Mutual creative space in israel: dance dialogues at a religious academic college between orthodox students and secular faculty

Abstract

ABSTRACT Intersectionality and identity were the focus of a qualitative study that took place from 2017–19 in the dance undergraduate major at a religious college in Israel. The objective was to analyze the ongoing process of dialogue between secular faculty and orthodox female students, as this constitutes an intersection of two different cultures. A model called 'Mutual Creative Space' developed by Ben Ezer and Bar Lev, was utilized to understand the intercultural encounters that took place in the classroom and studio and also to identify ways in which there could be a bridge between religious and secular cultures. This model contains seven categories, which can be used to analyze the encounter process, and these were used in analyzing the narratives recorded and then transcribed from both faculty and students. In this article, we see how tensions and contradictions exist between dance and religion. We also recognize that a positive process can be developed, allowing students to live a life of faith and gain new dimensions of expressiveness and female empowerment through involvement in dance.