The literature about self-identity views the self as socially constructed, constantly revised, and providing the individual with a narrative of continuity despite change (Shu-Fang Dien, 2000; McAdams, 1985). In this study, identity literature and the narrative approach were used theoretically and methodologically, to explore the connections between the decision to join a secular Jewish-oriented group (SJOG), and the joiner's perceived Jewish identity among joiners in Israel and in the U.S.
It was hypothesized that joining serves to reinforce, distinguish, and renegotiate a Jewish secular identity. Additionally, differences in the group's social context were expected to manifest through identity-negotiations content.
Results emphasized the importance of joining a group, and group identity, to the development of self-identity. Joiner's narrations revealed an attempt to bridge polarized selfidentities and thus create a continuous and balanced self-story. The social context subtlety influenced the decision to join a SJOG. Finally, in negotiating identities, individuals created outer social constructs to accommodate their identity needs.
","abstract_html":"<p>The literature about self-identity views the self as socially constructed, constantly revised, and providing the individual with a narrative of continuity despite change (Shu-Fang Dien, 2000; McAdams, 1985). In this study, identity literature and the narrative approach were used theoretically and methodologically, to explore the connections between the decision to join a secular Jewish-oriented group (SJOG), and the joiner's perceived Jewish identity among joiners in Israel and in the U.S.</p> <p>It was hypothesized that joining serves to reinforce, distinguish, and renegotiate a Jewish secular identity. Additionally, differences in the group's social context were expected to manifest through identity-negotiations content.</p> <p>Results emphasized the importance of joining a group, and group identity, to the development of self-identity. Joiner's narrations revealed an attempt to bridge polarized selfidentities and thus create a continuous and balanced self-story. The social context subtlety influenced the decision to join a SJOG. Finally, in negotiating identities, individuals created outer social constructs to accommodate their identity needs.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Bayrach-Avraham, Nirit"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Master of Science (MS)","degree_level":"Open Access Thesis","degree_discipline":"Psychology","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Carol Freedman-Doan, PhD, Chair","Jeffrey Danskey, PhD"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2004,"date_issued":"2004-03-30T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2004-03-30T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:16:24Z","subjects":["Group identity","Jews Israel Identity","Jews United States Identity","Clinical Psychology"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://commons.emich.edu/theses/80","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Carol Freedman-Doan, PhD, Chair","Jeffrey Danskey, PhD"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Bayrach-Avraham, Nirit"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Psychology"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Open Access Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Science (MS)"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Group identity","Jews Israel Identity","Jews United States Identity","Clinical Psychology"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://commons.emich.edu/theses/80"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["The literature about self-identity views the self as socially constructed, constantly revised, and providing the individual with a narrative of continuity despite change (Shu-Fang Dien, 2000; McAdams, 1985). In this study, identity literature and the narrative approach were used theoretically and methodologically, to explore the connections between the decision to join a secular Jewish-oriented group (SJOG), and the joiner's perceived Jewish identity among joiners in Israel and in the U.S.
It was hypothesized that joining serves to reinforce, distinguish, and renegotiate a Jewish secular identity. Additionally, differences in the group's social context were expected to manifest through identity-negotiations content.
Results emphasized the importance of joining a group, and group identity, to the development of self-identity. Joiner's narrations revealed an attempt to bridge polarized selfidentities and thus create a continuous and balanced self-story. The social context subtlety influenced the decision to join a SJOG. Finally, in negotiating identities, individuals created outer social constructs to accommodate their identity needs.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["The connection between the decision to join a secular Jewish-oriented group and perceived Jewish identity: A comparative study between American and Israeli joiners"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Carol Freedman-Doan, PhD, Chair","Jeffrey Danskey, PhD"],"dc:creator":["Bayrach-Avraham, Nirit"],"dc:description.abstract":["The literature about self-identity views the self as socially constructed, constantly revised, and providing the individual with a narrative of continuity despite change (Shu-Fang Dien, 2000; McAdams, 1985). In this study, identity literature and the narrative approach were used theoretically and methodologically, to explore the connections between the decision to join a secular Jewish-oriented group (SJOG), and the joiner's perceived Jewish identity among joiners in Israel and in the U.S.
It was hypothesized that joining serves to reinforce, distinguish, and renegotiate a Jewish secular identity. Additionally, differences in the group's social context were expected to manifest through identity-negotiations content.
Results emphasized the importance of joining a group, and group identity, to the development of self-identity. Joiner's narrations revealed an attempt to bridge polarized selfidentities and thus create a continuous and balanced self-story. The social context subtlety influenced the decision to join a SJOG. Finally, in negotiating identities, individuals created outer social constructs to accommodate their identity needs.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://commons.emich.edu/theses/80"],"dc:subject":["Group identity","Jews Israel Identity","Jews United States Identity","Clinical Psychology"],"dc:title":["The connection between the decision to join a secular Jewish-oriented group and perceived Jewish identity: A comparative study between American and Israeli joiners"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Psychology"],"thesis:degree_level":["Open Access Thesis"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Science (MS)"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:16:24Z"}