“We did not come here to rest”

Multiple-work among women in a national-religious community village

Abstract

The paper will present a group of national-religious women who, along with their spouses, have been developing a community village. The paper will attempt to show that establishing a community village challenges, at least temporarily, traditional social patterns and norms. These include gender patterns, work related norms and the distinction between sacred and secular. Under these boundary-challenging circumstances it is difficult to create hierarchies, and the women feel committed to performing both traditional and non-traditional female tasks. This blurring of boundaries is particularly prominent against the backdrop of religious nationalism, which itself is based on the coupling of different spheres along with its messages to adolescent girls. These young girls, who study in Ulpanas, are educated to excel, simultaneously, in all areas of life – housework, career and religious work. This education stresses the need to combine religion and nationalism through intense activity and contribution at home, in the community and on a national level, as well as the importance of acting in all three spheres. Consequently, the women in this new and developing community village find themselves both creating and locked into the unending pressure to work and to excel in the various work contexts. It is 10 at night and I am at Ruthie’s house. When I called to schedule the interview, she said: “I am at work (she holds a senior position in an organisation located in a nearby city) in the morning and with the children (three children ages 8 months, 2 years and 4 years) in the afternoon, but after I put them to sleep at 9 I will be glad to meet.” She told me that her evening hours are mostly dedicated to activity in one of the village committees on which she serves. This activity demands the investment of about 6 hours a week spent in committee meetings, on correspondence and addressing future plans. When I inquired about her choice to combine work, children and public activity, Ruthie told me that this was not even an issue – “It is my village and I must be active for its success.” As we sit down for the interview, I am impressed by the tidiness and style of Ruthie’s small home and by her hospitality, including her homemade cookies. I ask her to tell me about life in the young and evolving village only established three years ago. Ruthie uses the word “work” repeatedly in numerous and varied contexts. She describes the work involved in establishing the village and her activity on village committees, her career work as well as parenthood – which she also refers to as work – with an emphasis on having a large family, along with nurturing her marriage and working on shaping her personal religious identity and that of the entire village. The picture that emerges from conversations with Ruthie and her female friends who established the village is one of women strongly committed to all work spheres and constantly involved with all these spheres. Their perception of work presents a renewed definition of gender boundaries, and of the tasks required of women.