American Jews have increased their purchases of Israeli-made Judaica by 134% since the outbreak of the Swords of Iron War, according to a study by Jerusalem College of Technology (JCT) business management students.

Led by lecturer Limor Hatsor’s students on the College’s Tal Campus for women, the study found that there has been a significant increase in the sale of religious items from Israeli businesses this year, despite an increase in the cost of goods made in Israel. Americans’ willingness to buy Israeli-made Judaica, even though many similar products are available for cheaper prices in the United States, indicates solidarity with war-torn Israeli businesses, according to the study.

The study was based on interviews and an online survey of customers in the United States in collaboration with Sifrei Torah, a Judaica goods store in Jerusalem. It also analyzed the store’s eBay site to track sales reports over the past three years. 

“The vast majority of respondents indicated that the war gave them a greater sense of connection to Judaism and empathy for Israel, which is why they chose to purchase Judaica from the Jewish state,” said JCT students Haya Havi, Rachel Ben Arush and Hana Eliasian.

The eBay sales reports show that when it comes to purchasing Judaica, consumption patterns have actually increased during periods of crisis. For example, sales of certain Judaica products surged in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for Torah books and tallitot, most likely because more people prayed at home and purchased their own personal items. 

At JCT’s Tal Campus, more than 2,000 women study in various undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including computer science, industrial engineering, bioinformatics, accounting, business management and nursing.