Navigating Secularism and Religiosity in Kibbutz Education: Unveiling the Visible and the Concealed

בתי ספר זהות יהודית-ישראלית חילוניות חינוך מסורת וחידוש קיבוץ

This qualitative study examines how the Kibbutz educational system in Israel navigates its traditional secular identity in an increasingly religious and multicultural society. Based on interviews with educators and community leaders, the research reveals a tension between "visible" secularism - the historical ethos of the Kibbutz movement - and "concealed" religiosity, where Jewish traditions and spiritual practices are subtly re-introduced.The authors describe a process of "negotiated secularism," where educators strive to maintain a distinct secular space while acknowledging the growing demand for Jewish literacy and identity among the younger generation. The study highlights that the Kibbutz is no longer a closed, ideological island but a dynamic environment influenced by the broader "Israeli Judaism" movement. Ultimately, the article suggests that the survival of Kibbutz education depends on its ability to balance its secular roots with a pluralistic openness to Jewish tradition, moving from a rigid ideological stance to a more fluid, post-secular dialogue.