Motivation and Meaning in Regional Studies: The Case of Indian Studies in Israel

Abstract

This essay explores the motivations, experiences, and aspirations of scholars and students engaged in Indian studies in Israel, presenting a case study that speaks to broader global debates about the history, relevance, and future of regional studies. Drawing on interviews with three generations of Israeli scholars and current students from three major Israeli universities, it traces the diverse paths that lead individuals to engage deeply with Indian languages, philosophy, and culture, and thus also the history of Indian studies in Israel. Against the backdrop of postcolonial criticism that casts regional studies as complicit in Orientalist or neo-imperialist agendas, this essay offers a more nuanced perspective—one rooted in personal stories, intellectual curiosity, cross-cultural encounters, and a desire for international collaboration. It highlights both the challenges and the enduring appeal of the field in an age of declining regional studies enrolments and increasing pressure to pursue market-driven higher education. In doing so, the essay calls for renewed attention to the transformative potential of regional studies and suggests that the Israeli experience may offer insights into how such disciplines continue to matter in a globalized world.