Personal and Group Identity Processes of Americans and Israelis in a Cross-Continental Educational Journey
Year: 2024
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: In this research, we explore the processes of identity change that occurred among nine Israeli adolescents during a unique educational program.A group comprised of both Israeli and American adolescents embarked on a journey across continents aiming to strengthen both their personal and Jewish identities.We investigated the processes of change experienced by the participants and the factors they reported that led to these changes.Participants indicated that the processes of change were influenced by the places they visited but, more significantly, by their interpersonal and group interactions.They reported changes in perceptions of personal and familial identity, as well as in perceptions of religious and national identity.The findings provide insights into how encounters with others impact identity formation processes, facilitate self-exploration, and foster changes in both personal and broader dimensions of identity. Theoretical backgroundIdentity is composed of various elements, including individual characteristics, dominant biographical points, and various group affiliations.Identity begins to develop in childhood as part of emotional development, and is influenced by various circles surrounding the individual, from the nuclear and extended family, extending to the social environment in which one grows, and expands to the broader circles of society, country, and humanity (Anderson, 2006).Sometimes, the social context may have a greater impact on the identity formation process than the values instilled in the family environment (Hod & Ben-Zvi, 2018).Encounters with others who are different provide an opportunity to explore beliefs and opinions and can serve as a catalyst for identity formation processes (Firer et al., 2023).Critical stages of identity formation are often assumed to occur during high school years, constituting a meaningful milestone in the process of adolescence (Erikson, 1994;Marcia, 1966).This period, characterized by separation processes from parents and families of origin, magnifies the potential of the influence of the encounter with a peer group on identity processes on personal and group levels (Crocetti et al., 2008).Different educational environments, both formal and informal, play a role in shaping identity in various dimensions (e.g.Cohen et al., 2023).One of the prominent programs in the Israeli education system is the journey to Poland, which encompasses visits to towns where Jewish communities existed for centuries and to concentration and extermination camps.The aim of the journey is to preserve the memory of the Holocaust and to strengthen the students' connection to their Jewish and national identity.Additionally, there are various student programs aimed at strengthening the connection between Jewish students from Israel and communities worldwide.The goals of such programs are to strengthen a sense of belonging to the Jewish people and through interaction with others, facilitate processes of change.Encountering others, especially when it pertains to collective identities such as nationality or religion, exposes to different perspectives, fostering the development of a worldview and the consolidation of opinions and perceptions, especially during stages of adolescence (Shulman, 2008).The current study explored a unique educational program that combined a journey to Poland with an encounter between Jewish adolescents from Israel and the United States.The goal of our research was to trace processes of identity change that occurred during the journey and identify the factors that influenced these processes by answering the following questions:1. What did the participants perceive to be the primary factors that influenced the process of change they experienced and in what way? 2. According to the participants, in which identity domains did the process of change manifest itself, and how did these domains influence one another? Method and analysis Research environment and participantsThe research followed participants in a non-formal educational program called "Journey for Identity" (JFI).The program was a collaboration between the Jewish community in Rochester, New York, and the city of Modi'in, in
Source: Proceedings.
Authors: Efrat Firer, Daniel Nikritin
Institution: Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College
Language: English
Topic: Jewish Identity and Society
Subfield: Religious studies
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4399488474