Overview

Focused on the triangular relationship between rabbis, journalists and the public, this book analyses each group’s role in influencing the agenda around religion in Israel. The book draws upon the author's original research, comprising an analysis of the coverage of religion on four Israeli news websites, a series of surveys of rabbis, journalists, and the public, as well as a large number of interviews conducted with a range of stakeholders: community rabbis, teacher rabbis, and religious court judges; reporters, editors, and spokespersons; and the Israeli Jewish public. Key questions include: What are rabbis’ philosophical views of the media? How does the media define news about Judaism? What aspect of news about religion and spirituality interest the public? How do spokespersons and rabbis influence the news agenda? How is the triangular relationship between rabbis, journalists and the public being altered by the digital age? Despite a lack of understanding about mass media behaviour among many rabbis, and, concurrently, a lack of knowledge about religion among many journalists, it is argued that there is shared interest between the two groups, both in support of mass-media values like the right to know and freedom of expression. It is further argued that the public's attitude to news about religion is significant in determining what journalists should publish. The book will be of interest to those studying mass communications, the media, Judaism and Israeli society, as well as researchers of media and religion.

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9781138833845

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Reviews

""Although it is cast as basically an academic work, the book is very far from dry or heavy-going. Cohen writes lucidly, not only as regards style but also in respect to content. He covers his field of study comprehensively, drawing his conclusions from the evidence-based results of his extensive research. The reader is left much more knowledgeable about the nature of the media in Israel, and the professional problems facing the journalists who staff it. The religious dimension to Israeli society is also covered clearly and comprehensively, and particular attention is directed at its relationship with the modern media in an increasingly digital-savvy nation. If issues such as these excite your interest, then this is a book for you."" Neville Teller, The Jerusalem Post ""I consider this book a landmark study that has been properly scaffolded by Yoel Cohen’s sustained research publications on matters related to the rabbis-media-public nexus. This book demonstrates his years of scholarly research and adept utilization of language. Regarding content, Cohen always justifies his remarks, suggestions, and insights through his gathered and analyzed data. Furthermore, the mindfulness toward concise explanations of Jewish terminologies and brief yet meaningful contextualization prove how the book caters even to readers unfamiliar with the complexities of Jewish media, religion, and culture."" Carl Jayson D. Hernandez, Religion and Social Communication, Vol. 22 No. 2, 2024 “Professor Yoel Cohen has a deep understanding of religious society in all its diversity, and his research clearly reflects the gaps between different religious movements, both in their relationship to the media and in their relationship to their status in Israeli society. Therefore, the book paints a rich portrait of a diverse religious society, which is debating which ways are appropriate for it to deal with the presence of Communication in the public sphere.” Ines Gabel, Media Frames, the Israel Communication Association

"""Although it is cast as basically an academic work, the book is very far from dry or heavy-going. Cohen writes lucidly, not only as regards style but also in respect to content. He covers his field of study comprehensively, drawing his conclusions from the evidence-based results of his extensive research. The reader is left much more knowledgeable about the nature of the media in Israel, and the professional problems facing the journalists who staff it. The religious dimension to Israeli society is also covered clearly and comprehensively, and particular attention is directed at its relationship with the modern media in an increasingly digital-savvy nation. If issues such as these excite your interest, then this is a book for you."" Neville Teller, The Jerusalem Post"

""Although it is cast as basically an academic work, the book is very far from dry or heavy-going. Cohen writes lucidly, not only as regards style but also in respect to content. He covers his field of study comprehensively, drawing his conclusions from the evidence-based results of his extensive research. The reader is left much more knowledgeable about the nature of the media in Israel, and the professional problems facing the journalists who staff it. The religious dimension to Israeli society is also covered clearly and comprehensively, and particular attention is directed at its relationship with the modern media in an increasingly digital-savvy nation. If issues such as these excite your interest, then this is a book for you."" Neville Teller, The Jerusalem Post ""I consider this book a landmark study that has been properly scaffolded by Yoel Cohen’s sustained research publications on matters related to the rabbis-media-public nexus. This book demonstrates his years of scholarly research and adept utilization of language. Regarding content, Cohen always justifies his remarks, suggestions, and insights through his gathered and analyzed data. Furthermore, the mindfulness toward concise explanations of Jewish terminologies and brief yet meaningful contextualization prove how the book caters even to readers unfamiliar with the complexities of Jewish media, religion, and culture."" Carl Jayson D. Hernandez, Religion and Social Communication, Vol. 22 No. 2, 2024

Author Information

Yoel Cohen is Full Professor (Emeritus) in the School of Communication at Ariel University, Israel, as well as convenor of the Religion and Communication working group in the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR). His research interests include media and religion in Israel and Judaism, the city of Jerusalem, and foreign news. His publications include God, Jews and the Media: Religion and Israel's Media; Spiritual News: Reporting Religion Around the World; and The Handbook of Religion and Communication.

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