Description
Book SynopsisMany Western societies have seen the age of marriage rising in late modern times. While conservative religious denominations often decry gender egalitarianism and liberal society's sexual norms for contributing to this development, many individuals belonging to such denominations are still part of this trend. This book focuses on one such group, Israeli Religious Zionists. Drawing on ethnographic research, Ari Engelberg explains why the numbers of Religious Zionist singles have risen, describes how these adults deal with social marginalization and spiritual challenges, and how the community leadership has responded. On a theoretical level, the book exposes the role that intimacy plays in late modern individualization processes and at the same time offers an in-depth view of Religious Zionist “lived religion”.
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Introduction
Part 1: Seeking a Soulmate
Chapter 1: Romantic Love and Marriage in Jewish History and Current Orthodoxy
Chapter 2: Singlehood and Gender Relations
Chapter 3: Religious Zionist Dating: Seeking Intimacy in a Consumer Culture
Part 1 2: Religious Zionist communities and singles
Chapter 4: Societal Scripts of "The Good Life" and Religous Singles Narratives
Chapter 5: Singles, Social Networks, and Communities
Part 3: Singles Religious Observance and Faith
Chapter 6: Sex and Parties, Loneliness and Depression: Spiritual Challenges
Chapter 7: Dealing with Spiritual Challenges
Part 4 Responses to the "Singles Problem”
Chapter 8: Advice and ideology: How rabbis and layleaders attempt to assist singles
Conclusion: Individualization, Intimacy and Religion
Bibliography
About the Author
