"The Light within Me": celebrating the self through Jewish holidays in Israeli state education

בתי ספר הדתה זהות יהודית-ישראלית חגים חילונים חינוך טקסים מורשת ניו-אייג' רוחניות

This empirical study explores the transformation of Jewish holiday celebrations within the Israeli secular state education system. The authors argue that traditional collective and national narratives of holidays (such as Hanukkah or Passover) are increasingly being replaced or augmented by a "psychologized" discourse focused on the individual’s inner self.Through ethnographic observations and analysis of educational materials, the research demonstrates how themes like "the light within me" or personal liberation are used to make Jewish tradition relevant to secular students. The study identifies a shift toward a neoliberal and "New Age" spiritual orientation, where the primary goal of the ritual is personal empowerment and self-discovery rather than religious observance or national solidarity. Ultimately, the article concludes that this trend represents a new form of "secular-Jewish authenticity" that reflects broader global changes in how individuals negotiate religion and identity in a post-secular world.