A Brief Introduction to Israel’s Multicultural Society: Jewish Ethnic Diversity Minority Groups in Israel

Minorities Christian Sects Armenians Greek Orthodox Russian Orthodox Roman Catholic Protestants Muslims Druzes Achmadim Bahais Chercazim and more Israeli is a Multicultural Society (cont.) Jewish Ethnic Groups from over 80 different countries Diversity in social-political realms (Rural-Urban-Moshavim-Kibbutzm

Further Diversity of Religious Jewish Groups in Israel RELIGIOUS JEWISH GROUPS Haredi Anti-Zionists Haredi Ashkenazi neutral Sephardim Haredi Religious Zionists Political Right Religious Zionists Political Left NON-Orthodox Jewish Groups Conservative Jews Reform Jews Secular Jews Jews for Jesus

Jewish Ethnic Groups in Israel What is the key in understanding the differences between the various Jewish Ethnic Groups in Israel?

Immigration to Israel Difference between pre-state waves of immigration and Post- state. Israel was a state that was established by Jews from Europe— Askenazi Jews (88% of Jews living in Israel before the establishment of the state). Immigration waves: from Nafrica; ME, Asia (1950’s-1954). Immigration of NA Morocco and Tunisea (1956) Immigration from the former Soviet Union (largest group: 2 wacwa: 1970’s and 1990’s) Immigration of Jews from Ethopia (1990’s-2000’s). Immigration from France ( )

There are 5 different variables which will provide us with an understanding of the differences between Jewish Ethnic Groups. 1.The Dominant Religion of their country of origin (Christianity, Sunni Islam, Shi’ia Islam, Fundamentalist orientation or not?)

2. The relationship of the ruling government and the Jewish Community. 3. What did the Jews do in their country of origin? The professions that they had, the positions which they held, etc. 4.What was the social relationship and interaction between the Jews and the ruling governments?

5. What was the relationship and interaction between this Jewish Community and other Jewish Communities in the world? All these 5 variables influenced the social, political and cultural boundaries which the Jewish Ethnic groups maintained in their countries of origin and most importantly the social and cultural structure of each particular Jewish Ethnic Group.

There are or were Jewish Communities all over the world. Why? The Destruction of the First Temple in 578 B.C.E. The Destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E.

Where the Jews migrated to over the world was influenced by several variables: 1.How they were received by the people and government of the different countries. 2.The ability of the Jewish Communities to earn a living and the economic structure of the area. 3.The degree to which the Jews were allowed to maintain their culture and create a religious community in that area..

Because these conditions varied and changed in different areas at different periods, Jews moved and migrated all over the world for Centuries

How can we categorize different Jewish Ethnic Groups According to their Geographic place of origin!

Jewish Ethnic Groups According to Areas Middle East and North Africa: Eastern Jewry Iraq Iran Egypt Lebonon Kurdistan Lybia Syria Yemintes*

Jewish Ethnic Groups According to Areas Spain and Portugal Sephardim Different Communities in North Africa Different Communities in Europe Different Mediterranean Areas (Greek and Italy) South Africa North and South American

Jewish Ethnic Groups According to Areas Central Europe Askenazim Europe Middle East South Africa North and South Americas Australia and New Zealand

Jewish Ethnic Groups According to Areas Central Asia Bukarian Jews Kafkaz and Crimea Georgia Azrbjahn Armenia South and Southeast Asia Indian Jews: Cochin, Bombay and Bagdadian Jews. Beni Menashe (N. India) Chinese Jews from Kaifung Pakistanian Jews Africa Ethiopian Jews…Bnai Israel

Minorities in Israel, who are they?

Israel is a Democracy and A Jewish State. Groups that are not of the Jewish religious are citizens of Israel and minorities. All citizens of Israel have: the right to vote, be represented in the Israeli Parliament – the Knesset, have social welfare and health benefits, Hold Israeli passports and identity cards Pay taxes, etc.

What different Religious Groups do we have in Israel? Moslems Christians Druze Cherkassy Achmadis Bahais, Hindus, Messianic Christians

Not every religious group is an ethnic group or a cultural group. Important to take into consideration cultural aspects Arabs are the largest Minority cultural group in Israel? What Do Arabs have in Common? Language

Who Speaks Arabic? Moslems Christians Druze Achmadis Is Everyone who speaks Arabic, Arab?

Are Druze Arabs? Different Perceptions – Druze who live in the Golan Heights – Druze who live in the Upper Galilee – Druze who live in the Lower Galilee – Druze who live in the Carmel Around 129,000 Druze live in Israel. 110,000 of these Druze are Israelis. Druze males who are Israelis, are required to serve in the Israeli army. Around 19,000 Druze live in the Golan and are not required to serve in the army or hold Israeli citizenship. Smoocha’s 2008 research showed that 94% of the Druze identify themselves as being Israeli.

Moslems are Divided into 4 different groups The Suni which is the major sect of Islam here in Israel has 4 subgroups: Hanafi הינפי Shafai שפאי Maloki מאלוקי HaNavel הנבל The Shi’ia, a more fundamentalist group, followed Ali, a relative of Mohammad. Sufi is the mystical subgroup within the Shi’ia

Are all Moslems, who are Arabs a Homogenetic Group? Around 650,000 Minority population live in Northern Israel (the Galilee). This is more than 50% of the population of the Galilee. There are cultural differences between those that live in villages and those that live in cities or large towns. North Center South Differences of where the villages are: By the Lebanese border? Syrian? Egypt/Gaza? Jordan?

Bedouins Are also not a homogeneous Group. There are around 180,000 living in Israel Northern Israel: 55,000 Bedouins who came from the Persian Gulf Area. This group historically has been interacting with other groups: farmers, Arabs, Jews, etc. Southern Israel has around 115,000 Bedouins. Historically, they have been more isolated from interacting with other groups. Desert Environment is different than the northern Israel. Around 10,000 Bedouins live in the center of Israel is small villages. These are two different cultural groups with different histories and social experiences.

Christians In Israel are also not a Homogeneous Group: Most live in Cities. About 120,000 Christians in Israel are Arabs. (9% of the Arab Israeli Population) Around 25,000 Christians are not Arabs Majority are Greek Orthodox. Other groups are: Russian Orthodox Maronite Armenians Coptic Catholics Protestants German Christians, and more.

Cherkassy in Israel: Moslems but not Arabs

Kafkaz was invaded by the Russians in the 19 th Century and the Cherkassy community felt threatened The ruling Ottoman Empire in Palestine felt that the Cherkazi would be good allies as they were good fighters and could protect their interests in Palestine. They invited them to come over and gave them land in the Galilee.

In Israel you have around 3,000 Cherkassy living in 2 main villages of Rachania and Kama in the Galilee Army service is mandatory Education systems are in Hebrew and Cherkassic and Arabic. The State supports the development of Cherkassy Heritage Programs.

Achmadim population New Religion of the 19 th Century. It is a combination of several religions including (mostly) Islam, Hindu, and Christian. The Religion Originated in India. The emphasis of this religion is on peace and love and does not accept the Jihhad (Holy War) aspect of Islam. The population of Aba Kabirr in Haifa is around 2,000.

Many other groups Foreign Workers (not citizens) who receive work visas that enable them to work in Israel for specific time periods (although many extend their visas or stay beyond the legal time they are suppose to be here: – Africa – Philippines – Asia THIS IS A PROBLEM SINCE THIS GROUP DO NOT HAVE THE SAME LEGAL RIGHTS AS CITIZENS. Small religious Christian Communities (e.g. Beit El from German—some are citizens and some are not citizens).

Inequality in Democratic Societies Like all other Democratic States in the world, there is inequity in Israeli society regarding access to resources, political power and education. One of DARE’s important objectives is to focus on bringing more equity to higher education in Israel.

We hope that through developing strategies of support and institutional and capacity building that we will be able to contribute to the opening up of access to higher education to our peripheral populations. We believe that through education you can make an impact on social change.