In this groundbreaking study, cultural historian Nina S. Spiegel explores how physical movement—particularly dance and athletics—played a central role in shaping modern Jewish identity in Mandate Palestine. Embodying Hebrew Culture examines how early Zionist ideologies were expressed not only through politics and language, but through the body itself. From folk dance festivals and gymnastic displays to everyday public rituals, Spiegel reveals how the Yishuv forged a distinct Hebrew aesthetic that emphasized vitality, rootedness, and national renewal.

Rich with archival detail and theoretical insight, this book offers a vivid portrait of a society in motion—both literally and metaphorically. It is essential reading for those interested in modern Jewish history, Zionist cultural formation, performance studies, and the embodied dimensions of nation-building.