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Introduction: Previous lab experiments supported the needs-based model of reconciliation, which posits that discussing historical transgressions enhances the need for acceptance in groups perceived as perpetrators and empowerment in groups perceived as victims. Addressing these needs (e.g., through accepting or empowering messages from outgroup members) increases willingness to reconcile. This study tests this model in a real-world settings. Methods: Study 1 examined 143 German and Israeli Jewish participants from youth exchange programs, measuring their feelings of acceptance/empowerment, program satisfaction, outgroup attitudes, and keeping in touch with outgroup members. Study 2 examined 293 Israeli Jews, manipulating the salience of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians in a pre-registered laboratory experiment and measuring responses to accepting versus empowering messages from Germans. Results: As expected, Study 1 (N =143) found Germans' feelings of acceptance were linked to program satisfaction, positive outgroup attitudes, and keeping in touch. For Israeli Jews, feelings of empowerment were linked to satisfaction and positive attitudes, but keeping in touch was unexpectedly linked to acceptance. This unexpected effect maybe because keeping in touch is done mainly through social networks that focus on the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, often with a focus on Israel's transgressions against Palestinians. Consistent with this explanation, Study 2 (N =293, pre-registered) showed that Israeli Jews viewed accepting messages from Germans as more conciliatory when presented with transgressions against Palestinians, and empowering messages as more effective when presented with reminders of historical victimization by Nazis. Discussion: The findings from Study 1 partially support the needs-based model of reconciliation and additionally suggest that reconciliation needs vary with context. Implications for people-to-people peace-building interventions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Discrimination constitutes a source of stress for minority groups, leading to heightened levels of depression. Discrimination can also elicit positive responses aimed at reducing detrimental impacts. The stress experienced by minority groups may impact their mindset and influence their negative emotional responses. Israeli Jewish society comprised for many years two large communities: the dominant Ashkenazi people, who emigrated from East Europe, and the Mizrahi discriminated minority whose members came from Muslim countries. The Mizrahi minority has become a mainstream community over time, and its size equals the Ashkenazi group. This change raises an interesting issue that has not been investigated empirically: What characterizes the psychological responses to the stress of a formerly discriminated minority? Methods: Two representative samples responded to a similar questionnaire measuring inhibiting and bolstering coping strategies. The first sample of 930 people participated in this structured survey between October 12 and 19, 2022. No external adversity threatened Israel at that time. The second sample of 1,608 Israeli Jews participated between October 11 and 17, 2023, a few days after Hamas attacked the southern region of Israel, killed more than a 1,000 people, and kidnapped 100. We examine the impact of moderate and extreme stress of war on the maladaptive levels of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, we investigated the shielding psychological coping measures of this former minority, as compared to Ashkenazi group's response. Results: Results show that the formerly minority Mizrahi group expresses higher levels of depression, anxiety, and sense of danger under extreme stress compared to the Ashkenazi group. Mizrahi individuals compensated concurrently for these negative emotions by fostering enhanced hope and societal resilience compared to the other group. Discussion: The main contributions of the present study are (a) Demonstration that psychological responses of descendants of a minority group to highly stressful conditions do not necessarily agree with their current status as a mainstream community. (b) Indicating that the phenomenon of concurrently enhanced negative and positive responses in face of extreme stress is associated with ethnic origin and history. (c) Associating the effects of different socio-demographic variables with the psychological response of the investigated groups to extreme and moderate stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study reveals the mechanisms used by both media and news consumers for domesticating distant threatening events. To this end, the study applies thematic analysis to textual and visual content presented in media items (Study 1) and media content reception from the perspective of news consumers (Study 2). Study 1 sample included 209 Israeli media items in Hebrew, covering asylum seekers in Europe from 2014 to 2019. Study 2 is based on semi-structured interviews with 30 Jewish Israeli heavy news consumers. The study was inspired by framing, priming, and media reception theories. The findings revealed the following threat domestication processes: (1) double selection of threatening narratives by media gatekeepers and the audience; (2) simplification of the media narratives to basic "good vs. bad" stories for easy comprehension and extension by news consumers; (3) creation and reception of both immediate threat (violence and crime) and deferred threat (deterministic processes); and (4) generation of a wide range of emotions and emotional processing through double victimhood. The audience actively adds to the domestication of the content through extended hegemonic and negotiated readings, thus finally shaping the framing so that it comes closer to the local contexts and communicates with the consumers' lives and perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Declaration of Principles (Oslo I Accord, September 1993) was the inaugural groundbreaking agreement in the Israeli‒Palestinian Identity conflict, which revolves around consecrated territory as well as identity components on both sides. This historic accord elicited myriad responses, yet the stances of religious figures are particularly consequential given the profound and intricate religious underpinnings of the conflict. This paper presents the attitudes toward the Declaration of Principles (DOP) held by six religious personages: Rabbi Yehuda Amital, an Israeli Jew supporter of the DOP; Rabbi Shlomo Goren, an Israeli Jew who opposed it; Sheikh Abdullah Nimer Darwish, an Israeli Arab who endorses the DOP; Sheikh Raed Salah, an Israeli Arab who rejects it; Sheikh ʿImad al-Falouji, a Palestinian proponent; and Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, a Palestinian opponent. Based on rulings, statements, and press publications, this paper analyzes their rationales and utilization of religion's social influencing mechanisms, seeking to understand religion's capacity to confer legitimacy upon alternative religious values enabling conflict resolution through political means, thereby impacting the conflict toward reconciliation or, conversely, escalation. This paper aims to characterize the discourse and reasoning to propose more efficacious means of attaining broad religious legitimacy for future, sustainable peace accords. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the perspectives of Israeli-Jewish men who are married to Israeli-Arab women. Given religious, ethnic, and political tensions and challenges, romantic relationships between Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs are not common. The homophilic tendency is a common model used to choose a partner based on religious, social, linguistic and educational similarities. This study utilized interpretive phenomenological analysis approach to focus on a unique and rather rare phenomenon in Israel to understand the lived experiences and coping mechanisms of Jewish men who married Christian or Muslim women in Israel. Fifteen Israeli men married to Arab Muslim or Christian Israeli women were included interviewed. Based on the analysis of the findings, several themes were identified which describe how participants utilize a pragmatic approach to bridge family, social, religious and political tensions. These themes strengthen recent studies, which found a certain degree of flexibility toward homophily among Jews and Arabs in Israel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How does self-identification impact warring individuals' attitudes towards political compromise? How individuals from different parties to a protracted conflict self-identify is more often than not assumed rather than tested. This work remedies this deficiency by measuring how individuals living within protracted conflict self-identify and the implications for willingness to compromise. Based on two surveys (411 and 2171 participants) conducted in two different periods, we test the impact of self-identification on attitudes towards compromise. The results problematize scholars' tendency to label dominant identities in a conflict in monolithic terms which may be a crucial impasse to conflict resolution. The results show a difference in the main self-identification that Palestinians, Jordanians, Tunisians and Israelis hold; Palestinians, Jordanians, and Tunisians adopt religious identification in the context of the conflict and Israeli Jews adopt civic-national identification. Religious identification in the different groups leads to decreased willingness to compromise, and civic identification in a conflict context increases it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a list of books and films that may have been overlooked by mainstream audiences. The books cover a range of topics, including historical fiction, nonfiction, and social justice issues. Some notable titles include "A Ballad of Love and Glory" by Reyna Grande, which explores the experiences of Irish immigrants during the U.S. invasion of Mexico, and "Excluded" by Richard D. Kahlenberg, which discusses housing policies and economic integration. The films mentioned in the article touch on themes such as the establishment of Israel, LGBTQ+ representation, and the impact of colonization on indigenous communities. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the complexities of studying antisemitism in the context of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. It argues that using analogies and definitions of antisemitism can lead to inaccuracy and misunderstanding. The author suggests that antisemitism is a multifaceted concept with various origins and rationales, and that it should not be reduced to a single definition. The article also explores the relationship between antisemitism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the importance of seeking a just and equitable resolution for both sides. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the Hamas invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the slaughter and kidnapping of approximately 1,200 Israeli citizens. The invasion was characterized by brutal violence, including sexual assault, which was recorded and broadcasted on social media. The article explores the denial of these crimes by some individuals and the psychological and societal impact of such atrocities. It also raises questions about the failure of Israeli defense and intelligence systems and the implications of the event for Zionism and the state of Israel. The author emphasizes the need for diplomatic solutions and humane leadership to prevent further violence and protect vulnerable populations. [Extracted from the article]

Evolution is a fundamental part of biology and thus it is essential that biology preservice teachers understand and accept it. The relationship between knowledge and acceptance of evolution, and specifically human evolution, has not been fully investigated in Israel. We sought to learn about that relationship amongst Israeli Jewish religious preservice science teachers. Twenty-three religious preservice teachers answered knowledge questions before and after participating in a human evolution activity and completed an acceptance questionnaire (I-SEA). In addition, eleven of them were interviewed regarding their knowledge of evolution and four were interviewed regarding their acceptance of evolution a few months after participating in the activity. Our main findings were that the relationship between knowledge and acceptance of evolution was not always one-to-one. The preservice teachers whose evolution knowledge is high and have firm religious faith accept the theory of evolution and are willing and eager to teach it. In addition, preservice teachers might have made a shift in their understanding of human evolution and thus accepted human evolution more due to the activity. More teacher training and exposure to evolution content and pedagogy are needed so that when preservice teachers will become in-service teachers they will teach evolution without hesitance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zionism is a Jewish movement of national liberation and self-determination that emerged as a response to antisemitism and the loss of Jewish national identity in European society. It restored Jews' ability to express themselves as a nation and a political entity, giving them the freedom to live comprehensively. The idea of Jewish national independence has a deep historical significance and has been sustained through centuries of exile. The Zionist movement called upon Jews to return to their ancestral homeland and rebuild their lives, providing hope and strength after the Holocaust. Israel has become the central Jewish home worldwide, with a strong Jewish identity and culture. Anti-Zionism is seen as an assault on Jewish history, identity, and narrative. The State of Israel serves as a model for colonized and downtrodden peoples seeking freedom and self-determination. [Extracted from the article]

In this article, we aim to gauge the perspectives of Israeli Jews on core Jewish beliefs in God, the ideas of the Election of Israel, the afterlife, the advent of the messiah, and the significance of the Temple Mount at the End of Days. We conducted a survey among a representative sample of 1204 Israeli–Jewish respondents. The survey was administered in Hebrew and fielded between 27 March and 18 April 2023. This study shows that among the Israeli public, there is a so-called secular–religious dichotomy, at least to some extent. We were able to confirm that about 50% of the sample prays often, believes that Judaism is the only true religion, and identifies as traditional or Orthodox. We also analyze a typology of secular Israelis, including traditionalist seculars, spiritual seculars, and atheist or agnostic seculars. This study further shows that there are important generational differences in Israeli society when it comes to questions of faith. The youngest Israelis comprise the most religious age cohort, while the older generations are the least religious. In the survey, we asked multiple questions on the opinions toward visiting, praying, and constructing a synagogue or a Temple on the Temple Mount. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the impact of three attributes of migrants – their reasons for migration, religion, and level of religiosity – on public support for allowing migrants to come and live in Israel. We rely on a factorial survey that was conducted in a representative sample of the Israeli Jewish population analyzing the assessments of 600 respondents of various vignettes (N = 3,595) of hypothetical migrants about admitting them to the country. The findings reveal that Israeli Jews do not evaluate all immigrant groups equally. Preferences for specific groups of migrants are primarily structured along two main attributes: religion and reasons for migration. The result is a hierarchical distinction between immigrants of Jewish ancestry and those who are non-Jewish. Jewish repatriates are perceived as "deserving migrants" who can make legitimate claims about belonging to the host society. As such, they enjoy an ethno-religious premium based on ancestral rights. By contrast, there is less support for the entry of non-Jewish migrants, whether asylum seekers or labor migrants, as their presence is viewed as a threat to the Jewish character of the state and the hegemony of the Jewish majority. The impact of the immigrants' attributes on attitudes varies based on the level of religiosity of the Jewish population, especially in the case of non-Jewish migrants. Support is stronger in the case of secular respondents and much weaker among their more religious counterparts. The findings are discussed in light of existing theories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since Israel's founding, being a "Jewish state" has been central to its self-representation. However, Israel has struggled to identify what that means. This article examines the strength of Jewish nationalism in Jewish Israeli public opinion. It draws on a recent survey of 200 Jewish Israelis for a qualitative and quantitative investigation of public responses to religious nationalist statements. These findings offer a utilizable survey short scale for measuring Jewish nationalism and to understand how Jewish Israelis are interpreting these statements. This study is a necessary step to empirically evaluating religious nationalism in the "Jewish state". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses three new books that explore different aspects of Zionism and its relationship with the American Jewish community. The books examine the historical attitudes of American Jews towards Zionism, the role of emotion in diasporic Zionism, and the power dynamics between American Jewish philanthropy and Israel. The article also highlights the changing support for Israel among American Jews, with older generations being more attached to Israel compared to younger generations. Overall, these books provide valuable insights into the complex relationship between American Jews and Zionism. [Extracted from the article]

What strategies are used to legitimize and enhance the popularity of the Reform marriage ceremony among Israeli Jews? Using a mixed-method grounded-theory technique, this study stresses that the strategies used to legitimize and enhance the popularity of the Reform marriage ceremony among Israeli Jews take place in two parallel realms: the organizational and the individual. At the organizational level, the Israel Reform Movement invests resources into institutionalizing the Reform marriage ceremony in Israel, using the judicial and the political strata to accomplish this goal. At the same time, at the individual level, Reform rabbis operate as street-level policy entrepreneurs by enhancing the visibility of the Reform marriage ceremony among Israeli Jews by advertising themselves and conducting as many ceremonies as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the early years of the State of Israel (since 1948), education in the Arab sector suffered from discrimination and neglect, and it is only recently (since 2015) that programs have begun reducing these gaps. The aim of the present study was to examine the existence or non-existence of gaps in ability to learn and an in sensations after performing Feldenkrais method exercises. The Feldenkrais method seeks to improve individual ability, through movement. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the responses of 21 students from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, and 18 students from Kaye Academic College of Education, who practiced the method in 14 Feldenkrais lessons, showed no gaps in learning ability, and small gaps in sensations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropologists of religion are preoccupied with questions of identity, community, performance and representation. One way they cope with these concerns is through a reflexive examination of their ethnographic positionality in the field. This provides an opportunity to engage not only with "the other", but also to explore their own identities and background. This article presents an autoethnographic analysis of Pride Shabbat, a special service held in June to celebrate the intersection of Judaism and queerness. The service took place at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) as part of their 50th-anniversary celebration. Since the 1970s, CBST has been known as the largest gay synagogue in the world and provided diverse religious and spiritual services to the Jewish LGBTQ+ community. Based on my participation in this specific event in June 2023, I draw distinct differences between the Israeli Jewish LGBTQ community and the American Jewish LGBTQ community, such as issues related to ageism and multigenerational perceptions within the gay community, the internal dynamic for gender dominance, as well as diverse trajectories of queerness, religiosity and nationality. Symbolically, contrary to the common perception that the diaspora looks to the state of Israel for symbolic and actual existence, this inquiry sheds light on the opposite perspective; the homeland (represented by the ethnographer) absorbs and learns from the queer Jewish practices and experiences taking place within the diaspora (the American Jewish LGBTQ community). This is an opposite movement which reveals the cracks in the perception of the gay community as a transnational community, as well as the tense power relations between Israel and American Jewry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined a unique uninational intervention program, conducted separately for Jewish and Arab adolescents, with the aim of cultivating emotional intelligence skills and empathy. 287 adolescents aged 16–17 (115 Jews and 172 Arabs) participated in the program and the study to assess its initial effects. All participants completed self-administered questionnaires; the researcher conducted observations and focus groups. For the Arab participants, the findings showed an improvement in emotional intelligence, empathy towards Arabs and Jews, and relationships with Israeli Jews. Among the Jewish participants, although no statistically significant change in emotional intelligence was observed, there were positive changes in empathy, as well as relationships with Israeli Arabs. The degree of improvement was stronger among Arab participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the akkoub plant, known as "green gold" to Palestinians, and the challenges surrounding its conservation and protection. Palestinian foragers face risks to collect the plant, which is protected by Israeli law. The concept of "settler ecologies" is explored, highlighting how environmental protections can further the domination of the natural landscape and the dispossession of local and Indigenous communities. The enforcement of protections for the akkoub has disproportionately targeted Palestinians, while Jewish Israelis have faced little consequences. The article also discusses the commercialization of the za'atar plant by both Jewish Israeli and Palestinian farmers. Overall, the article emphasizes the cultural and ecological significance of the akkoub plant in Palestine-Israel and the need for more nuanced perspectives in ecological conservation. [Extracted from the article]

Recently, there has been a focus on the experiences of students who belong to society's dominant groups. One aspect of this focus is on the resistance to multicultural concepts. While some studies have explored cultural identity as a cause of this resistance, more explorations from a social-pedagogical perspective are needed. This qualitative case study examines the resistance to multicultural education expressed by Israeli Jewish undergraduate education students who were enrolled in an academic course on multiculturalism. Using Critical Whiteness Studies as a theoretical lens, the study shows how students from this privileged group oppose multiculturalism through pedagogical aspects of teaching. This approach to resistance highlights the role of social positionality in critiquing this field without directly engaging with its core ideas. Therefore, pedagogy is presented as a crucial concept to be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey conducted in Canada reveals that while most non-Jewish Canadians do not hold negative attitudes towards Jews, certain groups have more negative attitudes towards Jews than the societal norm. Negative attitudes towards Israel are more widespread than negative attitudes towards Jews among Canada's non-Jewish population. The survey suggests that both Jews and Palestinians need to recognize each other's right to safety and sovereignty. The survey concludes by suggesting that greater diversity of opinion within the Jewish community could help build stronger bridges to non-Jewish ethnic and religious groups. [Extracted from the article]

This article examines the relationship between anti-Jewish and anti-Israel attitudes among Canadians. It distinguishes between those who hold negative attitudes towards both Israel and Jews, and those who separate their attitudes towards the two. The author argues that further research is needed to understand the connection between these attitudes. Survey results show that non-Jewish Canadians generally have more negative attitudes towards Israel than towards Jews. The article also discusses the differences in attitudes towards Israel between Muslim and non-Muslim Canadians, with Muslim Canadians expressing more negative attitudes. It highlights that Quebecois individuals have attitudes towards Israel that are more similar to the non-Jewish Canadian population as a whole, but still more negative. The text explores the association between political ideology and attitudes towards Israel, as well as the age gradient in attitudes, with younger cohorts having more negative attitudes. It suggests that different experiences with Israel have shaped the attitudes of successive generations. The influence of university education on attitudes towards Israel is also mentioned, noting that some students have been exposed to a one-sided interpretation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but not all students hold the same views and many are not heavily involved in student politics or Middle East politics. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "Preface: The context and the study" provides an overview of the attitudes and perceptions of Canadians towards Jews and Israel. The author highlights the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the impact it has on public opinion. The article also discusses the methodology of the survey, which includes samples of non-Jewish Canadians, Muslim adults, and Jewish Canadian adults. The author emphasizes the importance of survey research in understanding public attitudes and encourages readers to approach the findings with an open mind. [Extracted from the article]

In this study, we examined Palestinian Israeli and Jewish Israeli social workers' relationships in relation to events in May 2021 that involved serious political violent incidents between Palestinian and Jewish Israelis. The qualitative phenomenology approach was used. We interviewed twenty-five social workers from both groups who work in public social services in six ethnonational mixed Palestinian–Jewish cities in Israel. Participants, who were predominantly female and between the ages of 25 and 55, were recruited using a purposive sampling technique. In-depth interviews, conducted in Hebrew and Arabic, focused on the perceptions, experiencing and challenges in relationships between colleagues during crises. Findings revealed the complexity of relationships amid political violence. Most participants coped by remaining silent on political matters. Three themes emerged: subjects of silence, reasons for silence and instances of breaking silence within WhatsApp groups, staff meetings and private conversations amongst individuals of the same ethnic group. The authors make recommendations for research, practice and training for social workers concerning relationships in the context of ongoing political conflict. It is also important to raise 'social-work-informed conflict awareness' amongst social workers that relates to how political conflicts may influence their behaviours and relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many religious disaffiliates, similar to immigrants, experience health vulnerabilities. Yet, few studies address their ability to access the healthcare system. This article contributes to filling this void by examining the case of Israeli Jewish ultra-Orthodox disaffiliates. The study analyzes the barriers that hinder these disaffiliates' access to the healthcare system, adversely affecting their well-being. This research is based on 36 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with ultra-Orthodox disaffiliates, analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. Six barriers were identified: lack of health-related education and knowledge of the healthcare system, poverty and structural determinants of health, lack of respect for authority, communication gaps, lack of belonging, and stigmas, particularly in mental health. We recommend training healthcare providers and students to better understand and address these barriers and disaffiliates' unique needs when providing care for them. Specifically, we suggest incorporating this overlooked subject in the frameworks of cultural competency and structural competency, encouraging collaboration between healthcare practitioners and religious disaffiliates to promote equitable and inclusive policies. Implications for community organizations include offering courses, simulations, peer guidance, and consultation for disaffiliates on health-related issues, as well as engaging disaffiliates in self-advocacy. We propose that this study is relevant to disaffiliates from varied insular, high-tension religious communities worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a compilation of recent research articles, reports, and resources related to Jewish studies. It covers a wide range of topics including Canadian Jewish populations, racial and ethnic consciousness, Jewish education, political cleavages, Jewish migration, Jewish-Muslim relations, sexual misconduct, Jewish diversity in Israel, Jewish orthodoxy, and Jewish community studies. The reports focus on specific Jewish communities such as San Diego, Greater Portland, and the Long Beach area, as well as topics like experiencing Israel through sport and antisemitism on US college campuses. The resources provided include journal articles, opinion pieces, a podcast, research resources, reports from the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, and tables of contents from edited volumes and other journals. The document aims to offer library patrons a diverse range of perspectives and information for their research on Jewish studies. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides an overview of the current situation in Israel and the Middle East, specifically focusing on the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. It acknowledges the challenges of accurately predicting geopolitical outcomes and the uncertainty surrounding the region's future. The article explores various predictions and scenarios for the aftermath of the conflict, highlighting the potential for continued instability and conflict. It emphasizes the importance of a long-term strategy and lasting solution to the Middle East conflict, while acknowledging the difficulties of managing the conflict in a harsh and authoritarian environment. The article suggests that Israel should have a clear vision for the future and address what will happen after the current conflict with Hamas. It emphasizes the need to learn from past mistakes, recognize the illusion of territorial integrity, and prioritize long-term solutions over short-term fixes. The article proposes that Israel should play a constructive role in assisting the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in building a new platform for the post-Abbas period and facilitating the establishment of a future Palestinian state. It also emphasizes the importance of minimizing civilian casualties and addressing the ongoing conflict. Ultimately, the article argues that resolving the Palestinian issue is crucial for Israel's internal stability and regional tensions. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the topic of Zionism in Jewish Studies and the need for critical engagement. The author acknowledges the sensitivity of the subject, especially in light of recent events, but emphasizes the importance of scholars engaging with different perspectives. The article highlights the range of Jewish critics of Zionism and explores various essays that offer insights into Israeli politics, religious Zionism, and alternative visions for the Jewish future. The author focuses on one particularly challenging essay that calls for restorative justice in Palestine/Israel and emphasizes the need to listen to and learn from different voices. The article concludes by suggesting that engaging with diverse perspectives can lead to imagining less violent futures. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the rise of anti-Israel sentiment within the Jewish left and the normalization of delegitimizing Israel. It acknowledges the influence of pro-Palestinian activists in academia and the evolving narrative surrounding the Nakba. The author discusses different perspectives within the Jewish community on creating a better future for Jewish and Arab Israelis and Jews and Palestinians. The article also criticizes the discourse of Zionist critique for its unexamined cliches and emphasizes the need for intellectual honesty in historical analysis. It highlights the rejection of Jewish claims of belonging and the omission of Arab anti-Jewish violence in the discussion. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the complexities of Zionism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging different perspectives and interpretations. It argues that claims of complexity or simplicity are politically motivated and can serve different purposes. The article also discusses the political implications of Jewish unity and the role of Diaspora Jewry in relation to Israel. However, the suggestion that Diaspora Jews should demand equal rights for Israel's minority population is seen as divisive, especially considering recent events in Gaza. The author emphasizes the need to recognize the human cost of the conflict and the complexity of the issue. [Extracted from the article]

In this article, we aim to gauge the perspectives of Israeli Jews on core Jewish beliefs in God, the ideas of the Election of Israel, the afterlife, the advent of the messiah, and the significance of the Temple Mount at the End of Days. We conducted a survey among a representative sample of 1204 Israeli–Jewish respondents. The survey was administered in Hebrew and fielded between 27 March and 18 April 2023. This study shows that among the Israeli public, there is a so-called secular–religious dichotomy, at least to some extent. We were able to confirm that about 50% of the sample prays often, believes that Judaism is the only true religion, and identifies as traditional or Orthodox. We also analyze a typology of secular Israelis, including traditionalist seculars, spiritual seculars, and atheist or agnostic seculars. This study further shows that there are important generational differences in Israeli society when it comes to questions of faith. The youngest Israelis comprise the most religious age cohort, while the older generations are the least religious. In the survey, we asked multiple questions on the opinions toward visiting, praying, and constructing a synagogue or a Temple on the Temple Mount.

This paper explores the identity narratives of three former members of New Age Judaism (NAJ) communities. By conducting an ethnographic study of the communities, the paper shows that these life stories are based on an intensive search for spirituality. This search prompted the narrators to experiment with disparate forms of Jewish and non-Jewish beliefs and practices and, consequently, to negotiate, challenge, and subvert the categories of the religious and the secular. By emphasizing their choice of a Jewish spiritual identity over a secular or religious one, the narratives illustrate the gradual inward turn taking place in Israeli Jewish society over the last two decades among non-observant Jews and the creation of a new hybrid category of Jewish identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like most historical leaders, Israel's fourth prime minister, Golda Meir, is a controversial figure. Some consider her the worst prime minister in Israel's history, who was responsible for Israel's lack of preparedness for the Yom Kippur War, and others perceive her to be the only 'man' who stood in the way of Arabs' countries victory over Israel. Some view her to be conservative, not brilliant, dogmatic, masculine, and racist, and some others, as a simple, modest, warm, and empathetic woman. The authors bridge between these two conflicting views by employing theories of identity, culture, and gender role bias to investigate how Golda Meir's early age trauma caused by pogroms against Jews, cultural transition between Russia, the USA, and Mandatory Palestine, and serving as a powerful woman leader in an all-men political system, influenced her personal and political behaviour and her public image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a firsthand account of the author's journey towards opposing US military support of Israel's war on Gaza and its occupation of the Palestinian territories. The author shares their experiences in Gaza and the West Bank, witnessing the destruction and fear faced by Palestinians. They highlight the work of peace organizations, such as the Parents Circle, and stress the importance of respect and equality in building a peaceful future. The article also addresses ongoing issues such as the displacement of Palestinians and the increase in violence by Israeli settlers. The author concludes with hope for peace and justice, particularly through the efforts of young Jewish activists advocating for equality and coexistence. [Extracted from the article]

Irus Braverman's book, "Settling Nature: The Conservation Regime in Palestine-Israel," explores the politics of environmental conservation in the region. Braverman argues that nature management is deeply intertwined with the settler colonial project in Israel and Palestine, driven by the settler state's desire to expand its territory and secure Jewish control. She provides a nuanced analysis, drawing on case studies and interviews with Israeli scientists and nature officials. While the book does not focus extensively on animal voices and agency, it highlights the complex and complicit nature of conservation efforts in the region. Braverman also presents examples of individuals disrupting colonial binaries and working towards a more just and decolonized future. Overall, "Settling Nature" offers a comprehensive and accessible examination of the conservation regime in Palestine-Israel. [Extracted from the article]

The article explores the events of October 7th, 2023 in Israel, which had a significant impact on Jewish history. It discusses the violence and death that occurred on that day, as well as the failure of the state to protect its citizens. The article also examines the responses to the attack and the criticisms of Israel that emerged, highlighting the complexity of the relationship between criticism of Israel and antisemitism. It raises questions about language, knowledge, and the need for clarity moving forward. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of recognizing the ambivalence and complexity of Jewish history and the establishment of Israel in order to challenge simplistic categorizations. [Extracted from the article]

"The Jewish 'East' and its Restricted Agencies" is an article that examines the historical relationship between Jews and Muslims in Israel and the MENA region. It challenges the simplistic portrayal of Israel as a Western oppressor and Islamic entities as oppressed Easterners, arguing that this oversimplifies the complex dynamics at play. The article also discusses the treatment of Mizrahi Jews in Israel and their integration into a predominantly European-oriented Zionist society. It emphasizes the need to reclaim Jewish agencies and challenges the perception of Israel as a white-Ashkenazi presence in the Middle East. The article calls for a more nuanced exploration of Jewish history in Islamic contexts to give voice to Mizrahi Jewish experiences. [Extracted from the article]