Reforming the Israeli-Arab conflict? Interreligious hospitality in Jaffa and its discontents

התחדשות יהודית התנועה הרפורמית חגים טקסים יהודים ולא יהודים יחסי יהודים-ערבים קהילה תל אביב

This ethnographic study analyzes the ritual practices of the "Daniel" Reform congregation in Jaffa, specifically focusing on "interreligious hospitality." The authors examine how the community uses Jewish holidays and synagogue spaces to host Muslim neighbors (e.g., hosting Iftar meals or mixed holiday celebrations). The article argues that these shared rituals are not just theological acts but political ones, aiming to offer an alternative to the Orthodox monopoly and the conflict narrative. However, it also critiques the power dynamics inherent in "hosting," showing how even well-intentioned rituals can sometimes reinforce boundaries rather than dissolve them.