"We’re All for Spiritual Education, Just Don’t Call It That": Spirituality in Secular State Schools in Israel – Between Conceptualization and Legitimacy

בתי ספר חינוך מיינדפולנס מסורת וחידוש פוסט חילוני רוחניות תפילה חילונית

Marianna Ruah-Midbar Shapiro investigates the presence and conceptualization of "spirituality" within Israel's secular state school system. The study highlights a paradoxical situation where educators and policymakers embrace spiritual practices (such as mindfulness and emotional well-being) but avoid the term "spirituality" due to its religious or "New Age" connotations, which may trigger resistance in a secular context. Through interviews and analysis of educational discourse, the research identifies the strategies used to legitimize spiritual education by framing it as a tool for personal growth, social resilience, or universal humanism. Ultimately, the article argues that spirituality is becoming a significant, albeit "camouflaged," component of Israeli secular education in the post-secular age.