In this interview, Dr Hadas Ore speaks about contemporary Maori Jews, which is the subject for her post-doctoral project. There's been a Jewish History
\n in New Zealand since the very beginning of the 19th Century - so it should come as no surprise that some of our population identify as M\u0101ori Jews.
\n This is a segment population however, that most of us know very little about.<\/p>\n
Hadas is also interested in using her own social privileges, as a Jewish-Israeli academic woman, for ameliorating the Palestinian situation by speaking
\n out about it. We discuss this later in the interview.<\/p>\n
This interview discusses the agency and power that are negotiated by older M\u0101ori Jewish women as their mana w\u0101hine, renamed Polyfeminism. Polyfeminism
\n is forms of feminine agency employing practical remembrance and resilience that combines the best of the M\u0101ori, Jewish and P\u0101keha (European) worldviews.\n <\/p>\n
Hadas\u2019 analysis is based on a case study of in-depth interviews with six indigenous women aged over 50 years old and their everyday memories of their
\n mixed ethnic tupuna as they resist injustices, and become role models for the next generation.<\/p>\n
The interviews were conducted during 2016-2017 as part of the first research project on the well-being and success stories of contemporary M\u0101ori Jews
\n in New Zealand. It looks closely into their narratives and memories of growing up at home. Hadas show that despite of the strong hold of racism
\n in and outside their wh\u0101nau, they are typified by \u2018no-fuss\u2019 attitude toward their mixed ethnic identity. <\/p>\n
As older M\u0101ori Jewish women, they derive power and constitute their identity through postgraduate education in subjects related to health and education,
\n and in most cases, learning Te Reo M\u0101ori (the M\u0101ori language). <\/p>\n
The telling metaphor in the title is by one of the women: \u201cfilling up the other kete\u201d, encompasses their growing political awareness and long term
\n labour in attaining the cultural knowledge and education that lead to a balanced and healthier way of living. This metaphor also evokes comfort
\n through the resilience and practical indigenous knowledge that feed forward their well-being and the well-being of their wh\u0101nau and beyond.<\/p>\n