A Journey toward Connection and Belonging
Autoethnography of a Jewish Student in Christian Higher Education
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 3224338 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Jessica R Dreistadt (0000-0001-8076-4083, The Fruition Coalition, Allentown, PA 18104, USA, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2022 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 356 |
| Publication date | 2022-04-13 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Religions (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/rel13040356 |
| OpenAlex | W4224106576 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 23 |
Despite the progress that has been made over the past 60 years, relationships between members of different faith communities can be tenuous. The purpose of this study is to explore how challenging circumstances related to Jewish-Christian relations can be opportunities for spiritual transformation. Using autoethnography, the author reflects upon and interprets her experiences as a Jewish student in Christian higher education through the lens of her spirituality. There are three significant findings: (1) being a Jew who converted from Christianity and had prior interactions with Christian institutions prepared the author to engage with difference; (2) context, openness to dialogue, and empathy can influence the interpretation of interfaith interactions; and (3) spiritual growth can develop through adverse experiences. The results demonstrate that searching for belonging and connection are spiritual practices, illustrate that spiritual meaning can be revealed over time as adverse experiences are contemplated, and suggest opportunities for practicing spiritual leadership
Autoethnography · Christianity · Empathy · Epistemology · Faith · Higher education · Judaism · Metatheory · Openness to experience · Pedagogy · Political science · Psychotherapist · Sociology · Spirituality · Theology · Ego Development and Educational Practices · Gender Studies · History · Philosophy · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Religious studies · Social Psychology · Workplace Spirituality and Leadership
Memoing in qualitative research
Heart of the Matter
Trusting the Bridging Power of Autoethnography
Autoethnography as Hauntings
Prenatal Care Use Among Women of Low Income
Jewish–Christian Relations Today
Jewish Perspectives on Jewish–Christian Dialogue Over Five Decades
The Religious Quest As Transformative Journey
Transformation Now
Christians Preparing for Conversation
Experience and “I” in Autoethnography
The concept of belonging
Critical Analysis of Strategies for Determining Rigor in Qualitative Inquiry
Blurring the Body and the Page
Do Jews Feel Like Outsiders in America? The Impact of Anti-Semitism, Friendships, and Religious Geography
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |