couples chose to register their marriage through marriage bureaus.
The Ministry of Religious Services explains the increase in the number of registrations in 2024, mainly due to a return to full routine and life in the shadow of the 'Iron Swords' war, "along with a significant improvement in the quality of the service and its accessibility.".
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The religious councils, which operate the marriage bureaus, note that in addition to "the trend of strengthening traditional family values in Israeli society" - the increase in marriage registrations in 2024 is also attributed to the fact that the service has become accessible and friendly.
As part of the challenges of the Corona period, the religious councils were required to find a technological replacement for the frontal service, and as a result, some of the registration operations can be performed online, without physically arriving at the marriage registry - a relief that has remained until now.
Another contribution to the increased registration is attributed to the law opening registration areas, which increased competition between marriage bureaus.
Minister of Religious Services Michael Malchieli: "The data reflects a different reality than the narrative sometimes reflected in the media. The Jewish marriage tradition is still a pillar of Israeli society. As the wedding season opens after Lag B'Omer, we expect the immigration trend to continue, and the ministry is investing a lot of effort to make services accessible, streamline processes, and ensure a pleasant, professional, and respectful registration experience for every couple.".
Deputy Director of Service at the Ministry of Religious Services, Zuriel Porat: "The digital revolution we have led in recent years is the key to success. Young couples appreciate the opportunity to carry out part of the registration process from home, which saves time and hassle and significantly improves the service experience.""
Rabbi Hizkiyahu Samin, Director of the Marriage and Rabbinate Division at the Ministry of Religious Services: "We are witnessing positive results from hard work to improve the service, make information accessible, and facilitate registration procedures. Our goal is to enable every couple in Israel to register for marriage in a simple, quick, and efficient manner, while maintaining the halacha and registration procedures established by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.""
Chairman of the Religious Councils, Shlomo Tanami: "The data speaks for itself and shows the great public trust that the religious councils enjoy. Thanks and blessings go to the employees of the religious councils and the marriage registrars who welcome the public and provide quality and professional service.".
And who are the registration leaders in the cities?
The breakdown of the data shows that the city of Tel Aviv-Yafo leads in marriage registration, with 2,303 couples choosing to register at the Marriage Bureau of the Tel Aviv Religious Council. It is followed by Jerusalem with 1,591 couples, Ashdod with 1,409 couples, Holon with 1,371 couples and Netanya with 1,311 couples.
