Immigration and Ethnic Formation in a Deeply Divided Society
Book Description
This scholarly exploration examines how massive population movements can reshape the spiritual and cultural fabric of an entire society. Majid Al-Haj investigates the profound transformation that occurred when hundreds of thousands of Soviet Jews immigrated to Israel during the 1990s, creating unexpected ripple effects throughout an already complex social landscape.
Rather than simply strengthening existing religious and ethnic bonds as anticipated, this unprecedented wave of newcomers sparked the emergence of entirely new cultural identities and divisions. Al-Haj reveals how immigration becomes a powerful force for social change, challenging established assumptions about community, belonging, and spiritual identity.
Through careful sociological analysis, the book demonstrates how even well-intentioned efforts to unite people around shared heritage can inadvertently create fresh sources of separation and misunderstanding. The author examines the lived experiences of immigrants as they navigate between their Soviet past and Israeli present, while established residents grapple with shifting demographics and evolving definitions of their own identity.
This 246-page study offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to understand how migration, faith, and cultural adaptation intersect in our interconnected world. Published as part of Brill's International Studies in Sociology and Social Anthropology series, it provides a thoughtful examination of how societies transform when confronted with large-scale demographic change, offering lessons that extend far beyond the specific Israeli context.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)
📄 Length: 246 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religious law and legislation
- ✓ Explore Droit religieux
- ✓ Explore Jews, social conditions
- ✓ Explore Social adjustment
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore Immigrants, middle east
- ✓ Explore Social conditions
- ✓ Explore Social surveys, middle east
