Blackness in Israeli Culture

1 Course Unit

This course examines the concept of Blackness within Israeli popular culture and contemporary art. We will explore how Blackness is constructed, represented, and contested in Israeli-Jewish society, considering both its historical roots and evolving meanings. Central questions will include: Who is considered Black in Israel? and How does Blackness in Israel compare to Blackness in the United States? Focusing primarily on two major groups within Jewish society — Mizrahi Jews and Ethiopian Jews — the course will analyze their representation in mainstream Israeli culture, and how these representations are challenged by contemporary non-white artists. A range of visual art forms will be incorporated to deepen our understanding of the cultural narratives at play. Not Offered Every Year Also Offered As: JWST 1145, MELC 1660 1 Course Unit