Hebrew: the key to Judaism? Perspectives of Israeli immigrants in New Zealand

The presence of Hebrew in Jewish religious and cultural practice across the ages is undeniable. However, whether it may be characterised as “the language of Judaism” is heavily debated. Throughout the diaspora, the position of Hebrew within diverse Jewish communities continues to vary. For many, it is still the language of prayer, religious study or cultural engagement, and Hebrew words and structures may appear interspersed with those of other languages. For others, the majority language may be used, even in religious domains, and Jewish identity may be indexed through other means. The position of Jewish-Israeli immigrants presents another layer of complexity since, for these families, Hebrew is not only a language used within the realm of Judaism, but also a first language, a family language, or a home language. How these roles which Hebrew performs are negotiated within the language planning efforts of Jewish-Israeli immigrants presents a unique opportunity to develop our understanding of the connection between Hebrew and Judaism. Situated within New Zealand’s small Jewish and Israeli population and drawing upon data gathered during a broader mixed-methods study, this paper aims to use thematic analysis to address how Jewish-Israeli immigrants in New Zealand characterise the connection between Hebrew and Judaism and the extent to which this motivates their language planning. By answering these questions, this paper endeavours to contribute to the overarching discussion regarding the position of Hebrew within Judaism and the overall formation and performance of Jewish identity, with all of its diverse manifestations, within contemporary Jewish communities.