The Ethiopian Jewish Community Transition and Change in Israel

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Baram, Uzi

Keywords

Ethiopian Jews, Immigration, Israel

Area of Concentration

Anthropology

Abstract

In this thesis, I analyze the social aspects of the assimilation experience for Ethiopian Jews in their immigration to Israel. I engage the issue by using data collectedfrom ethnographic observations at two immigration centers in Israel, as well as information gained from interviews with people working directly with the Ethiopian immigrants. This thesis also uses research and theoretical models presented by various scholars who have written on community. This thesis explores how the transition from one social world to the next involves transformations in identity, status, and self image. As these aspects of life change drastically, cultural traditions and folk beliefs are also modified or simply abandoned. This modification often leads to feelings of pain and confusion for the new immigrants. I argue that the struggle to maintain aspects of a previous Ethiopian identity, while simultaneously striving to adopt an Israeli identity causes the new immigrants to feel pulled between two worlds. Based on ethnographic research, I also propose in the conclusion of my thesis that the transitions within the family during and after the immigration are the most challenging aspects of life for the Ethiopian Jews of today.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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