Contemporary Alternative Spiritualities in Israel

Shai Feraro is a PhD student at Tel Aviv University’s School of Historical Studies, Israel. He acts as Secretary of the Israeli Association for the Study of Religions. His scholarly interests lie in the connection between new religions and gender issues, and he specializes in the study of Neopaganism in North America, Britain, and Israel.James R. Lewis is an extensively published scholar in the fields of new religious movements and religion and violence. He is currently Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Tromsø, Norway.

“Its strength is in providing a valuable resource both as an introduction for interested readers as well as a starting point for deeper scholarly explorations. Its regional focus on Israel might serve as an example for the production of similar volumes focusing on other social, political, and cultural contexts.” (Dominic Zoehrer, Religious Studies Review, Vol. 45 (2), June, 2019)

• Introduction; Shai Feraro and James R. Lewis.- Part I. Jew Age Spirituality.- 1. A Sacred Time in the Sacred Land: Authenticating the Past in New Age Judaism; Rachel Werczberger and Ben Gurion.- 2. Kabbalah through the Utilitarian Prism: Contemporary Neo-Kabbalah in Israel as a Form of Consumer Culture; Tomer Persico.- 3. Body and Soul in Yemima Avital’s Teachings and in her Students’ Testimonies, Philosophies, and Practices; Einat Ramon.- 4. Individualization of Jewish UnOrthodox (Alternative) Wedding Rituals in Israel; Ana Prashizky.- Part II. New Age Culture in Israel.- 5. The Incorporation of Spiritual Care into Israeli Medical Organizations; Nurit Zaidman.- 6. Inherent Paradox in Cultural Change: New Age Rituals as Case Study; Dalit Simchai.- 7. The State And New Religious Movements; Masua Sagiv.- Part III. Some Popular Currents in the Israeli 'Scene'.- 8. Theosophy and Anthroposophy in Israel: An Historical Survey; IsaacLubelsky.- 9. Messages for the End: Eschatological Thought in Twentieth Century Channeling; Adam Klin-Oron.- 10. The Menstrual Discourse in Israeli Yoga for Women: An Alternative to the Hegemonic Discourse?; Carmit Rosen.- Part IV. On the Fringes.- 11. Ritual Adaptations and Celebrations of the Mabon Sabbat (Autumn Equinox) by Israeli Neopagans; Orly Salinas Mizrahi.- 12. Pentecostal Ethiopian Jews and Nigerian Members of Olumba Olumba: Manifestations of Christianity in Israel; Galia Sabar.