Zionism in Brazil: Identity and Diaspora

The paper offers an analysis on the concepts of Diaspora and Identity through the historical experience of Zionist Brazilian education. In a Brazilian social and cultural atmosphere, where “Brazilian identity” is primordial and dominant in relation to other minority identities, it is important to note the cultural and political formation and development of identity practices of specific Brazilian social groups.

In the case of Zionism in Brazil the question tends to be still more complex and interesting because of the “Diaspora” perception that points not only to social and cultural identities and demands but also has national dimensions, where both Brazil and Israel are part of a discourse of identity and belonging.

Such questions will be examined through the analysis of Zionist schools and Zionist Youth Movements in Rio de Janeiro from the 1950 to 1970, their political relationships with Zionist Israeli structures and with the Brazilian government.