Post-secularism muting controversy: school-NGO interactions in Israel through the prism of stakeholder salience theory

אקטיביזם חברתי בתי ספר התחדשות יהודית זהות יהודית-ישראלית חברה ישראלית חילונים חינוך

This empirical study investigates the increasing involvement of Jewish NGOs within Israel’s secular public school system, framed through the concept of "post-secularism". The research explores how school principals and NGO representatives navigate the inherent tensions surrounding religious content in secular education.Based on qualitative interviews with school leaders and NGO staff, the findings suggest that both parties often work together to "mute" or de-escalate public controversy regarding "religionization" (Hadata). The authors apply stakeholder salience theory to demonstrate that NGOs gain legitimacy by presenting Jewish content as universal, cultural, or pluralistic heritage rather than religious indoctrination. The study highlights that while parents are key stakeholders, their concerns are often managed through strategic communication that emphasizes shared Jewish identity over religious practice. Ultimately, the article concludes that this collaborative dynamic allows for a subtle "post-secular" shift in Israeli education, where the boundaries between secular and religious identities become increasingly blurred within the classroom.