What is "Jewishness," How is it Transmitted? A Look at the Nature of a Centrist Jewish Organization

Publication Date: October 2001

Publisher: Jewish Agency for Israel. Department of Jewish-Zionist Education. Research and Development Unit

Author(s): Ezra Kopelowitz

Research Area: Culture and religion; Education

Keywords: Jewish Education; Jewish Identification; Community Relations; Israel Attachment

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

The author compares different perspectives on contemporary Jewish collective identity and explores the tension between boundary maintenance (the distinction between Jew and non-Jew) and the search for meaning. He examines the concept of Jewishness as it relates to the structure of social relationships through an analysis of the Department of Jewish Zionist Education of the Jewish Agency. He finds ideological changes taking place at the organizational level to be connected with processes of macro social change.