Professor Yaron Peleg published two books this month, a monograph titled, New Hebrews, Making National Culture in Zion (Cambridge University Press), and an edited volume, New Direction in Israeli Media, Film, Television & Digital Content (University of Texas Press).
New Hebrews, Making National Culture in Zion
The literature on Zionism as a political ideology is extensive, but this book takes a different approach by focusing on the cultural dimensions of the movement and their profound impact on the history of Israel and the Jewish people. New Hebrews explores the cultural history of Zionism, starting from the meeting of the first Zionist congress in Basel, Switzerland in 1897, and culminating with the establishment of the State of Israel fifty-one years later in 1948. Yaron Peleg explores how innovative approaches in language, literature, architecture, art, music, and body culture transformed modern Jewish culture. His study delves into the contentious facets of early Zionist culture, such as colonialism, social engineering, minority discourse, and Jewish-Arab relations. New Hebrews presents an interdisciplinary examination of nationalism, drawing from a diverse array of primary sources to uncover the psychology of modern Israel.
New Direction in Israeli Media, Film, Television & Digital
In the twenty-first century, Israeli filmmaking has transformed from a localized industry into a globally recognized and diverse national cinema, its filmmakers gaining prominence internationally and introducing new themes, aesthetics, and voices to the scene. At the same time, Israeli television shows have emerged as a dominant force, propelled by the spread of streaming. Through the rise of online content creation and consumption, especially in the 2010s, new voices have revolutionized the creative landscape. With Israel’s position at the cutting edge of technology and virtual platforms, Israeli media has seen a boom, winning prizes at international film festivals and adapting shows like Euphoria, Homeland, and Fauda for wider audiences. In New Directions in Israeli Media, thirteen contributors detail the shifting dynamics of Israeli cinema, television, and online content in the digital age, exploring how globalization, technological advances, and changing audience preferences are reshaping creative industries. Editors Yaron Peleg, Eran Kaplan, and Ido Rosen have assembled a volume that prompts critical reflection on the intersection of art, technology, and culture in a rapidly changing media landscape.