February 9, 2023
Natanel Ellinson’s portrait of divisions in Israeli society suggests a rift between Yehudim (Jews) and Yisraelim (Israelis), each with its own orientation, culture, and values. In this week’s Alt+SHIFT Yitzchak Blau admits some of the diagnosis is useful but overlooks subtleties that we dare not ignore.
February 2, 2023
In this week’s Alt+SHIFT installment Yitzchak Blau profiles the columns and commentary of Eden Abitbol, whose writing opens a window into Haredi yeshiva life, its struggles and unique culture – both the manifest and suppressed components of how bachurim seek and maintain individuality within the yeshiva’s regimented collective atmosphere.
January 26, 2023
The mass of Israelis trekking to Uman for Rosh Hashana includes secularists, National Religious types, Sefardim, Haredim, and Hasidim of nearly every variety. In his interesting book, Dr. Moshe Weinstock analyzes this phenomenon and provides important insight to help understand how the pilgrimage is a reflection of trends in Israeli society. Yitzchak Blau poses questions about it in this week’s Alt+SHIFT.
January 19, 2023
Surveying a recent issue of the Hebrew periodical “Deot,” Yitzchak Blau continues to “translate” contemporary Hebrew commentary on communal concerns in our Alt+SHIFT series. In this installment he looks at writers who question the effectiveness of merging conservative cultural thought and Religious Zionism.