The study explores the mechanisms that shape the religious identity of place-based community of baalei teshuva – Sde Tzofim between the years 2010 and 2020. Based on qualitative and interpretive analysis, the study shows that the religious identity of the community in question express a unique pattern, which to some extent fits a neo-Hassidism, which merges ancient Jewish Orthodox heritage with modern and postmodern values.
Our analysis uncover that this pattern has been influenced by universal mechanisms such as psychosocial dynamics that commonly characterize baalei teshuva. These mechanisms, however, intersected with local factors such as national history, local hierarchies, collective narrative, and the community leaders` biographies and interpretations. This universal-local relationship was clearly demonstrated by the fact that the leaders of the community were able to overcome structural disadvantages. In principle, communities of baalei teshuva, as Sde Tzofim, lacked prestige and tradition. Despite these disadvantages, the leaders of Sde Tzofim succeeded in shaping a new religious worldview and philosophy using their secular background as a resource that gave community members a voice and moral-religious legitimacy.