Spotless Life: A Mizrachi Woman’s Encounter with Israel’s State Services

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article provides an in-depth examination of a case study from my research that focuses on Mizrachi women’s encounters with the welfare and public mental health services in Israel. The article examines the lived experiences of Dorit, an 80-year-old Mizrachi woman, and her encounters with various state services, through lenses of gender, psychoanalysis, violence, and sexuality. Dorit’s narrative unveils the intricate nature of her interactions with state entities, as well as the multitude of identities she embodies: womanhood, Mizrachi heritage, motherhood, and her additional roles—immigrant, domestic violence survivor, the spouse of an emotionally disabled man, and a woman struggling in poverty. The article draws from LaMothe’s work on the creation of potential spaces (Winnicott), a transitional sphere of experiencing between reality and fantasy essential for emotional growth, within marginalized and disadvantaged communities. As she faces gender discrimination, systemic racism, and the stigma of the “dirty Mizrachi,” Dorit develops coping mechanisms and survival strategies, deriving from the potential spaces created by her ancestry and religious practice, which revolve around three key aspects: wit, faith, and cleanliness. By sharing Dorit’s story, I aim to present a broader perspective on challenges and obstacles faced by women from marginalized groups when and while accessing public services. Simultaneously, I wish to highlight resilience and resistance strategies that emerge even in the most difficult life circumstances.