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Spring 2009
Middle Eastern Studies 98/198
1 Unit(s)

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About the Course:

Though territorial Zionism originated as an ideology among Ashkenazi (European) Jewry and many early settlers of what would become the state of Israel were European, within a few years of the founding of the Jewish state a vast influx of Jews from the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia arrived in Israel, there becoming known as Mizrahim (“Easterners”). In many cases these Jews did not want to leave their respective homelands, but were compelled to under pressure of violence from their Arab and Muslim neighbors and eager Zionists looking to create a Jewish majority in Palestinian territory. Within Israel, Mizrahim have often faced social and political discrimination.

As a result, the Mizrahim clung to their own individual cultures, heavily influenced by the Muslim cultures of their former neighbors, particularly in their musical traditions. The Ashkenazim, in their effort to create a Western-oriented Jewish national culture, forcefully marginalized the production of Mizrahi music, which was perceived as "too Arab." Today, however, Mizrahi music is among the most popular styles in Israel and many of the most famous Israeli singers are Mizrahim.

In this class, we will discuss the history of Mizrahi music in Israel—its roots and influences, its phenomenal rise from underground to mainstream, and its modern popularity among Muslim Arab as well as Israeli Jewish youth. This is a unique look at the politics of music— and a critique of existing perceptions on what constitutes “Jewish culture.” Furthermore, we will be able to dismantle the false dichotomy of Jew vs. Arab and look closely at the history of race relations in Israel, which is largely overlooked and ignored in mainstream discourse where Israel is represented as having a monolithic culture isolated from its Arab neighbors.

Partial list of featured artists: Moshik Afia, Zohar Argov, Gali Atari, Rinat Bar, Zehava Ben, Eyal Golan, Zion Golan, Sarit Hadad, Ofra Haza, Ishtar, Lior Narkis, Kobi Peretz, Rita, Sharif, Shlomi Saranga, Subliminal and HaTsel, Bracha Zefira, and many more!

How to Enroll: