The Jewish Bourgeoisie of Egypt

Modernity, Socio-Cultural Practices and Oral Testimonials

Abstract

This paper deconstructs the notion of modernity among ordinary people in the
Egyptian Jewish community during the colonial era. Analyzing modernity as
a lived experience, this paper discusses three socio-cultural practices utilized
by members of the community in order to construct and appropriate a shared
modern identity and enjoy the new opportunities it offered. Drawing on
Bourdieu’s concept of habitus, it discusses the use of language, residential
dispersion patterns, and mixed marriages in the context of defining modernity.
The paper additionally draws attention to factors such as gender, and to the
central role of the family as a framework that allowed for adaptation to rapid
change. Finally, relying primarily on oral sources, this paper points to the
tremendous potential of testimonies for research of modern Middle Eastern
societies.