"בשם היהדות נגן על הדמוקרטיה": אתנוגרפיה של הבדלות מחאה רפורמיות בישראל

Over the past decade, the scope of the Reform Jewish Movement's activities in Israel has markedly increased. Simultaneously, there has been heightened public engagement in advocating for religious freedom and human rights. Despite the movement's diligent and persistent efforts to uphold an apolitical stance, in February 2023, this policy was temporarily disrupted. The formal decision was made to participate in demonstrations against the judicial overhaul by conducting Havdalah ceremonies every Saturday evening at various protest centers across the country.This article, grounded in participant observations, interviews, online questionnaires, and text analysis, provides an ethnographic study of the performative and textual changes incorporated into the public Havdalah ceremonies. It explores how participants, including congregants and rabbis, interpret their actions. I argue that the Havdalah ceremony carries diverse political and social meanings that both legitimize and endorse protest within the framework of Jewish tradition. Moreover, this ritualistic activity positions the Reform community as a political agent aiming to assert its social impact in the public sphere, and as a religious entity. Thus, its leaders and practitioners demonstrate that the realm of Jewish discourse and ritual is not exclusively reserved for the public and Orthodox parties of the opposing political camp who support judicial reform.