Rebranding God: The Jewish Revival Movement between Homeland and Diaspora

התחדשות יהודית זהות יהודית-ישראלית חברה ישראלית ניו-אייג' סוציולוגיה עמיות יהודית קהילה רוחניות

This research investigates the contemporary phenomenon of "Jewish Revival" by comparing two distinct ethnographic settings: the urban Jewish scene in Budapest and spiritual renewal initiatives in Israel. The authors challenge the traditional view that positions Israel as the sole cultural center and the Diaspora as a fading periphery. Instead, they describe a globalized network where ideas, funding, and practices flow in multiple directions. In Hungary, young "Jew-llennials" are reclaiming their heritage through grassroots, DIY projects like Moishe House, creating a hip and inclusive urban identity that bypasses old institutional structures. Meanwhile, in Israel, spiritual seekers are integrating New Age practices, such as meditation and Sufi chanting, into Jewish tradition as a way to challenge the Orthodox Rabbinate's monopoly on religious life. The study concludes that these movements function as a "cultural bricolage," where individuals creatively assemble diverse resources to build a meaningful, post-secular Jewish identity that transcends national borders.