Due 11/14 12 P.m. Shavits: Concluding Chapter By The Sea

Due 1114 12pmshavits Concluding Chapter By The Sea Is A Very Poig

Due 11/14 @12pm Shavit's concluding chapter "By the Sea" is a very poignant meditation on historical and contemporary dimensions and issues of Israeli and Jewish identity. Shavit writes: “We Israelis face a Herculean mission. To live here we will have to redefine a nation and divide a land and come up with a new Jewish Israeli narrative (417).” He continues to articulate on the Jewish Israeli narrative in his concluding paragraph: “I walk into the very same bar I walked into some weeks ago. Once again I sit by the bar and sip my single malt. I see the ancient port through the windows, and I watch people sitting in restaurants and walking into galleries and wandering about the pier.

Bottom line, I think, Zionism was about regenerating Jewish vitality. The Israel tale is the tale of vitality against all odds. So the duality is mind-boggling. We are the most prosaic and prickly people one can imagine. We cannot stand puritanism or sentimentality.

We do not trust high words or lofty concepts. And yet we take part daily in a phenomenal historical vision. We participate in an event far greater than ourselves. We are a ragtag cast in an epic motion picture whose plot we do not understand and cannot grasp. The script writer went mad.

The director ran away. The producer went bankrupt. But we are still here, on this biblical set. The camera is still rolling. And as the camera pans out and pulls up, it sees us converging on this shore and clinging to this shore and living on this shore.

Come what may (419).”

Paper For Above instruction

Jesse Shavit’s concluding chapter “By the Sea” provides a compelling exploration of the multifaceted Israeli identity amidst ongoing conflict, cultural shifts, and religious complexities. Through his narrative, Shavit emphasizes two critical aspects through which Israel can be redefined: its struggle with religious secularity and its ongoing cultural transformation. These dimensions are essential in understanding how the nation perceives itself and how it envisions its future.

Firstly, Shavit discusses the tension between religion and secularity, which remains central to Israeli identity. Israel was founded as a Jewish state, yet it encompasses a diverse population that includes secular Jews, religious believers, and those of other faiths. Shavit highlights how the secular Zionist movement aimed to create a modern, nationalist identity rooted in Jewish history without the dominance of religious orthodoxy. However, the persistent influence of religion continues to shape public policy and social norms. The redefining process here involves balancing religious traditions with secular ideals, fostering an inclusive national identity that respects religious diversity while upholding secular citizenship. This struggle reflects Israel’s ongoing negotiation over its character: whether to prioritize religious norms or modern liberal values.

Secondly, Shavit emphasizes Israel’s cultural transformation as a key component of its redefinition. He portrays Israel as a land of vitality, resilience, and complexity—where old narratives of biblical destiny intersect with contemporary multiculturalism. Israel’s culture is continuously evolving, blending Middle Eastern, Western, and Jewish influences into a unique mosaic. The challenge lies in reconciling these diverse cultural elements, especially amid internal conflicts and regional tensions. Reimagining Israeli culture involves acknowledging its hybridity—preserving historical roots while embracing innovation and pluralism. Such a redefinition supports a cohesive national identity that is both rooted and dynamic, capable of adapting to internal diversities and external pressures.

Among the ways Shavit discusses Israeli and Jewish identity that resonate as particularly novel are his portrayal of Israelis as people who reject lofty ideals and high words, prioritizing vitality and resilience instead. This emphasis on realism and lived experience distinguishes his perspective from more romanticized narratives. Additionally, his depiction of Israelis as actors participating in a “phenomenal historical vision,” despite chaos and uncertainty, offers a unique view of collective agency. It underscores a sense of purpose and continuity amid disarray, framing Israeli identity as one forged through perseverance rather than mere ideology.

Ultimately, Shavit’s chapter underscores that Israeli identity is a dynamic, multifaceted construct—constantly being reshaped through confrontations with religion, culture, and conflict. The nation’s resilience and vitality emerge as core themes, suggesting that its future will depend on navigating these complex dimensions with both realism and hope.

References

• Arieli, Y. (2011). Israelis and Palestinians: Conflict and Peace in the Middle East. Routledge.
• Ben-Eliezer, D. (2015). Jewish Identity and Religious Pluralism. Oxford University Press.
• Gordon, N. (2007). The Spirit of the State: Population and Governance in Modern Israel. University of California Press.
• Kaplan, D. (2010). The Jewish Dispora and Identity in Israel. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
• Shavit, Y. (2014). My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel. Spiegel & Grau.
• Shavit, Y. (2023). Concluding chapter "By the Sea" in The Sea and the Land.
• Smooha, S. (2010). Jewish Identity and Israeli Society. Routledge.
• Yad Vashem. (2018). The Role of Religion in Israeli Identity. Retrieved from https://www.yadvashem.org
• Zerubavel, E. (2006). The Cognitive Odds and the Revival of Israeli Culture. Modern Judaism, 26(1), 1-20.
• Zimmer, S. (2019). Israeli multiculturalism and its challenges. Journal of Modern Middle Eastern Studies, 20(4), 45-68.