Thursday, December 3, 2009

Session 6: The Jews of Morocco and Israel

Wed. Dec. 9th (14:30-15:30)-(15:45-16:45): Prof. Yaron Tsur
Immigration as solution for Moroccan Jewry – the three immigration waves (1948-1951, 1954-1956, 1961-1964) - The problematic status of Moroccan Olim in young Israel – Symbol of the Ethnic Problem – In the periphery – Power in politics – Influence on Israeli culture

Please find the readings here:

1. Ami Bouganim, "Cradle of the Wind", in op. cit., pp. 55-64.

2. Oumama Aouad Lahrech, "Esther and I", in op. cit., pp. 65-84.

3. Y. Tsur, "Carnival Fears – Moroccans Immigrants and the Ethnic Problem in the Young State of Israel", The Journal of Israeli History, Vol. 18 (1997), no. 1, pp. 73-103.
Questions and points to think about:
  • Explain the complexity of the "ethnic problem" referred to in the article's intro?
  • Two texts:"Integrative" and "Reserved"
    • "Integrative" Report by Ephraim Friedman - What were the factors for encouraging mass North African aliyah to Israel?
    • Is this a cry for help?
  • "Reserved" text:  "Yemenite Immigration and the African Problem"
  • What was the perception of the North African immigrants according to this report?
  • What was the feeling towards the Ashkenazi sector (as described on p.82)?
  • In what way was the Yishuv responsible for the welfare of the new immigrants (p. 85)
  • Despite Gelblum's overwhelming negativity towards the Moroccan immigrants, what was the one positive attribute that he afforded them?
  • Describe the discrimination felt among the immigrants as part of the 'ethnic problem'?
The New Demographic Anxiety
  • What was the fear of the post-1949 imbalance posed by the new demographic phenomenon?
  • What was problematic with Gelblum's comparison of Israel to France (p.96)
The Political Carnival
  • Why did the Mizrahi Jews support Revisionist Zionism?
     
  • What was the problem referred to on p.99?
  • How did Moroccan Jews react to a rejection of sorts in their national home?
What caused the Moroccan Jews to become an Edah of bad repute?
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Movie:  "Turn Left at the End of the World - סוף העולם שמאלה"
We will find time to watch this movie.


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