Articles by Maayan Hilel
Revue d’histoire culturelle , 2021
This article examines daily encounters between Jewish and Arab societies during the British Manda... more This article examines daily encounters between Jewish and Arab societies during the British Mandate, focusing on the beaches of Haifa as a case study. Relying on oral interviews, ephemera collections, memoirs, private collections as well as Arabic and Hebrew newspaper articles and reports, the article shows that beaches like other leisure sites functioned as a neutral space where Arabs and Jews spent their spare time together or side by side, and uncovers the mutual influences produced by this inter-cultural interaction. It demonstrates that physical proximity between these communities, in a mixed city which was experiencing the emergence of the national conflict, generated a complex relationship characterized by mutual curiosity and constant reciprocal examination. The study reveals that the cultural and leisure life of each community constituted a subject for observation, comparison, and competition for its counterpart. This dynamic produced a range of reactions that at the same time included criticism and condemnation alongside adoption and imitation of leisure models and infrastructures, which accelerated internal cultural processes within each community. These findings shed new light on the great extent to which the Arab and Jewish societies were deeply interrelated and influenced by each other during this formative period.
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Contemporary Levant, 2019
This article explores the cultural transformation that unfolded in urban
centers in Palestine dur... more This article explores the cultural transformation that unfolded in urban
centers in Palestine during the British Mandate period. Focusing on the
city of Haifa as a case study, the article sheds light on how imperial
colonial interests prompted massive development of the city that
triggered significant cultural changes. The article examines the ways in
which different groups in Palestinian-Arab society were involved, and
how they initiated, experienced, and reacted to the cultural shifts. The
rapid increase in the number of cafés, cabarets, bars, and restaurants
constituted the cornerstone of the commercial entertainment industry in
Haifa during this period. By delineating the emergence of new
entertainment patterns and recreation habits, the article shows how
leisure became a central component in the daily lives of varied social
groups. It argues that leisure played a major role as an agent of
modernization and functioned as an essential site for the construction of
modern personhoods in Palestinian society.
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British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 2019
During the British Mandate, the city of Haifa in Northern Palestine
undergone profound cultural t... more During the British Mandate, the city of Haifa in Northern Palestine
undergone profound cultural transformation which was manifested
in the flourishing of a new range of public and commercial forms
and institutions of leisure. This article analyses the ways in which
Palestinian children in Haifa became legitimate and key consumers
of these leisure arenas and examines the development of a cultural
array especially designated for them. This, I argue, reflected the
the emergence of a new conception of ‘childhood’ as a socially constructed
category of identity, which marked a separate phase in life,
with its own specific qualities and needs. The article also shows how
the shifts in the social status of children brought about inter-generational
tensions that intensified in light of the political tension
and the national struggle. It sheds light on the substantial expectations,
which were placed on children’s shoulders with regards to
the future of the budding nation.
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Book chapters by Maayan Hilel
European cultural diplomacy and Arab Christians. Between Connection and Contention, 1918-1948. Palgrave MacMillan, 2020
The concept of cultural diplomacy is far from uniform or unequivocal and holds multiple definitio... more The concept of cultural diplomacy is far from uniform or unequivocal and holds multiple definitions and interpretations depend on the context under examination. In order to analyse the connections between Christian communities and European powers in Mandatory Haifa it would be useful to adapt some of the theoretical aspects of this concept. The classic definition of cultural diplomacy "as a means of serving strategic interests of national governments while at the same time holding out the promise of moving beyond the national interest to support a greater good through mutual cultural exchanges" 1 is only partially suitable for the case of Haifa. It is safe to say that for the most part the attitudes of European powers towards local populations in the Middle East were characterised by a condescending and orientalist approach and that relationships were shaped by a deep inequality and exploitation of the colonial systems. The drive behind practices of European cultural involvement in the Middle East, and in Palestine in particular, was normally based on the promotion of foreign interests with no desire by the European parties for cultural exchange with
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Book Reviews by Maayan Hilel
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American Jewish History, 2021
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The New East, Vol. 58, 2019
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Bustan: The Middle East Book Review, 2020
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Papers by Maayan Hilel
The formative years of the British Mandate over Palestine marked a period of profound changes, in... more The formative years of the British Mandate over Palestine marked a period of profound changes, in which cultural transformation manifested in a rapid growth of modern leisure, new recreation sites and cultural patterns in the urban centres of Palestine. These processes were significantly evident in Haifa as the city had been chosen by the British as the economic and effectively political capital of Palestine. This chapter scrutinises the rapid cultural changes that unfolded, analysing the significant role of Christian communities in this process. It examines the ways in which Christians’ connections with European powers contributed to their crucial involvement in developing the city’s cultural life and how Christians’ engagement in cultural activities strengthened their Palestinian identity in a period of intensive nation-building.
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Online Publications and Media by Maayan Hilel
Haaretz, 2021
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Books by Maayan Hilel
European Cultural Diplomacy and Arab Christians in Palestine, 1918-1948 Between Contention and Connection, 2020
This open access book investigates the transnationally connected history of Arab Christian commun... more This open access book investigates the transnationally connected history of Arab Christian communities in Palestine during the British Mandate (1918-1948) through the lens of the birth of cultural diplomacy. Relying predominantly on unpublished sources, it examines the relationship between European cultural agendas and local identity formation processes and discusses the social and religious transformations of Arab Christian communities in Palestine via cultural lenses from an entangled perspective.
The 17 chapters reflect diverse research interests, from case studies of individual archives to chapters that question the concept of cultural diplomacy more generally. They illustrate the diversity of scholarship that enables a broad-based view of how cultural diplomacy functioned during the interwar period, but also the ways in which its meanings have changed. The book considers British Mandate Palestine as an internationalised node within a transnational framework to understand how the complexity of cultural interactions and agencies engaged to produce new modes of modernity.
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videos by Maayan Hilel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwtOhejwYLQ
The first event in a five-part series examining Arab-Jewish culture, identity, and language from... more The first event in a five-part series examining Arab-Jewish culture, identity, and language from historical, contemporary, political, legal, and personal perspectives.
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https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%D7%97%D7%99%D7%A4%D7%94+%D7%91%D7%A2%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%AA+%D7%97%D7%99%D7%A4%D7%94+%D7%91%D7%A2%D7%A8%D7%91%D7%99%D7%AA, 2015
תהליכי מודרניזציה מהירים, חדירת השפעות מערביות וחשיפה לעולם הרחב, במהלך החצי הראשון של המאה עשרים... more תהליכי מודרניזציה מהירים, חדירת השפעות מערביות וחשיפה לעולם הרחב, במהלך החצי הראשון של המאה עשרים, חוללו טרנספורמציה תרבותית בערים השונות במזרח התיכון. חיפה שהיוותה מוקד עירוני בצפון פלסטין המנדטורית, חוותה תמורות תרבותיות עמוקות באותה תקופה, אשר התבטאו בפתיחת מרחבים ציבוריים חדשים והופעת אתרי פנאי חדשים, מבתי קולנוע ותיאטראות ועד מסעדות וגני שעשועים. דפוסי צריכת תרבות הבילוי השתנו וקהל הצרכנים התרחב ונעשה מגוון הרבה יותר. עוד קודם לכינון המנדט הבריטי וביתר שאת במהלך תקופת שלטונו, היוותה חיפה חלק אינטגראלי ממערך תרבותי וחברתי אזורי רחב יותר ונשאה עיניה אל ביירות וקהיר, המרכזים התרבותיים והאינטלקטואליים של העולם הערבי ששימשו מוקדי השפעה לאזור כולו. בהרצאה זאת אני מצביעה על הקשרים התרבותיים ההדוקים שהתקיימו באותן שנים בין חיפה לבין ביירות וקהיר ועל מעבר השפעות ותוצרים תרבותיים מערים אלה אל חיפה. מחד, בחינת הקשרים הללו מאירה את מעמדה של חיפה כפריפריה תרבותית של ערי המטרופולין התרבותיות הגדולות במזרח התיכון. מאידך, היא מראה כיצד באותה תקופה חיפה הפכה בעצמה למרכז תרבות ערבי מודרני, פעיל ושוקק חיים עבור סביבתה הכפרית והעירונית.
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Flyers by Maayan Hilel
https://jewish-israel-studies-center.northwestern.edu/events/past-events/arab-jewish-culture,-identity,-and-language-past-and-present.html, 2021
This five-part series organized by Dr. Maayan Hilel on behalf of the Crown Family Center at NU ex... more This five-part series organized by Dr. Maayan Hilel on behalf of the Crown Family Center at NU examined Arab-Jewish culture, identity, and language from historical, contemporary, political, legal, and personal perspectives. Scholars from around the world discussed the wide range of cultural contacts and influences between Arab and Jewish societies in the Arab world, and Israel. The series also featured musical performances by Israeli-Jewish musicians who produce their work in Arabic and in its various dialects.
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Uploads
Articles by Maayan Hilel
centers in Palestine during the British Mandate period. Focusing on the
city of Haifa as a case study, the article sheds light on how imperial
colonial interests prompted massive development of the city that
triggered significant cultural changes. The article examines the ways in
which different groups in Palestinian-Arab society were involved, and
how they initiated, experienced, and reacted to the cultural shifts. The
rapid increase in the number of cafés, cabarets, bars, and restaurants
constituted the cornerstone of the commercial entertainment industry in
Haifa during this period. By delineating the emergence of new
entertainment patterns and recreation habits, the article shows how
leisure became a central component in the daily lives of varied social
groups. It argues that leisure played a major role as an agent of
modernization and functioned as an essential site for the construction of
modern personhoods in Palestinian society.
undergone profound cultural transformation which was manifested
in the flourishing of a new range of public and commercial forms
and institutions of leisure. This article analyses the ways in which
Palestinian children in Haifa became legitimate and key consumers
of these leisure arenas and examines the development of a cultural
array especially designated for them. This, I argue, reflected the
the emergence of a new conception of ‘childhood’ as a socially constructed
category of identity, which marked a separate phase in life,
with its own specific qualities and needs. The article also shows how
the shifts in the social status of children brought about inter-generational
tensions that intensified in light of the political tension
and the national struggle. It sheds light on the substantial expectations,
which were placed on children’s shoulders with regards to
the future of the budding nation.
Book chapters by Maayan Hilel
Book Reviews by Maayan Hilel
Papers by Maayan Hilel
Online Publications and Media by Maayan Hilel
Books by Maayan Hilel
The 17 chapters reflect diverse research interests, from case studies of individual archives to chapters that question the concept of cultural diplomacy more generally. They illustrate the diversity of scholarship that enables a broad-based view of how cultural diplomacy functioned during the interwar period, but also the ways in which its meanings have changed. The book considers British Mandate Palestine as an internationalised node within a transnational framework to understand how the complexity of cultural interactions and agencies engaged to produce new modes of modernity.
videos by Maayan Hilel
Flyers by Maayan Hilel
centers in Palestine during the British Mandate period. Focusing on the
city of Haifa as a case study, the article sheds light on how imperial
colonial interests prompted massive development of the city that
triggered significant cultural changes. The article examines the ways in
which different groups in Palestinian-Arab society were involved, and
how they initiated, experienced, and reacted to the cultural shifts. The
rapid increase in the number of cafés, cabarets, bars, and restaurants
constituted the cornerstone of the commercial entertainment industry in
Haifa during this period. By delineating the emergence of new
entertainment patterns and recreation habits, the article shows how
leisure became a central component in the daily lives of varied social
groups. It argues that leisure played a major role as an agent of
modernization and functioned as an essential site for the construction of
modern personhoods in Palestinian society.
undergone profound cultural transformation which was manifested
in the flourishing of a new range of public and commercial forms
and institutions of leisure. This article analyses the ways in which
Palestinian children in Haifa became legitimate and key consumers
of these leisure arenas and examines the development of a cultural
array especially designated for them. This, I argue, reflected the
the emergence of a new conception of ‘childhood’ as a socially constructed
category of identity, which marked a separate phase in life,
with its own specific qualities and needs. The article also shows how
the shifts in the social status of children brought about inter-generational
tensions that intensified in light of the political tension
and the national struggle. It sheds light on the substantial expectations,
which were placed on children’s shoulders with regards to
the future of the budding nation.
The 17 chapters reflect diverse research interests, from case studies of individual archives to chapters that question the concept of cultural diplomacy more generally. They illustrate the diversity of scholarship that enables a broad-based view of how cultural diplomacy functioned during the interwar period, but also the ways in which its meanings have changed. The book considers British Mandate Palestine as an internationalised node within a transnational framework to understand how the complexity of cultural interactions and agencies engaged to produce new modes of modernity.