1. Israeli-Jewish Motherhood in Light of Immigration to Canada
Michal Geva-Carmeli

2. How did I arrive to this topic?
Familiarity with the community – accessible information
Personal experiences
Interested in expanding my knowledge about the impact of immigration on mothering

3. Purpose of the study
The study aims to examine how Israeli-Jewish mothers experience their motherhood in context of immigration
Other questions explore the possible influences of immigration on other motherhood aspects:
1. Mothering responsibilities
2. Mothers’ Israeli-Jewish identity and its impact on their parenting

4. Struggles and solutions at the start
Limited and outdated existing Canadian studies on the investigated community, especially in the aspect of motherhood
1. justification for the study
2. examining the subject through the lens of time
3. including comparison to other communities and considering differences and commonalities

5. Struggles and solutions at the start (continued…)
incompatibilities between selected theories and data (from the interviews)
Re-organizing ideas and changing to more compatible theories

6. Theoretical Perspectives
Surveillance and governmentality (Foucault)
Surveillance applied in interactions by comparisons of parental behaviour and perpetuates social standards for immigrant motherhood.
surveillance and self-surveillance “govern” mothers’ subjectivity by striving to adhere to norms
The “punishment” for not fitting the norms and the parental standards reflected in oppressive feelings.

7. Theoretical Perspectives (continued…)
Intersectionalities (Feminism)
Examining how the additional immigrant identity of the mothers is integrated with mothers’ multiple identities, especially with the mothering identity.

8. IPA (Interpretative Phenomenology Analysis) Methodology
Relates to the inquiry field (phenomenology) and is strongly connected to hermeneutic or interpretative tradition.
The outcome is the reflection of both participants and researcher.
Encourages profound interpretation analysis, beyond descriptive level.
The role of the researcher is central, hence analysis process should be conducted carefully and strive to adhere to the participants’ view.
Investigates in-depth small sample of participants and how they make sense of their experiences.

9. Design and analysis Interviews of a small sample – 3 participants
Open-ended, semi-structured questions
Interviews were made in the native language and were translated to English
Participants were offered to review the results and make their own changes
Analysis included rich data, such as non-verbal communication, questions and comments directed by the participants

10. Findings Four subjects were found as important by the Israeli mothers:
Adapting to a new milieu
“Stirring things up”
Undermining the sense of effective mother
Striving for sense of well-being
Sacrificing for better life
“Better life”
“Sacrifices”
“Saving the family”
Having difficulties in leaving family behind
Striving for a peaceful life
Being attached to Israeli attributes
Seeking for better options
Scarifying the children’s friendships
“Taking a toll for a better life”
Holding a strong identity in diaspora
Belonging to Israeli-Jewish community

11. Tips
Start early – leave enough time to play with your thoughts and for possible unanticipated changes
Consult other people – get exposed to different viewpoints
While using the library website, broaden your search of scholarship - look in different databases

12. Thank you and good luck!