Examined attitudes toward suicide of 271 female & 254 male (16-17 yrs) Jewish Israelis. Ss tended to relate to suicide as representing a crisis, rather than a mental disorder. Nearly half the Ss did not regard suicide as a shameful act & nearly two-thirds considered it justifiable under certain conditions. Approximately two-thirds said they would not change their attitude toward a suicidal friend. Religious affiliation influenced male but not female attitudes. (40 refs.)