One of the things that I find so sad about Israel is the fact that few Israelis experience the kind of Judaism that is so very mainstream in the US and the UK (the two places where I have experienced significant time in Jewish communities besides Israel). Because of the tie between religion and government in Israel, I think, the religion in Israel is a matter of control and power rather than a matter of spirit, philosophy and practice.

I know many practicing Orthodox Jews in the US who do not believe in God, but that matters not. They practice, and study, and love Judaism for many other reasons. I know many Reform Jews who believe fervently in God but who think that the Judaism practiced by the Orthodox is messed up, mixed up, outdated, misguided, or whatever. Judaism is more than belief. Much more.