In co-working spaces and cafés across the world, a new phenomenon is taking shape. Israeli digital nomads – professionals who’ve chosen to work remotely while traveling the world – are redefining what it means to maintain a connection to their homeland while living a life untethered to any single place.
A fascinating and relevant new study by Bar-Ilan researcher Shahar Mendelovich reveals how these modern wanderers are crafting a unique form of Israeli identity – one that doesn’t require them to be within Israel’s borders to feel deeply Israeli. Through interviews with 21 digital nomads and analysis of their 47,000-member strong digital community, Mendelovich discovered something remarkable: their lifestyle has given birth to what she calls “personalized nationalism” – a new way of being Israeli that combines cultural connection with personal freedom.
In an era where traditional notions of nationalism face new challenges, these Israeli wanderers might be showing us a path forward – one where national identity becomes something we actively shape and choose, rather than simply inherit. They’re proving that home isn’t always a place; sometimes it’s a connection we carry with us, reimagining it as we move through the world.
